Pray

In Colossians 4.3-4 the Apostle Paul wrote a simple, but powerful request. He said: “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”

We avoid negative circumstances— don’t we? We will work our tail off to ensure our own safety financially, physically, and emotionally. We do this for ourselves, our loved ones, and for people we don’t even know. The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, knew suffering, and embraced it. He knew it like we can’t imagine; to the point he accepted imprisonment as part of God’s will for his life. This was told to him by the man who baptized him in Acts 9.15-16: “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Paul had been bound or imprisoned in some way since Acts 21, then placed into protective custody; under house arrest and chained for 2 years until the end of chapter 24. He was then moved to Rome and chained to Centurions along the way. On the way they suffer shipwreck and had to wait 2 seasons to sail again. After arriving in Rome he was 2 more years in constant supervised custody. This is when Colossians was written, while imprisoned in Rome, chained to a Sentinel. The writings of Ignatius says that Paul was beheaded by order of Caesar. This means Paul was chained, bound, or in prison for more than 10 straight years. While in Rome he wrote Philippians, Philemon, Ephesians, 2 Timothy, and Colossians.

Know that he was placed there by false accusation, set up for a crime, treated unfairly, victim to a conspiracy. There was a confederacy of foes who muscled him into this position. He did not ask for the prison doors to be opened but that opportunities would be opened. In all of Paul’s prison letters, his concern was not for himself but for the Gospel. He asked for ‘a door of utterance’: an opportunity to talk about and explain salvation.

We tend to open doors ourselves. Think about it this way… If the Lord opens the door, then when doubt and fear come, we can be confident that this is God’s doing and He will take care of it. But, if we open the door, then we are on insecure ground and asking for doubt and fear to flood us. 

Paul spoke of this door of utterance as “the mystery of Christ”. He did so, because it’s a truth unknown to the pagans of Rome until now. We are living in that time again. That’s why the text says we should make it manifest: to make it plain, clear, and evident. This is how we ought to speak. It saddens me to hear people complicate salvation. It only creates more problems in their walk with Christ later. We should make it plain, clear and evident. There is no virtue in being deep. The message needs to be presented simply and clearly. I believe every true believer has a desire to see others saved. The question is: have you prayed for an open door? That way when it comes you know it’s God. 

The shocking reality of this text is that it was more important to Paul to be a faithful witness than a free man. He said “for which I am also in bonds”. He was wiling to pay the price, and did so willingly. He is in this circumstance because he preached the Gospel. This is all because he said unequivocally that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Is this truth just as unpopular today as it was then? Yes. The book of Acts indicates he was even witnessing to the guards he was chained to. Would we? He didn’t fight for his release, instead he made the most of it for Christ. Would we? In fact, while in Rome there were people saved even in Caesar’s household: “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.” (Philippians 4.22)

Paul leveraged every circumstance for Jesus. He had already decided to not dwell on the negativity of his circumstances, but use them for God: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4.11). Did you see that? He said: ‘I have no more wants.’ Written at the same time, from the same place. I wonder if put in the same circumstances, what would we pray for? Maybe: escape; protection; strength; reveal the truth of our innocence; or vengeance on our accusers, maybe? Instead, he prayed for: an opportunity to clearly give the plan of salvation. 

This challenges my faith like no other. Where is my treasure? Where is my focus and love right now? It naturally begs the question: How is my prayer life? Mine seems way too selfish after studying this. 

Start by asking God for an open door.