“Paul, an
apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the
holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father”
(Colossians 1:1-2).
In some
ways, this is a standard greeting for letters in New Testament times. For example, it was customary to begin with
the name of the writer (you did not want to have unroll the entire scroll just
to see the signature at the end). It was
also customary to address the recipients by name. However, if you look again, you will see some
non-standard thoughts that are well worth noticing.
For
example, I love the confidence that Paul displayed when he, inspired by the
Holy Spirit, wrote phrases like, “An apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of
God” and “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse”. Some versions of the Bible, such as the
“King James Version” actually translate that last phrase to say, “To the saints
and faithful brethren”. I like that
word “saints” in this context. It is a
reminder, not only of their high calling, but of their current position. It is not that they are going to be “saints”
and “holy” someday. They are those
things right now. They are people of a
high calling and they are to live up to that calling.
Contrast
that to our sometimes questioning nature.
I think we could use some of Paul’s confidence. Constantly wringing our hands and wondering,
“Have I done enough?” or “Am I good
enough?” is no way to live the Christian life.
While I
recognize the need for humility, there has to be a place where it is good and
right to say, “I am a baptized believer.
I am a child of God born into his family. My old sinful life has been washed away and I
am living a new life free of my old guilt by the power of the cross and the
Holy Spirit” (see Romans 6:1-4; Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 12:1-3)
It is good
to make sure that you are living “In a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”
(Philippians 1:27). However, it is
equally good to step back and say, “I know that my name is written in the book
of life” (see Revelation 21:27).
We need to
know the assurance that comes, not from our own goodness, but from God’s.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24)
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