Basic instructions to a Believer

As some one said this acronym B-I-B-L-E stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. There are instructions in the Bible to be heeded before we leave this earth. Paul writing to the Colossian believers in Col 4:2-6 we can see four succinct instructions given to the believing community. Let God speak to our hearts as we ponder these verses.

 PRAYER - vs. 2-4
 WISDOM – vs. 5
 TIME – vs. 5b
 WORDS – vs.6


Firstly Paul makes emphasis on prayer for the gospel to be advanced not only among Jews but to the Gentile world. He pleads the believers to pray for him who is in chains and also to pray for his fellow co-workers (vs3) that the doors be opened for the message to spread across. He wants then mystery which is now been revealed in Christ to be spoken everywhere. Paul a missional leader gives more importance to prayer in this context. If you could observe in all of these 5 verses first 3 verses talks about only prayer. He also says in Eph 6:18 keep on praying for all the saints. Prayer a backbone for every believer should not be stopped with us. Let’s start praying for others too who are in difficult situations to spread the word. It is not the prayer that works but it is God who works when we pray. Is it not amazing?

Secondly Paul talks about Wisdom towards outsiders. “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders.” He also says the same in Eph 5:15 “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise. Wisdom is so much required for prudent living in this century. If anyone lacks wisdom James says “let him ask of him who gives generously to all without finding fault”.

Thirdly Paul says make the most of every opportunity. He speaks in the same note in Eph 5:16.”making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Time is precious. We are called not only to be stewards of Talents and our treasures (Money) but our time too. How do we handle the God given time? Many say these days I don’t have time. A life long reader was asked by his friend how do you get time, for that he replied I don’t get time but I take time. Also let’s remember one thing that measure of life is not in its duration but in its donation.

Fourthly Paul says let our conversation be full of Grace. Let’s consider our words. Christ says in Mat 12:36 we are accountable for every careless word we speak. Does it not caution us? Paul again says in Eph 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up... Are our words constructive or destructive in nature? Does it build others or does it break relationships?

Let’s be thankful and watchful as vs2 says. Let’s devote ourselves to prayer and make prayer as a non-negotiable task in our lives.
Let Godly wisdom control all our behaviors’. As 1 Pet 3:15 says let’s be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Let we all be available all the time for God’s ministry. Time spent for him is not a wasted time. Lastly 1 Pet 4:11 says if anyone speaks let him speak the very words of God. Let’s utter worthy words not worthless words as mentioned in Jer 15:19 so that we can be his spokesman to this generation.