Colossians and the Call to Work Together for God’s Kingdom

The letter to the Colossians is a rich and profound text that speaks to the transformative power of Christ in our lives and in the world. Written to a young Christian community in Colossae, Paul’s letter offers encouragement, correction, and a vision for what it means to live in unity as the body of Christ. For Christians today, Colossians serves as an invitation to reimagine our communal calling—to work together in love, justice, and grace for the unfolding of God’s kingdom.

At the heart of Colossians is the profound declaration of Christ’s supremacy: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15). This is not just a theological statement; it is an invitation to see the world through a new lens. Christ is not merely a figure of personal devotion but the very pattern through which creation is reconciled, healed, and renewed.

We understand this cosmic vision as a call to collective responsibility. If Christ is reconciling all things (Colossians 1:20), then we are called to be co-workers in that reconciliation. This means breaking down the barriers that divide us—barriers of race, gender, nationality, economic disparity, and religious exclusion. The kingdom of God is not a distant promise but an unfolding reality that we help build through radical inclusivity and transformative justice.

Paul uses the metaphor of the body to describe the Christian community, emphasizing its interconnectedness: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace” (Colossians 3:15). This vision is crucial for understanding how we are to work together. The Christian faith is not about isolated individuals striving for personal holiness; it is about a collective journey where each member brings unique gifts and perspectives.

This means honouring diversity as a reflection of God’s creative power. It means recognizing that LGBTQ+ individuals, women in leadership, people of all ethnic backgrounds, and those on the margins are not only welcome but essential to the fabric of the church. Unity does not mean uniformity. Rather, the body of Christ flourishes when every voice is heard, and every person is empowered to serve in their fullest capacity.

Paul urges the Colossians to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). This is not a passive instruction—it is a radical call to action. Love, in the biblical sense, is not merely an emotion but an active commitment to the well-being of others. To work together for God’s kingdom is to practice love in ways that challenge injustice and uplift the oppressed.

Christianity understands this love as deeply tied to social justice. The kingdom of God is not only about spiritual transformation but also about tangible change in the world. It means advocating for the poor, challenging systemic racism, standing in solidarity with the oppressed, and working toward environmental sustainability. These are not political concerns separate from faith; they are at the heart of the gospel message.

Paul’s emphasis on gratitude in Colossians —“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17)—reminds us that our work in the world must be fuelled by hope rather than despair. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the magnitude of injustice and suffering, but gratitude helps reframe our struggles as part of God’s ongoing work of redemption.

Hope is not a passive waiting for God to fix the world, but an active participation in bringing about the world as it should be. It is the belief that love is stronger than hate, justice will overcome oppression, and the Spirit is still moving to bring about God’s dream for creation.

The message of Colossians is clear: Christ’s reign is about renewal, reconciliation, and transformation. If we are to be faithful to this message, we must work together—across our differences, in love and justice—to build the kingdom of God here and now. This means committing to inclusion, justice, and active service. It means seeing faith not as a private escape from the world but as a collective force for good.

The gospel calls us to love boldly, resist oppression, and build a community that reflects the radical hospitality of Christ. In this work, we are never alone, the Spirit empowers us, Christ leads us, and God’s kingdom is ever unfolding in our midst.