Colossians 4:11. "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." A COMFORT TO ME. There are special ties we have with some people. Certain things are about them that seem more equal, Because they came from the same place or have the same nationality, And because of that link there are similar interests and a certain sensitivity To the events going on around us that causes us personal concern; And when something of cultural interest arises, it is to them we turn. But as far as the kingdom of God is concerned, there is no difference. For with every believer, we all have been delivered from an eternal death sentence.
Sometimes we meet folks and can tell by their accent, They come from the area where we our early life spent. When we get talking together, we find we have a lot in common. We knew some of the same people and had mutual acquaintance with someone. Some landmarks we both knew and the same places had visited. We knew what people worked at there and how they existed. But in the kingdom of God our spiritual family expands, And includes men and women from here, and also foreign lands.
With people whose education and cultural heritage is the same as ours, There is a unique comfort when we share the common things for an hour. Nostalgia has a kind of comfort going over things of the past. And there is no question about it, cultural identities do last. However, in the kingdom of God, a whole new life is opened up, That has a larger and greater impact on life than some natural cup That we drink from on occasion when someone from the past we meet. A "Maranatha," or "Thank the Lord," is much different than a "How are you" when we greet.
"I thank Thee, Father, for the connections I have with people in Oregon, Newfoundland, El Salvador, Nicaragua. Mexico and many other places I have been. There is a special bond with the saints of God wherever they are. Yet there are also those of flesh and blood that are a comfort to me. I thank Thee, Father, for all those we know and can share things in common with. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."