Colossians: Conclusion

Colossions 4: 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.



One commentator, Alford, states movingly, "When we read of his chains we should not forget that they moved over the paper as he wrote. His hand was chained to the soldier that kept him." As we secure that image in our minds, we must not think that Paul is crying for some kind of sympathy or pity. He is stating boldly his authority to write. This is a man who knows full well the costs of being a Christ - follower. He calls us to nothing that he has not been willing to carry himself. He carries the mark of the cross of Christ. And he does it willingly, even joyfully. He does it because he knows ... and passionately loves ... the Son of God. It is a love that changes your life ... the way you think, the way you interact, the way you live. And Paul's entreaty is to us as well.



Barclay says, "And so the letter comes to its inevitable end. The end of every letter of Paul is grace; for he always ended by commending others to that grace which he himself had found sufficient for all things."



Remember what Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But He (the Lord) said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Paul fully realized the all sufficient quality of the grace of God. Think about that word, sufficient.



According to Mirriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, sufficient means: enough to meet the needs of a situation or a proposed end



The Greek word Paul used means: for, according to the abundance of; more than enough to meet one's needs.



Can we hear it? God's grace is sufficient for, enough for ...... you fill in anything you are facing in your life right now. God's grace is sufficient.



Paul closes this letter, indeed all of his letter, with the reminder to his readers ... that God's grace is enough. And we must remind each other of the same reality ... it has not changed ... it is as applicable to 21st century living as it was for 1st century living. So, we close this study with the same reminder. God's grace is sufficient for you, for me.



Grace be with you ...