When Paul reached the end of his letter to the church at Colossae, he grabbed the pen from his scribe to personally sign his final words. Living in house arrest, chained to a Roman guard, his closing message wasn’t a complaint about his circumstances or a plea for pity. It was three simple commands. It was a personal connection, a call to faithful endurance, and a blessing of unmerited favor.
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
In years gone by, it was not uncommon to say goodbye to someone whom you may never connect with again. However, today we have connections around the world that allow us to stay in touch to some extent.
Our final word, whether ending a letter, finishing a conversation, or concluding a chapter of life—leaves an indelible mark. Our final words reflect what truly anchors our hearts when everything else is stripped away.
Paul was one of those people who was genuine in everything he did. He had an authentic presence wherever he went. He wanted to leave his mark on his letter. His handwritten mark wasn’t about vanity; it was about genuine fellowship. In an increasingly distant world, taking the extra step to be fully present for others shows Christ’s personal love now and then.
He offers them resilient hope. He calls them to “remember my chains.” This cry of Paul’s was not a bid for sympathy. The apostle Paul never sought pity. He had been through much for the cause of Christ, but he is reminding them that the gospel is worth enduring suffering for. So what if we are beaten and mocked for our faith? We must stop gauging our lives by the narrow pages of time and start looking to the broad pictures of eternity, where there will be no time. Our final testimony during trials shows where our true strength lies. Will you die begging to stay here a few more minutes or begging God to take you home with Him? I experienced this with both of my parents. My dad, who had cancer, made me promise months before he died that I would quit praying for healing for him. He looked at me and said, “I want to go home with Jesus.” My mom would cry in the night and beg Jesus to take her soul. It was a great comfort to me to know they wanted to go be with Jesus. Do I miss them? Yes, but I am happy for them.
Paul wraps up his comments with grace. He never got over the grace that saved his soul. It was the theme that transformed him, sustained him, and remained his parting desire for his brothers and sisters in Christ.
What can we do as we give our final greetings? We must lead with grace: Let all of our words, whether in conflicts, daily conversations, or hard moments, be seasoned with God’s unmerited favor. We also must stand firm in our trials. Many have come close to the end, fainted, and quit. We must persevere in tough times, be a living testimony, and encourage other believers around us. We must also be intentional in our interactions with others. Make our last days meaningful and God-centered. And since none of us knows when that will be, we must face each day with a high view of God and a great love for others. May we live and speak with an eternal purpose. May we be led by the Holy Spirit to reflect His love, grace, and truth. We must seek God’s help daily to give us the endurance we need to stay faithful, no matter the circumstances. May the way we face death be life to others around us. When this is our desire, our final greeting will be meaningful to those we leave behind.
