Paul exhorts Archippus in his ministry. There are three dimensions in Colossians 4:17 that give direction in Gospel work. The Apostle points the preacher to the past, present, and future. The Holy Spirit inspired Word is as applicable to ministry today as it was then.
There is the past dimension of calling, “the ministry which you have received in the Lord.” Paul points Archippus to the sacred work of God in selecting him and setting him apart for his task. We do not deserve this high calling. It is a sovereign work of God’s grace—a treasured opportunity—that we have received. As someone once said, “If God calls you to be a preacher, do not stoop to be the president!” It would be a step down! Never get over the marvel that God would call someone such as us to such a noble work.
There is the present dimension of caution, “Take heed.” Archippus was being put on alert. Satan is roving about as a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” He will pounce on a preacher quicker than anyone, unless the man of God stays alert to the peril. If Satan can bring down God’s preacher then God’s people will stumble over him. The warning is for caution against compromise doctrinally and morally which disqualify the minister. We see the scandals of fallen preachers, but must understand that the car wreck of ministry is seldom from a blowout, but a slow leak. They did not “take heed” to the pressure gauge and so little by little in small compromises the disaster eventually comes.
There is the prospective dimension of completion, “that you may fulfill it.” Archippus is directed to the future—when he will stand before God and give account of his ministry. We want to finish well, for there awaits the Judgment Seat of Christ. As a preacher has come to the end—he has preached his final sermon—and the last breath will be taken and the last beat of his heart will pulse, we want to have finished faithfully. I want to sprint down the homestretch and cross the finish line in glory a champion. There awaits a crown of completion to those who do. Peter addresses the preacher who shepherds God’s flock faithfully to the finish as he promises, “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away,” (1 Pet. 5:4)!
