Chapter four starts the conclusion of this book. We see Paul encouraging the church at Colosse to remain steadfast in prayer as they provide basic Christian apologetics. In fact, Paul tells this church to be pleasant in behavior, keep their attention spans, and prepare to answer their questions. Many times, in our apologetics, we act like army guerillas by forcing our beliefs rudely on others. We speak in "Christianese" and make the unbeliever appear dumb when he can not understand us. We tell unbelievers that they do not have the right to ask the questions that accept Jesus as is, face value. To think is to be humanistic. We teach people to evangelize but not to answer questions. Where many other cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons succeed by boldly answering the questions (albeit cultic and wrong), we shy away from the questions and spend more time silently casting out the demon of humanism that getting to know that person.

Paul ends the letter sending out greetings from the other churches and sending Tychicus and Onesimus. For those who have done extensive Bible study, Onesimus was the slave that Paul converted to Christ and wrote the letter to Philemon while sending the slave back to Philemon's service. It is evident here that Philemon learned the proper employer / employee relationship from the employer perspective and Onesimus learned the proper employer / employee relationship from the employee perspective. We find that many of the greetings come from people who work full-time in the ministry. However, drawing paychecks from a "ministry" is not the criteria for for judging if someone is a true worker in God's eyes. Some of the best athletes, salesmen, homemakers, doctors, mechanics, engineers, construction workers, and leaders contribute their success and their hard work ethics to the words and commandments of Christ.

I also find it amazing that Paul asked that the same letter be read in Laodicea. Laodicea was the church that was birthed out of Ephesus and Colosse that was mentioned as one of the seven churches in Revelation. Paul, in my opinion, saw the problems and the by-product of the Colosse mentality of mixing religions and discarding a work ethic for the easy, do-it-yourself way of Christianity. Perhaps this was part of what God dealt with in regards to their lukewarmness. They were neither hot on fire for Christ nor were they cold and dead to the move of God. The mixture of the religions diluted them as being ineffective as they tried to straddle all fences looking for the greener grass of rolling pastures.

In summary, Christianity is not a religion based on do's and dont's at the same time, it is not a pick and choose religion either. It is a complete lifestyle based on the complete following of the complete and infallable Word of God. We must obey all the scriptures. In those scriptures, the apostle Paul discusses work ethics, values, and integrity. God desires us to be our best in all areas of life and in all that we do.

Lord, right now in the name of Jesus, I ask that you would wash away our sin and draw us closer to you. We repent of mixing religions in the name of convenience, feeling good, and denial. We repent of our lazy demeanors and our attitude to just get by. I ask that you would help us show dilligence, integrity, values, and common sense while at the same time dealing with evil, harassment, and oppression in the workplace, society, and the church. May we understand that you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and all of the natural things speak of the invisible and almighty God, who is our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!