Fulfill It

Colossians 4:17-18
"And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen."

There are two very important lessons that we learn from these two short verses.
First, we know very little about Archippus, but it is supposed that he may have been a pastor in need of encouragement. Whatever his role, we see from this brief admonishment that just because our purpose may have been revealed to us, it does not mean that we will always faithfully pursue it. Often we get so caught up in searching for God's will and purpose for us that once we find it, it can be easy to let our passion wane. That is not what God wants. When our purpose is revealed, when we receive our own personal ministry from the Lord, it is time to work to fulfill it with all our might.
Am I actively seeking God's work for me to fulfill? Am I pursuing it with all I am?
Second, Paul asks the church to remember his bonds. Paul did not have an easy life, let alone one the world would term enjoyable. The persecution he underwent would cower the boldest Christian of today. But he told the church to remember that he was in prison.
Jesus said that what we do to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, and those in prison is what we do to Him. Therefore it follows that Paul's plea was not for his sake, but rather for the church's sake. He was reminding them of Jesus' instruction.
Do I remember my fellow Christians in bonds? What does that remembrance motivate me to do?