PAUL'S LETTER TO
THE ORLANDONIANS

We are challenged to “devote” ourselves to prayer. Paul makes some prayer requests, too, and gives some counsel to live wisely. How much in our lives is affected by Jesus’ words, “You have not because you ask not?”

These are some of the words of Paul that sometimes cause some challenges. They mirror his words in Ephesians. Wives to husbands, husbands to wives, children to parents, parents to children, slaves and their earthly masters, and earthly masters to the slaves. A different time and a different culture, but what principles are there to bring to Orlando in the 21st Century?

Paul gives guidance on living as a new creature in Christ. We put away, put to death, the sinful earthly things in us—and live free of all that. Even to the removal of the normal distinctions of Jew and Gentile. And there’s a good bit of directive about relationships as a Free New Lifer!

We sometimes forget the controlling nature of the rules of those who wished to impose all the laws of Judaism on the early church. As followers of Christ, we are called to live in obedience to him, not in obedience to traditions—shadows that were pointing to the reality we now have in Christ.  We are no longer bound by the rules of this world and can live in freedom.

In Paul's letter, he agonizes over people he’s never even met. He wants to be sure people are told the simple truth of Christ and Christ alone, and that this gospel is for everyone.

Here is one of the great doxologies, great words of praise of Jesus Christ. What Paul says here is almost mind-blowing: the work of God in Christ making peace for and with fallen humanity. We are reminded of how much salvation is not our work, but that of God in Christ.

By extension, we may think of Paul’s conversation about his prayers for the Colossians as prayers for us. However, are the things he says and praises about the Colossians true about us? How will it impact us to think about the content of this prayer and what we might want for one another from God?