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