Thoughts on Colossians (Part 15, The End)

Colossians 4:7-18

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[a] 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.

Thoughts:

People.  Just people.  Ordinary people.  People made “special” or “holy” through faith in a common Christ.  People connected by their faith, purpose and common love for Christ.  The close of some of Paul’s letters expose a spiritual bond and his appreciation for  the “people” connection in the Christian faith.  It’s a blessing to stop and take a moment to appreciate my spiritual family, here in Colorado and other cities/states where I’ve lived.  If you’re reading this, my friend(s)…  I love you and thank you for loving me!

Consider yourself one of those ordinary-but-special people.  You are important to someone – because you’ve loved, appreciated, understood, valued, cared, listened, modeled, applauded or even confronted them.  They remember you with fondness and thankfulness, not because you were perfect, but because you cared.  You would be in their “letter” if one were to be written.  They would greet you by name because they love you and miss you.  They might even note your qualities, or why you mean so much to them.  You’re not in Paul’s letter to the Colossian Christians, but that’s ok.  That’s not important.  You matter.  What you’ve said and done matters, just as you know that it matters to you what your spiritual friends/family have said and done for you.

I like these words in particular… dear brother, welcome him, they have proved a comfort to me, always wrestling in prayer for you, working hard for you, and I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.  Each of us has our own memories of people who have been (or remain) in our lives and have encouraged us in an unforgettable way.  I send greetings to Bob, Preston, Charles, Curt, Tonnis, John, Rex, Tony, Mark, Ty and Larry.  These are some of my ”dear brothers” – there are more – who have made a difference in my life.  Many have welcomed me, comforted me, prayed for me and even worked hard for me (and for my family… Thanks Ty, Cathy and Kate, who loved my kids and sacrificed for them).

You wouldn’t want to read all the greetings that I could share, so I’ll not go there, but I hope you’ve been encouraged to consider those “special” ordinary people God has blessed you with.

Enjoy connection.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 14)

Colossians 4:1-6

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

Thoughts:

Master?  I can’t relate.  However, I can provide what is right and fair to those in my charge or my care – work, church, coaching, business, etc.  It’s all too easy to neglect the needs and deserved rewards of others due to my own selfishness with my time, energy, possessions and money.  Right and fair – like my Master in heaven, who is expecting me to imitate his righteousness and goodness.  After all, I’ve come to expect that God be right and fair with me… if not just gracious and generous.  

Devotion to prayer – watchful and thankful, praying for others, praying for open doors for the message of Christ to be preached clearly to those who would listen.  This can be such a challenge for me, not just to be devoted to prayer, but to pray for God’s message to reach people.  Life is full of challenges and issues that fill our hearts and minds, and prayer can become such a self-centered spiritual discipline.  The recent destruction in Haiti has touched us and helped us pray more for those outside our little worlds.

Oh that God would give me wisdom in the way I interact with the people in my life – in the stores, the rec center and my neighborhood.  Every interaction with another human being is an opportunity for conversation (full of grace) and relationship.  You never know what God might be wanting to do through that conversation you had yesterday.  Perhaps that one wise answer you give to a shared thought or a question might make a difference in someone’s life.

Enjoy conversation…

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 13)

Colossians 3:22-25

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.

Thoughts:

I’m thankful that slavery isn’t my situation in life, though for some in this world this scripture applies very literally.  For some of the Christians in Colossae, slavery was their life reality.  What a challenge they faced, putting these teachings into practice daily.  I face this very real challenge also, but in a different set of life realities.  In some realities I need to obey (e.g. work) by doing what is expected of me, or more, without having to be monitored.  I should be working to please the Lord, not men, with a sincerity of heart and reverence for God that keeps me free of a desire to seek the favor of men – working at it (whatever it is) with all my heart.  Living to please other men or women is dangerous, and that’s a topic that would require more attention than I can give in this article.  But beware, because we are all infected with that disease, to some degree.

The reality is this… It is the Lord Christ we are serving.  I find it hard to keep this in mind as I work daily, but that is reality and the correct perspective.  The pressures that I feel are very real to me – to complete tasks, perform to expectations and “please men” who appear to hold my future (job security) in their hands.  There is a burden that I feel, a certain stress related to my responsibilities, which comes from a twisted view of things.  When my view is perverted, I am working only for rewards that I perceive as coming from men, such as job security, financial gain and praise.  Also, because my focus is on pleasing men, I can easily forget that God is the true reality – my true master who sees and knows all things.  This alternate reality (pleasing men) leads to all kinds of “mess” (I think you know what I’m talking about).

Remembering daily it is the Lord Christ you are serving (at work and in all you do), and that the Lord Christ has an eternal inheritance set aside for you (secured by faith in Jesus’ redeeming sacrifice) frees you from stress and brings joy and fulfillment to your labors.  You are working to please your Father who loves you and accepts you in spite of your failures and weaknesses.  You are working for your Master who has proven that his love is unconditional – He gave his Son to suffer on your behalf.  You are working to please your Father, and by faith you understand there is a greater purpose and reward for your “job” than worldly security and income can bring.

For the Christians who think it unimportant to have integrity on the job, or in any situation, Paul reminds us that “anyone” who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong.  God doesn’t play favorites in these matters.  Some men might cut you some slack or not care, but God, like any good Father, disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12:6).  It’s for our good… to help us learn to be whole-hearted, single-minded, pure and trustworthy.

Enjoy reality.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 12)

Colossians 3:18-21

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. 

Thoughts:

Ecclesiastes 12:12 includes these words, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.”  Perhaps Paul had these words in mind as he was inspired to write these very simple instructions for Christian family.  Short and sweet.  We complicate things.  We write our 134 page books about marriage and family, with a chapter for every topic.  We use our examples, analogies, parables and testimonials to elaborate on solutions for every challenge faced in relationships – every trick in the book for making things work.  Paul was inspired to keep it simple – straight forward.  Books have been helpful to me… don’t take this as a slam on books.  I think God knew that we would take the simple teachings he gives us on marriage and family and write our books, hold our seminars, teach lessons and sermons.  All of these are helpful (well, maybe not all).  Today… think simple.

Wives, take a simple look at being submissive.  I won’t repeat all of what you’ve heard before about the meanings of submissiveness.  You know.  It’s about love – don’t forget.  Your husband will be a better man for it, because God created him that way.  Your husband will feel loved and respected, because God made him that way.  It’s about love.  Don’t lose perspective – keep it simple – It’s about love.

Husbands, take a simple look at loving your wives (agapeo).  Be generous, sacrificial, sincere and selfless… and don’t be harsh with her, even when you are angry.  Anger is no excuse to be harsh in tone or words.  She will be a better woman when she is loved, because God created her that way.  It’s about love.

Children, take a simple look at obedience.  As a child (yes, including the teen years), simply make it your aim to obey your parents.  It’s pleasing to God.  It’s simple – not really difficult.  It’s about love.  You will be a better person for it, because God made you that way.  God made you in such a way that a happy, orderly and peaceful family life helps you to thrive and grow.  It’s also about love… returning love.

Fathers, take a simple look at how you treat your children.  Your children will be happier, more content and at peace if you don’t provoke them to bitterness.  God made them that way.  Your thoughtless angry words, impatient looks, oppressive expectations, harsh discipline and careless apathy (none of which may be your intentional or desired behaviors) will embitter your children against you – against the Lord.  It’s about love.  It’s about showing them God’s love, through a parent who cares enough to take that simple look every day.  It’s about love.

Enjoy simplicity.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 11)

Colossians 3:12-17

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.

Thoughts:

This is beautiful.  Love binds all these together: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness.  This love is the word “agape” – generous, sacrificial, unconditional concern (charity, good will).  But this agape love was first shown to us by God (vs 12).  We are dearly loved (agape) by God – his chosen people (those who are in Christ), holy and dearly loved.  It’s hard to love when you’ve not been loved.  Christians “know the love of God” that is in Christ Jesus.  What an opportunity we have to grow in love ourselves, binding all these virtues together in perfect unity, because we have experienced God’s agape love.  Is forgiveness a problem?  Perhaps reading these few verses and meditating on their message would be the beginning of a permanent fix.

Peace ruling our hearts – hearts overflowing with thankfulness (2:7).  It’s up to us to let peace rule in our hearts and to be thankful.  I know God changed me when his Spirit was given to me (Acts 2:38).  I had more peace.  I was more thankful than I had ever been.  I had a new life and perspective.  But the peace of Christ can rule my heart even more powerfully and deeply.  I can be more and more thankful as I progress through life with Christs Spirit within me.  I like this!

The “one another” phrase used here should encourage all Christians to be employed as “ministers” of the word of God.  I mean employed as in “engaged” or “occupied” – actively involved with each other – teaching and admonishing each other.  This work is not limited to those with access to the pulpits and microphones.  To admonish is to caution, warn, reprove… place on the mind.  We help and encourage each other to think about God’s word and how it applies to our lives.  Know the word and be “employed” within the body, helping others learn and grow.  Don’t leave it up to a chosen few that are paid by the church (not to be taken as downplaying their gifts and roles).  After all, you don’t leave the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs up to the church staff, do you? 

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.  Yes, that’s a quote.    

Enjoy Love.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 10)

Colossians 3:1-11

1 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.

Thoughts:

Raised with Christ… (2:12 …having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God), so we should set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things.  Notice that Paul adds, “where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” – he can’t help but to exalt Christ in this letter, again and again. We need to be reminded often that there is a reason for our hearts and minds to be so intently focused – Christ has gone before us and through his resurrection there is the sure hope of being with him, at home in heaven with God our Father.  It’s easier to set your mind on things above when you are constantly aware that Jesus Christ is there, and that your life is “hidden with Christ” in God, to be revealed with Christ when he appears in his glory.  Sweet!

Don’t you love how the phrase “put to death” is used here.  The translation is quite accurate.  We should take the presence of sin in our hearts, minds and actions very seriously.  Sin is of our earthly nature, not the spiritual or heavenly nature, but there is more to consider than those high opposites.  Paul reminds Christians that God’s wrath is coming, and will fall on the “sons of disobedience” (the NIV is weak here).  Huios + Apeitheia = sons + disobedience.  You don’t want to be a sibling in that family.  So take Paul’s admonishment seriously – Off with the old and on with the new.

It’s wonderful to be “new” – the new self – living in a state of constant renewal (a word that was also used to express renewal of strength and vigor), based upon the very image of our Creator.  This new self is not a remake of the old self without our former inadequicies, sins and scars.  That’s not  what I think of as glorious or amazing.  It’s a blessing to be forgiven, healed and to have a purpose for living, but we need a more glorious vision of what God is doing to us spiritually.  God is renewing us constantly, into his very own image.  We must see ourselves as God sees us.  We are so much more than just forgiven and redirected into good works… we are remade in God’s image.  And by the way… the word translated ”image” was the same word used to describe Jesus in 1:15, as the “image of the invisible God”.  That’s amazing!  You,  and me!

Again, Paul takes the opportunity to point us back to Christ, the image.  Because renewal is in God’s image, Christ, there is no more reason for distictions of race, nationality, social station or previous religion.  Christ (the image) is all.  He (the image) is in all.  Christ (the image) is everything. 

Enjoy renewal.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 9)

Colossian 2:16-24

 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.  20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 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. 

Thoughts:

After Paul had reaffirmed that everything the Christian enjoys is found in Christ, and only in Christ (forgiveness and reconciliation with God included), he then attacked problems the Christians were facing.  I will present these as three D’s for staying connected to Christ.  1) Don’t let anyone judge you.  2) Don’t let anyone disqualify you.  3) Don’t submit to worldly rules and regulations.

1) Don’t let anyone judge you.  These Christians were being judged as unclean or unspiritual by what appears to be Jewish Christians or Jews who would have them believe that their relationship to God depended (or was partly dependent) upon keeping laws and observing festivals, etc.  Most of us today will never face these specific issues, but we may be judged by those who have invented Christian Law and Tradition (capitalized for emphasis) that you must follow to stay in their good graces.  I’m not going to list any.  I trust you will be able to recognize them if you are careful to examine what you’re hearing and experiencing.  Don’t let anyone judge you as “unspiritual” because you put the full weight of your faith in the one who alone can justify and sanctify you – Christ.  Christ is the REALITY.

2) Don’t let anyone disqualify you.  There are those, today, who would play judge – pretend to be the final word, defraud you of the prize of victory that Christ alone has won for you.  They know better, of course.  They understand what you’re too unenlightened to comprehend on your own – that depending completely upon Christ for your salvation and righteousness isn’t going to get you anywhere.  They are puffed up with pride and selfish ambition, yet they present themselves as the humble – utterly deceitful.  “I’ve had visions!” (idle notions).  The unspiritual (actually disconnected from Christ, the Head), calling the spiritual “unspiritual”, in hopes of enticing them away from Christ with false visions and idle notions.  Trying to make Christians feel disqualified by pretending to be so high above them.  Christ is the Head.

3) Don’t submit to worldly rules and regulations.  Do not handle, taste or touch!  You can imagine what Old Testament rules (or amplified versions thereof) were being referred to.   Many of us will never deal with such rules, but we will be faced with other rules, perhaps equally destructive.  Read the New Testament scriptures again and again – pray for understanding and wisdom.  Yes, you can strengthen your faith by incorporating spiritual disciplines like study and prayer.  Fellowship, openness, outreach, mutual encouragement and love for one another – all of these are taught and I would trust all Christians care to practice these things.  Yet when Christians convert disciplines and teachings into rules and regulations, or make traditions into rights of passage for approval… watch out. 

You “died with Christ” to all of these things that some men would use to lure you away from Christ as your all-in-all.  You have freedom NOT to submit yourself to these things, because the old person who was enslaved to them has died with Christ.  You will be tempted.  You see them and hear them on the TV, on the radio, on the internet, from family and friends and foes in disquise.  They have the “appearance of wisdom” but you know they have no value spiritually.  Christ is your “value”.  As the old knight said to Indiana Jones… “You have chosen… wisely”.

Enjoy Choice! 

 

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 8)

Colossians 2:9-15

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Thoughts:

Where to begin… yikes!  The letter to the Colossians is absolutely loaded!  How about starting here:  You have been given fullness in Christ.  In Christ, the fullness of the Diety dwells in bodily form” -  and because of Christ, you now have been given “fullness”.  The key words, not surprisingly, are “in Christ” – Paul is hammering home the preeminence of the Christ, over and over again.  Everything is because of Christ and found in Christ – fullness, circumcision of our sinful nature, burial and resurrection through baptism by faith in God’s power, life, forgiveness and triumph!  Enjoy thinking about all of that for a minute, before you continue reading.

Walking dead.  Spiritually dead… that’s what we are apart from God’s saving grace that comes through Christ.  I am a miracle.  I was dead, but I’ve been made alive.  Trust me.  I know what I was like before I became a Christian – before I was buried with Christ in baptism and raised with him as a new creation (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17).  I am NEW.  What encourages me the most, even more so now, is that my miracle isn’t found in myself – my determination, growth, striving, working, changing – it’s found only in Christ.  Again… “in Christ”.

God took away what was opposed to me, because of who I had become and choices I had made, by nailing it to the cross through the body and blood of Christ.  The term “in bodily form” takes on it’s greatest meaning (to me) at the cross.  We don’t like to think of our sin deserving such brutal and lethal punishment.  That’s reserved for cold-blooded mass murderers.  Some don’t believe that anyone should be punished by death (not discussing that here).  The body of Christ became the focus of one of the most cruel forms of punishment-by-death – crucifixion.  Whether you like it or not, you deserve punishment, at least punishement equal to what Jesus endured.  I deserve it too.  Jesus took it.  He bore it.  He loves you.  He loves me.  Amazing grace!

Paul, while lifting up Jesus Christ as the very heart of Christianity once again, reminds us that it is only through our faith in Christ that we are reconciled to God – forgiven.  Is there anything more important?  Again…  again, and again… “in Christ”!  It bears repeating.   

Enjoy being in Christ.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 7)

Colossians 2:8

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Thoughts:

See to it yourself.  Take responsibility.  Don’t expect someone else to do it for you.  Use your head.  Think for yourself.  Don’t believe everything you’re told.  These are phrases that we’ve heard over and over again, spoken or written by people we have respected and looked to for guidance.  Preachers, teachers, authors and even politicians (did I just type the P word?) have used these phrases and others that communicate the same concept… take responsibility for yourself.

Is it really ok?  Doesn’t that show disrespect for my ____________? (Fill in the blank with your own prefered title… including preacher, minister, pastor, evangelist, teacher, etc.)  I would hope that it is viewed by all believers as good and acceptable, even expected.  After all, we’ve heard these people telling us that it is noble to “examine the scriptures daily” to see if what we hear and/or believe is true (see Acts 17:11 below).  Indeed, the word of God instructs us to examine and test…

…they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)

…you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

…test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

 Yes.  Yes!  Absolutely!  See to it!  See to it, without apology, that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy!  I’m not suggesting that you listen and read with a desire to find fault, or that you take on the role of spiritual critic.  I am simply encouraging you to do what Paul instructed the Christians in Colossae to do: See to it!

Recently, my dear mother has been suffering.  We are now learning that much of her suffering appears to have been brought on by a long list of prescribed drugs.  My brother had been trying to convince Mom to get a second opinion on her illnesses and medications for a few years, but she wouldn’t do it.  Why not?  It was her life – her health.  She actually said, “I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”  Only after her weakened body could no longer fight the drugs’ combined side effects (and her Dr. retired) has she been getting that second look.  Now Mom is off every drug she had been prescribed, including insulin shots.  We’re just hoping it’s not too late for her to recover.  At times, it’s heartbreaking.

What about you?  Are you too concerned about hurting someone’s feelings to care about what you’re being taught?  Maybe you’re “discipled” by someone (not saying that’s a bad thing, mind you.), and you’ve been taught or told something that doesn’t seem right or healthy… will you take responsibility for yourself and examine the scriptures for resolution?  Will you be afraid of hurting someone’s feelings so much that you won’t bring it up?  Or are you just afraid of people in positions of spiritual authority?  Why should you be?  They should be your shepherds, not your masters.  See to it.

Why so serious?  It’s serious, because God did not set you free from sin and destruction, only to grieve as you are deceived and taken captive.  A life without Christ, is no life at all.  The captivity of a life guided by human traditions and the basic principles of this world is exposed daily – just follow the news.  It’s a life of depravity, greed, lust, violence and meaninglessness.  Even religion, when guided by human tradition and worldly principles, is ultimately destructive.  God preserved the scriptures for a reason, and with the love of a Father he pleads with us to respect and follow his teachings.

Enjoy responsibility.

Thoughts on Colossians (Part 6)

Colossians 2:6-7

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Thoughts:

When the Colossian Christians were first introduced to the gospel of Jesus and received him (see Acts 2:36-41), they had received him as “Lord” (kurion), a title of honor expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greet their master or owner; one who has control.  Why remind them of this?  We Christians can easily forget where Jesus Christ fits in to our Christianity.  Our “Faith” can easily become focused on other more important and pressing things from which we begin to get our fulfillment, our priorities and even our sense of self-worth, belonging or fitting in. 

Make your own list.  What are you tempted to trust in (put your faith in)?  What distracts you from putting the full weight of your faith into (or upon) Jesus Christ daily?  Again, these Christians were being taught deceptive philosophy, law-keeping and adherence to customs – much of which was purposefully used in fine-sounding arguments designed to draw Christians away from Christ and his simple gospel of forgiveness through his all-sufficient sacrifice.

What are we taught?  If you think carefully about your life – your spiritual life – you should be able to recognize the distractions, arguments, traditions and ”spiritual” laws (Jesus especially warned us about rules taught by men that were not God’s rules, or God’s heart).  The point?  Him!  Continue to live “in him” – rooted and built up “in him” – strengthened in the faith as you were taught (you were taught to put your faith “in him”).

There’s a very clear pattern in Paul’s letter to the Christians in Colossae.  The pattern is Christ (the “him”).  In each of these verses in the first two chapters of this letter, there are multiple sermons that can be preached from nearly limitless angles… all good and well, but what is the pattern; the theme?  Christ.  Fight to keep your focus on Christ, and to continue living in him.  Think before you swallow everything you hear and read, regardless of the source.  Test everything with God’s word.  Be careful.  Keep Jesus Christ before your eyes at all times.  Keep Jesus Christ “as lord” always, and continue to live in him.

You have to love that last encouragement in verse seven… “overflowing with thankfulness”.  I believe that it’s the intense focus on Christ as our all-in-all that keeps our faith pure and brings us great joy and thankfulness.  When Christ is not my primary life-giver – my focus – those fine-sounding arguments, traditions and laws begin to cloud my vision and steal that simple joy found in Christ alone.  When the joy has been stolen, the thankfulness will follow it out the door.  I hope that 2010 will be a year of great thankfulness and you keep your focus on Christ alone!

Enjoy overflowing!