“Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven» (Colossians 4:1).
IN CHAPTER 3 of Colossians, Paul gives counsel to the servants, but in chapter 4, he gives counsel to the masters: to treat their servants fairly, equally. And for them to know that they will be accountable to God.
Paul also says that we should pray, manifest thanksgiving, and be wise in the way we act with those who do not know God. One way to influence people is to use our words well, so that our words are pleasing.
Paul ends the letter by sending greetings and recommending many people. This shows that the great theologian and pastor was a person who valued relationships, who depended on people and gave value to everyone individually, name by name.
Paul knew that every good job is never done alone. All successful work depends on the coordinated participation of a number of people. That’s why we need to learn how to value, respect, and promote people. In the end, the kingdom of God will be made up of people, and that is why we need to build good relationships.
We have two ways of looking at life: anthropocentrically (placing man at the center) or Christocentrically (placing Christ at the center). One approach is material, self-centered, and temporal; the other is spiritual, altruistic, and with an eternal destiny.
The last words recorded by the great commentator of the Bible named Matthew Henry, while he was already on his deathbed, were as follows: «A life consumed in communion with God and consummated in service to the Lord is the happiest and best lived life.» This experience was also Paul’s and must be that of each one of us.
The fullness of the Spirit and the fullness of the Word are indispensable. If we are all controlled by the Spirit of God and the Word of God, there will be no difficulty in getting along with others.
«Man needs a power outside of and beyond himself, to restore him to the likeness of God, and enable him to do the work of God; but this does not make the human agency unessential. Humanity lays hold upon divine power, Christ dwells in the heart by faith; and through co-operation with the divine, the power of man becomes efficient for good» (Colporteur Ministry, p. 104).
Let us consume ourselves and consummate ourselves in communion and in the mission of the Lord!
