Colossians 4:7-18 Closing Comments

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me....with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),...This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. [Colossians 4:7-18 NKJV]

Paul closes his letter by introducing Tychicus, who was tasked with updating the Colossians on Paul's condition. While he mentions several people, I would like to zoom in on just a couple.

Slavery was common in the Roman empire. It is estimated that roughly a third of the population throughout the empire were slaves, and more than half within Rome itself were slaves. Onesimus was a slave from Colossae who had stolen from his master and run away. As many runaway slaves of the time did, he made his way to Rome, where it would be easier to be lost in the dense population.

Somehow, while in Rome, he encountered Paul. Hearing the gospel, Onesimus was saved. Since Onesimus had previously stolen, and run away, it was decided by him and Paul that he would return home to Philemon in Colossae, and make things right. In Paul's letter to Philemon, he makes the case that, since Philemon is now a fellow Christian, he is more useful than before. He pleads with Philemon to forgive his debt, and take him back.

The other person I would like to take note of is Mark the cousin of Barnabas (He is also called John, or John Mark). We first encounter Mark in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 14, when he fled naked into the night while Jesus was being arrested. According Acts 12:12, it was at Mark's mother's house that the disciples used to meet in Jerusalem.

Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey...for awhile. He abandoned them in Pamphylia, and returned to Jerusalem. The next time we see Mark is in Acts 15:36-39. Paul is determined to start his second missionary journey. Barnabas wants to take along his cousin, Mark, but Paul is opposed to it, since he had left them previously. The contention between Paul and Barnabas concerning Mark became so great that they split up and went their own ways.

Now, in his letter to the Colossians, Paul mentions Mark again. This time, Mark is a fellow laborer, who is in Rome helping Paul. Paul mentions that he may send Mark to them at a later date. Clearly, they have reconciled, and Paul has given him a second chance. This is the same Mark who wrote the gospel.

Both of these examples illustrate the grace that we should show to one another. If someone fails you, give him a second chance. Mark was seen initially as weak, but later proved himself.

In life, people may fail you. They may walk away, they may even cheat you. But who knows what good may come if you give them a second chance, just as God has given you a second chance.

Father, I thank You for your grace. Thank You for giving me a second chance. I determine to extend to others the same grace that You extended to me. 

Colossians 4:5-6 Evangelism

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. [Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV]

We have to be wise when dealing with non-Christians. Our behavior should be entirely beyond reproach. Paul said,

Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. [1 Timothy 3:7 NKJV]

Our fellow believers, out of love and grace are (hopefully) willing to overlook our character flaws, and to quickly forgive us when we stumble, or struggle with our faith. The world, on the other hand is quick to condemn what it perceives as hypocrisy. 

Even if the world is quick to condemn our flaws, we have no business condemning theirs.  Paul says,

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges.” [1 Corinthians 5:12-13 NKJV]

In the past, the church has often earned a reputation of being "holier than thou." Even today, many Christians stand on their soapbox, not to preach the gospel, but to condemn the sins of the world. The fact is, sinners will sin. It is their nature. And the solution for sin is not to condemn it, but to bring them to a knowledge of Jesus.

In the classical Greek literature of the first century, "salt" was a term that was used metaphorically to refer to wit, or wisdom. When we speak to non-believers, our speech should be with grace and wisdom. Jesus was a great example of this.

John 8 tells the account of a woman caught in adultery. The pharisees condemned her and prepared to stone her to death. Jesus famously said, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." We are then told;

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” [John 8:9-11 NKJV]

Even though she was caught in sin, Jesus didn't condemn her. Neither did He condone her sin, but said, "Go and sin no more."

We should know how to answer each one that we speak to, and be ready to lead them to Jesus. Of course, not ever believer is a gifted evangelist, but we should all know how to evangelize. Most of us are not called to stand on a box on the street corner. Just be an obvious Christian, and be ready to answer their questions.

We should all know how to present a basic gospel, and lead a person in prayer for salvation. One tool for presenting the gospel in an evangelistic way is the "Four Spiritual Laws." It goes like this:

1. God has a plan for your life. 
   1. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [John 3:16 NKJV]
2. Our sin has separated us from God. 
   1. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [Romans 3:23 NKJV]
   2. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 6:23 NKJV]
3. Jesus' death on the cross paid the debt for our sins.
   1. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [Romans 5:8 NKJV]
   2. that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [Romans 10:9-10 NKJV]
4. We have to respond by receiving Jesus
1. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: [John 1:12 NKJV]

You can lead them in this prayer;

Father, I confess that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I confess that Jesus is my Lord, and I believe that He has risen from the dead. Jesus, I ask you to live in my heart. I thank You for saving me.

Colossians 4:2-4 Devoted to Prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. [Colossians 4:2-4 NASB]

We are told to be devoted to prayer. "Devoted" means to be vigilant and constant in our prayer without ceasing.. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul said, "pray without ceasing." He also said that we should be alert. That is, be conscious of praying all the time, without letting our minds wander.

When we pray, we should have an attitude of thanksgiving. Prayer and thanks are often paired in the Bible. We read;

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB]

When I read, "pray without ceasing," I take it to literally mean, pray constantly, all day, every waking hour. The watered-down interpretation of this says something like, "Do your devotions, and spend some time in prayer. Don't give up spending a little time each day praying." Often, when our experience doesn't line up with what the Scripture is saying, we reinterpret the scripture to match our own preconceptions. If I don't know how to pray, literally, without ceasing, then I interpret the Scripture to be figurative.

When you interpret the Bible literally, then allow your behavior to be changed to match the Scriptures, then it all makes sense. I can tell you from first hand experience; you can pray without ceasing.

First, understand that there are different kinds of prayer. There is fervent prayer during which you devote the strength of your mind and body to prayer. This is the kind of prayer that has you on your knees calling out to God for mercy. In this prayer, you may be supplicating for your own needs or interceding for another. Sometimes this prayer is accompanied by fasting, setting aside the most basic things of this world, as you seek the Spirit of God. You are not expected to maintain this intensity of prayer all day every day.

There is devotional prayer. This differs from the fervent prayer, mainly in intensity. It is typically more conversational and less pleading, though the general content may be the same; praying for your own needs and interceding for others. The difference is urgency. Again, you cannot be expected to maintain this type of prayer all day long. Eventually, you will run out of words, or you will begin repeating the same prayers in vain repetition.

Then there's quiet prayer. The psalmist said, "Be still, and know that I am God." [Psalm 46:10 NKJV] "Be still" means to relax, stop striving, become quiet. Isaiah said;

Yet those who wait for the LORDWill gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles,They will run and not get tired,They will walk and not become weary. [Isaiah 40:31 NASB]

 When your mind is quiet, you can hear God's voice. Jesus said;

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; [John 10:27 NASB]

You should have conversational prayer. In a conversation, both parties talk. You speak to God, then you stop and listen for His voice. Not a booming voice coming from the ceiling. Not even a loud voice in your head. We read about Elijah on the mountainside;

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. [1 Kings 19:11-12 NKJV]

When the Lord speaks to you, expect Him to speak with a gentle whisper of a thought in your mind. His Spirit is speaking to your spirit. You have to quiet your soul to hear Him. Listening to God is also prayer.

Jesus said;

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." [John 15:4 NKJV]

We are to abide in Jesus just as He abides in us. Because we have the Holy Spirit, Jesus literally abides in each one of us who believe. What do you think that is like for Him? Do you think He ever forgets that He is living in you? When you pray in the morning, then go about your business, and then pray again the next day, do you think He says, "Hey, I forgot you were there?" Of course not.

Let it be the same for you. Abide in Him, being consciously aware of His presence. Don't forget that He is there. Words are not necessary to wait in His presence. This too, is prayer. You can abide in Him, aware of Him all day long, every day; praying without ceasing.

Lord, I thank You that I am able to come to the throne of grace with boldness, and call You Father. Thank You for Your Spirit who leads me in prayer. I pray for the grace to constantly be aware of You, and to maintain an attitude of prayer with thanksgiving. 

Colossians 3:22-4:1 Employer/Employee Relations

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. [Colossians 3:22-4:1 NASB]

More than half of the people walking the streets in Rome were slaves. They encompassed a wide selection of the population including "professional people" such as teachers and doctors, as well as laborers and servants.

Thank God, slavery is no longer condoned in the civilized world. Our closest analog is the employer/employee relationship. The legal status may have changed, but the principles still apply.

Employees are to obey their bosses, not just when they are looking, and not just to please your boss. Work as if Jesus is your Boss, and you are doing the will of God. Someone might say, "But I have such an unreasonable boss." it doesn't matter. As long as you work for that person, you still have to work as unto the Lord. Peter says;

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. [1 Peter 2:18-20 NASB]

Someone may have a Christian boss. You share the faith, and you may feel like you can get away with doing less since your Christian boss may be more willing to let it go. But Paul tells Timothy;

Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles. [1 Timothy 6:2 NASB]

Bosses, for their part, are to treat their employees justly and fairly, remembering that they are answerable to God.

When you do your work as unto the Lord, whether as a boss or an employee, you are promised a reward from God. One day, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This is not to determine whether you go to heaven or hell; as a Christian, that is already settled. This is to receive your reward for service to God.

You might say, "But, I've never preached the gospel, or led a home group, or led a person to Christ. I just worked in an office all my life." But when you do your work as unto the Lord, He sees it as service to Him. You get your reward as surely as a full-time preacher of the gospel.

Whether you have labored in the sun all your life, or have been a receptionist behind a desk, or have been a corporate manager, you can stand before the throne of Jesus and hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Father, I thank you for the opportunity to serve You, and that I will not lose my reward. I pray that You will make me effective in my work, to the glory of Your name. 

Colossians 3:18-21 Husbands and Wives

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. [Colossians 3:18-21 NASB]

Please, please, please tell me that this verse is not still being taken out of context to give husbands a "religious" excuse to abuse their wives. The word "subject", which is sometimes translated "submit" was a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

The phrase "Wives, be subject to your husbands," is paired with the phrase "Husbands, love your wives." Paul had more to say in Ephesians;

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.... So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, [Ephesians 5:25-29 NASB]

The world perverts the good things of God. The relationship between a man and a woman is not meant to be a dominant/submissive relationship, but is to be built on mutual respect and love. The husband is not meant to be a domineering tyrant, but a sacrificial leader, putting the needs of his wife above his own.

At the same time, the wife is not meant to lord it over her husband, but is to treat him with respect.

In Ephesians, Paul also says,

This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. [Ephesians 5:32 NASB]

Marriage is a model of the relationship between Jesus and the church. Wives ought to be subject to their husbands just as we all are subject to Christ. And just as Jesus loves us all enough to die for us all, so husbands should love their wives.

Similarly, children should be subject to their parents, and parents should love their children. We give our children rules for their own good, such as, "Don't touch the stove, or you might burn your hand."

Even as children are to obey their parents, parents need to make rules that are fair and consistent, teaching our children, and not exasperating them.

Keep in mind the context of this passage. In all of your family relationships, remember the prime motivations. Act out of love. Keep the peace. Do everything in the name of Jesus.

Father, I pray that You will give me grace to be a better spouse and parent. I pray that the love in our family will only grow. Help us to model You. 

Colossians 3:16-17 The Word of Christ

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. [Colossians 3:16-17 NASB]

Jesus is still talking about relationships in this passage. In the previous verses, he has said that the underlying motive in our relationships should be love, and that we can judge the unity of the body by the peace in our heart. With that in mind, fill your hearts abundantly with the world of Christ, then use that wisdom to teach and correct one another.

The role of singing in this passage is questionable, and depends on how the translators used punctuation that was not in the original Greek. Having checked various translations, I found that about half of them placed a comma after "teaching and admonishing one another." 

The difference is this. Without the comma, you can paraphrase it to say, "Use songs to wisely teach and correct one another." With the comma, it says, "Use wisdom to teach and correct one another, showing your thankfulness to God with the songs in your heart."

Personally, I think it makes more sense with the comma. Use the wisdom gleaned from the word of Christ, and motivated by love and peace, to teach one another. I have sometimes thought it would be fun to live in a musical where, when people have something to say, they spontaneously break into song and dance, a la "Oklahoma". But I don't really see that as a feasible reality.

Paul finishes this thought with a final motivation; "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." And be thankful. Significantly, in the three verses, 15 through 17, Thankfulness to God is mentioned three times. In all of our relationships we must give thanks to God, who is in each of us, the source of our life, and the One who unites us all.

The word of God is the source of our wisdom. It is not an offensive weapon. Yes, there are verses that describe His word as a sword. As a part of the full armor of God, it is "the sword of the Spirit."[Ephesians 6:17 NASB] But it is a defensive weapon - armor - and is not used to attack. In Hebrews, we are told,

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12 NASB]

We are not to use the word of God as a blunt object to bludgeon our fellow believers. Nor are we to stab them in the heart with our witty rhetoric. Think of it as more of a scalpel in the hands of a skilled surgeon, useful for healing.

If your motives are pure, but you lack the knowledge of scripture, then you will lack the wisdom to teach. If you study the scriptures, but lack pure motivation, then it becomes an act of pride and superiority.

When your motives are right, and when the word of Christ is abundantly within you, then you are in a position to teach and correct.

Jesus, I thank You for Your word. I pray that you will give me wisdom to study and understand Your word, and to teach and, when necessary, to correct. Please reveal to me my motives, so that I may know that I am always acting out of love, and in Your name. 

Colossians 3:15 Let the Peace of Christ Rule

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. [Colossians 3:15 NASB]

Within its context, this verse is talking about relationships. Where there is conflict, there is no peace. When conflict is resolved, there is peace.

The word that is translated "rule" means to judge or umpire. When the world is in conflict, they go to a judge for arbitration. However the judge rules, each side of the conflict must abide by his decision. That doesn't mean that there will be peace among the different factions; only law and order, which is often the best the world can hope for.

Paul had this to say to the Corinthian church;

Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? [1 Corinthians 6:1-7 NASB]

It is shameful when Christians sue one another in court. 

Our goal should not only be conflict resolution, but peaceful restoration of the relationship. It is best to not need any human judge, even within the church. To paraphrase today's verse; "As an umpire judges a game, let the peace of Christ - in your hearts - judge your relationships.

Today's verse is often used to instruct people to discern the will of God. The teaching is; consider two option before you. If you have peace about one option, that is the will of God - the peace of Christ ruling in your heart. But that is not what this verse is teaching.

I'm not denying the peace of God. We are taught;

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:6-7 NASB]

and

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. [Philippians 4:9 NASB]

We see that the peace of God is not leading us, but follows after we have been obedient to His word.

I have a routine. a "safe zone" of activity. As long as I stay within my comfort zone, I am at peace. Whenever I step out of that comfort zone, such as starting a new ministry, or talking to someone about Jesus, I feel unsettled. If I relied on the peace of God to lead me, I would remain in my lounge chair with my feet up, and my dog in my lap.

God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us. He will lead us into all truth. Wait on Him. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" [John 10:27 NASB] You can have a certainty, or a knowing deep in your spirit, separate from your emotions, that a certain path is where God is leading you.

It requires time waiting on Him. Seek Him in prayer. Be silent and listen for His voice speaking to your Spirit. It won't be an audible voice. In fact, it will sound just like your own voice, only infinitely wiser.

Don't rely on your emotions, whether peaceful or not to lead you. Trust God to lead you in spite of what you feel.

Lord God, thank You that You have given me Your Spirit, and that He guides me into all truth. Please give me the wisdom to discern your will in each situation. I pray for peace and communion with my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Colossians 3:12-14 Love and Relationships

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. [Colossians 3:12-14 NASB]

Today's passage - and the rest of this chapter - is about relationships, specifically among Christians. 

We are told to have a heart of compassion. He is not talking about a passive emotion, but active mercy. John says;

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? [1 John 3:17 NASB]

We are to show kindness and humility. Not the humility of the Pharisees, but true humility that considers others as more important than you. This is the humility that Jesus modeled. Even thought He is God;

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [Philippians 2:7-8 NASB]

We are called to gentleness and patience, bearing with one another - which is showing tolerance for one another. Paul said;

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. [Romans 15:1 NASB]

Be patient with the shortcomings of others. 

And forgive each other. Has a fellow believer offended you, or wronged you in any way? Forgive him. Paul told the believers in Corinth;

Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? [1 Corinthians 6:7 NASB]

Our American culture tells us to defend our rights. We say "I will not be a doormat for anyone." But the Bible says (and I paraphrase), "Be a doormat for Christ."

All of these things are wrapped up in the single concept of love.

Love is not the sappy romantic emotion you see in movies. There is no such thing as "love at first sight." What most people define as love is actually infatuation. But it doesn't sound as romantic to say "infatuation at first sight." Even if it is more accurate.

As unromantic as it sounds, the Biblical definition of love is the conscious decision to place the needs of another above yourself. God placed our needs above His own when He gave His son;

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. [John 3:16 NASB]

If we apply this Biblical definition of love to all of our relationships, we will have peace.

Father, I know that – in the natural – I do not have the capacity to love as You do. Please allow the fruit of Spirit to grow in me, and give me the grace to love as You do. 

Colossians 3:10-11 No Advantage

...and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. [Colossians 3:10-11 NASB]

We have laid aside the old self, having died with Christ; and have put on the new self, having risen again with Him to new life. As Paul said;

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. [2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB]

With our new creation comes true knowledge. This is opposed to the false teaching which is composed of legalism, mysticism and human philosophy. 

It is based on Jesus, who lives in each of us, and has made us into His image. Spiritually, we have been created into the image of the risen Jesus. We will see the fullness of that creation when we have died, and have received our new, glorious bodies.

In this new creation, there is no such thing as Jew or Greek - which relates to the historical and cultural advantage the Jews once had over the Gentiles in relation to God. There is no circumcised or uncircumcised - which relates to the legal advantage the Jews once had. No one is considered a barbarian or even a Scythian, which more barbaric than the barbarians - an extreme example. There is not difference between slave and free.

That is because Christ is all, and He is in us all. We are His body. We are one with Him;

...that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. [John 17:21-23 NASB]

If you are a believer, then Jesus is in you, and you are in Him. He is also in every one of us, as we are all united in Him. Nobody has an advantage over another.

You may have a pedigree of preachers in the family going back for many generations, but that doesn't make you any more qualified than anyone else. Likewise, you may be the first believer in a long line of pagans, but that doesn't make you any more or less qualified than any other.

Your calling doesn't make you any more spiritual. The pastor is no greater than anyone who sits in a seat on Sunday morning.

I recently met a husband and wife who were missionaries to Papua New Guinea. They were sincere and humble, and a joy to speak to. They confessed that they almost didn't mention that they had once been missionaries, because people tend to elevate them when the find that out.

The attitude of this missionary couple was inspiring. They are a reminder that we need to be careful not to revere people or put them on a pedestal. The only one who is to be revered is God.

Father, please look in my heart, examine my motives, and reveal them to me. I know that I am no  greater than anyone else. I know that You are Lord over us all, and that You dwell in each of us. Please open my heart to see my brothers and sisters as You see them. 

Colossians 3:5-9 Immoral Lifestyles

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, [Colossians 3:5-9 NASB]

Paul has just said;

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [Colossians 3:3 NASB]

He was, of course, talking about our spirit. Spiritually, we have died with Christ. He said in Galatians;

“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. [Galatians 2:20 NASB]

Now he is saying that since we have spiritually died with Christ, we should consider ourselves dead to sin. He speaks of sexual immorality; not only the act, but the lustful motivation behind it; greed (which is idolatry); anger and its escalating consequences; and harmful speech.

Paul makes similar lists of the fleshly acts in other places, such as;

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [Galatians 5:19-21 NASB]

Paul is giving this warning - not to the world - but to Christians. God's wrath will come on the sons of disobedience. Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

We live in a liberal society where morality is considered "old fashioned". It is not only common, but is expected that young couples will live together, maintaining a sexual relationship outside the bounds of marriage. This attitude has, unfortunately, become common in Christian households as well, and not only among the younger generation.

The people of the world are simply living as the world lives, and that's their business. But within the church, it should be different.

If you are living with someone in a sexual relationship outside of marriage, consider this: you are choosing to live an immoral lifestyle. Your are practicing immorality. I fear for you.You may say that I have no right to judge you, but in fact I do;

But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? [1 Corinthians 5:11-12 NASB]

I know that God is gracious. I know that He forgives sins. I know that nothing can separate us from God's love. But I also know that it is possible to fall away. He says in Hebrews;

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. [Hebrews 6:4-6 NASB]

He piles description upon description to describe a believer who is filled with the Spirit. And what does it mean to fall away? He says later;

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [Hebrews 10:26 NASB]

I don't know the limits of God's grace. I don't know how far you must push Him before you have fallen away. Please consider this warning, whether you are willfully sinning in sexual immorality, drunkenness, greed, or any other sin. Don't test God's limits. In speaking to the church about Israel, Paul said;

You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. [Romans 11:19-22 NASB]

Don't become complacent about God's grace. You have a choice; you can walk according to the flesh, or you can walk in the Spirit. You can live in fear of punishment, or in the hope of salvation. I implore you to turn your mind towards God, and walk in the spirit.

Lord, I thank You that I have been crucified with Christ, and have died to this life. I pray now that You will give me the grace to live it out. 

Colossians 3:3-4 Hidden With Christ

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. [Colossians 3:3-4 NASB]

Jesus said;

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [John 3:3 NASB]

The natural human spirit is corrupted and at enmity with God. When we come to Christ, our old, corrupt spirit dies, and is raised up with Christ - born again - as a new spirit which is clean and pleasing to God. Paul said;

“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. [Galatians 2:20 NASB]

The life that we now live is hidden with Christ in God. It is hidden in the sense of being buried like a seed in the ground. Jesus told this parable;

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” [Matthew 13:31-32 NASB]

Just as the mustard seed starts as something small and humble, then becomes something great, so it will be with us. When Jesus is revealed, we will also be revealed in glory. Our glorified bodies will be nothing like our current bodies. Paul says;

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NASB]

Our resurrection bodies will be glorified in the same way that Jesus has been glorified. John says,

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. [1 John 3:2 NASB]

We have this hope of eternal glory, when we will be revealed for who we truly are. 

Keep this hope alive in your heart so that you will be motivated to live for Him. I know that people are motivated by different things. For many it is the hope of eternity in heaven, walking down the streets of gold. For some, it is the hope of a reward as He says, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

What stirs my Heart is the thought that I am His reward. Paul said,

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [Ephesians 1:18 NASB]

In Revelation, John describes the moment when Jesus receives His inheritance;

Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” [Revelation 19:6-9 NASB]

We are the bride of Christ. We are the saints who are clothed in righteousness. We are His inheritance.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the hope that You have given me. I praise you that You have hidden my life with Christ in You, and I eagerly wait to be revealed, to the praise of Your Glory. 

Colossians 3:1-2 Set Your Mind on Christ

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. [Colossians 3:1-2 NASB]

Paul begins this section with the word, "Therefore". He is referring back to his previous teaching that legalistic rules and man-made religion have no spiritual value, but only serve to indulge the flesh. Therefore, set your mind on spiritual things.

We have been raised up with Christ. Paul says in Romans;

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. [Romans 6:4-7 NASB]

We cannot overcome sin through religion. Jesus overcame sin when He died and rose again. When we confess Jesus as Lord, we spiritually die to our old life in the world of sin, and we are born again into new life in Christ. We are free from sin.

Many Christians recognize this as an intellectual truth, but they continue to succumb to temptation and sin. They are living their lives according to Romans 7;

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. [Romans 7:15-19 NASB]

I have known Christians, even Pastors, who use this verse as an excuse for not living a sinless life. They say, "Even Paul couldn't live a holy life. It's not possible." But they seriously misunderstand the intent of these verses. Paul is not lamenting his sad state. He is using a literary device to describe the futility of trying to be holy by following the Law, or religion. He goes on go to say;

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [Romans 8:1-4 NASB]

He tells us in Galatians, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." [Galatians 5:16 NASB]

What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? He goes on to say in Romans;

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [Romans 8:5-8 NASB]

Walking in the Spirit is as simple as setting your mind on Jesus, and leaving it there. The simplicity of the Christian life is a stumbling block to many, especially in the Western culture where it seems that everything is complicated. Politics is complicated, philosophy is complicated and relationships are complicated. So when we deal with God, expecting things to be complicated, we complicate things that should be simple.

Throughout His life, Jesus showed us how to relate to God the Father. It was simple, straightforward, and free of the trappings of religion. When we don't understand this simplicity, we invent religion, with sets of rules and rituals to "help" us relate to God. We devise a clergy, so that we can have an intermediary between us and God.

But true worship, in Spirit and in truth, doesn't depend on rituals or intermediaries. It is simply you, sitting in your living room, talking to God.

Walking in the Spirit doesn't depend on some great spiritual ordeal. It doesn't require fasting or beating your body. It doesn't require great concentration. In fact, any effort you put into it is only of the flesh. 

Walking in the Spirit is as simple as thinking about Jesus. We read in Hebrews,

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB]

Set your mind on Jesus, and leave it there. And if your mind wanders? There is no condemnation. Just turn your mind back again to Jesus. As I mentioned, it doesn't take concentration, only awareness. Often, when I drive across town, my wife is sitting next to me. Sometimes we talk, other times we are silent. I pay attention to the road, reading the signs, watching the cars, monitor my speed, and so on. Through all of these distractions, I never forget that my wife is sitting next to me. I am never surprised by her presence. 

Walking in the Spirit is similar. You can be driving, working, playing, talking to another person, and be aware of the presence of God. You don't have to divert your attention from what you are doing any more than you have to divert your attention from driving to be aware of whoever is in the passenger seat of your car.

Sometimes, especially in the beginning, you will lose the awareness of God's presence. But that's okay. Just turn your mind back to Him again. The more you practice, it will become habitual to be mindful of Him, and to walk in the Spirit.

Lord, I turn my mind toward You. I pray that You will give me the grace to keep my mind fixed on You all through the day. 

Colossians 2:20-23 Following the Rules (Or Not)

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. [Colossians 2:20-23 NASB]

Under the Old Covenant, if they ate the wrong food, or if they touched a dead body, they were defiled, and considered unclean until they waited for a time, then performed the specific rituals for cleansing. To be holy, they had to follow the Law

Having died with Christ to the Law, we have also died to these basic things of the world, and they have no more power to over us to make us "unclean".

In the natural world, it makes sense that if you want to be holy, then you must follow rules of holiness; "do this; don't do that." To be good, we follow the rules set down by our church, and we follow our own personal code of conduct. But Paul said;

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. [Romans 7:6 NASB]

Having died to the Law, we have died to all laws, and all rules, including our own code of conduct. Instead of following rules, God wants us to be led by the Holy Spirit. He says;

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord, ’for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.' [Hebrews 8:10‭-‬11 NASB]

When you impose rules that God did not impose, you are essentially saying that you know more than God. You can't overcome the flesh by creating more rules, but by walking in the Spirit. Paul said;

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. [Galatians 5:16 NASB]

Attempting to overcome the flesh by an act of your own will is actually just another indulgence in the flesh. Two men with a history of alcoholism are sitting in church, and both are convicted that drunkenness is wrong. Bill says, "I can overcome this," exerts all of his willpower, and forces himself to stop drinking. Dave says, "I don't have it in me." When tempted to drink, he turns in mind entirely toward Jesus, and the temptation fails. By all outward appearance, they are the same, but Bill is walking in the flesh, while Dave is walking in the Spirit. Paul said, "those who are in the flesh cannot please God." [Romans 8:8 NASB]

God doesn't doesn't want us to rely on rules for our conduct; that is a lack of faith. He wants us to have faith in Him, and rely on His Spirit to guide us into all truth.

Father, I thank You that, in Christ, I have died to the basic things of the world. Please lead me by Your Spirit, and give me the grace to walk in the Spirit every minute of every day, so that I will not indulge the flesh, and so that You will be glorified. 

Colossians 2:18-19 False Teachers

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. [Colossians 2:18-19 NASB]

False teachers would cheat you out of your salvation. Paul mentioned some of the attributes of the teachers who were in Colossae and the surrounding area.

First, he mentions their contradictory attitude, that they delight in their humility. This is reminiscent of the Pharisees, about whom Jesus said;

Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” [Matthew 15:14 NASB]

They take joy in announcing, "I'm just a humble man." or "I'm just a sinner", yet in their attitude you can see that take great pride in their admission.

The false teaching in Colossae involved the worship of angels. Even today, in the Christian church, there are many people who revere angels. This is evident by the vast number of books on the subject, and the artwork and figurines which can be found in Christian book stores. Some Christian religions endorse praying to angels, along with "saints", with the thought they can intercede to God on our behalf.

The angels of God neither deserve worship, nor do they want it. The apostle John give this account when he was overwhelmed by the appearance of an angel;

Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” [Revelation 19:10 NASB]

An angel who receives worship is a fallen angel, in league with Satan. Anyone who worships angels is worshiping a demon. Anyone who prays to an angel is praying to a demon.

They take a stand on their visions and revelations. Thus, their theology is based on what they want to believe, even if it is contrary to the word of God.

They reveal themselves by their conceit. They have to be the smartest person in the room, or the most spiritual, in contradiction to their self-professed humility.

Don't be taken in by them. Hold fast to Jesus, keeping in mind that He is the head of the church.

If you are walking in the Spirit, you will not need to announce or display your humility. It will be evident, as a fruit of the Spirit, to all.

If your eyes are on Jesus, your worship and your prayers will be for God alone. You do not need to seek the aid of angels. They are not yours to command. But if God wants to send an angel to minister to you, that is His business.

If you are in the Spirit, you may receive a vision or a revelation from God. If it is truly from God, you can be sure that it will never contradict the scriptures. If your attitude is in submission to God, then any revelation you receive is subject to the judgement of the church, not in defiance of it.

If you see Jesus as the head of the church, then you will not elevate yourself to His position. Jesus is the head, and the rest of us are equally following Him.

Jesus, I thank You that You have revealed Yourself as the head of the church. Please open my eyes, and give me wisdom to recognize the false teachers, and to resist them. Lord, I know that You alone are God, and You alone are worthy of praise and worship. 

Colossians 2:16-17 Freedom in Christ

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. [Colossians 2:16-17 NASB]

The Law was all about the commandments. Of course, we are all familiar with the Ten Commandments, but in all there were 613 commandments in the Law.

Somehow, religion always breaks down into rules. 

During Paul's time, the eating of meat was a major controversy in the Christian community. It was a well established custom throughout the Roman world to sacrifice an animal to an idol, then sell the meat in the market. The legalists taught that believers should never eat meat that has been sacrificed to an animal. Others, with a greater understanding of God's grace were free to eat. Paul defended the freedom to eat meat;

Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake...I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. [1 Corinthians 10:25,29-31 NASB]

Although we must be careful not to injure the conscience of another believer for the sake of our freedom;

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. [1 Corinthians 8:9-12 NASB]

It was already the practice to meet on the first day of the week for Christian fellowship. The legalists insisted that the Sabbath be celebrated on seventh day, according to the Law of Moses. But we are no longer under the old covenant Law, but are under a new covenant;

When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. [Hebrews 8:13 NASB]

Don't let the legalists in church take away your freedom. They make their rules and expect you to follow them. Their rules give the appearance of righteousness, according to man's wisdom, but they deny the true righteousness that only comes as a gift from God.

Religion makes rules about how to worship, and how to behave. An entire religion was built around the idea that they must worship on the seventh day of the week and keep the Ten Commandments.

Before we came to Christ, we were in bondage to sin. When Jesus saved us, he set us free from bondage. There are many who would put you in bondage again to religion, with its rules and rituals.

Don't let anyone drag you back into bondage, but walk free in Christ.

Lord Jesus, thank You for your atonement on the cross. Thank You for creating a new covenant. Thank You for setting me free. 

Colossians 2:15 Jesus' Victory

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. [Colossians 2:15 NASB]

Satan was defeated at the cross.

When Paul writes about rulers and authorities, he is referring to spiritual powers. We find his usage of these terms throughout his writings. For example;

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. [Ephesians 6:12 NASB]

In the act of crucifixion, Jesus was made a public spectacle, to be displayed and ridiculed. The Roman and Jewish authorities had triumphed over Him. Or so it seemed to the natural world. But in the spiritual realms, Jesus' blood was paying the price for our sins.

Jesus was never defeated because He gave Himself up. His death meant victory over Satan. While Jesus hung on the cross, Satan and all the powers of darkness were made a public spectacle, and Jesus triumphed over them and disarmed them. Therefore, as the prophet said,

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. [Isaiah 54:17 NASB]

There is a popular line of reasoning that says, "A Christian can't be possessed, but he can be oppressed." The thing is, after searching through the New Testament, I haven't been able to find a single example of a Christian being oppressed by the devil. Tempted? Yes. But not oppressed. And even his temptations have limitations;

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. [1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB]

In fact, I would say that we have more to fear from our own sinful nature than we do from Satan. James says;

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. [James 1:13-15 NASB]

Satan may be the ruler of this world, but we are no longer of the world. He may have power and authority over those who are lost, but those who are in Christ have a different Master. John says, "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." [1 John 4:4 NASB]

Whenever we are tempted by our flesh, but say, "Satan is tempting me," we are giving him credit that he doesn't deserve. Whenever things don't go the way we want them to, and we say, "Satan is working against me," we are giving him credit. Whenever we struggle with an addiction, or a weakness in our body or mind, and say, "Satan is oppressing me," we give him credit he doesn't deserve.

Don't glorify the devil. He doesn't deserve it.

Instead, overcome the flesh by walking in the Spirit; "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." [Galatians 5:16 NASB]

Accept that things don't always go your way. That doesn't make it evil;

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. [Hebrews 12:7-11 NASB]

Be thankful; "always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." [Ephesians 5:20 NASB]

Lord God, I praise You that You have defeated the enemy once and for all. Thank You that I am free from his power. Thank you that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. 

Colossians 2:11-14 Dead to the Law

and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. [Colossians 2:11-14 NASB]

The Judaizers taught that Gentiles needed to convert to Judaism before they could become a Christian. They wanted all Christians to keep the law of Moses and become circumcised. Paul teaches that we are not under the law;

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. [Romans 6:14 NASB]

And also,

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. [Galatians 5:18 NASB]

The circumcision, which was physical and symbolic under the old covenant, is spiritual reality under the new covenant. It is the removal of flesh, which for us means that we have died to the flesh and are alive in Christ. Paul said,

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. [Galatians 2:20 NASB]

Baptism is our public declaration of faith. It is symbolic of our having died to sin and the flesh, and rising again to newness of life in Jesus.

Paul said that the "certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us" was nailed to the cross. The "certificate of debt" is the law. Not just the law of Moses, but any rule we make for living our life becomes our law. Romans says;

For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, [Romans 2:14-15 NASB]

I once heard a story many years ago about a school with a fenced playground. The children played in every part of that playground. An educator got the idea that the fence was too restrictive, and inhibited the children's sense of freedom. So he removed the fence. When the children went out to play, they stayed in the center of the playground, and no longer used the whole area. They were afraid because they didn't know the boundaries. 

As adults, we still like our boundaries. We like to know how far we can go; what is acceptable behavior in any circumstance. We like law and order.

As Christians, we are being told to lose the boundaries. Tear down our fences. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead us. Living without boundaries is not easy, but it is what we are called to do. It means living by faith and walking in the Spirit.

Lord, thank You for nailing the Law to the cross, that it is dead to me, and I am free from its constraints. Please give me the grace to live by faith, and please lead me by Your Spirit 

Colossians 2:8-10 The Nature of Heresy

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; [Colossians 2:8-10 NASB]

Paul is beginning to directly address the heresies being taught in Colossae and the surrounding area, including Laodicea. The teaching took the Christian truth, and combined it with a mixture of Jewish and pagan philosophy.

There is a pattern in heretical teaching. It is nearly always aimed at the church rather than the world; it nearly always contains a kernel of truth in it; and it nearly always involves a human philosophy or tradition which is counter to God; and the simple truth of the gospel becomes perverted.

Self-denial get turned into asceticism. Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." [Matthew 16:24 NASB] The means we must deny the sinful pleasures of the flesh, and walk in the spirit. Paul said;

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [Galatians 5:19-21 NASB]

Asceticism would take this to another level, and deny all forms of pleasure. They would impose rules that deny the eating of sweets or meats, dancing, music, entertainment, or even a soft bed. Extremes of this would embrace self-flagellation, that is literally flogging the flesh in an attempt to achieve holiness,.

On the other extreme, some turn God's grace into licentiousness. Some take the idea of Christian freedom and live a lifestyle based on adultery or fornication. I know professing Christians who also embrace eastern mysticism through the use of feng shui, healing crystals, or "meditation". 

These and other examples of divisiveness, drunkenness and carousing all have one thing in common. The "Christians" who practice these things are all convinced that they can do whatever they want now, and God will forgive them later. But remember what Paul said, "that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

As Christians, we are not under the law, nor any defined set of rules, but are free to be led by the Holy Spirit. Paul said,

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. [Galatians 5:16 NASB]

There are other examples. Separation from the world becomes hermitage. The priesthood of all believers becomes a priesthood of an elite few. Service for the Lord becomes salvation by works. 

They all have the appearance of holiness, or the appearance of grace, but they are based on human philosophies and traditions, and are counter to the word of God.

The church in America has lost its way. Because we care more about the philosophies of men than we do the word of God, sexual perversion is not only allowed, but is actually being endorsed by many churches. All of the traditions and rituals that the church has added to its "worship" services only detract from the pure worship of Him  "in spirit and in truth"

As followers of Jesus, we don't follow a human philosophy. We don't adhere to human tradition. We follow Jesus because He is God. We are complete in Him, therefore philosophy and tradition can add nothing to Him.

Father, please forgive us of our sins. We have followed the world and the tradition of men, in opposition to You. Please help us to be the church that we were meant to be; one that glorifies Your name. 

Colossians 2:4-7 Avoiding Deception

I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. [Colossians 2:4-7 NASB]

Paul is about to address the heresies being taught in Colossae, but first he is instructing them how to avoid being deceived. False teaching has existed in the church since the beginning. It has persisted through the centuries, and continues now. It is important for each of us to recognize false teaching when we hear it. Jesus said;

"See to it that no one misleads you...For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." [Matthew 24:4, 24 NASB]

It is a given that you will hear false teaching in your life. Sometimes the teaching is accompanied by working of miracles or spiritual manifestations. That is no guarantee that the teaching is true, or from God.

Allow me to interject a comment on the phrase, "For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit." This phrase has, ironically, been the source of some false teaching and wrong ideas. To be clear, the Bible does not teach "astral projection". Paul's spirit did not leave his body to visit the Colossian church. As a man, he is not omnipresent, nor is he all-knowing. He is speaking metaphorically. Paul is with them in his thoughts, prayers, intercessions, and apostolic authority.

Paul said, "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." He was received after hearing the pure message of the gospel, by grace through faith. Paul said;

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 6:23 NASB]

Our salvation comes to us as a free gift, directly from God the Father. We didn't work to earn it, and there was no intermediary between us and the Father when we were saved. As Paul said;

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. [Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB]

It is important for us to remember the basics of the Gospel. Let that be the foundation upon which we build, without adding unnecessary doctrines, rules, or "revelations". Instead search for greater understanding through the word of God, as the Holy Spirit leads and teaches you.

Any teaching that compromises the simplicity of the gospel is false. False teachers love to complicate things. They add rules and rituals, making it harder to live the Christian life. The gospel is simple, and walking in Christ is simple. It is our human nature to complicate things, but with a simple, childlike faith, as we follow the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our nature.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the free gift of salvation. I pray that You will keep me firmly rooted in the truth, and allow me to grow in You.