歌罗西书第4章：赎回之路，恩典处处

 
GK611晨祷生命读经
04/07/2025
主讲: 郑伟健传道

引言：警醒不眠


一、常常记念神的公义（西4:1）

我们知道有一位主在天上作王，唯有祂掌管一切。
当我们说“穿上新人、脱去旧人”，就是立志要走在神的真理里，远离分别善恶树的性情，活出生命树的香气和本质。
因此，做主人的、做上司的、在任何权柄位置上的人，尤其是基督徒，更要公公平平地待人，活出祝福人的生命。这才是基督的样式。神恩典处处，但我们要回应祂的公义，公正对待我们的下属，因为我们是蒙神拣选的子民。

二、珍惜当前，火热不减（西4:2–6）
	
1. 恒切祷告，儆醒感恩（v2–4）
	
保罗提醒我们要恒切祷告、儆醒感恩，不可沉睡，免得被仇敌掳去。
在这为新加坡祷告的40天中，我们要不断地祷告、数算神的恩典。仇敌所给的是情欲与物质，即使得着也不会带来真正的喜乐，反而使人活在咒诅中，最终灭亡。所以我们不可随从仇敌。

2. 爱惜光阴，行在智慧（v5a）
	
“爱惜光阴”就是要赎回过去浪费的时间，起来在智慧中行走。
保罗渴望我们得着真正的智慧	：福音的奥秘。我们每天都要按基督所吩咐而行：儆醒祷告、公平待人、彼此相爱、敬重	家人，以温柔感恩的心敬拜神。
哪怕是在监狱中，保罗也把握每一个机会为福音祷告。那我们在自由中，又是否懂得珍惜我们现今所拥有的？
	
3. 分外谨慎，清楚分辨（v5b）
	
“外人”原文指“门外的人”，还活在黑暗权势下的群体。
保罗提醒我们，与这样的人交往时要行在智慧中，不然就会被掳，成为其中一份子。我们在基督里行事，就会脱离他们的影响。这不代表我们不与人来往，而是要带着基督的香气，活出分别为圣的生命。


4. 口出恩言，圣灵引导（v6）
	
我们要用智慧与“外人”相交，言语要常带恩典。
因为仇敌的特质就是没有恩典，斤斤计较。
有些人表面属灵，其实心中满是私欲与恶毒，迟早会露出马脚。
耶稣说：“心里所充满的，口里就说出来。”
我们要以和睦与恩典回应人，但也要警醒分辨。
当我们操练说出恩言，圣灵会教导我们当说的话。

三、属天同工，一心前行（西4:7–18）

这里提到八位与保罗同工的属灵伙伴。他们都在基督里忠心服事，但保罗最后也提到底马：一个走在信仰边缘的人。弟兄姐妹，若你现在站在边缘，也要谨慎。
因为底马五年后因贪爱世界而离开保罗，最终被仇敌掳去。
所以我们要儆醒祷告，不要松懈。若你感觉自己渐渐冷淡，现在就要回转，恒切祷告，重燃起初的火热。

总结：记念锁链，回应使命

保罗说：“你们要记念我的捆锁！”
这句话带着一种疼痛，也带着强烈的属灵呼召。他的生命已为主全然摆上。
他没有在意自己的困锁，而是继续为主写信、牧养、代祷、传道。

今天我们还没有被捆锁，还有许多自由、许多机会，但我们是否珍惜？
我们真正在意的是什么？
若保罗在捆锁中仍然为主ALL IN，我们在自由中，是否更当全心回应神的呼召？

    

    Colossians 4：The Road to Redemption, Grace Everywhere 

GK611 Morning Devotion
04/07/2025
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Asher


Introduction: Staying awake

I. Always remember God’s righteousness (Col. 4:1) (Col. 3:1-11)


We know that there is a Lord who reigns in heaven, and He alone controls everything. When we say “put on the new man, put off the old man,” we are determined to walk in God’s truth, stay away from the nature of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and live out the fragrance and essence of the tree of life. Therefore, masters, superiors, and people in any position of authority, especially Christians, should treat others fairly and justly, and live a life that blesses others. This is the style of Christ. God’s grace is everywhere, but we must respond to His righteousness and treat our subordinates fairly, because we are God’s chosen people.

II. Cherish the present and remain fervent (Col. 4:2–6)

1. Pray constantly, be alert and thankful (v2–4)

Paul reminds us to pray constantly, be alert and thankful, and not to sleep, lest we be captured by the enemy. During these 40 days of prayer for Singapore, we must pray constantly and count God’s grace. The enemy gives us lust and material things, which will not bring true joy even if we obtain them. Instead, they will make people live in a curse and eventually perish. So, we must not follow the enemy.

2. Redeem the time, walk in wisdom (v5a)

“Redeem the time” means to redeem the time wasted in the past and get up and walk in wisdom. Paul longs for us to gain true wisdom: the mystery of the gospel. We must act according to Christ’s command everyday, be vigilant and pray, treat people fairly, love each other, respect our families, and worship God with a gentle and grateful heart. Even in prison, Paul seized every opportunity to pray for the gospel. Now that we are free, do we know how to cherish what we have now?
	
3. Be extra cautious, discern clearly (v5b)

“Those who are outside” in the original language refer to “people outside the gate”, a group still living under the power of darkness. Paul reminds us to act wisely when interacting with such people, otherwise we will be captured and become part of them. If we act in Christ, we will be free from their influence. This does not mean that we should not interact with people, but that we should carry the fragrance of Christ and live a sanctified life.

4. Speak graciously, guided by the Holy Spirit (v6)

We should use wisdom to interact with “outsiders” and always speak graciously. Because the enemy’s characteristics are lack of grace and pettiness.
Some people appear to be spiritual, but in fact their hearts are full of selfishness and malice, and sooner or later they will be exposed. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” We should respond to others with peace and grace, but we must also be vigilant and discerning. When we practice speaking gracious words, the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say.

III. Heavenly co-workers, moving forward with one heart (Col. 4:7–18)

Eight spiritual partners who worked with Paul are mentioned here. They all served faithfully in Christ, but Paul also mentioned Demas at the end: a person walking on the edge of faith. Brothers and sisters, if you are standing on the edge now, you must also be careful. Because Demas left Paul five years later because of his love for the world and was eventually captured by the enemy. So we must be vigilant and pray, and don't slack off. If you feel that you are gradually cooling down, you must turn back now, pray constantly, and rekindle the initial passion.

Conclusion: Remember the chains, respond to the mission

Paul said, "Remember my chains!" This sentence carries a kind of pain and a strong spiritual call. His life has been completely devoted to the Lord. He did not care about his chains, but continued to write letters for the Lord, shepherd, pray, and preach.

Today we are not in chains yet, and we still have a lot of freedom and opportunities, but do we cherish them? What do we really care about? If Paul was still ALL IN for the Lord in chains, should we respond to God's call with all our heart when we are free?