March 19, 2024 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Colossians 4
Colossains 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
Paul is closing out his letter to the church at Colossse, in the close he mentions several men who are very important to the Lord and him in his ministry.
We have already spoken of Tychicus and Onesimus now we will look at Aristarchus. His name means “the best ruler” or one who rules well. He was that person who made good decisions in serving the Lord.
Aristachus was a fellow prisoner with Paul. He was not a prisoner for being a bad guy, he was a prisoner for being witness for Jesus. He accompanied Paul on Paul’s third missionary journey.
While in Ephesus there was a riot because of Paul’s preaching, much like the riots we see today in cities like Philadelphia where people are arrested for preaching the gospel.
Acts 19:28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
Aristarchus was with Paul when Paul was sent by ship to Rome as a prisoner.
Acts 27:1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. 2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
Aristarchus was with Paul, suffering at the hands of men and still gives salutes to those who live godly in Christ Jesus.
What would it take to stop you from living godly and being the Christian God would have you to be?
Remember, these believers in Colosse were filled with the fulness of God in Christ Jesus. These believers were part of the mystery of Christ in that they all were born again, Christ in them the hope of glory. The men with Paul were encouraging those of like faith.
Aristarchus was one of those people who could encourage others even while he himself was suffering.
He was a true fellowworker with Paul and a great encouragement to Paul.
Colossains 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
Are you an encouragement to other believers?
Are you a believer? The relationship you have with Jesus Christ our Lord makes all the difference.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
