OCT 6

Colossians 1:7-8
Memorise Hebrews 13:17
“…declared unto us your love in the Spirit...”

From verse 7, we can see that Epaphras was probably the pastor or an elder of the Colossian church, being described as a faithful minister of Christ. Epaphras was also probably the one in verse 4 who declared a good testimony of the Colossians to Paul. This testimony is further elaborated in verse 8, “Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.” The Colossians had the love that only the Holy Spirit could give to every Christian, the love that enabled them to love God and to love their brethren. The faithfulness of Epaphras described in verse 7 does not refer to how well he reported back to Paul about the Colossians, but rather that Epaphras was faithful in being a minister to the Colossians (“for you”). Epaphras must have been instrumental in exhorting the Colossians towards such love, doubtless because he was faithful in watching over the flock as a leader, knowing that one day he must give an account to God for how well he has watched over their souls (Hebrews 13:17), and for now he gives a status report of this to the Apostle Paul.

While our pastors will try their very best to watch over our souls by faithfully preaching the whole counsel of God to us and warning us when we stray, it is our own fault if we do not heed this counsel. Remember that this accounting is before the Almighty God who is holy and true, so do not expect your pastor to declare anything else but the truth to God. How sad it is then if your pastor begins his truthful accounting of you by saying “I lovingly tried my very best to warn him, but he refused to repent”. You might think that your pastor has never personally known of your sins, but understand that in the body of Christ, there are also teachers and ministry leaders over you as appointed by the pastors and elders, so do not ignore their warnings given to you in love. Instead, we must strive towards living a life where our testimony to the people around us can show forth a true life in Spirit.

Thought: How do I react to those who warn me?
Prayer: May I give my pastor cause to give an account of me with joy not with grief.