Wednesday, 31 May 2017
…that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Colossians 4:4
Paul has asked for prayers for himself and those who were his fellow workers. Then to explain that further, he said they were to open a door for him to speak the mystery of Christ. He then noted that it was for this reason that he was in chains. Going back to the request for prayer now, he says that his desire is that he “might make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” The word “it” is speaking of “the mystery of Christ.”
He is already in chains, and so he is asking that an effective door be opened to him to speak this mystery even while in chains. It is not to discount prayers for release, which would be an open door, but whether in chains or whether free, he is praying for opportunities to speak the words which would make the mystery of Christ manifest to those he would meet. His words show that he cared less about being in chains than he did about getting the message of salvation out to the people he encountered. His desire was first and foremost for an effective door to be opened to him in order to speak. It is a mark of the true inward-burning evangelist.
Life application: Do you encounter people and think, “I need to tell this person about Jesus”? Or do you just look for a normal social interaction and then move on? If you aren’t hoping to share Christ, it would be good for you to pray about your attitude, and to embolden yourself to open your mouth and speak. Whose job is it to tell others about Jesus? The answer is, “Each one of us.”
Most glorious heavenly Father, would I dare to withhold the message of Jesus out of timidity? “Oh me! I might offend someone with what I know!” Should we care about that? Will we feel offended when they are eternally separated from you because we wouldn’t simply open our mouths and speak? Offense schmoffense! Let us be bold and unwavering in our faith. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. You have shown that no man may come to You but through Him. Help us to garner the courage to proclaim this truth. Amen.