How should Christians handle authority? Well, Paul tells masters to treat their slaves with justice and fairness, and although slavery has been illegal in the United States since 1865, this principle can just as easily apply to anyone who has people who answer to him. Whenever Christians are in charge, we must always treat those who depend on us the way we would want to be treated.

For no matter how powerful we may seem to be, it is so easy for the tables to be turned. Yes, Paul was an apostle, who had done mighty miracles of healing in the power of God. He had founded lots of churches, and he wrote divinely-inspired letters to direct their spiritual growth. But in verse 3, Paul reminds us that in spite of all this spiritual power and authority, he had been put in prison because he refused to stop preaching the truth about Jesus. And Paul would eventually die at the hands of the Roman government.

So of course Christians should not abuse whatever worldly authority we may have. Of course we should speak about Jesus’ authority and majesty with grace, urging people to be reconciled to Him. But at the same time, we must not be fearful of what worldly authorities may do to us. Instead, we should remember that all of us have a divine Master in heaven, Who will one day return to make all things right.

And that means that the most important thing for all of us to do is to pray, thanking God for the freedom we have to proclaim the good news, and asking Him to make the best use of this freedom – while we still have it.

Colossians 4:1-18 (ESV)

Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–
4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions– if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.