We live in a century when most people are concerned with their own person and less with others. In fact, in the old times it wasn’t much different either. In the Epistle to Philippians Paul says about the most of Christians that they were looking for their own interest and not to what is pleasant to God. Christian maturity is manifested when you care for others, think about them and do your utmost for their good, no matter what circumstances are. The most precious on this earth is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, because it assures our heavenly life and inheritance of Christ.
Fight for others’ salvation
Apostle Paul begins the 2nd chapter of Epistle to Colossians so:
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:1–5)(NASB)
These words were written by the apostle when he was in prison, and he mentions this for two times in his epistle. Usually, people are more concerned about themselves than about others in such circumstances. Paul doesn’t act this way, because he is an example of maturity in Christ.
Fight for all your brothers
By the way he writes, we figure out that Paul wasn’t in Colosae, at least he doesn’t know Christians from Colosae personally. But this doesn’t restrain him from writing to them. If he had found out about a need of theirs and because he knew how to fulfill it, he didn’t hesitate, but took action. How good example of Christian serving. Immediately how he had heard from Epaphras about the problem and the heresies those from Colossae confront with, he took action and wrote this epistle with a powerful message and that is the expression of care and fight for the faith of Colossians. What do you do when you hear about a need of those who know you? What do you do when you found out about the problems of those who don’t know you personally? Are you ready to serve all? This is a proof of God’s love that has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, if it has been poured out.
The knowledge of God is the greatest priority
Paul fights for the brothers that know or don’t know him personally, because he wants them to know God. The knowledge of Christ strengthens our hearts and keeps us unite in love. The lack of this knowledge of Christ, the lack of the knowledge of Bible puts into danger the faith of Christians and makes them vulnerable, and they may be deceived by deceitful words. Yesterday I advised a Christian young woman who has had an intimate relation with an unbeliever before she turned to God with all her heart. Since she entered the covenant with the Lord Jesus she has stopped that relation, then under the pressure of temptations she initiated that relation again and so, she became a victim with a broken heart. When I put her some questions, she began to realize that the first step of her fallibility took place when she ceased to put priority on the knowledge of Jesus Christ through Bible study. She told me so: “When I was not a Christian, I was oppressed by desperation and by the immoral way of life I lived in. When I became a Christian and was studying the Scriptures daily, I have experienced such a deep joy in the personal relation I had with God. Now, when I looked for fulfilment from people and departed from God, I came to the worst state I have ever experienced. Yesterday I cried the whole night…”
What do you do for others? Do you live only for yourself?
Translated by Djugostran Felicia