Colossians {Day 30 or The End}

It is the last day of November, and thus, the last day in this series in Colossians.  Here are some final thoughts.  I do so wish I had one of those amazing brains that could read back through all I wrote the last 29 days, then give you a superb synthesis, tying it all together.  I do not have such a brain.  My husband does, but he's not the author of this blog, so what you get are the thoughts foremost in my mind at the moment!

I'm leaving Colossians with two big ideas rattling around in my head:

1. Christians need to read their Bibles and spend (lots of) time thinking about Jesus.

At the time this was written, there wasn't yet a cannon of Scripture for the early Christians.  Later, this letter became part of the cannon.  Paul spent the majority of the book focusing on Christ: His identity, His purpose, His role, His work, His glory.  He presented Gospel Truth to the Colossians and summarized what Christ had done for them three times before the end of chapter two (1:13-14, 1:21-22, 2:13-15).  If they didn't need to be reminded, I don't think Paul would have spent so much time writing about Jesus.  Focusing on Christ would protect them from being swayed by false teachings, keep their eyes set on things above, motivate them to put off the old self and put on the new, and enable them to pursue righteousness in their relationships and work.

As believers in the 21st Century, we need to be reminded of and refreshed by the Gospel just as the Colossians.  We need to immerse ourselves in God's Word.  Fuzzy feelings or speculations about God and our salvation in Christ will not sustain us.  We need Christ Himself, and we encounter Him through the Spirit and by His Word.  As the Word takes root in our hearts, the fruit of the Spirit will flourish there.  We sure need the Word of God - written and Christ Himself.

2. Theology and life are interconnected.

I remember reading in a commentary on John by R.C. Sproul that our doctrine is important, because it enhances our worship, making it more meaningful because we comprehend more about God and ourselves.  I don't often remember things from books, only that I liked or disliked them, but this concept really stuck with me and has influenced my desire to keep reading the Bible, to read commentaries, to ask questions, to wrestle with the tougher ideas in Scripture.

Paul certainly lays out in his letter to the Colossians just how interconnected theology and the Christian life are.  Our theology will influence how we live as Christians; the way we choose to live will influence our theology.  I heard someone say once that everyone's a theologian, the question is whether you're a good or a bad one.  Paul emphasizes throughout Colossians the necessity and importance of believing in the real Jesus and the true Gospel, not something that has been added to or altered to feel more comfortable or controllable for us.  There is a cycle: as our theology is on track, we'll begin to live "on track" with it.  When it's off track, the cycle is the same, but on a bad track.  Likewise, when we choose to live in a way that allows us to pursue good theology, we find it.  If we don't care or don't think it's important to pursue, our theology will head off in the wrong direction.  (It will.  The heart is deceitful above all things, Jeremiah 17:9.)

For example: I have found that when I study God's Word, hear it preached, read edifying books, and learn more about God, I'm left in greater awe of the Gospel and desire to live for Christ in a free and joyful way.  Good theology, Christian living for good reasons.  When I start to stray from the truth and believe lies the devil is whispering to me or start living like an orphan rather than an adopted daughter of the King of kings, I live and try to be a "good Christian" motivated entirely by fear and doubt.  Christian living for wrong reasons.  Do you find this to be true for you too?

Paul laid good theology out for the Colossians so they would not forget who they had been, who God is, and what they now were because of Christ.  It was of first importance to him and he knew it was what they needed to stay the course and continue in [their] faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel (1:23).

Praise God for the hope held out in the gospel!

*     *     *

If you have been reading this month, thanks for joining in on the journey.  Did you learn anything new?  Has God been using Colossians to challenge you?  A blogger always wonders about these things!  Feel free to leave a comment, I'm grateful to know you stopped by.

Colossians {Day 29}

We're gonna sprint to the finish today, folks, so there's time for a wrap-up post tomorrow, to round out this month in Colossians.

Colossinas 4:2-18

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Some observations about the end of this letter to the Colossians:

1. It's very similar to the way Paul ends most of his letters: really rushed final instructions and greetings to and from specific individuals.
2. The commentators both brought out that some of these folks Paul mentions are Jews and some are Gentiles.  He's intimately connected to believers from both backgrounds.
3. Paul covets the prayers of the Colossians.  He asks them for prayer in the final instructions and also says Remember my chains in his good-bye.  The apostle needs fellow believers to pray for him!

This last chapter makes me think about two things: intimacy with fellow believers and prayer.  As I read the final greetings and the way Paul speaks of these men and women, it appears that he really loves and cares about them.  He knows their names, what they're up to, and commends them to the church in Colosse.  They're not just "staff" in his Gospel-sharing business; they're his brothers and sisters in Christ.  And even as he asks for prayer, you know that he prays earnestly for those from whom he seeks prayer as well.

Paul prayed and sought prayer because he believed it made a difference in his life and in the lives of others, enabling boldness and focus, opening doors for ministry opportunities, and offering hope.  You know, Jesus prayed too.  In prayer Jesus connected with the Father.  In prayer Paul did likewise.  In prayer, all of God's people have done the same for centuries.

I'm challenged by these final verses to pray for believers and churches in places I have lived, that their ministry there might be fruitful, that the Gospel would go forth, that the Lord would sustain them.  Further, I'm challenged to take relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ more seriously, to go deeper, because our bond is so much more than flesh and blood or common interests or even that we attend the same congregation.  We are united in Christ.

That's really amazing!  Paul never took it lightly, and neither should we.

*     *     *

G'night, brothers and sisters.  Tomorrow will be our final installment in the book of Colossians, then Advent is just around the corner!

Colossians {Day 28}

Today we come to a "juicy" passage that includes the words wives and submit.  How exciting!  Before we read the passage, though, I would like to remind us where these "Rules for Christian Households" is situated: in the Bible, in the book of Colossians (a letter to Christians), after chapters in praise of Christ and what He's done to save his people, who are all in equal need of His saving grace.  These family rules are for believers who are making verse 17 their goal:

Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

With further ado, we'll continue in chapter three and include the first verse of chapter four.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves, and masters.  Like they shout on the Electric Company, "HEY YOU GUYS!!!!!  God has something to say to you, not only about your salvation, but also about how to live in your earthly relationships."

To me it is a bit sad all of the fuss made about verse eighteen.  Getting to focused on the "injustice" of wives submitting to their husbands (without understanding what it means, just assuming it means being a doormat, going as far as letting your husband beat you, if that's your situation), takes away from the fact that what Christ has done for us can and should influence and change the way we interact in our families and households.  As the New Bible Commentary points out, nothing is outside Christ's rule and authority:

The paragraph contains many references to the Lord, indicating that the whole of life, both thought and conduct, is to be submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ.  No area of life stands outside his control; so there is no final distinction between the sacred and the secular.   A life ruled form above where Christ is reigning (3:1-4) is a life in marriage, parenthood, and everyday work.

Due to lack of both time and Biblical expertise, I'm going to leave this passage at that.  Please dig into it more, ask your pastor questions, and listen to what God might be saying to you, in your place in a family and/or work.

I don't know about you, but I would love to be so free and joyful in my relationship to Christ that in whatever I do I work at it with all my heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  (v. 23)  Wouldn't you?

Let's start right now, with whatever we're going to do next, which for me is relieving a babysitter and preparing dinner.  Have a good evening!

Colossians {Day 27}

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Picking up from where we left off yesterday (the putting to death of the earthly nature), today we'll move into a section about what we're to put on.  Paul begins this section with another therefore.  What's he referring to?  Rewind to the first few verses of the chapter.  Remember?  Yep, you've been raised with Christ ... your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  You're new people, Colossians!  In fact, Paul says after the 'therefore' that they're God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved.  Since that is who they are, they've got new clothes to put on.

So, not only is the Christian to put off or put to death the old self, he is also to put on the new.  This is all so active isn't it?  Surely the Christian life is not for the faint of heart (which makes me wonder why God invited me into it, because I'm a "quit when the going gets tough" kind.)  At the same time, however, it's activity under a blanket of security.  What we do (or not) doesn't come into account for one saved by grace.  Our pursuit of holiness (putting of the old nature and putting on Christ) is a response to what's already been done in our lives.  The need to put off and put on is a daily practice for the Christian.  We're not fully sharing in Christ's glory yet, we live on this side of heaven.  Sin is always right there with us when we want to do good.

My true heart's desire is to be able to do this once - take of the old crap, put on the beautiful new garments of the fruit of the spirit - and be a model Christian for all to see.  But that desire is not about seeing God glorified; it's all about me.  Interacting daily with the Gospel, seeing our need to repent and believe the Good News, reminds us what an awesome Savior Jesus is and draws us toward a place of pursuing holiness to love, please, and obey Him.  NOT to get one's act together to be admired as a "great Christian person."

Getting back to the passage, Paul lays out a lot of new clothes for us to put on:

• compassion
• kindness
• gentleness
• humility
• patience
• love
• forgiveness
• peace
• thankfulness

I dunno about you, but I need a serious dose of Jesus for those to be growing in increasing measure in my life.  After listing all those things, what does Paul say?  Verses 16:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

We gotta let the word dwell in us!  It is God's Word, taking root in our hearts and minds, that transforms us. Then we can teach, admonish, and encourage fellow believers.  There's no magic formula or spell to cast.  We start with Jesus (the Word) and we keep walking with Him.

Would you like to clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, and humility, wrapping it all up with love?  Me too.  I desire to be a changed person and to bless those around me.  How can that happen?  The B-I-B-L-E!  The Holy Spirit dwells in you, the very power that raised Christ from the dead.  Add to that a mind and heart being fed a regular diet of God's Word, and change is coming your way.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Clothe yourself with Christ!  He's not in the habit of abandoning people who earnestly seek Him.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17

Colossians {Day 26}

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.  Colossians 3:5-11

In verse 5, Paul uses therefore in reference to verses 1-4 in which he laid out how their lives are now hidden with Christ in God and that they'll one day share in His glory.  Since that is who they are and the future secured for them, Paul says to them Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature ... rid yourself of such things as these ... do not lie to each other.

Paul could write us the same letter.  Christian, you are no longer defined by your past, your sin, your sins, none of that garbage.  You belong to Christ.  So put to death - put off, toss aside, kick to the curb - all of that sin.  F.F. Bruce pointed out that in that first list Paul moves from overt sins to the more "hide-able" (yes, I made up that word, could you tell?) sins, the sins in our hearts and minds: lust, evil desires, greed, idolatry.  We need to be actively setting these things aside, not just the sins we worry people will see if we do them, but even those no one will ever see.  Why?  BECAUSE (v. 10) we've put on a new self, being renewed in the image of its Creator.

Same reason applies to getting rid of the things Paul mentions in verses eight and nine, too.

I think in my past, I've read these verses and thought to myself, Alright, Heather, time to buckle down and start plucking all of the sin out of your life.  Then I would try and fail within, like, 30 seconds, leaving me only with despair.  In the context, however, with Paul having spent so long setting up for us Who Christ is, what He's done, how marvelous it is, how true is the Truth, I feel motivated by these verses in a refreshing, life-giving way.  I might express it this way:

Hey world, guess what?!  I don't belong to you anymore.  I've got a new Ruler, a new King in my life.  His name is Jesus.  Not only is He now my Lord, but He's my Savior too.  So, dark side, you have no business here.  Oh yes, the wrath of God is coming to get you, your day of justice is near.  But I will not be annihilated with you, because my life is hidden with Christ in God.  This also means I'm going to take my sin more seriously than I ever have.  I won't let it have its place anymore; when God shows me an aspect of my life that needs destroying, I'm going to get on board with His plan and work to wipe it out.  Why?  Because I've got a new self and I'm being renewed in the image of my Creator.  And that's just plain crazy, wild, amazing, beautiful good news.

Yeah, I think I'd say it something like that.

*     *     *

One final closing thought about verse eleven, brought to light (again) by F.F. Bruce.  Christ breaks down all the barriers.  There's no superiority in the kingdom.  You'll meet many who are more mature than you or gifted or trained more in certain aspects of ministry, but when it comes to the cleansing blood of Jesus, we're all equal at the foot of the cross.  And in Him we find brother- and sisterhood with men and women who are very different from us, from opposite sides of the fence, so to speak, by culture's boundaries.  Not only is it amazing what Christ does in our hearts as individuals, it is equally as remarkable what He does within the body of believers.

See you tomorrow!

Colossians {Day 24}

Yesterday I sped through some thoughts on the first seventeen verses of Colossians chapter three.  Now we'll slow it down a bit and go through these verses in shorter sections.  We'll begin with verses one through four.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Set your hearts on things above.  That's where Christ is!  Christian, you died, and now your life is hidden with Christ in God, because now Christ is your life.  When He comes again, you're gonna join him in his glory.

I'm like a babbling idiot next to the eloquence of F.F. Bruce (and probably many other people, too!), so here are his summary thoughts about this passage (after which he goes into greater detail, verse by verse, which I will not be typing out for you).

The Colossians are reminded that they not only died with Christ; they were raised from the dead with him too - as indeed they have been already told (Col 2:12).  When Christ left the tomb, he was raised on high, and is now enthroned in glory, at God's right hand. What does this mean for those who by faith have been united with him in his death and resurrection?  They continue to live on earth in their mortal bodies, but they have embarked on a new way of life.  The motive power enabling them to follow this new way of life is imparted by him from the glory in which he now lives.  Since his people share his risen life, their interests are now centered in him; his interests, in fact, have become theirs.  They must therefore pursue those things which belong to the heavenly realm where he reigns; their mind, their attitude, their ambition, their whole outlook must be characterized by their living bond with the ascended Christ,  they now live with him and in him.  Their life is bound up with his; it is, in other words, laid up in safekeeping with him, securely hidden in God.  Because he lives his people live also: because he is their life, their life is as eternal as his.  The world cannot see their real life at present, just as it cannot see the exalted Christ.  A day is coming, however, when Christ will be revealed in glory, and those whose life is at present hidden with him will necessarily be revealed with him and share his glory.  (p 131-2)

Praise God, right?!  What a great prelude to Sunday worship.

*    *     *

I'll close with one more of Bruce's comments as a bridge into the next verses, which we will look into on Monday:

What God has done for his people in Christ

is the grand argument and incentive for Christian living.

(p 124)

Have a blessed Sunday.  One week till Advent begins!!

Colossians {Day 23}

Last I wrote on Colossians, we finished up with this verse:

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Paul was warning the Colossians about getting shackled by ungodly rules and regulations imposed by men, which choke out the life of freedom found in the gospel.  On the outside, they seem wise and helpful, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence, ie. truly changing the heart.  Ironically, however, the next section in my Bible (which obviously was not part of the original letter, but is worth noting just the same) is headed "Rules for Holy Living."

Now wait just one minute.  Weren't we just talking about not getting caught up in all the rules and freely living our lives in Christ?!  Yes, yes we were.  So we've got to keep reading, don't we?  We must investigate this to find out what Paul's up to.  Is he going to show us the way to move toward restraining sensual indulgence?  Because as rated-R as that sounds, I'd be lying if I said I didn't need that.  I'm failing at self-control over here on a regular basis, in all areas of life.  Paul, what have you got for us?

Colossians 3:1-17

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Oh boy, that's a lot of text.  We'll spend a couple of days here.

Some initial thoughts:

1. Set your hearts on things above, because of Christ.  The first thing Paul says to them, before giving them the proper "recipe" for holy living in Christ, is that they must set their hearts on things above, not earthly things.  Christ died and our lives are now in our God.  I get a picture in my head of my life being completely enveloped in God, surrounded, supported, protected, secure.  With one's heart set on remembering that - and that one day we'll share in Christ's glory (because He's coming back, God fulfills His promsies) - we're prepared to get into the following things: putting the old self to death and putting on the new self.  Do not rush to put the cart before the horse.  We need Christ's power to be changed and renew, to care about our sin and desire to mortify it, and to delight in living in a way that pleases the Lord.  Set your heart on things above.  THEN...
2. Put to death what belongs to the old nature, because you're being renewed in the image of Christ.  Because of your new identity, Colossians, get rid of the old junk from your former life.  You used to do all that, but now you've got a new self.  Notice that Paul does not here say that this secures their salvation; it's simply a natural progression from remembering their identity in Christ.  Those lists are pretty serious, aren't they?  I'm humbled by how accurately they describe me on a daily basis.  But I am encouraged by Paul's words to take the putting off of my sin more seriously because it no longer owns or defines me.  Christ does.  And He gives us new dress...
3. Clothe yourselves with Christ's character, because you're God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved.  Again, Paul reminds the Colossians who they are.  God's people!  Wowzers.  And God's people have a dress code.  We're called to put off the ugly old rags of sin and depravity, and to put on the beautiful robes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love.  As we strip ourselves of the old, Christ gives us something new to put on.  This is a process of transformation, we don't automatically look like Christ the day we become a Christian.  But God is working His character into us, so we can reflect Him, and here Paul encourages the Colossians (and us) to get in on the "being made holy" action, by more intentionally clothing ourselves with these things.  What I find so beautiful is that we're not only told, "Stop that bad stuff!"  We're also told, "Christ has given you new things to wear and pursue."

That's all for this evening. We'll check this passage out s'more tomorrow.

*     *     *

I hope you're getting to enjoy some good R&R and maybe some great shopping this weekend.  I'm got to take in a movie with the husband this afternoon.  You don't know this about him, but he's not a big fan of going to the movies.  When he mentioned he wanted to go see James Bond IN THE THEATER, I jumped all over it.  I love going to the movies!  And, for the record, Skyfall is amazing.