Thursday, March 6, 2008
The end of Colossians
Well, we will be done with Colossians this week. Do you guys have an idea for what you want to do next? Anything you really want to study? We could do a topical study if there is a specific topic you want to know more about. Let me know what you're thinking.
Live for Today
Colossians 4:1-18
Paul finishes up his comments about relationships with masters being kind and just to their servants. Again, though we don't have servants anymore, we can still apply the principles to those who are under our leadership whether at church, home, or work. Ultimately the Lord is our Master and our sole desire should be to please Him. If we do not treat our brothers and sisters with respect and love and forgiveness then we are like the servant in Matt 18:23-35.
In verse 2, Paul calls us to continue in prayer and be watchful with thanksgiving. Prayer is our method of communication to the Lord. We need to make sure that the Lord is our priority. He should be the first one we run to in a crisis or thank in times of joy. We can demonstrate His priority in our lives by making every effort to spend time with Him each day. We can always make time for the things we want to do, but so often we neglect spending time with our Maker! Make the Lord your priority this week!
In verse 3-5 Paul asks for prayer to share the gospel with boldness and wisdom. I think we should all be praying that for each other. We all have unbelievers in our lives that need Jesus! Pray for opportunities and boldness to effectively share the gospel. One thing that we need to remember is that we never know when the last time we will see someone might be. What if it is today? Did they know the gospel? We need to share the gospel with urgency because we don't know what our life will be like tomorrow! This is something the Lord has been impressing upon my soul lately. I have several unbelieving friends at school, and I don't think I've had the urgency or the boldness that I should. Pray for me to have that boldness and for the Lord to soften their hearts cause some of them are quite hard! Here's a challenge from a Mercy Me song. "Live like there's no tomorrow. Love extravagantly." from "Goodbye Ordinary" That is my prayer for each of us.
Verse 6 Paul speaks of having our speech seasoned with grace so that we will properly answer everyone we talk to. I think this can be applied to all our speech. Whether we are speaking to a believer or an unbeliever, we want to make sure that our speech is edifying and not tearing down. I fall short in this area all the time. I like to tease and joke, but sometimes it's too much. "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such {a word} as is good for edification according to the need {of the moment,} so that it will give grace to those who hear." Eph 4:29
The rest of the chapter is Paul's greetings to specific people and instructions for the letter. Here's a little info on some of the people mentioned.
Tychicus was an Asian. He was probably from Ephesus and probably went with Paul as a representative of his church to Jerusalem when they sent their collection. He is also mentioned in Eph 6:21.
Aristarchus was a fellow traveler with Paul and possibly taking turns with Epaphras for voluntary imprisonment with Paul. He is also mentioned in Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2, and Philemon 23, 24.
Epaphras was another friend of Paul's. He founded several churches including the church at Colossae. It was his visit that caused Paul to write this letter. He is also mentioned in Col 1:7 and Philemon 23.
Onesimus was a runaway servant that ended up in Rome and somehow found Paul. Paul soon taught him about the Lord and he became a believer. Now, Paul was sending him back to his owner, Philemon. Paul's instructions to Philemon are found in the tiny book of Philemon.
I want to end with a quote I found on my friend's blog. I thought it was a good reminder for us.
Elizabeth Prentiss is the one who wrote the book I gave you for Christmas, Stepping Heavenward.)
Paul finishes up his comments about relationships with masters being kind and just to their servants. Again, though we don't have servants anymore, we can still apply the principles to those who are under our leadership whether at church, home, or work. Ultimately the Lord is our Master and our sole desire should be to please Him. If we do not treat our brothers and sisters with respect and love and forgiveness then we are like the servant in Matt 18:23-35.
"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. "When he had begun to settle {them,} one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. "But since he did not have {the means} to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. "So the slave fell {to the ground} and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.' "And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and {began} to choke {him,} saying, 'Pay back what you owe.' "So his fellow slave fell {to the ground} and {began} to plead with him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.' "But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. "So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. "Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?' "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."
In verse 2, Paul calls us to continue in prayer and be watchful with thanksgiving. Prayer is our method of communication to the Lord. We need to make sure that the Lord is our priority. He should be the first one we run to in a crisis or thank in times of joy. We can demonstrate His priority in our lives by making every effort to spend time with Him each day. We can always make time for the things we want to do, but so often we neglect spending time with our Maker! Make the Lord your priority this week!
In verse 3-5 Paul asks for prayer to share the gospel with boldness and wisdom. I think we should all be praying that for each other. We all have unbelievers in our lives that need Jesus! Pray for opportunities and boldness to effectively share the gospel. One thing that we need to remember is that we never know when the last time we will see someone might be. What if it is today? Did they know the gospel? We need to share the gospel with urgency because we don't know what our life will be like tomorrow! This is something the Lord has been impressing upon my soul lately. I have several unbelieving friends at school, and I don't think I've had the urgency or the boldness that I should. Pray for me to have that boldness and for the Lord to soften their hearts cause some of them are quite hard! Here's a challenge from a Mercy Me song. "Live like there's no tomorrow. Love extravagantly." from "Goodbye Ordinary" That is my prayer for each of us.
Verse 6 Paul speaks of having our speech seasoned with grace so that we will properly answer everyone we talk to. I think this can be applied to all our speech. Whether we are speaking to a believer or an unbeliever, we want to make sure that our speech is edifying and not tearing down. I fall short in this area all the time. I like to tease and joke, but sometimes it's too much. "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such {a word} as is good for edification according to the need {of the moment,} so that it will give grace to those who hear." Eph 4:29
The rest of the chapter is Paul's greetings to specific people and instructions for the letter. Here's a little info on some of the people mentioned.
Tychicus was an Asian. He was probably from Ephesus and probably went with Paul as a representative of his church to Jerusalem when they sent their collection. He is also mentioned in Eph 6:21.
Aristarchus was a fellow traveler with Paul and possibly taking turns with Epaphras for voluntary imprisonment with Paul. He is also mentioned in Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2, and Philemon 23, 24.
Epaphras was another friend of Paul's. He founded several churches including the church at Colossae. It was his visit that caused Paul to write this letter. He is also mentioned in Col 1:7 and Philemon 23.
Onesimus was a runaway servant that ended up in Rome and somehow found Paul. Paul soon taught him about the Lord and he became a believer. Now, Paul was sending him back to his owner, Philemon. Paul's instructions to Philemon are found in the tiny book of Philemon.
I want to end with a quote I found on my friend's blog. I thought it was a good reminder for us.
God never places us in any position in which we can not grow. We may fancy that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting, petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward, we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kind of progress.
~Elizabeth Prentiss~
Elizabeth Prentiss is the one who wrote the book I gave you for Christmas, Stepping Heavenward.)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
How Should We Live?
Colossians 3:18-25
In this section, Paul addresses relationships within the home. The first relationship he discusses is that of husbands and wives. Wives are to be submissive to their husbands, and husbands are to love their wives. Now, we are not wives, but I think all of us hope to be wives someday. This means that we need to be preparing ourselves for marriage by practicing submission and other qualities found in Titus 2, Prov 31, and Eph 5. These attributes can be practiced through submission to parents and to church leadership, and those other as character qualities in your everyday life. When it does come time to marry, you want to make sure that the man you are interested in loves the Lord more than anything else, even you. This also needs to be true of you. You should be satisfied in Christ before you are married because your husband will never be able to fulfill all your desires. Another quality you want in a man is the ability to lead you spiritually and to love you as Christ loves the church. He will not be perfect, nor will his love, but the key fact is that he is striving for that goal.
The next relationship addressed is between parents and children. This is something we can all relate to right now since we are all children. As I mentioned earlier, practicing obedience and submission to your parents is one way that you are training for marriage. It is also a picture of our relationship with God. He is our loving and perfect Father who will discipline us in order to produce righteousness in our lives. It is out of love that our parents guide and discipline us. They are seeking to teach us how to live godly lives. You girls are just beginning the transition from complete parental guidance to independence. Your parents are wise and have lived longer than you. Respect their opinions and listen to them. God has placed them in your lives to help you and guide you. You are growing up and need to begin taking responsibility for your life, but that does not mean that your parents have no say or authority over you. As long as you live in their house, you are obligated to their authority. Even as you leave the house, until you are married, they still have authority over you. It is imperitive that you treat them with respect. They are not perfect and will make mistakes, but you need to work with them as a team as you learn and grow in your walk with Christ.
The last relationship is that between servants and masters. We don't have servants or masters like they did in biblical times, but I think the principles can be applied to a job situation. You should obey your bosses (as long as they are not telling you to sin) and do your work with excellence so that you will be able to be a witness for Christ. You want the people you work for and with to see that you are different. The goal of doing your work with excellence is not to gain praise or recognition, but to bring glory to Christ. Remember that! This idea of excellence in all that you do should be applied to your whole life, from school, to work, to church, and at home. All things should be done with excellence as unto the Lord for the purpose of bringing glory to His name. In verse 23 and 24, we see that God will reward those who serve Him, and punish those who don't. It is a matter of reaping what you sow. Make sure that you are sowing godliness and thus reaping the fruit of righteousness.
In this section, Paul addresses relationships within the home. The first relationship he discusses is that of husbands and wives. Wives are to be submissive to their husbands, and husbands are to love their wives. Now, we are not wives, but I think all of us hope to be wives someday. This means that we need to be preparing ourselves for marriage by practicing submission and other qualities found in Titus 2, Prov 31, and Eph 5. These attributes can be practiced through submission to parents and to church leadership, and those other as character qualities in your everyday life. When it does come time to marry, you want to make sure that the man you are interested in loves the Lord more than anything else, even you. This also needs to be true of you. You should be satisfied in Christ before you are married because your husband will never be able to fulfill all your desires. Another quality you want in a man is the ability to lead you spiritually and to love you as Christ loves the church. He will not be perfect, nor will his love, but the key fact is that he is striving for that goal.
The next relationship addressed is between parents and children. This is something we can all relate to right now since we are all children. As I mentioned earlier, practicing obedience and submission to your parents is one way that you are training for marriage. It is also a picture of our relationship with God. He is our loving and perfect Father who will discipline us in order to produce righteousness in our lives. It is out of love that our parents guide and discipline us. They are seeking to teach us how to live godly lives. You girls are just beginning the transition from complete parental guidance to independence. Your parents are wise and have lived longer than you. Respect their opinions and listen to them. God has placed them in your lives to help you and guide you. You are growing up and need to begin taking responsibility for your life, but that does not mean that your parents have no say or authority over you. As long as you live in their house, you are obligated to their authority. Even as you leave the house, until you are married, they still have authority over you. It is imperitive that you treat them with respect. They are not perfect and will make mistakes, but you need to work with them as a team as you learn and grow in your walk with Christ.
The last relationship is that between servants and masters. We don't have servants or masters like they did in biblical times, but I think the principles can be applied to a job situation. You should obey your bosses (as long as they are not telling you to sin) and do your work with excellence so that you will be able to be a witness for Christ. You want the people you work for and with to see that you are different. The goal of doing your work with excellence is not to gain praise or recognition, but to bring glory to Christ. Remember that! This idea of excellence in all that you do should be applied to your whole life, from school, to work, to church, and at home. All things should be done with excellence as unto the Lord for the purpose of bringing glory to His name. In verse 23 and 24, we see that God will reward those who serve Him, and punish those who don't. It is a matter of reaping what you sow. Make sure that you are sowing godliness and thus reaping the fruit of righteousness.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Put On, Put Off
Colossians 3:5-17
This section of verses talks about the attributes that we are to put on and off. In verse 5, Paul says to consider the members of your body as dead to evil. Literally that sentence translates "put to death the members which are upon the earth." This again is a refutation of Gnosticism. The body of the Christian should no longer participate in fleshly desires, but only the desires of Christ. Paul goes on to say that the evil that he has listed leads to idolatry. This is because the flesh becomes god, and the one who falls into these sins is solely trying to fill the desires of the flesh. The flesh is put before God. God cannot allow anyone or anything to take the throne. Thus those who worship anything, but Himself will suffer His wrath. This is who we were before Christ. We did not seek God, we did not worship Him, and we were subject to His wrath. In verse 8 Paul says "But now." But now that you are in Christ, you must put off anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, lying, and the old self with all it's evil practices. I once heard this idea of putting on and putting off explained this way: When you go to the gym and work out, you get all sweaty and stinky, right? Let's say after you're done at the gym you're going to go hang out with some friends. Well, instead of showering and changing clothes, you decide to put a clean shirt over the dirty one. Now, is that going to remove the stench? No! You have to shower and take off the old dirty clothes, and then put on new ones. This is how it is for us as Christians. We have to completely remove our former life, and be washed in the blood of the lamb. It is not possible to live with the dirty shirt (or the old self) hiding underneath the new self. The old self must be considered dead, and if we don't take it off, or we try to put it back on, we're going to stink, and those around us are gonna smell it.
Now in verse 10, Paul talks about what we are to put on. We are to put on a new self, a clean shirt. Because of Christ's death and resurrection we are new creations, 2 Cor 5:17. In this new life, we are all the same. There is no difference between race or gender. We are all one in Christ. Therefore, we must not allow ourselves to show partiality here on earth. This goes back to James 2. Now in verse 12 we see that we are to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We are to bear with one another. The Greek word for bearing with means "to hold up against something, to bear with." This means that we are to hold each other up against the pressures of life. Like in Galations 6:2 where we are called to bear one another's burdens. We are also to forgive each other as the Lord forgave you. When the Lord forgives, does he bring the past back up to you? No, he has settled your account and no longer holds it against you. So it should be between believers. When you have forgiven, you must not allow yourself to hold that sin against them ever again. Above all we are to put on love. Love is the perfection of Christian character. If we are loving God and loving others, we will not sin. Unfortunately, we still sin, but perfect love is something we must strive for.
Christ is peace and when we let Him rule in our hearts, we will have peace. The fact that God has given us salvation, and the ability to grow and strive toward perfect should make us thankful. In all things we should be thankful because we who deserve nothing, have been given everything! Verse 16 says to let the word of Christ richly dwell within you. We must read the word, but we cannot just read it. We have to let it penetrate our hearts and become a part of who we are. We cannot just know it, but we have to live it. This is what it means to have the word of Christ dwell within you. How is it to dwell in you? With wisdom, teaching, and admonishing. The Word brings wisdom, with this wisdom with should be teaching and encouraging those who are younger in the Lord. We are also called to admonish one another. This word in the Greek means "to caution or reprove gently." When we see a believer caught in sin, we are commanded to humbly and gently bring the sin to their attention. If we fail to bring correction, that brother or sister may fall further into sin and bring others with them. It is out of concern for them that you should admonish someone. This is something anyone can do to any fellow believer. If the person caught in sin is an authority over you, you can still go to them, but make sure that it is truly sin and that you have a biblical basis for it. In all situations of admonishing you need to come with a heart of humility and compassion.
Finally in verse 17, Paul calls us to do all things in the name of Jesus. We are representatives of Christ. When unbelievers look at us, they are watching to see how we live. If we are not living well, then they will see Christ as a fake and a hypocrite. If we live well by the grace of Jesus, then they will see who Jesus really is and perhaps want to know what we have that is different. I pray for each of us, that we would be true representations of Christ, no matter where we are or who we are with.
This section of verses talks about the attributes that we are to put on and off. In verse 5, Paul says to consider the members of your body as dead to evil. Literally that sentence translates "put to death the members which are upon the earth." This again is a refutation of Gnosticism. The body of the Christian should no longer participate in fleshly desires, but only the desires of Christ. Paul goes on to say that the evil that he has listed leads to idolatry. This is because the flesh becomes god, and the one who falls into these sins is solely trying to fill the desires of the flesh. The flesh is put before God. God cannot allow anyone or anything to take the throne. Thus those who worship anything, but Himself will suffer His wrath. This is who we were before Christ. We did not seek God, we did not worship Him, and we were subject to His wrath. In verse 8 Paul says "But now." But now that you are in Christ, you must put off anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, lying, and the old self with all it's evil practices. I once heard this idea of putting on and putting off explained this way: When you go to the gym and work out, you get all sweaty and stinky, right? Let's say after you're done at the gym you're going to go hang out with some friends. Well, instead of showering and changing clothes, you decide to put a clean shirt over the dirty one. Now, is that going to remove the stench? No! You have to shower and take off the old dirty clothes, and then put on new ones. This is how it is for us as Christians. We have to completely remove our former life, and be washed in the blood of the lamb. It is not possible to live with the dirty shirt (or the old self) hiding underneath the new self. The old self must be considered dead, and if we don't take it off, or we try to put it back on, we're going to stink, and those around us are gonna smell it.
Now in verse 10, Paul talks about what we are to put on. We are to put on a new self, a clean shirt. Because of Christ's death and resurrection we are new creations, 2 Cor 5:17. In this new life, we are all the same. There is no difference between race or gender. We are all one in Christ. Therefore, we must not allow ourselves to show partiality here on earth. This goes back to James 2. Now in verse 12 we see that we are to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We are to bear with one another. The Greek word for bearing with means "to hold up against something, to bear with." This means that we are to hold each other up against the pressures of life. Like in Galations 6:2 where we are called to bear one another's burdens. We are also to forgive each other as the Lord forgave you. When the Lord forgives, does he bring the past back up to you? No, he has settled your account and no longer holds it against you. So it should be between believers. When you have forgiven, you must not allow yourself to hold that sin against them ever again. Above all we are to put on love. Love is the perfection of Christian character. If we are loving God and loving others, we will not sin. Unfortunately, we still sin, but perfect love is something we must strive for.
Christ is peace and when we let Him rule in our hearts, we will have peace. The fact that God has given us salvation, and the ability to grow and strive toward perfect should make us thankful. In all things we should be thankful because we who deserve nothing, have been given everything! Verse 16 says to let the word of Christ richly dwell within you. We must read the word, but we cannot just read it. We have to let it penetrate our hearts and become a part of who we are. We cannot just know it, but we have to live it. This is what it means to have the word of Christ dwell within you. How is it to dwell in you? With wisdom, teaching, and admonishing. The Word brings wisdom, with this wisdom with should be teaching and encouraging those who are younger in the Lord. We are also called to admonish one another. This word in the Greek means "to caution or reprove gently." When we see a believer caught in sin, we are commanded to humbly and gently bring the sin to their attention. If we fail to bring correction, that brother or sister may fall further into sin and bring others with them. It is out of concern for them that you should admonish someone. This is something anyone can do to any fellow believer. If the person caught in sin is an authority over you, you can still go to them, but make sure that it is truly sin and that you have a biblical basis for it. In all situations of admonishing you need to come with a heart of humility and compassion.
Finally in verse 17, Paul calls us to do all things in the name of Jesus. We are representatives of Christ. When unbelievers look at us, they are watching to see how we live. If we are not living well, then they will see Christ as a fake and a hypocrite. If we live well by the grace of Jesus, then they will see who Jesus really is and perhaps want to know what we have that is different. I pray for each of us, that we would be true representations of Christ, no matter where we are or who we are with.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Set Your Mind
Colossians 3:1-4
Paul begins the chapter by calling believers to "keep seeking the things above." What are the "things above"? They are teh things of Christ. The action, attitudes, and doctrine that flows from true knowledge of God. Thus the only way to persue the things above is to pursue knowledge of God. In verse 2 Paul tells us to set our minds on the things above. First we must seek, then we must set. The work for "set your mind" in the Greek means "to exercise the mind," and is a derivative of a word meaning "to reign in or curb." This then gives us the picture of diliberate actions mean to improve strength and health, and in this case, spiritual health. As we are running the race of life, we must focus on the goal. Make sure you are "storing up treasures in heaven" and not focused on the treasures of earth. This world is passing away, but heaven is eternal. Why must we as believers set our minds on the things above and not of the earth? Verse 3 answers that. "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." This means that our old self, our desires, our goals are gone. Now we are covered in the righteousness of Christ and we must follow His lead. Like Psa 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." It is not that our fleshly desires will be fulfilled, but that God will place in our hearts, His desires so that they become our own. As Christians, we have become one with Christ. Verse 4 demostrates this when it says, "Christ, who is our life." We have become one with Christ and can no longer separate our life from His. Therefore, when He is revealed in glory, we will also be revealed with. This unseparatable character is why gnosticism cannot work. It separates the body from the soul, but if Christ is our life, then our body will also display Christ's character. I will discuss this further in the next section.
Paul begins the chapter by calling believers to "keep seeking the things above." What are the "things above"? They are teh things of Christ. The action, attitudes, and doctrine that flows from true knowledge of God. Thus the only way to persue the things above is to pursue knowledge of God. In verse 2 Paul tells us to set our minds on the things above. First we must seek, then we must set. The work for "set your mind" in the Greek means "to exercise the mind," and is a derivative of a word meaning "to reign in or curb." This then gives us the picture of diliberate actions mean to improve strength and health, and in this case, spiritual health. As we are running the race of life, we must focus on the goal. Make sure you are "storing up treasures in heaven" and not focused on the treasures of earth. This world is passing away, but heaven is eternal. Why must we as believers set our minds on the things above and not of the earth? Verse 3 answers that. "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." This means that our old self, our desires, our goals are gone. Now we are covered in the righteousness of Christ and we must follow His lead. Like Psa 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." It is not that our fleshly desires will be fulfilled, but that God will place in our hearts, His desires so that they become our own. As Christians, we have become one with Christ. Verse 4 demostrates this when it says, "Christ, who is our life." We have become one with Christ and can no longer separate our life from His. Therefore, when He is revealed in glory, we will also be revealed with. This unseparatable character is why gnosticism cannot work. It separates the body from the soul, but if Christ is our life, then our body will also display Christ's character. I will discuss this further in the next section.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Chapter 3 Again
So, apparently, we were all busy last week. I didn't even get a post up. Thus, we shall try chapter 3 again. Please post this week and then answer the questions for chapter 2. How are you guys doing? Allie, I haven't heard from you in a while.
Heather
Heather
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Busy week
Well, I don't know about you guys, but this week has been very busy. Thus I haven't written on here until today. Continue on to chapter 3. My last post for chapter 2 has some questions I would like you to post answers to. How'd ya'll do with last weeks goals?
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Dead to the Flesh
Colossians 2:8-23
Verses 8-15 are specifically refuting the doctrine of Gnosticism. The Colossians were being told that the body and soul were separate and that it didn't matter what the body did since it could never be redeemed. However, Paul reminds them that Christ was fully God and fully man. Therefore, they could not argue and say that the flesh is only evil because if it was, God could not dwell in it. He also says that they have been circumcised in Christ. Meaning that the flesh has been removed and should be considered as dead. They are now living for Christ and not for themselves. Paul also conveys this truth in Gal 2:20 where he says, "I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me." This passage reflects that verse as Paul goes on to talk about being buried with Christ, and raised to life. This is a spiritual dying of the flesh and raising of eternal life in Christ. Verses 13-15 reminds us of the incredible nature of this gift. Christ died for sinners, not when they had repented, but before while they were still enemies of God and doers of evil. Christ died for me before I surrendered my life to His will. Christ died for you before you had put off the flesh. And now His death and resurrection brings forgiveness of our sins, past, present, and future. This act demonstrated that He was ruler over all.
Because of Christ's love and forgiveness towards us, because of He is ruler over all, we don't need to fear man and His rules. The Christian life is not about rules and regulations, it is about faith and love for Christ which results in obedience. The Gnostics were submitting to man's rules about what to eat and drink and touch, but they were neglecting some God's laws. In Galatians 4, Paul tells the Galatians that if they desire to be under the law for salvation, they must keep the whole law. That is, the only way the Law can save you is through perfection. This of course is impossible therefore, we must not be focused on man's rules, but God's commands and His will for our lives.
I want you guys to help out with application.
Can you think of some ways that Gnostic thinking is demonstrated today?
What is legalism? Why is it wrong?
Is there any trace of Gnostism in your thinking?
Do you base people's spirituality on their obedience to certain rules that are not found in scripture?
Verses 8-15 are specifically refuting the doctrine of Gnosticism. The Colossians were being told that the body and soul were separate and that it didn't matter what the body did since it could never be redeemed. However, Paul reminds them that Christ was fully God and fully man. Therefore, they could not argue and say that the flesh is only evil because if it was, God could not dwell in it. He also says that they have been circumcised in Christ. Meaning that the flesh has been removed and should be considered as dead. They are now living for Christ and not for themselves. Paul also conveys this truth in Gal 2:20 where he says, "I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me." This passage reflects that verse as Paul goes on to talk about being buried with Christ, and raised to life. This is a spiritual dying of the flesh and raising of eternal life in Christ. Verses 13-15 reminds us of the incredible nature of this gift. Christ died for sinners, not when they had repented, but before while they were still enemies of God and doers of evil. Christ died for me before I surrendered my life to His will. Christ died for you before you had put off the flesh. And now His death and resurrection brings forgiveness of our sins, past, present, and future. This act demonstrated that He was ruler over all.
Because of Christ's love and forgiveness towards us, because of He is ruler over all, we don't need to fear man and His rules. The Christian life is not about rules and regulations, it is about faith and love for Christ which results in obedience. The Gnostics were submitting to man's rules about what to eat and drink and touch, but they were neglecting some God's laws. In Galatians 4, Paul tells the Galatians that if they desire to be under the law for salvation, they must keep the whole law. That is, the only way the Law can save you is through perfection. This of course is impossible therefore, we must not be focused on man's rules, but God's commands and His will for our lives.
I want you guys to help out with application.
Can you think of some ways that Gnostic thinking is demonstrated today?
What is legalism? Why is it wrong?
Is there any trace of Gnostism in your thinking?
Do you base people's spirituality on their obedience to certain rules that are not found in scripture?
Walking in Christ
Colossians 2:1-7
In this chapter, we again see Paul's heart for ministry. He cares so much about the Colossians and desires their growth even though he hasn't seen them. He rejoices in their triumphs, grieves over their sin, and admonishes them in love. This is also seen in verse 5 as he tells the Colossians that he is with them in spirit. Paul's encouragement in verse 2 is that they "attain to all the wealth that comes from full assurance" and results in "true knowledge." The word for knowledge is again epignosis. Paul's desire is for the Colossians to not just have head knowledge of God and His Word, but to have an understanding of who God is, what He is like. (If you haven't read J.I. Packer's book, Knowing God, you should. It's a good one.) Again, this is to refute the Gnostic teaching that body and soul are two separate entities. Paul is trying to teach them correct doctrine so that if someone comes bringing false doctrine, they will be able to discern it.
Verse 6 is a transition verse. Paul goes from encouraging them to admonishing them. He tells them to "walk in Him [Christ]." When I see this word walk, I think of several things. The first is that walking is an action. This means that we need to be constantly moving toward Christ. It doesn't say, "sit in Christ," it says "walk"! There is no time to take a break from the Christian life, every moment we need to be living it out. The second thing I think of when I see the word walk, is the direction I am headed. To explain this, we must go to the book of Ephesians. "Walk" is pretty much the theme of this book. Verses 8-10 in chapter 2 give us a call to walk. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." So from these verses, we understand that God has prepared good work for us and that we are to walk in them. What are the specifics of that calling? Well, we must go on to chapter 4. Eph 4:1 is a transition verse from doctrine to practical application. In this verse, we are called to "walk in a manner worthy of the the calling with which you have been called." What calling? That was what chapters 1-3 described. What is a manner worthy of the gospel? See verses 2-16 of chapter 4. Verse 17 contains our second "walk." We are to "walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk." Explanation? verses 18-32. 5:1 contains the next "walk." This time we are called to "walk in love just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us." Whew, that's a tough one. Love as Christ, completely, unconditionally, and sacrificially. More explanation follows in verses 1-7. Verse 8 of chapter 5 contains the final call to walk. "Walk as children of light." This theme is carried through the rest of the book where Paul teaches on submission and the armor of God. (Eph is one of my favorite books, can you tell?) Going back to Col 2:7, we are able to walk in Christ because we are firmly established, rooted in our faith. Now Christ is building us up to completion. I think of construction on a house and how you have to lay the foundation and then piece by piece, wall by wall, the house comes together. So it is with us. Sanctification is a process that takes time, but day by day, week by week, year by year, Christ is being formed in us. The thought of God's grace and His sanctifying work in our lives should make us overflow with gratitude.
Now it's time for some more application. Going back to the beginning of the chapter, we see Paul's love for all believers. It is something that should clearly be demonstrated in our lives. We should be tuned into what's going on with believers all over the world, and rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, and pray for all of them. As Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 The second application that I wanted to bring out was to make sure that we are spending time getting to know God. It takes time and energy to get to know someone, thus we need to put our time and energy into getting to know God. This means spending time in prayer and in the Word is essential! The rest of the application is scattered throughout the above paragraphs. I'm excited to hear, well, read, what you guys are learning.
In this chapter, we again see Paul's heart for ministry. He cares so much about the Colossians and desires their growth even though he hasn't seen them. He rejoices in their triumphs, grieves over their sin, and admonishes them in love. This is also seen in verse 5 as he tells the Colossians that he is with them in spirit. Paul's encouragement in verse 2 is that they "attain to all the wealth that comes from full assurance" and results in "true knowledge." The word for knowledge is again epignosis. Paul's desire is for the Colossians to not just have head knowledge of God and His Word, but to have an understanding of who God is, what He is like. (If you haven't read J.I. Packer's book, Knowing God, you should. It's a good one.) Again, this is to refute the Gnostic teaching that body and soul are two separate entities. Paul is trying to teach them correct doctrine so that if someone comes bringing false doctrine, they will be able to discern it.
Verse 6 is a transition verse. Paul goes from encouraging them to admonishing them. He tells them to "walk in Him [Christ]." When I see this word walk, I think of several things. The first is that walking is an action. This means that we need to be constantly moving toward Christ. It doesn't say, "sit in Christ," it says "walk"! There is no time to take a break from the Christian life, every moment we need to be living it out. The second thing I think of when I see the word walk, is the direction I am headed. To explain this, we must go to the book of Ephesians. "Walk" is pretty much the theme of this book. Verses 8-10 in chapter 2 give us a call to walk. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." So from these verses, we understand that God has prepared good work for us and that we are to walk in them. What are the specifics of that calling? Well, we must go on to chapter 4. Eph 4:1 is a transition verse from doctrine to practical application. In this verse, we are called to "walk in a manner worthy of the the calling with which you have been called." What calling? That was what chapters 1-3 described. What is a manner worthy of the gospel? See verses 2-16 of chapter 4. Verse 17 contains our second "walk." We are to "walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk." Explanation? verses 18-32. 5:1 contains the next "walk." This time we are called to "walk in love just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us." Whew, that's a tough one. Love as Christ, completely, unconditionally, and sacrificially. More explanation follows in verses 1-7. Verse 8 of chapter 5 contains the final call to walk. "Walk as children of light." This theme is carried through the rest of the book where Paul teaches on submission and the armor of God. (Eph is one of my favorite books, can you tell?) Going back to Col 2:7, we are able to walk in Christ because we are firmly established, rooted in our faith. Now Christ is building us up to completion. I think of construction on a house and how you have to lay the foundation and then piece by piece, wall by wall, the house comes together. So it is with us. Sanctification is a process that takes time, but day by day, week by week, year by year, Christ is being formed in us. The thought of God's grace and His sanctifying work in our lives should make us overflow with gratitude.
Now it's time for some more application. Going back to the beginning of the chapter, we see Paul's love for all believers. It is something that should clearly be demonstrated in our lives. We should be tuned into what's going on with believers all over the world, and rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, and pray for all of them. As Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 The second application that I wanted to bring out was to make sure that we are spending time getting to know God. It takes time and energy to get to know someone, thus we need to put our time and energy into getting to know God. This means spending time in prayer and in the Word is essential! The rest of the application is scattered throughout the above paragraphs. I'm excited to hear, well, read, what you guys are learning.
Colossians
Ithink I did the first post wrong? maybe im doing this one wrong too? i dont know, Heather, you can fix it if its wrong.
Colossians 2
I think that verse 2 of this chapter was really cool. In verse one Paul is talking about those who He hasn't seen face to face, and then in verse to He says that their hearts are knitt together. I just thought that was a cool picture of how we show be with belivers all around the world. our heart should all be knitt together. In verse 6 Paul is encouraging the Colossians to walk in Christ and to be firmly rooted, because some false doctrine was going around and folling people. So Paul tells them in verse 8 to be careful and not let anyone lead them astray from what they know is true. just like the Colossians we also have many false doctrines spreading around we also need to be careful not to get caught up in any of them. Paul then continues to encourage them and lays out the gospel for them again reminding them of what they know what is true. In verse 16 He says not to let others judge us according to food or their traditions. People can get so legalistic and caught up in a tradition or idea and then they lose the real meaning to being a Christian, love. Verse 19 is cool too. It talks about holding fast to the head/Christ. We need to be holding on to Jesus, because He is all that matters. It is not the traditions of man that are important, but Christ.
Colossians 2
I think that verse 2 of this chapter was really cool. In verse one Paul is talking about those who He hasn't seen face to face, and then in verse to He says that their hearts are knitt together. I just thought that was a cool picture of how we show be with belivers all around the world. our heart should all be knitt together. In verse 6 Paul is encouraging the Colossians to walk in Christ and to be firmly rooted, because some false doctrine was going around and folling people. So Paul tells them in verse 8 to be careful and not let anyone lead them astray from what they know is true. just like the Colossians we also have many false doctrines spreading around we also need to be careful not to get caught up in any of them. Paul then continues to encourage them and lays out the gospel for them again reminding them of what they know what is true. In verse 16 He says not to let others judge us according to food or their traditions. People can get so legalistic and caught up in a tradition or idea and then they lose the real meaning to being a Christian, love. Verse 19 is cool too. It talks about holding fast to the head/Christ. We need to be holding on to Jesus, because He is all that matters. It is not the traditions of man that are important, but Christ.
Colossians 1
hmm...I'm not sure if we are supposed to do our post here or not but oh well....
As I read chapter 1 verses 4 and 10-12 really stuck out to me. Verse 4 was just encouraging to me because the Christians in Colossae were known for their Faith in Christ and their love for all the saints. That is something that I want to be known for and I know right now I could improve my love for all the saints.... As Paul is encouraging the colossians in verses 10-12 to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord I was convicted. I need to always walk in a manner that will honor God no matter what. I know that I spend way too much time on my self and thinking of myself instead of thinking about others or what God wants me to do. So I pray that God would strengthen me with all power as verse 11 says. This verse ends with joyously meaning that we need to do all things joyously. That is definately a struggle for me. =) To me it is truely exciting that God would qualify us to share in his inheritance of eternal life, because i know i am so unworhty of everything Christ has given me. He delivered me from Satan and has forgiven me all my sins, and yet many times I take all that for granted. In verse 16 Paul speaks of how powerful Christ is. He made everything and He holds all things together. Through Christ we are reconciled with God. Without Him we are nothing.... In verse 24 Paul says He rejoices in His sufferings. That is one of the hardest things for me to do. All I want to do is complain and as we have been trying not to complain these past few weeks I have seen how much i really do complain. It is very hard to stop!!! Anyway I'll wrap up this collection of bunny trails with verse 29 "And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." Sorry that this is a little scatter brained......
As I read chapter 1 verses 4 and 10-12 really stuck out to me. Verse 4 was just encouraging to me because the Christians in Colossae were known for their Faith in Christ and their love for all the saints. That is something that I want to be known for and I know right now I could improve my love for all the saints.... As Paul is encouraging the colossians in verses 10-12 to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord I was convicted. I need to always walk in a manner that will honor God no matter what. I know that I spend way too much time on my self and thinking of myself instead of thinking about others or what God wants me to do. So I pray that God would strengthen me with all power as verse 11 says. This verse ends with joyously meaning that we need to do all things joyously. That is definately a struggle for me. =) To me it is truely exciting that God would qualify us to share in his inheritance of eternal life, because i know i am so unworhty of everything Christ has given me. He delivered me from Satan and has forgiven me all my sins, and yet many times I take all that for granted. In verse 16 Paul speaks of how powerful Christ is. He made everything and He holds all things together. Through Christ we are reconciled with God. Without Him we are nothing.... In verse 24 Paul says He rejoices in His sufferings. That is one of the hardest things for me to do. All I want to do is complain and as we have been trying not to complain these past few weeks I have seen how much i really do complain. It is very hard to stop!!! Anyway I'll wrap up this collection of bunny trails with verse 29 "And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." Sorry that this is a little scatter brained......
Monday, February 4, 2008
Moving On
This week we are going to up our time in the Word to 10 mins a day. We are also moving ahead to chapter 2 in Colossians. I have updated the goals section to reflect the new week. It would be nice if you guys posted too, but I would at least like you to respond to my posts. Respond to this post and let me know how you are all doing with the goals and if you have any prayer requests.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Check Up
So, girls how's it going this week? How are those posts coming? Did you write those notes to mom...Court and Becca? Have you been reading your Bible everyday this week? I missed reading yesterday. :( How's the 5 minutes going? Can we up it to 10?
I really want you guys to start posting, ok? This weekend you must post something on Col 1 cause we are moving on to Col 2 next week. You don't need to write a lot. Just what you think the passage is saying and how you can apply it to your life. I would like you to respond to my posts after you have posted one of your own. Sound good? I will post on Sunday to give you instructions for next week.
I really want you guys to start posting, ok? This weekend you must post something on Col 1 cause we are moving on to Col 2 next week. You don't need to write a lot. Just what you think the passage is saying and how you can apply it to your life. I would like you to respond to my posts after you have posted one of your own. Sound good? I will post on Sunday to give you instructions for next week.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Unworthy Servants
Colossians 1:24-29
One interesting statement in this section is Paul says that his suffering is "filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions." The literal translation says "of" Christ's afflictions and I think that is probably a better translation. This would have me understand that Paul is fulfilling the sufferings that Christ has appointed for him. He is full of joy because he is worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. Paul then goes on to speak of his ministry. Verse 25 tells us that Paul was given a stewardship. The word stewardship comes from a greek word literally meaning house-distributor. Paul has been given the authority to, in a sense, distribute the house of God. Who gave him this authority? God. Why? That he may preach the Word of God to a lost and dying world. This stewardship also reminds me of 1 Cor 9:16-18. “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” Paul is talking about how it is his duty to preach the gospel. And since it is his duty, he should not get any glory for doing it. But there is a reward that he seeks and that is to offer the gospel free of charge. He did have the right and authority to ask for support to preach, but it was rewarding for him to preach for free. That said, he did receive support from churches, but usually not when he first brought them the gospel. Sometimes, I catch myself giving myself a ‘pat on the back’ because I shared the gospel or because I want to serve God through international missions like it’s some great and amazing task. Yet, it is only our duty. It’s what God has commanded us to do in Matt 28:18. My pastor taught on this a few weeks ago and reminded us of the passage in Luke 17:7-10. It hit me afresh when I was listening to his message. "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and {properly} clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? "He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done {only} that which we ought to have done.' " This was Paul's attitude towards life.
Paul goes on in verse 26 to describe the mystery of the Word of God that was hidden, but now has been revealed. This takes me back to Hebrews where Paul explains how the OT law was a foreshadowing of Christ and His work on the cross. It is amazing that God sent His Son to save the Jews, but even more so that He came to save the whole world! We serve an amazing God! This gift that we have been given is so amazing that we should not be able to keep from telling people. We should be like Paul and proclaim the gospel to those around us. But Paul does not stop at proclaiming the gospel. He goes on to teach every man in order to present them complete in Christ. This is something I find lacking in some church outreaches. They preach the gospel, but often times don't follow up with those who have expressed a desire to know Christ. If we are going to preach Christ, we must be ready to give people the tools they need to live for Christ. Otherwise, we are setting them up for failure.
As I mentioned earlier, sharing the gospel is a command; it is our duty as followers of Christ. When we obey this command, we are doing nothing more than our duty. We don't deserve any praise or glory because we were just being obedient. The thought of being an unworthy servant is something I have been thinking a lot about in the last few weeks. I am reminded of my lack of humility and desire for my own glory instead of God's. That is so wrong! Who am I, but a sinner who is not even worthy of being a servant of Christ. Yet, Christ in His grace has washed me and is making me into His image. It is nothing I have done, there is nothing I could do to earn this. The one thing I can do is serve Him with all that is within me, and tell others of His amazing grace. In the last couple verses in this passage, we see Paul's heart. I too feel this way as I seek to teach and admonish you guys. I am laboring and striving so that you will be made complete in Christ. It is my joy and passion to see people growing in Christ. That is why I want to do long term missions wherever I am. I want to be able to help people grow in Christ and understand His will for their lives. I pray that you girls will grow and change more into the image of Christ each day as we walk this road together.
One interesting statement in this section is Paul says that his suffering is "filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions." The literal translation says "of" Christ's afflictions and I think that is probably a better translation. This would have me understand that Paul is fulfilling the sufferings that Christ has appointed for him. He is full of joy because he is worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. Paul then goes on to speak of his ministry. Verse 25 tells us that Paul was given a stewardship. The word stewardship comes from a greek word literally meaning house-distributor. Paul has been given the authority to, in a sense, distribute the house of God. Who gave him this authority? God. Why? That he may preach the Word of God to a lost and dying world. This stewardship also reminds me of 1 Cor 9:16-18. “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” Paul is talking about how it is his duty to preach the gospel. And since it is his duty, he should not get any glory for doing it. But there is a reward that he seeks and that is to offer the gospel free of charge. He did have the right and authority to ask for support to preach, but it was rewarding for him to preach for free. That said, he did receive support from churches, but usually not when he first brought them the gospel. Sometimes, I catch myself giving myself a ‘pat on the back’ because I shared the gospel or because I want to serve God through international missions like it’s some great and amazing task. Yet, it is only our duty. It’s what God has commanded us to do in Matt 28:18. My pastor taught on this a few weeks ago and reminded us of the passage in Luke 17:7-10. It hit me afresh when I was listening to his message. "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and {properly} clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? "He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done {only} that which we ought to have done.' " This was Paul's attitude towards life.
Paul goes on in verse 26 to describe the mystery of the Word of God that was hidden, but now has been revealed. This takes me back to Hebrews where Paul explains how the OT law was a foreshadowing of Christ and His work on the cross. It is amazing that God sent His Son to save the Jews, but even more so that He came to save the whole world! We serve an amazing God! This gift that we have been given is so amazing that we should not be able to keep from telling people. We should be like Paul and proclaim the gospel to those around us. But Paul does not stop at proclaiming the gospel. He goes on to teach every man in order to present them complete in Christ. This is something I find lacking in some church outreaches. They preach the gospel, but often times don't follow up with those who have expressed a desire to know Christ. If we are going to preach Christ, we must be ready to give people the tools they need to live for Christ. Otherwise, we are setting them up for failure.
As I mentioned earlier, sharing the gospel is a command; it is our duty as followers of Christ. When we obey this command, we are doing nothing more than our duty. We don't deserve any praise or glory because we were just being obedient. The thought of being an unworthy servant is something I have been thinking a lot about in the last few weeks. I am reminded of my lack of humility and desire for my own glory instead of God's. That is so wrong! Who am I, but a sinner who is not even worthy of being a servant of Christ. Yet, Christ in His grace has washed me and is making me into His image. It is nothing I have done, there is nothing I could do to earn this. The one thing I can do is serve Him with all that is within me, and tell others of His amazing grace. In the last couple verses in this passage, we see Paul's heart. I too feel this way as I seek to teach and admonish you guys. I am laboring and striving so that you will be made complete in Christ. It is my joy and passion to see people growing in Christ. That is why I want to do long term missions wherever I am. I want to be able to help people grow in Christ and understand His will for their lives. I pray that you girls will grow and change more into the image of Christ each day as we walk this road together.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Christ our Savior
Colossians 1:12-23
This section of verses talks about who Christ is in relation to us and our salvation. God has qualified us to share in Christ's inheritance. He transferred us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Christ. How is this possible? Christ has redeemed us and forgiven our sins. The word redeemed in the Greek means "the act of freeing or releasing from." Before Christ we were slaves to sin, Satan was our Master. But when Christ died on the cross and took our sins upon him, he paid the debt that we owed. Then he conquered death by His resurrection. Jesus is the visible representation of God. The word for image in the Greek means a prototype, not merely a resemblance of something, but actually being drawn from God. In other words, it is confirming the deity of Christ. Paul goes on in verses 16-18 to explain what it means that Christ is the first-born of all creation. He was the author of all creation, it flowed from him. Everything that is seen is because of God, and everything was created for His good pleasure. I am reminded of the parable of the evil tenants in Matt 21:33-46. The story represents how God created the nation of Israel, but then they tried to run things on their own, and would not give to God what was rightfully His. This too describes all of creation. God has the right to tell us what to do and demand our submission, we are His creation. As such, we should be willing to give ourselves and the fruit of our labor to the Lord who has made it possible for us to live and produce fruit.
Verse 19 describes Christ's humanity and deity. He was fully God, and fully man. Through Him all things have been reconciled. Christ's blood was sufficient to save every man, but is only applied to those who accept it, whom God predestined. We were formerly enemies of God, but now we have been redeemed and are able to stand before God holy and blameless because of Christ's imputed righteousness. Verse 23 puts a condition on our presentation as holy and blameless before God. Paul is saying is that continuing in the faith, being steadfast, and not straying from the hope of the gospel are evidences of your salvation. Theses things are accomplished only through the strength and grace of God. We could not do this on our own.
In applying this scripture to our lives, we must remember that we are God's. He has the right to do what ever He thinks is best in our lives. This means that when we experience trials, we must remember that God has put it in our life for our good and His glory. It also means that every thing we do should be dedicated to His glory. So often we forget who we are and seek to gain glory for ourselves. The only glory we should be concerned about is the glory of God. This should be our supreme desire, to please Him and bring Him glory.
This section of verses talks about who Christ is in relation to us and our salvation. God has qualified us to share in Christ's inheritance. He transferred us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Christ. How is this possible? Christ has redeemed us and forgiven our sins. The word redeemed in the Greek means "the act of freeing or releasing from." Before Christ we were slaves to sin, Satan was our Master. But when Christ died on the cross and took our sins upon him, he paid the debt that we owed. Then he conquered death by His resurrection. Jesus is the visible representation of God. The word for image in the Greek means a prototype, not merely a resemblance of something, but actually being drawn from God. In other words, it is confirming the deity of Christ. Paul goes on in verses 16-18 to explain what it means that Christ is the first-born of all creation. He was the author of all creation, it flowed from him. Everything that is seen is because of God, and everything was created for His good pleasure. I am reminded of the parable of the evil tenants in Matt 21:33-46. The story represents how God created the nation of Israel, but then they tried to run things on their own, and would not give to God what was rightfully His. This too describes all of creation. God has the right to tell us what to do and demand our submission, we are His creation. As such, we should be willing to give ourselves and the fruit of our labor to the Lord who has made it possible for us to live and produce fruit.
Verse 19 describes Christ's humanity and deity. He was fully God, and fully man. Through Him all things have been reconciled. Christ's blood was sufficient to save every man, but is only applied to those who accept it, whom God predestined. We were formerly enemies of God, but now we have been redeemed and are able to stand before God holy and blameless because of Christ's imputed righteousness. Verse 23 puts a condition on our presentation as holy and blameless before God. Paul is saying is that continuing in the faith, being steadfast, and not straying from the hope of the gospel are evidences of your salvation. Theses things are accomplished only through the strength and grace of God. We could not do this on our own.
In applying this scripture to our lives, we must remember that we are God's. He has the right to do what ever He thinks is best in our lives. This means that when we experience trials, we must remember that God has put it in our life for our good and His glory. It also means that every thing we do should be dedicated to His glory. So often we forget who we are and seek to gain glory for ourselves. The only glory we should be concerned about is the glory of God. This should be our supreme desire, to please Him and bring Him glory.
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Hope of Heaven
Col 1:1-11
Paul begins this letter by commending the brothers at Colossae. He is thankful for them for two reasons: 1) their faith and 2) the love that they have for all the saints. Why do they have this faith and love? Verses 5 tells us that it is because of the hope stored up for them in heaven. The word hope in the Greek means "expectation or confidence." The Colossian believers had a firm confidence in the hope of heaven and the Word of God. The gospel had begun to spread all over the world and was (and still is) "constantly bearing fruit and increasing." This reminds me of the passage in Isa 55:11 "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding {in the matter} for which I sent it." Verse 7-8 tell us that Epaphras is the one who founded the church and brought the report of it to Paul. In verses 9-12 Paul explains how he prays for the Colossians. 1) He prays without ceasing. 2) He prays that they will be filled with the knowledge of His will. 3) He prays that this knowledge would cause them to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 4) He prays for them to be strengthened with the power of God to obtain endurance and patience with joy. 5) He thanks God for them.
In verse in 9, the word for knowledge is epignosis. This word literally means "to know above or beyond." It implies participation in knowledge. Thus Paul is praying for the Colossians to not have only intellectual knowledge of God, but to really KNOW God. If they really know God, they will walk according to His will and obey His commandments. But accomplishing this goal is hard, and we get tired. So Paul prays that the power of God would strengthen them. The word endurance is hupamone in the Greek. It literally means "to abide under." The same word is used to describe endurance in James 1. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have {its} perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." This word for endurance also implies hope, so it is a an endurance that has hope in what is to come. In James 1, I think of it as a humble submission to the trial and thus to God's will because we have epignosis (knowledge beyond the here and now). We must also remember that it is through God's "glorious might" that we can attain such endurance.
There are several of ways that we can apply this to our lives. The first is to examine our lives. Are we full of faith and love for other believers? When people look at you do they see someone who is abounding with love for others? Second is to use Paul's prayer to challenge our walk. Are we living out the things Paul is praying? Is this a pray that we need to pray for ourselves? Does the way you live your life show that you KNOW God, and don't just know OF Him? The book Knowing God by J. I. Packer is a really good resource for the topic of knowing God. The more we know God, the more we should desire to serve Him and thank Him for His amazing grace! Thirdly, we can use Paul's prayer as outline of how to pray for others. When you don't know how to pray for someone, there are many examples in scripture of prayers that can help you get started. Eph 3:14-21 is another good one. Fourth, we can practice endurance. This is not something we just all the sudden get, but something that God grows in us. How? Through trials. This is why we are to have joy in trials; we know that trials help us to see our sin and get rid of it. And if we have endured the trial with this attitude, we will be more like Christ and so thankful for the trial.
Paul begins this letter by commending the brothers at Colossae. He is thankful for them for two reasons: 1) their faith and 2) the love that they have for all the saints. Why do they have this faith and love? Verses 5 tells us that it is because of the hope stored up for them in heaven. The word hope in the Greek means "expectation or confidence." The Colossian believers had a firm confidence in the hope of heaven and the Word of God. The gospel had begun to spread all over the world and was (and still is) "constantly bearing fruit and increasing." This reminds me of the passage in Isa 55:11 "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding {in the matter} for which I sent it." Verse 7-8 tell us that Epaphras is the one who founded the church and brought the report of it to Paul. In verses 9-12 Paul explains how he prays for the Colossians. 1) He prays without ceasing. 2) He prays that they will be filled with the knowledge of His will. 3) He prays that this knowledge would cause them to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 4) He prays for them to be strengthened with the power of God to obtain endurance and patience with joy. 5) He thanks God for them.
In verse in 9, the word for knowledge is epignosis. This word literally means "to know above or beyond." It implies participation in knowledge. Thus Paul is praying for the Colossians to not have only intellectual knowledge of God, but to really KNOW God. If they really know God, they will walk according to His will and obey His commandments. But accomplishing this goal is hard, and we get tired. So Paul prays that the power of God would strengthen them. The word endurance is hupamone in the Greek. It literally means "to abide under." The same word is used to describe endurance in James 1. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have {its} perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." This word for endurance also implies hope, so it is a an endurance that has hope in what is to come. In James 1, I think of it as a humble submission to the trial and thus to God's will because we have epignosis (knowledge beyond the here and now). We must also remember that it is through God's "glorious might" that we can attain such endurance.
There are several of ways that we can apply this to our lives. The first is to examine our lives. Are we full of faith and love for other believers? When people look at you do they see someone who is abounding with love for others? Second is to use Paul's prayer to challenge our walk. Are we living out the things Paul is praying? Is this a pray that we need to pray for ourselves? Does the way you live your life show that you KNOW God, and don't just know OF Him? The book Knowing God by J. I. Packer is a really good resource for the topic of knowing God. The more we know God, the more we should desire to serve Him and thank Him for His amazing grace! Thirdly, we can use Paul's prayer as outline of how to pray for others. When you don't know how to pray for someone, there are many examples in scripture of prayers that can help you get started. Eph 3:14-21 is another good one. Fourth, we can practice endurance. This is not something we just all the sudden get, but something that God grows in us. How? Through trials. This is why we are to have joy in trials; we know that trials help us to see our sin and get rid of it. And if we have endured the trial with this attitude, we will be more like Christ and so thankful for the trial.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Introduction to Colossians
Author: Paul states that he is the author in 1:1. Date: Scholars believe he wrote this letter around 62-63 A.D. from Rome, and sent it and Ephesians with Tychicus (4:7,8).
Location: Colossae was a little town in Asia Minor, about 100 miles east of Ephesus. The church there was founded by Epaphras. Some people think that Epaphras was Paul’s convert from Ephesus; others believe him to be just another brother and servant of Christ. From Philemon 23, it seems like he might have been in prison with Paul in Rome.
Theme: The preemenience of Christ. Purpose: Paul was writing to the Colossians to encourage them, but also to combat false doctrine that had entered the church. This false doctrine was Gnosticism which believes that that matter and knowledge are separate. All matter is evil, but knowledge is the "ultimate salvation" (Key Word Study Bible). They did not believe in the humanity of Christ because of this thought. They also felt that whatever they did with their body did not matter because the spirit and the body are separate. Paul uses this letter to refocus the Colossian church on the truth.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
How are we doing?
Ok, this is the post where you can comment on how things are going this week. Make sure you read my previous post.
BTW, I def complained more than twice today about my really long day at school. :( FYI, I don't know that not complaining more than twice is a realistic goal to start out with, but I wanted us to start thinking about how much we complain and then try to stop it! Maybe someday we will get to the point of no complaining!!
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, (Phl 2:14-15 NASB)
I haven't written a note to mom yet, but I will soon! Hmm, I think that should be a goal for tomorrow!
BTW, I def complained more than twice today about my really long day at school. :( FYI, I don't know that not complaining more than twice is a realistic goal to start out with, but I wanted us to start thinking about how much we complain and then try to stop it! Maybe someday we will get to the point of no complaining!!
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, (Phl 2:14-15 NASB)
I haven't written a note to mom yet, but I will soon! Hmm, I think that should be a goal for tomorrow!
Instructions
Alright Girls. I'm gonna outline how I want this blog to work ok? Ok, so here's the deal. Each week, I want you to study the given chapter, and then formulate your thoughts. Explain what you think it means and then how you can specifically apply it to your life. I want you to do one post every week with an explanation and application. After the one post, you can post any comments on the comment section of the person's note. In other words, don't use the big blog section to post about daily goals or any kind of reply to a previous post. Also label your post with the book name (ie "Colossians") in the little box at the bottom right of the posting box. This post is labeled as "instructions," so anything having to do with instructions regarding the website will be labeled as such. This will help us keep the site organized and free of clutter. You can see the labels organized on the right-hand navigation bar. As we do more posts, it will help us to sort things out. Does that make sense to everyone? Comment on this post or email me if you have questions. I'm gonna reorganize the current posts to demonstrate. Oh, and make sure you put a title for your post.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Favorite Verse
verse 10 of ch.1 of Colossians is my favorite. I need to work on this:
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God"
what your guys's favorite verse in ch.1? =)
Welcome
Hi Girls,
Here's where we can post our thoughts and comments about what we read. You should have an email with instructions for how to sign up to post on this blog. If you have an questions, just email me.
Here's where we can post our thoughts and comments about what we read. You should have an email with instructions for how to sign up to post on this blog. If you have an questions, just email me.
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