Colossians – An Exhortation for Unity in Love #6 Care of the saints

 

The Care of the saints

One of the striking features of our community, is the mutual interest which brethren and sisters have in one another’s affairs. Whether it be reading ecclesial Intelligence, or via the « Christadelphian Grapevine », it is one of our communal tendencies, to want to know; and to seek after the wellbeing of those of like precious faith. And whilst the men of the flesh abuse this Scriptural, just disposition of mutual concern, debasing it into merely a desire to hear snippets of gossip and scandal; the true man of the Spirit will always seek after his brethren’s well-being. The case of Paul is testimony to this:

« All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here » (Col 3:7-9).

Here is found the expression of true carefulness in fellowship. Not a cold state of detachment from others, but a warm
and living relationship – a desire to know one another’s affairs, to help, encourage and pray for one another.
And in keeping with this spirit, the final words expressed in this epistle, are Salutatory greetings from brethren to those to whom Paul was writing. Aristarchus, Marcus, Jesus which was called Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, and Paul himself sent their fraternal greetings to their brethren in a far off country – a token of their fraternal love, and sense of unity as a Divine Family, organised under Christ as Head. In some cases, they may have been those of like precious faith whom they had never met or seen, yet the bonds of true fellowship is not bounded by familiarity or geographical location. And this is the central and powerful exhortation which runs through all we have meditated on in this article  – that brethren of the Lord Jesus must strive to be united in fraternal love.

Christopher Maddocks

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Preceding

1. Colossians – An Exhortation for Unity in Love #1 Separation from the world
2. Colossians – An Exhortation for Unity in Love #2 Completeness of the united Body of Christ
3. Colossians – An Exhortation for Unity in Love #3 Living the Truth
4. Colossians – An Exhortation for Unity in Love #4 Speaking the truth
5. Colossians – An Exhortation for Unity in Love #5 Unity of believers – Expressed in words
6. Habari, siku njema – Welcome but also necessary greeting
7. Faithful to God are baptised
8. Baptised offering unity to the unbaptised
9. Jesus high priestly prayer for unity
10. Baptised believers left in the world to use
11. Oneness with Christ is like glue that ought to hold us together

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Additional reading

1. A moment to look inward
2. Campaigners Fraternal The Lord is our Banner
3. Synagogue, Church or Ecclesia for the Christian
4. Today’s thought “When in need of encouragement” (May 18)
5. Your life the sum total of all your choices
6. Challenging claim 2 Inspired by God 1 Simple words
7. Two Ways, Revisited
8. Introduction to Yours Faithfully
9. He restores my soul
10. Importance of Tikkun olam
11. Christadelphians or Messianic Christians or Messianic Jews
12. What are Brothers in Christ
13. Who are the Christadelphians or Brothers in Christ
14. Christadelphian people – who or what