Roman Citizen | Wayfarer

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)

Paul is a prisoner of Rome. In a way, this is a matter of his own free will and choosing. His crime was to show his face in Jerusalem where he had carried a financial offering collected from the believers throughout Asia Minor to help the followers of Jesus who were being persecuted by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem and throughout Judea. Paul had been one of those Jewish authorities and led the persecution and prosecution of Jesus’ followers. Then, Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus and abruptly switched teams. His return to Jerusalem sparked a riot, and civil unrest was something the Roman Empire did not abide.

Paul, however, was a citizen of Rome, which was not very common. Being a Roman Citizen had tremendous privileges, and where Paul was from only 1-3 percent of the population enjoyed that status. One of the privileges of Roman citizenship was that if you were accused of a crime you could appeal your case to be judged by Caesar himself. Paul used his privilege and made his appeal. Now, he waits in Rome for his trial to make its way to the top of Caesar’s docket. While he waits, he lives guarded under house arrest.

There’s not much to do while you’re living under house arrest, Paul prays for all the believers he left behind in Greece and Asia Minor. Paul has a cadre of friends who have worked with him in sharing Jesus’ love and message wherever he went. They hang with him in Rome and keep him company. Friends from the local gatherings of Jesus’ followers travel to visit him and give him reports on how things are going back in their hometowns. They also provide financial support because Paul is required to pay for his housing while under house arrest. Paul writes letters for his visitors to take back with them.

In yesterday’s post/podcast, I shared the story of the runaway slave who ran into Paul in Rome. Onesimus had been the slave of Philemon, a believer Paul knew back in the city of Colossae. Onesimus became a follower of Jesus, and Paul sent him back to reconcile to his master with a letter in hand that we now know as Philemon. Also in hand, Onesimus carried the letter we begin our chapter-a-day trek through today, known as Colossians.

Today’s chapter is Paul’s opening greeting to the believers in Colossae. It is filled with both teaching and encouragement. Amidst the encouragement, Paul describes his desire for the believers by outlining four things he wants for them:

Bearing fruit in every good work, fruit that he would define in his letter to the believers in Galatia as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Growing in the knowledge of God.
Being strengthened to patiently endure trials and hardships.
Giving joyful thanks to God for His gracious gift of salvation.

As I meditated on these four things in the quiet this morning, I thought to myself what a simple checklist they were to do my own spiritual health assessment.

What are the “works” that are currently on my task list? As I think through each project at work, at home, and in my community is there evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

Am I growing in my knowledge of God at all? How so? What am I intentionally doing to improve my relationship with God? Am I reading, praying, meditating, contemplating, or having conversations with others?

What challenges, trials, and hardships am I currently facing? Do my thoughts, words, and actions show evidence of spiritual strength, patience, and endurance – or complaining, grumbling, worrying, and whining?

Am I taking time to mindfully and consciously be thankful to God for all of the good things with which I am blessed every day?

In the quiet this morning, I thoughtfully pondered the honest answers to these questions. The good news is that I’m feeling positive about some of the answers. At the same time, it didn’t take long for me to realize I do have some simple growth opportunities ahead of me today.

Here I go.