As I Ought To Speak
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with
thanksgiving; 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.” (Colossians 4:2-4)
“Continue in prayer”. Paul is telling us to be steadfastly
attentive and giving incessant care to our prayers. All prayers. In short, be
present, be in your prayers, and don’t mindlessly, soullessly recite memorized
words or some prepared invocation or benediction. Prayer is the pouring out of your
heart and soul to God. Prayer is not an incantation. It’s you, opening up to
Him. Be in your prayer. You’re talking to God.
“Watch in the same” Paul is stressing his point by rephrasing
his last statement. It was a common Jewish practice to repeat words or rephrase
them to give emphasis or importance of the subject matter. For example, when
Judas came running out of the “great multitude with swords and staves” saying
to Jesus, “Master, Master” (Mark 14:43, 45).
“Watch in the same” means to be diligent, meticulous, giving
strict attention to prayer.
Why is Paul asking for all of this prayer? Why is he making
sure that folks are praying in the spirit, from the heart with all diligence
and care? It is so God will, “open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the
mystery of Christ”.
Paul is asking for prayer so he can preach the gospels, the “mystery
of Christ”. Paul’s focus is Jesus, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing
else. Not religion, not Church, not what he thinks or feels, not politics or civil/social
justice causes. Paul isn’t interested in the plethora of subject matters so
popular in today’s pulpits. Paul was interested in preaching one thing. Jesus and
the cross.
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus
Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Paul was imploring others to pray for him to help accomplish
the goal of preaching Christ and nothing else. Or, as Paul put it, “That I may
make it manifest, as I ought to speak”.
It’s time for preachers to examine how they, “ought to speak”.
Are you preaching wealth, money and prosperity? Are you preaching the politics
of the day? Are you preaching some other gospel? Or are you preaching Christ
and him crucified?
Bill Hitchcock
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