Colossians 1:1-29
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Chapter 1 of Colossians begins with the greeting or salutation of Paul and Timothy to the Church at Colosse. Next they give thanks to God for the good estate of the Church, and the wonderful progress of the Gospel, having received particulars of their state from Epaphroditus. This not only excited their gratitude, but led them to pray to God that they might walk worthy of the Gospel; and they give thanks to Him who had qualified them to an inheritance among the saints in light (7-12). This state is described as a deliverance from the power of darkness, and being brought into the kingdom of God's dear Son. Next we read of the glorious character of Jesus Christ, and what He has done for mankind (vs. 15-20). The chapter concludes with the salvation which the Colossians had received, and of which the apostle had been the minister and vehicle for, and from the end of preaching it, which was to present every man perfect in Christ.
What stands out to me today is that God's Word is not just for our information, it is for our transformation! Whenever people believed in the message that Paul spoke, they were changed. The truth is becoming a Christian means beginning a whole new relationship with God, not just turning over a new leaf or determining to do right. New believers have a changed purpose, direction, attitude, and behavior. They are no longer seeking to serve themselves, but they are bearing fruit for God. The gospel of John reminds us in:
John 15:8 (KJV)
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
The fact that Paul had heard of their faith and of their love shows that they certainly were not secret believers. In fact, the New Testament gives little encouragement to anyone who seeks to go on as a secret disciple. The teaching of the Word of God is that if a person has truly received the Savior, then it is inevitable that he will make a public confession of Christ.
I pray that you and I would be encouraged to act like the church in Colosse because the love of the Colossians went out to all the saints. There was nothing local or sectarian about their love. They did not love only those of their own fellowship, but wherever they found true believers, their love flowed out freely and warmly. This should be a lesson to us that our love should not be narrow or limited to our own local fellowship, or to missionaries from our own country. We should recognize the sheep of Christ wherever they are found, and manifest our affection to them wherever possible.
Remember this simple truth: faith rests on the past; love works in the present; hope looks to the future.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Colossians 2:1-23
For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations- 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using- according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
In chapter 2 of Colossians the apostle shows his great concern for the Church at Colosse and at Laodicea. He exhorts them to steadfastness in the faith, and to beware of being seduced by enticing words (vs. 1-5). Next the apostle encourages the church to walk in Christ, as they had been taught, and to abound in faith and holiness (vs. 6-7). Then to beware of false teachers, who strive to pervert the Gospel, and to lead their minds from Him in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells; with whom they were filled; by whom they had received spiritual circumcision; and into whom they were baptized and were quickened, and raised from a death of sin to a life of righteousness (vs. 8-12). Next he points out their former state, and the great things which Christ had done for them, and then warns them against particular teachings relative to meats, drinks, holydays, festivals, and deceivers (vs. 16-19). The apostle concludes his exhortation with a caution against the judaizing teachers, and those who would introduce the worship of angels (vs. 20-23).
What stands out to me today is how Paul uses the illustration of our being rooted in Christ. Just as plants draw nourishment from the soil through their roots, so we draw our life-giving strength from Christ. The more we draw our strength from Him, the less we will be deceived by those who falsely claim to have life's answers.
The truth is receiving Christ as Lord of our life is the beginning of life with Christ. But we must continue to follow His leadership by being rooted, built up, and strengthened in the faith. Christ wants to guide us and help us with our daily problems. We can live for Christ by #1 committing our life and submitting our will to him (Romans 12:1-2); #2 seeking to learn from Him, His life, and His teachings (Col. 3:16); #3 recognizing the Holy Spirit's power at work in us (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22).
People should be able to see a difference between the way Christians and non-Christians live. However, we should not expect instant maturity in new Christians. Christian growth is a lifelong process. Although we have a new nature, we don't automatically think all good thoughts and have all pure attitudes when we become new people in Christ. But if we keep listening to God, we will be changing all the time. As you look over the last year, what changes for the better have you seen in your thoughts and attitudes? Change may be slow, but your life will change significantly if you trust God to change you.
I pray that you would be "rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
Colossians 3:1-22
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
In chapter 3 of Colossians the apostle exhorts the Church to heavenly-mindedness after the example of Christ that they may be prepared to appear with him in glory (vs. 1-4). Exhorts them also to put to death their members, and calls to their remembrance their former state (vs. 5-7). Next we shows how completely they were changed from that state, and gives them various directions relative to truth, compassion, meekness, long-suffering, forgiveness, and charity (vs. 8-14). The apostle also shows that they are called to unity and holiness; and commands them to have the doctrine of Christ dwelling richly in them; and how they should teach and admonish each other, and do every thing, in the name of the Lord Jesus (vs. 15-17). Next the apostle records the relative duties of wives, husbands, children, fathers, and servants (vs. 18-19). He concludes by showing that he that does wrong shall be treated accordingly, for God is no respecter of persons (vs. 23-25).
What stands out to me today is how the apostle exhorts the church to seek those things which are above. Setting our minds on things above means concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal. Setting our hearts on things above can also mean striving to put heaven's priorities into daily practice.
"For you died" means that we should have as little desire for this world as a dead person would have. The Christian's real home is where Christ lives (John 14:2-3). This truth gives us a different perspective on our lives here on earth. In other words to "set your minds on things above" means to look at life from God's perspective and to seek what He desires. This is the antidote to the trap of materialism; we gain the proper perspective on material goods when we take God's view of them. The more we regard the world around us as God does, the more we will live in harmony with Him. We must not become too attached to what is only temporary.
In conclusion I would also like to share some background on what the apostle was dealing with when he was writing this book. There were false teachers that were bringing confusion to the early church. This kind of doctrine that was infecting Colosse would eventually be called Gnosticism. This was a prominent Christian heresy in the second and third centuries. Gnosticism taught that special knowledge was needed for a soul to break from the physical realm into the spiritual realm. As this false doctrine developed, it claimed that salvation could only be obtained through such special knowledge. In this way the Gnostics replaced faith with intellect. Gnosticism followed the Greek philosophy that matter was inherently evil. Only nonphysical, "spiritual" realities were good. Hence, Gnostics did not believe that God created the world or that Christ came in a physical body. According to the Gnostics, an angel or secondary god created the material universe. Paul corrected this error in Colosse by stating clearly that Christ is the Creator and Sustainer of all, the supreme Head over the church and over all other authorities. Gnosticism affected a person's morality in one of two ways. One tendency was indulgence. This sort of Gnostic reasoned that since the body was evil and the spirit was good, nothing done by the body could harm the spirit. These Gnostics tended to give in to every sensual desire, denying themselves nothing. They believed that because they had God's grace and because the physical body was of no account, they could do whatever they wanted with their bodies.
I pray that you would continue to seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Love in Christ,
Alan J. Schrader
Colossians 4:1-18
Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. 2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. 7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. 16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." 18 This salutation by my own hand-Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Chapter 4 of Colossians begins with an exhortation to masters to behave towards their servants in a just and fair manner, knowing that they also have master in heaven. Next the apostle gives some general exhortations, and some particular instructions about reading this, and another epistle. A great part of this chapter is taken up in expressing his love to the Colossians, and in the salutations of others, and of himself. The general exhortations are to prayer, with watchfulness and thankfulness, not only for themselves, but especially for the ministers of the Gospel. Next follows the salutations of various persons to them, who are mentioned by name, and whose characters are given, (v. 10). And then he orders them to read this epistle in the church of Laodicea, and also that which came from that place, (v. 16) and to admonish Archippus to take heed to, and fulfill his ministry, since it was what he had received in the Lord, (v.17). And then apostle closes the epistle with his own salutation and benediction, entreating a remembrance of him and his bonds, (v. 18).
What stands out to me today is how the whole focus of Paul's life was to tell others about Christ, explaining and preaching this wonderful mystery. In verse 2 Paul asked for prayer that he could proclaim the Good News about Christ clearly, and we can request prayer to do the same. No matter what approach to evangelism we use, whether emphasizing life-style and example or whether building relationships, we should never make the message of the gospel hard to understand.
Paul exhorts the church to walk in wisdom toward those who are outside. In other words, in their everyday behavior, they should realize that they are being carefully watched by unbelievers. The world is more interested in our walk than in our talk. It has been said many times over, "I'd rather see a sermon, than hear one, any day." This does not mean that the Christian should not also confess Christ with his lips, but the point is that his walk should correspond with his talk. It should never be said of us, "They didn't' walk the talk".
I pray that your speech would always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer each one you come in contact with.
Blessings,
Alan J. Schrader
