Colossians 4:10-18

10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions–if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15Give my greetings to the brothers^[d] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

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

—Why ESV? http://www.desiringgod.org/library/topics/word_god/esv.html —

Reading all these names of fellow servants of Paul, it’s amazing to read about what great works God was doing through all these people.  Imagine, one of us writting a letter to Christians in a far of place, say Somalia….and mentioning the names of us who are praying for them, still remembering those whom we’ve touched in the past: it’s quite an encouragement.

There is signifiance I find in verse 17.  We’ve all been taught throughout our years as young Christians that our ministry given to us from the Lord, but in the end, it is up to us to perform it. And just like many of todays issues in this Christian life, we must see that God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility need to work hand in hand.  When God calls us to ministry, it is upto us, as the fruit of being graced by Him, to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  From faith, to serve Him obediently with our hands and feet as He’s called us.

Consider your own call to this year’s CC ministry.  I’ve been considering my own, and also in the process, screening candidates for Worship Team.  Many have been graced with the “gifts” of ministry (and musical worship), but only those who are specifically “called” by God will be serving.  Without the call from God, we don’t serve by faith, and anything done without faith is sin.  But knowing we are called to serve and being affirmed of the calling from brothers and sisters, let us obediently let God use us as He rightfully requires.