Influencing the world
Day 638, Monday, May 11
Colossians 3:18 – Chapter 4
Today’s reading begins with verses that sound almost as shocking to us as they would have to the original readers, but for a very different reason. We can read them as supporting, or at least accepting, a hierarchical social structure, with men having dominion over women, parents over children, and masters over slaves.
Where we’re likely to find that kind of rigid structure disturbing, the original readers and hearers would have shocked by the way it turns the hiearchical structures they lived in on their heads: Husbands have the obligation to love their wives and not be harsh with them, fathers are charged not to discourage and embitter their children, and masters are required to treat slaves fairly and provide for their needs. All are reminded that “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”
This call to be distinctive from the surrounding culture in a way that shows mutual love and respect leads smoothly into the next verses that call for living prayerful, watchful and thankful lives with a view toward influencing people outside the Christian community.
Verses 4:5-6 say, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Monday meditation
Psalms 119:97-104
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
Prayer focus
We pray that we able to proclaim the mystery of Christ clearly, making the most of every opportunity.