DEC 26

Colossians 4:13
Memorise Romans 8:28
“…he hath a great zeal for you…”

Paul testifies of Epaphras in Colossians 4:13 “For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.” All three churches in Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis, are a short distance from one another, all in the province of Phrygia. From Paul’s description, Epaphras was most likely the pastor of all three churches. There was perhaps a possibility that some Colossians felt that Epaphras did not care for them anymore, for he was with the ‘great’ Apostle Paul, far away in Rome. Paul testified that nothing could be further from the truth. The word zeal in Greek is one used to describe the good sort of jealousy one has in desiring good for someone else, like the godly jealousy Paul had when he desired to present the church to Christ as His spotless Bride in 2 Corinthians 11:2. Ephaphras’ zeal for the church was evident in the prayers he made for them (Colossians 4:12), and he was zealous to protect the church from false teachers. Epaphras most certainly had a desire to be there, but was content that God’s will be done when Paul decided to send Tychicus and Onesimus instead. Paul’s words in this verse are enough to convey the unsaid message: Epaphras really wanted to come. We do not know the reason why Epaphras was not sent instead, but suffice to say, it must have been God’s will, and God’s will is always the best for us.

There will be times that your church leadership will make certain decisions but chose not to reveal their rationale for it to us. For example, if the church leadership decides block a certain speaker from preaching at your church, this decision may only be made known to the ministry leaders, and the rationale for this decision is not shared. There is wisdom in such a practice. Sometimes these restrictions are only temporary while the speaker is being monitored, and when the speaker realises his error and repents, the restriction is then quietly lifted. There are many other possible situations, but suffice to say, you can trust that the church leadership would have good reasons doing things in a certain way. In the Presbyterian form of government, there must be unanimity amongst all elders in order for any decision to be binding at the church level. It is only when every elder is convinced that it is God’s will and fully in line with Scriptures, that a decision is made. If these elders are indeed godly men that fulfill the Biblical criteria set forth in passages like Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3, then we can certainly have confidence in their decisions.

Thought: Why do you wish you knew the rationale for every decision?
Prayer: That I may learn submission to lawful authority placed over me.