Seeking to Finish Our Work, Colossians 4:17

..."See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."

     Each of us have been given, from the Lord, works that we are to do. Ephesians 2:10 says we are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do".
     God knows the end from the beginning, and He knows every step we'll take, every move we'll make, and every decision we'll face in our lives. He knows our going out and our lying down, when we sit and when we rise; He is familiar with all our ways (Psalm 139). With this knowledge, He has set in our paths works for us to do for His glory and His purposes.

     It is important that we be faithful stewards of that which God has given us, and so we must complete the works that God has set before us. It is an honor and a privilege to be used by God; God is all-powerful and if perfectly able to do everything Himself, yet for our blessing and our joy, and because He loves us and cherishes us, He chooses to use us in His glorious plans. It is therefore foolish to pass up any opportunity God places before us to serve Him!
      It is when we are serving God and doing that which He has set before us that we have joy and purpose. It is when we are working for His glory, fulfilling His plans that we can be certain that we are not wasting our lives. And too, when we are serving the Lord for His glory, we are gaining treasure in heaven. Reward awaits those who work diligently to bring glory to God's name.

     It is for our his own benefit that Paul tells Archippus in Colossians 4:17 to seek to complete the work he'd received in Christ Jesus. And too, it is for our own benefit to seek to complete the work set before us in Christ Jesus. It will bring blessing, joy, and eternal reward. Most importantly, it fulfills the purposes of God!

     Notice, however, that verse 17 says "seek to complete". It is the drive behind completing the work that matters more than actually completing the work. God is not going to condemn us or become angry with us if we are unable to complete the work He's given us. The important thing is that we not be idle, we not be lazy, and we not procrastinate, but seek to, or desire to complete the work. It should be one of our life's goals, but not our ultimate end. Our ultimate end is to know and love our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!