DEC 29

Colossians 4:16
Memorise 2 Timothy 3:16
“…ye likewise read the epistle…”

Colossians 4:16 says “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” There is no need to speculate what this epistle from Laodicea is. What is more important is that Paul had earlier mentioned that both churches were facing the same danger from false teachers (Colossians 1:2), so both churches would benefit from reading each other’s epistles. When they do so, both churches will benefit from facing this impending threat together, praying for one another, and studying God’s Word together, for iron sharpeneth iron. Although Paul addressed specific audiences in his epistles, he also exhorts every Christian to read all Scripture, for “all scripture…is profitable...” (2 Timothy 3:16). In 1 Thessalonians 5:27, Paul says “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren” ie. he was not limiting this to the Thessalonian brethren alone. Also note that Paul indicated the epistle be “read among you”; in other words, the entire church, not just the leaders must read and understand these words. By God’s grace we have studied this book over the past 3 months and can appreciate that this book is at times difficult to understand. Yet the command is that this epistle be read to the entire congregation. Every Christian, even the youngest child, must read and study God’s Word.

And so we today must also read this epistle, for though we are not the Colossian church, nevertheless we do face similar threats from false teachers today. As a church, we also desire to progress towards spiritual maturity. Though the many epistles in the Bible may be addressed to another church of another age, they still have relevance for us in some way today. God’s Word is always the same, the doctrines are the same, and the adversary from the devil is the same. Likewise, we should also stand with other churches who stand for the faith once delivered unto the saints, pray for these other churches, and study God’s Word together. Thank God for pastors and preachers from these other churches who are invited to preach at our pulpit, fellowship groups and camps. Thank God for institutions like the Far Eastern Bible College who were set up by like-minded brethren from various churches to equip men and women with God’s Word for full-time ministry.

Thought: Do you thank God for this bond between churches, or take it for granted?
Prayer: Thank Thee for this fellowship amongst churches who stand for the faith.