Beloved brothers and sisters, as I was meditating over the last several days, the Lord placed a specific verse on my heart that I wrestled with and struggled through during my preparations. I believe with certainty that the Lord wants to speak to each of us today through a specific instruction found at the end of the book of Colossians.
In Colossians 4:17, the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Colossae with a message for a man named Archippus:
"Say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.'" (NASB 1995).
We don’t know much about Archippus, other than Paul also calling him a "fellow soldier" in the book of Philemon. But what we do know is that he had a ministry given to him by the Lord—and so do you.
Understanding Our Ministry: Reconciliation
For a long time, I thought "ministry" only referred to those employed by a church or working as full-time missionaries. But the Word of God has widened my worldview. To minister simply means to serve. While we are called to glorify God in everything we do, there is a specific spiritual ministry the Lord has entrusted to every believer: The Ministry of Reconciliation.
As 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (NASB 1995) tells us:
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.".
If you have been saved by the blood of Jesus, you have been reconciled to God. Consequently, God has now given you the command to be a witness so that others may be reconciled to Him as well. This is not just for "full-time" workers; this is a priesthood of all believers.
A New Covenant Ministry
This ministry is not like the Old Testament priesthood, which was restricted to the tribe of Levi and focused on external rituals. We serve under a New Covenant, where the veil has been torn, and we all have access to God’s presence.
Paul contrasts these two ministries in 2 Corinthians 3:6-9 (NASB 1995), noting that God:
"...made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.".
We are not ministers of condemnation or death, but ministers of the Spirit, of life, and of righteousness. You are a "letter of Christ," written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, intended to be read by those around you—your family, your co-workers, and your neighbors.
Identifying the Hindrances
If we all have this ministry, why do we often fail to fulfill it? Sometimes it is because we don't realize we have one, or we are fearful of rejection. But often, we simply get sidetracked by doing things our own way or losing our focus.
I want to highlight three specific "thorns" from the Parable of the Sower that choke our effectiveness (Mark 4:18-19):
The Cares of This World: Difficulties like job loss, sickness, or family problems can overwhelm us. While these are real, the Lord uses them to teach us to trust Him rather than our own strength.
The Deceitfulness of Riches: Material wealth has a powerful pull on the human mind. As Matthew 6:24 (NASB 1995) warns, "No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and wealth.".
The Desires for Other Things: In our modern world, work and hobbies can become preoccupations rather than just occupations. Even Paul was a tentmaker, but he never let his business distract him from his primary calling.
My Charge to You
God has placed you in strategic places—not just to earn a living, but to be His witnesses. The Ministry of Reconciliation isn't necessarily about inviting someone to a church building; it is about using the words God gives you to reconcile them to Himself.
Do not be discouraged if you feel inadequate. No one takes this honor upon themselves; it is received when one is called by God (Hebrews 5:4). The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. When we pray for laborers, the Lord often sends the very people who are praying.
Take heed to the ministry you have received. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, seek His will, and be faithful with the light He has given you.