May 15, 2015

“Fellow Workers from…”

Blessings folk!

One more look at the passage...get not bored. Ask the Lord to continue His revelation in all portions of the Word.

Col 4:10-11
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);
and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.

Paul had companions with him.
Aristarchus, a fellow prisoner.
Mark.
Jesus/Justus.

They were fellow workers for the Kingdom of God.
They encouraged Paul.
They are from the circumcision...they were Jews.
They shared the background/culture of Judaism with Paul.

This was important for Paul.
He had a tremendous passion for “his people” - the Jews.
He desired that they would acknowledge Jesus as Messiah.
Look at how much he desired this.

Rom 9:1-5
I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,
whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Paul would “wish...myself were accursed, separated from Christ...”...abdicate his salvation if possible...if it meant that his people would believe.

Do we likewise?
Do we wish that those from “our background” would walk in Christ?
Do we desire for them to walk in the fullness of the Lord?
I know I do.
In my case, it is the Baptist.
I desire that we all walk in power, in passion, in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, in love, in compassion, in grace.

Do the work to pursue such.