Colossians 4:7-9 says...

Today’s verses are Colossians 4:7-9, which read,

v.7, 8 –As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord will bring you information.  For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you many know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

Paul is winding down this letter and as with many of his letters he uses the last chapter or last sentences to mention the names of others who are working with him.  It is full of gratitude and praise for the brothers and sisters in Christ around him. 

The first mentioned is this man named Tychicus which means “fortuitous or fortunate.”  He is a Gentile convert and one taken with Paul to Jerusalem to show the church fathers a new Gentile convert to Christianity.  He was Paul’s letter carrier to the churches in Colossae and Ephesus and a personal letter to Philemon.  He was considered as a replacement for Titus and Timothy, so his spiritual life included the gift of pastoral leadership.

Let’s look at the words that describe him.  Let me string them together here.  Paul says he is a “Beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bond-servant in the Lord.”  This new Christian who is of another race is seen by Paul as a loved relative in the faith, one serving with his spiritual gifting, and one who has dedicated his whole life to the Lord’s work.  Paul does not look at this new Christian who has been discipled by him as anything less than him.  Paul uses these words to describe new discipled converts to the faith all the time.  I am convinced that they need to be used more and acted out more to those who are growing in their walk with the Lord.  They need to hear the words of who they are in Christ from our lips.

v.9 – and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number.  They will inform you about the whole situation here.

Paul sends them out in pairs and with Tychicus is a man named Onesimus who is also a convert to the faith.  He is also described in the same type of terms of faithful and beloved and identified as a brother.  Onesimus was an unconverted runaway slave of Philemon that ran into Paul and heard the gospel.  His past does not look so good but Paul doesn’t dwell there.  He instructs this young man about doing what is right in regards to his past but then moves on with expectancy and provisions to be used of the Lord in the future.  He gives him a job or task to do and it is of great importance.

They are going back to his hometown and he will be a witness of a changed life.  They know him and will be able to evaluate the transformation.  He will also be carrying the message that Paul is okay.  I am sure the false teachers may be using that fact that Paul is in prison to downplay the effectiveness of the gospel.  Onesimus is going to be able to share that the prisons do not stop the gospel message and to keep strong in the faith for the fact that no boundaries or barriers will stop God from building His church. 

How do I treat new believers?  I think we first need to take very seriously the discipleship of new converts.  Many times this doesn’t happen by us and so the giving of them of descriptions like Paul does, doesn’t come because we haven’t given them the time and the tools to see spiritual growth happen.  As we disciple them, we need to see them first as equal in salvation and then allow space and opportunity for them to use the gifts God has given them.  We open up doors for them to go through and maybe we go with them through the door at first but there will be a time when they walk through alone with your backing of prayer and support.  They know that they are “beloved” in your sight.  They have heard you say that they are “faithful” to the call of God.  They know by your actions and words that they are family in this new family called the family of God.  I will ask the question again, “How do I treat new believers?”  Do I ever drop the “new” and add “beloved, faithful, and family?”  Let’s pray.

“Lord, this passage is as much about Paul as it is about these two men.  Paul was used by You to prepare these men to go where he couldn’t go at the time with the gospel message.  We, as Christians who have been in the faith for a long time need to be preparing those who are around us to go where we can’t go.  Forgive us for not opening up doors for them to serve as we have selfishly held a sometimes superior ungodly position over them.  We have not fostered an atmosphere of growth to push them to walk and run for You.  May we take the spiritual growth of new converts seriously to see them become fellow bond-servants, fully sold out to You.  Amen.”

Pastor Adam