COLOSSIANS 3:22-4:1 - GOD IS MY BOSS: I ULTIMATELY ANSWER TO HIM

COLOSSIANS 3:22-4:1

GOD IS MY BOSS:

I ULTIMATELY ANSWER TO HIM

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;  23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Christians should not do mediocre, half-hearted work or do their best only when the boss is watching. If an employee does the best work only when the boss is watching, he/she cannot be given more responsibility because the boss cannot baby-sit the employee all the time. As believers, we need to remember that our ultimate boss is the Lord Jesus who IS watching us at all times. We should work in such a way as to please Him. He deserves our best at all times, and tells us here, through the pen of Paul, to do our earthly work to honor Him. Whatever position you hold – CEO or Janitor or homemaker or even student – do it whole-heartedly, doing your best. This is what brings glory to God.

Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Our earthly supervisor may never acknowledge our faithful work in tangible ways, but we know our Father sees everything and will reward us both now and eternally. If we understand that Jesus is our Master, how should that affect not only our work but our attitude? My attitude should be that whatever service I am performing is actually done for Jesus. If I am cleaning the restrooms, I want them to so sparkle that I would not be ashamed for the King of kings to inspect them. Can we have an attitude of joy even in humble jobs? Since we know that we are working, not for our immediate supervisors, but for the One who died to set me free. I can be a beacon of light and joy and liberty while performing any kind of work. I cannot do that in my flesh. It can only be done by the Holy Spirit living in me.

Hebrews 1:6 (KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Colossians 3:25 (CJB) Don’t worry — whoever is doing wrong will be paid in kind for his wrong, and there is no favoritism shown.

God does reward us for the good that we do, but He also disciplines those who do wrong. He does not play favorites or have “teacher’s pets.”  If we are obedient, we will be rewarded. If we are not, we will reap the consequences.

Galatians 6:7 (KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

I call this the boomerang effect. Whatever we do comes back to us.

Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Servants, workers are supposed to work as if God is their Employer. What about the masters, the supervisors or even the CEO’s? The master’s (supervisor’s) responsibility is to set the servant (employee) up for success, to enable them to serve well. The employee should be given reasonable compensation to give them incentive to do quality work. They should be fair to those who serve under them. What did Paul remind the masters as incentive to do this? Even if one is the president, the CEO, or the king, he/she still answers to Someone. One day we will all have to give account to Jesus, our Savior and Lord (Master).

Ponder This: How often do we really do a task as if Almighty God were our boss? Would having that mindset make us better employees? Better students? Experiment: try having this mindset and living it out for one week. Ask the Lord to help you make a daily effort to do everything as if He is your Boss. He is! That’s what LORD means.

COLOSSIANS 3:15-21 - PEACE OF GOD LEADS TO PEACEFUL RELATIONSHIPS

COLOSSIANS 3:15-21

PEACE OF GOD

LEADS TO

PEACEFUL RELATIONSHIPS

Colossians 3:15 (KJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

We both loved the Complete Jewish Bible’s rendering of this verse:

Colossians 3:15 (CJB) and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart’s decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body.

Shalom means “nothing missing, nothing broken.” Shalom is total wholeness, complete peace. When we consult Jesus, when He is in the driver’s seat, we will not make snap judgements or knee-jerk decisions about anything. When we are at peace in Jesus, resting in His control, we can be calm in the midst of a crises and think things through by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

We are a part of the unified body of believers – at peace with God and one another. How does this make our witness to the world stronger? People in the world are “me first, me first, me first.” However, Christ’s body, the Messianic community, has an attitude of “How can I help you?” The world is self-centered, but believers are to put others first. Actually, we put Christ first, then others, then ourselves. This reminds me of a definition of joy I was taught as a child:

Jesus first

Others second

Yourself last

Colossians 3:16 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.

How can we cause the word of Christ to dwell in us? We need to be in it at least once a day, every day. What do you mean by “being in the word?” Reading it, listening to it, studying it, memorizing it, and meditating on it. The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom needed to fully understand the word of God as we hide it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11).

Teaching and admonishing (counseling) one another sounds like mentoring to me. It is what we Christians call “discipling.” Those who have known the Lord for a longer time need to take new believers under their wing and help them develop the good habits of Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship.

Music is a key component of Christian worship services, and this verse lists three types of vocal music used to encourage one another as well as to lift our praise to the Lord:

John MacArthur Study Bible:

Note on Ephesians 5:19 - psalms. Old Testament psalms put to music, primarily, but the term was used also of vocal music in general. The early church sang the Psalms. hymns. Perhaps songs of praise distinguished from the Psalms which exalted God, in that they focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. spiritual songs. Probably songs of personal testimony expressing truths of the grace of salvation in Christ.

Because of God’s grace, the “divine influence upon the heart and it’s reflection in the life” Strong’s definition 5485, we sing with gratitude, thankfulness to the Lord for Who He is and all that He has done. Even those who cannot carry a tune in a bucket, can make melody in their hearts toward God.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

All that we say or do should exalt (lift up) and glorify God. We should do our best for the Lord, or as an old hymn expressed it, “Give of your best to the Master.” We should do all jobs as if the Lord Jesus is the one who is going to inspect our work, knowing that we want Him to be pleased. We should speak to one another as if Jesus is listening because, in reality, He is. We need to live in an attitude of gratitude.

Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Wives need to voluntarily place themselves under the authority of their husbands since the Lord has designated the man as the head of the household. This command is based on the fact that Paul is writing to believers, assuming a Christian wife and husband. It is also based on the mutual submission taught in Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:21 (KJV) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

The Amplified version gives the full impact of this verse:

Colossians 3:19 (AMP) Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage].

In Ephesians, the men were instructed to love their wives as “Christ the loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). The husband is to love his wife sacrificially and selflessly. He should not be harsh or demeaning toward her.

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

There is one limitation to a child’s obedience to parents. If a child is told to do something contrary to God’s word, he may disobey his parents. The most graphic example I can think of is to commit incest – a child has the right to say no. If a parent instructs a child to steal, harm someone, or in any way go against the teachings of Jesus, it would not be sinful for that child to disobey a parent.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

John MacArthur Study Bible:

3:21 provoke. See notes on Eph. 6:4. Also translated “do not exasperate,” this word has the connotation of not stirring up or irritating.

Parents should not be “nit-picky” with their children or berate them. They should be the steady ones, avoiding inflaming the situation by unreasonable demands or punishments.

Ponder This: When everything centers on Jesus, and we are resting in our relationship to Christ, then how we relate to each other in the home, the workplace, the school, and our local body of believers will be much smoother. When God’s word “dwells in us richly,” He uses it to guide us into words and behavior that are honoring and glorifying to Him. 

COLOSSIANS 3:8-14 - CHANGE YOUR FILTHY CLOTHES

COLOSSIANS 3:8-14

CHANGE YOUR FILTHY CLOTHES

Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

We need to take off sinful behaviors like we change out of dirty clothes into clean ones. What is the difference between anger and wrath? Anger begins with frustration, hurt, and bitterness. It is a small fire and if left to smolder can mushroom into blazing wrath. Wrath is often displayed via violent outbursts. One example would be domestic violence, but wrath comes out in other relationships as well. God’s wrath is the righteous indignation against sin, but man’s wrath is rarely, if ever, righteous.

James 1:19-20 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

What is malice? Malice is evil intention without reason or cause.

Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language:

MAL'ICE, noun [Latin malitia, from malus, evil.] Extreme enmity of heart, or malevolence; a disposition to injure others without cause, from mere personal gratification or from a spirit of revenge; unprovoked malignity or spite.

According to John MacArthur, malice in this verse derives from a Greek term denoting general moral evil. An example would be Hitler who wanted to kill all disabled people, all Jews, all who did not fit his profile of perfection. His intent was morally evil.

We usually think of blasphemy as denying the power of God, speaking against the Holy Spirit. We looked up the particular word used here:

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

blasphēmia⁹⁸⁸ – vilification (espec. against God) – blasphemy, evil speaking, railing

Blasphemy can also mean slander against a person, assaulting someone’s character, which ultimately is against God since we are created in His image.

What does Paul mean by “filthy communication?” This can range from dirty jokes to pornography. Nothing vile or obscene should come from a Christians’ mouths, or be produced via any means.

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

It seems that being truthful with each other would be a no-brainer. Believers should be honest and above reproach. All the things we are instructed to “put off,” to strip away, are evidences of our old nature.

Psalm 34:13 (NIV) …keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Once we have taken off the old garments of our life before Jesus, we dress in the clothing of the Christian which is the righteous of Christ. We have these new clothes because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross. They are in our closet, ready to wear, but we choose daily whether to put them on or to walk around in the old, filthy rags.

Let’s look at verse 10 again in another translation:

Colossians 3:10 (CJB) and have put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge, closer and closer to the image of its Creator.

Sanctification is going on and will be going on until we see Jesus face to face, and then we will see ourselves as we shall be – just like Jesus. Living the Christian life should be a journey of coming closer and closer to Christ, being made into His image. When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are not instantaneously made perfect. As Susan said, it is a process. God SEES us through the righteousness of Christ, but becoming righteous is a lifelong process.

Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

There are no longer divisions of race, class, or gender; but we are united in Jesus as the family of God. No person is superior or inferior: there is no caste system among believers. Christ is all we need and His Holy Spirit resides in each believer. If we harbor prejudice against another believer, we are in essence being prejudiced against our Lord since He lives in each of us.

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Once we have taken off the old nature, we need to put on the new. As true believers, chosen by God and surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus, we should be changed within and exemplify certain attributes. What does Paul mean by “bowels of mercies?” This refers to a person’s heart of compassion. We should be tender-hearted toward the needs of others. A person that comes to mind as demonstrating this to the nth degree is Mother Teresa.

We looked up the Greek word for “kindness” to get the shades of meaning:

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:

chrēstŏtēs⁵⁵⁴⁴- usefulness, i.e. moral excellence (in character or demeanor): gentleness, goodness, kindness

Kindness is preferring others. Some examples would be allowing someone to move in front in line when they have only a few items or seem to be in a hurry. Encouraging others, being there for them in a time of need, is also kindness. A kind person intentionally looks for something good to say about everyone.

Humbleness of mind – the opposite of being puffed up. This makes me think of Paul’s instruction to the Philippian believers:

Philippians 2:3 (AMP) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.

What is meekness?

Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language

Meekness

MEE'KNESS, noun Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.

1. In an evangelical sense, humility; resignation; submission to the divine will, without murmuring or peevishness; opposed to pride, arrogance and refractoriness. Galatians 5:23.

I beseech you by the meekness of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1.

Meekness is a grace which Jesus alone inculcated, and which no ancient philosopher seems to have understood or recommended.

Meekness is a submissive attitude toward God and each other as opposed to haughtiness and arrogance.

Longsuffering – The believer can endure the monotonous, seemingly continuous, challenges of this life because we know that Jesus is in control of everything and we have sure hope of relief.

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

We are to be patient with each other and forgive as Christ forgave. How did Christ forgive? Jesus forgave us completely and without strings attached.

Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Charity, love for the Lord and our brothers and sisters in the family of God causes everything to function as it was intended by the Lord, according to His perfect will. God’s love flowing through His children to one another is the glue that holds the body of Christ, the Messianic community, together.

Review the change of clothing:

TAKE OFF                      PUT ON

Anger                             Mercy

Wrath                             Kindness

Malice                            Humbleness

Filthy Communication    Meekness

Lying                              Longsuffering

                                      Forgiveness

                                      Love

COLOSSIANS 3:1-7 - FOCUS! PAY ATTENTION!

COLOSSIANS 3:1-7

FOCUS! PAY ATTENTION!

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

“If” should be translated “Since.” When we surrendered our lives to Jesus, we died to ourselves and were resurrected in Him. His death and resurrection became ours. Since we have arisen to new life, our desire for earthly things should be no more. Our desires are transformed toward the things of God and Heaven. There is no such thing as “being so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.” When we are focused on the will of God, on the things of Heaven, we are more effective witnesses for Christ on earth. As long as we live in this earth-suit, there will be struggles with earthly things; but when we are focused on Jesus and submitted to His will, He enables us to overcome these and live victoriously as His ambassadors. Our Commander in Chief’s battle position is sitting on the throne at the right-hand of God as chief intercessor and advocate for His sons and daughters, those who have trusted in Him. As long as we are taking orders from the Head of this army, this body of believers, we will live victoriously. The right-hand is the seat of power and authority. Jesus is Lord of all, and we have access to Him through prayer at all times!

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Aim your affections in a Godly direction. We need to focus our thoughts on Jesus and not on the cares of this world.  That does not mean to be irresponsible about our finances or the needs of our family or friends. However, we need to trust Jesus in all things and expend our energies in serving Him. The only treasure we can take with us to Heaven are those who come with us by our witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus.

***Randy Alcorn book on Heaven

Matthew 6:20-21 (NKJV) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Colossians 1:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

We were dead IN sin, but Jesus made us alive in Him. Now we are dead TO sin and safe in the bosom of Jesus. I love the old song lyric, “He hideth my soul in the cleft of the Rock.” God hid Moses in a crevice in the rock before He passed by so that He would not die from seeing God’s glory.

Exodus 33:22 (KJV) And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

We are hidden in Christ who is our Rock. I wonder if Moses was truly hidden in Jesus? Something to think about. At any rate, we are hidden, sheltered, protected in Christ. We are eternally secure: we cannot lose our salvation.

Colossians 1:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Apart from Jesus, we were dead people walking. He IS our life, our source. At the moment Christ appears at His second coming, He will receive all believers to be home with Him, in the place He has made ready and beautiful for His bride, the church, the Messianic community.

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Big word alert! We will let Mr. Webster help us:

Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language:

CONCUPISCENCE, noun [Latin , to covet or lust after, to desire or covet.] Lust; unlawful or irregular desire of sexual pleasure. In a more general sense, the coveting of carnal things, or an irregular appetite for worldly good; inclination for unlawful enjoyments.

We know even secret concupiscence to be sin.

Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence Romans 7:8.

We must put sinful thoughts far away from us. When your mind drifts toward those thoughts, you need to hit the reject or eject button. Jesus died to pay the price for those sins, not so we could continue wallowing in them, but to free us from them. However, this does take effort on our part to get our thoughts back on the Lord when our minds try to derail our train of thought.

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

Colossians 1:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

God’s response toward sin never changes. He is consistent in His hatred and judgement of sin. Paul points out that the Colossians lived in a sinful manner before their conversion as we all did. Anything that satisfies self, declares we have a right to ourselves, at the expense of our worship of God is sin. Since Paul was writing to believers, the church at Colossae we know they had trusted Jesus to cleanse them from sin.

Ponder This: Like the Colossians, we were once dead in our sin but are now made alive in Christ. However, we continually need to monitor our thought lives to keep our minds fixed on Him. What can help us to do this? Time spent studying and internalizing the word of God and praying.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB) We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

COLOSSIANS 2:18-23 - BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS WHO WANT TO DECAPITATE YOU

COLOSSIANS 2:18-23

BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS

WHO WANT TO DECAPITATE YOU

Colossians 1:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Paul warned the Colossians not to let anyone rob them of blessings and heavenly rewards. These false teachers claimed to have seen visions and promoted a self-imposed humility and worship of angels. The Bible clearly rejects and prohibits the worship of angels.

Revelation 22:8-9 (NKJV) Now I, John, saw and heard[a] these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For[b] I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Colossians 1:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Let’s take a look at this verse in another translation:

Colossians 2:19 (VOICE)  They are detached from the very head that nourishes and connects the whole body with all of its nerves and ligaments, a body that grows by the kind of growth that can only come from God.

If a person is decapitated, he/she cannot possibly grow. Jesus is the head of the body of believers. They are denying, rejecting Jesus, and therefore are destined for death. We can only be saved by connecting to the Head, and in order to grow in the Lord, we must be sure our instruction comes from the Head, Jesus, and not false teachers. Spiritual growth can only come from a relationship that stays plugged into God through His word and the indwelling Holy Spirit – NOT by self-imposed nor externally demanded restrictions.  

Colossians 1:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

When we come to Jesus by faith by the grace of God, our old way of life is crucified and we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are dead to the ways of the world, and Jesus empowers us to live for Him:

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Following rules without having a relationship with Jesus cannot help us. We cannot be good enough, humble enough, self-denying enough on our own to please God. The only way is in and through Jesus, His Son. These false teachers were trying to impose an extreme legalism on the believers at Colossae. Paul reminds them that Jesus already did everything necessary for their redemption. They did not need to put themselves through empty, self-imposed, religious calisthenics.

Colossians 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

These ascetic false teachers were abusing their bodies (the temple of God) and claiming it to be an act of worship. God incarnate, Jesus, put Himself upon the cross because He valued humanity so much that He gave all of Himself to pay the price or our sin, to erase our debt of sin. He did everything necessary for us to have a right relationship with God. There is no need for us to deprive or even injure our bodies since Jesus suffered the abuse for us. If we think there is something more we must do, we are acting as if Jesus’ sacrifice meant nothing! We would be denying the power of His death and resurrection.

Ponder This: The old hymn says “Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe.” Do you believe that? Are you still striving in your own power to be “good enough?” or are you rejoicing that Jesus took your sin upon Himself, and it has been crucified. Think about this truth today, and enjoy the freedom found in Jesus – freedom to live for Him rather than in slavery sin. Freedom from endless self-effort. Freedom to rest in the Everlasting Arms of the One who loves you unconditionally.

COLOSSIANS 2:13-17 - CHARGES OF SIN CRUSHED COMPLETELY!

COLOSSIANS 2:13-17

CHARGES OF SIN:

CRUSHED COMPLETELY!

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

We were spiritually dead, unable to bring ourselves to life because of sin. God placed faith in us and drew us into relationship with Jesus that we might be made alive. It is only in Jesus, that we can do anything. Had Jesus remained in the grave, we would have been forever dead and separated from God for all eternity. But since God raised Jesus from the tomb, we can be raised to a new life in Him and look forward to being with Him forever in the place He is preparing for each of us who believe.

John 14:1-4 (NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

As we have noted before, Jesus IS the way (John 14:6).

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

When a criminal was nailed to the cross, the charges against him were posted on the cross as well. Jesus symbolically nailed all our sins, all the charges against us, to His cross since He was crucified in OUR place. There was a placard placed on the cross with Jesus:

John 19:19 (NIV) Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.

However, the price He paid was the debt of sin that we owed to God.

Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God, the Lord Jesus, knew that He was the only one capable of paying this debt of sin because He was the only sinless man. Therefore, on our behalf, He willingly sacrificed Himself. He completely satisfied our debt and handed us the proof of acquittal as a free gift. Our only responsibility is to receive the gift by trusting in Jesus.

Colossians 1:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The picture in verse 15 is that of a victorious general leading his captives behind him to be humiliated in front of the crowds. Jesus’ victory on the cross defeated forever Satan, sin, death, and Satan’s demons. He sentenced them to eternal torment. According to 1 Peter 3:18-19, Jesus’ spirit even went and announced His victory over them while His earth-suit was in the tomb for three days.

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Paul warned the Colossians not to succumb to legalism. Under the new covenant, the Old Testament dietary restrictions are removed. There is no need to celebrate the Passover since Jesus IS our Passover Lamb. There is no longer a need to make sacrifices with each new moon or special festival because Jesus was the final sacrifice, the only sacrifice that could make us right with God. Jesus IS our Sabbath rest.

Romans 8:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Ponder This: Imagine you were a convicted criminal, headed to prison or even death row, and an innocent person stepped up and said, “I’ll take that punishment for the guilty one.”  Wouldn’t you be eternally grateful to that person? This really is the case. We were all guilty of sin and under a death penalty, but Jesus took our punishment by dying on the cross in our place. All we have to do is accept His gift, and we are moved from death row to life row – anticipating eternal life in paradise with Jesus. Shouldn’t we live our lives in gratitude and praise? DEFINITELY! Tell someone about His marvelous gift of grace today!

Never forget how it feels to be free! Listen to a great song by Phillips, Craig & Dean here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNa89MDFWYE

COLOSSIANS 2:6-12 - COMPLETE IN CHRIST TO LIVE A NEW LIFE

COLOSSIANS 2:6-12

COMPLETE IN CHRIST

TO LIVE A NEW LIFE

Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

How did we receive Christ? God’s grace gave us the faith needed to trust in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and surrender our lives to His control. Therefore, we live by faith in the grace of God as well. We know that there is more to life than what we see. There is an unseen spiritual realm as well.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (AMP)…for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]

Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

When Jesus is your root system, your fruit will be thanksgiving. Strong roots require food. Our spiritual food is the word of God, the Bible. The teachings of Paul were letters written to believers which are now a part of our New Testament scriptures. Just as we need physical food daily, we need to feed on scripture daily (maybe several times per day) for best results.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Paul warns them about listening to and living by philosophies other than Christ alone. Tradition should not take precedent over the revelation God has given us through Jesus and His word, the Bible.

Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Colossians 2:9 (CJB) For in him, bodily, lives the fullness of all that God is.

Jesus is the totality of God in human form. Everything that makes up the essence of the God-Head dwelt in Jesus’ earthly body. He was not a man with a little bit of God in Him, nor was He God with a few characteristics of a body. He was all God and all man at the same time. There is no higher authority than Jesus, no greater knowledge than what is found in knowing Him.

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Colossians 2:10 (AMP) And in Him you have been made complete [achieving spiritual stature through Christ], and He is the head over all rule and authority [of every angelic and earthly power].

Jesus’ righteousness has been deposited to our accounts. We are seen as righteous because He shed His blood for us on the cross, to wash away our sin. In Christ, we have also been given all the tools necessary to live a godly life, a life that brings glory to the Lord. If Jesus is in our tool belt, we have need of no other tools.

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

We derive our ability to please God by faith by His grace from the One who is completely in charge of EVERYTHING – Jesus. There is no greater power. Jesus is large and in charge.

Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Circumcision was a custom that set Jewish men apart from those of other nations and beliefs. It was an outward expression of their inward commitment to the one true God. The circumcision done by Christ is done without physical surgery to our hearts, our natures, to cut away anything that hinders our relationship to Him.

Deuteronomy 30:6 (NIV) The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Colossians 1:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Baptism by immersion symbolizes what Jesus has done in the person’s life, the old person has been buried; and a brand-new person emerges to walk with Jesus. The person is now free to live according to the purposes of God rather than to be enslaved to Satan. It symbolizes the believer’s death to sin and being resurrected to life with Jesus and is a foreshadowing of the day when we will be raised to life in order to be with our Lord forever.

Ponder This: Complete in Christ – no missing pieces, no need of tradition or works – complete peace (shalom) – nothing missing, nothing broken. Christ enters us via the Holy Spirit and surgically removes our insufficiencies to be replaced with His sufficiency.