Colossians 4:1-6

"Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven" Colossians 4:1.

I don't like reading about masters without reading about slaves too. As is usual, in the Scriptures, there are balanced duties. If Christ has a Word to the children, there is generally one to the parents close by; and if there is a word to wives, there is one for husbands, too. Remember that the chapter divisions were made by man and consider that this Word is just continuing from chapter 3, where we just read about the duties of slaves.

Master, (Kurios) is one having legal power and control over his own property. Grant, (Parecho) is to cause something to happen to someone... to render, or hold something out to them. In the context of this verse, it is the manner in which we "deal" with the men and woman we find ourselves being over, in charge of, or responsible for.

2. "Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving."

Seemingly out of context... We are reminded that Paul is still talking to The Body of Christ Jesus... Christians, and that no matter what role The Lord has allowed us to assume (at this moment in life).... we are to always be prayerful. Not generally, but: earnestly... which suggests looking for the next chance to get off to the side somewhere, just you and God and go over the events of the day... the needs of "your and His people"... Something someone just told you, or you overheard, etc... etc. And unwarily... suggests there is no fear, worry, or doubt that God has not gone to sleep when things get crazy... a prayer that He sees, before you even begin it, that is confident that all is working out His way. And, steadfast is not allowing yourself to be distracted by the world from your prayer-time... not to fear going before Him because you blew-it earlier, staying connected to Your Master.

3. "And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison."

This is beautiful! Paul is with Christ today and there is NO need to pray for him now... or anyone else who has passed from this life - on into eternity. But hold onto the thought that is suggested here. Like Paul, there are people... maybe your Uncle Leon... or Granny... your Pastor... people who have been behind you in your faith. People who Love God and Love you, like Paul did for these he was writing too. We should remember to ask the Lord to bless them and thank Him for those people and that He continue to use them. We must consider their weeks, months, and even years of prayers for us. Prayers that may have had hand in our position as master, or even bringing us into Christ's' saving faith we share today.

4. "That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty."

What an example Paul was to Christ Jesus and to us! Poured out like water, he says elsewhere in the bible. People like this say no to many tempting things in life that may have brought more temporal comfort to their body... more popular position in the community, etc. but would have distracted them from prayer life, ministry opportunities, serving God. Supervisor... Teamleader... Boss... This example of Paul's heart is for you. Amen?

5. "Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity."

Friends, you can not do this by yourself... in your own strength! Promising God that you will, won't help you either. This takes a life of listening, First... And doing what or what not the Holy Spirit says. This, from my experience, is a trial and error walk with God. It is always tested by your flesh and the evil one and you just have to work it out. But when you have a decision to make or about to respond to something or someone... Seek The Holy Spirit. The longer you live this way the easier it gets. But it will always be tested. Oh, and "living prudently and with discretion"... those things will always match God's Word.

6. "Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]."

Lol... you may not believe this because I seem to write so much right now... But I don't talk as much as I use to. Why, well, not only because of scriptures that warn us about idle chit chat... and others like this one about how we should talk... but because it is more important to hear The Holy Spirit than to hear myself talking! And so, for you and I to talk like Paul is saying here... we must spend more time to hear God and hush our "SELF". Amen? More important than the fact that someone around you may actually be listening to you... hehe... God is always listening. Is your chit chat holding His interest in a good way or... ? Jesus said our tongue is like the rudder on a ship... so small compared to the vessel... yet so powerful!

I love you.

Colossians 3:22-25

"Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him" Colossians 3:22.

Be obedient, we know from a few verses back in the relationship - wife to husband, is from "hupakouo from hupó = under + akoúo = hear). The idea of hupakouo is that the one hearing is under the authority of another and thus conveys the meanings of calling for compliance (disposition to yield to another) with the demands or requests of another. Submitting to that which is heard involves a change of attitude, forsaking the tendency of the fallen nature to rebel against parental or Divine instructions and commands and seeking God's will, not self will. Paul uses more space for this section on servants and masters in these teachings than for the other relationships. The presence of Onesimus (chapt 4, vs 9) may have influenced him, but we know, still, that Paul was inspired by and through the Holy Spirit, and so we must seek to trust God for it's application to all of us. The relations of the slave to his master are identical with that of the child to the parents according to the terminology found in Gal 4:1.

First... If we have trusted God about His plan and purpose for us... have followed His leading up to now, then we must trust that He has purposed or allowed the circumstances that we find ourselves in today. Whether, master or slave, co-worker or manager, owner or employee, we are obedient FIRST to God and His Word including this Word right here. Then, to the people we work with and/or work for, we still seek Gods' pleasure over our actions, service, and labor... while trusting that God will use, lead, and ultimately deal with those we work with as He wills.

23. "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men."

In order to achieve the kind of work ethic suggested in verse 23, there must certainly be an almost constant awareness of God's omnipresence... or you will find yourself hours, days, or longer... way down the road with your boss, coworkers, etc... trapped in a relationship that is displeasing to God. First, because you have taken God's presence for granted, neglected your most important "guide" and source of strength. Secondly, you have (more than likely) fallen into a inflated, false, or inadequate sense of success or failure. The other problem of trying to please man instead of God is the risk of falling into an improper relationship with man... such as lording over others or letting others lord over you... to mention just a couple.

Consider this... If God has you in a position leading several people, or even just one... your relationship over those people without the awareness that you are under God's ever-present eye, will inevitably lead you into sin. We only need to look at history to see how relations such as Marxism, Communism, and the likes, grow out of the heart of man - apart from God.

24. "Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah)."

Our reward for anything will be for what we have done according to what God wanted us to do, not any idea and motive we came up with. Therefore it will be Him who's' reward will matter. Our reward lies in and throughout eternity and not in the here-and-now.

25. "For he who deals wrongfully will [reap the fruit of his folly and] be punished for his wrongdoing. And [with God] there is no partiality [no matter what a person's position may be, whether he is the slave or the master]."

This is a promise from our Father, dear friends... The greedy practices of company heads or thieving costs of dishonest employees never go unseen by our All-seeing God. We can take heart in this truth or be forewarned... tither way, it will be just as God's Word says. Amen? We will pick up with chapter 4, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 3:21

"Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated [Do not break their spirit]" Colossians 3:21.

Remember that the context of this verse within this whole teaching in Colossians is important to keep in mind so we don't exasperate in our own strength. Going back to Col 3:16 or go back to the beginning of the chapter for who we now are in Christ = Col 3:1, 2) which in turn is based on the truths in the first two chapters) the ideal father should "let the word of Christ richly dwell within... with all wisdom teaching and admonishing..." and so filled with the Word and the Spirit, training up his child in a godly way.

Fathers, because they are the spiritual head, thus Parents (both) can exasperate their children by...
1. Overprotection--never allowing them any liberty, strict rules about everything. They must show trust with their children so the child will not despair and which can lead to rebellion. Parents must communicate that they trust.
2. By showing favoritism, which happens when we don't look at each of them through God's eyes.
3. By not helping them see their worth. Many children are convinced that what they do and feel is not important. One way to decrease worth is by not listening to your children. These children may give up trying to communicate and become discouraged, shy, and withdrawn.
4. By setting unrealistic goals--by never rewarding them. Nothing is enough so they never get full approval. Are you trying to make them into a person they are NOT? Some kids become so frustrated that they commit suicide.
5. By failing to show affection (verbally & physically).
6. By not providing for their legitimate needs.
7. By lack of standards (the opposite of overprotection). These children are left to their own. They cannot handle that freedom and begin to feel insecure & unloved.
8. By destructive criticism. A child learns what he experiences in life. If he lives with criticism he does not learn responsibility. He learns to condemn himself and to find fault with others. He learns to doubt his own judgment, to disparage his own ability, and to distrust the intentions of others. And above all, he learns to live with continual expectation of impending doom. Parents should seek to create in the home a positive, constructive environment.
9. By neglect. What God gives you is to be passed down to your children and that requires your time and attention with your children. God expects it!
10. By excessive discipline. Never discipline in anger.

"Lose heart" is from the Greek, athumeo from a = without + thumos = passions, desire, spirit, which means to become disheartened to the point of losing motivation, to be dispirited or to be broken in spirit. To feel like giving up. To despond. In this context, it means that the child feels that he can never do anything right and so gives up trying. When children find that they can do nothing right because of constant faultfinding with them, they are apt to become despondent.

Let's pick up with verse 22, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 3:20

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord" Colossians 3:20.

Be obedient is translated from the original word hupakouo, which literally means "hearing under", that is, listening from a subordinate position in which compliance with what is said is expected and intended. The idea of "under" is consciously, the act of one's will to subordinate one's self to the person or thing heard and hence "to obey" or to give respectful attention. The idea of hupakouo is that the one hearing is under the authority of another and thus conveys the meanings of calling for compliance with the requests and demands of those you are under... back to the military example of Gods' divine order and "chain of command".

Obeying your parents involves an attitude of forsaking the tendency of the fallen nature to rebel against parental or Gods' instructions and commands and seeking God's will, instead of your self will. The present imperative is a command calling for this attitude and action to be the child's lifestyle. "All things" means no exceptions (as long of course as what the parents are asking is concordant with God's will and walking in a manner worthy of the Lord and is not sin. (Ephesians 6:1-3)

This relationship between child and parents cannot be right unless first the husband-wife relationship is right with God and hence - each other.

Now, if a child is old enough to read this themselves and understand, I think it is important (yes, actually scriptural) to use positive reinforcement FIRST, to help bring Gods' truth to heart. And so, we look at what the rest of this verse says... "for this is pleasing to the Lord". By now, you must know that pleasing The Lord is a good thing, but another thing to look at is one of the 10 Commandments (which Jesus said, "have not been done away with") concerning your "being obedient". It says, in Exodus 20, "12. Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you". This is the only command which has a promise after it and so it must really be very important to God and to you to do this. You must trust God to help you do this also. It is hard sometimes trusting God and your parents but The Lord is ready to help you.

Listen to what He says in another passage to young people.

1 Timothy 4, "12. Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 13. Till I come, devote yourself to [public and private] reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine. 14. Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination]. 15. Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody. 16. Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you."

In these verses are several important things to remember that are very helpful.
1. There are people who don't know the truth that you and your parents know and they will pick on you and try to make you feel unimportant, but -
2. Keep studying the bible and listening to The Word of God, because it will teach you the truth about the things they (those who depise) are saying (lies) the truth about yourself (you are precious to God, your parents, and other Christians), and -
3. Then its says, "Do not neglect the gift which is in you"... That's part of God, Himself that speaks to you. The Lord is always inside of you... telling you things that match up with what you read from the bible, His Word... things you're doing right and things you're doing wrong. And finally, -
4. It says, "persevere (keep pushing on ) in these things and hold on to what God says, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you. People die of deadly illnesses because the do things that God tells them not to do. People have terrible accidents that kill them because they were acting crazy, ignoring God, ignoring their parents, police, teachers, and Godly advice from Christian friends. But this verse says that you can save your life by keeping Gods Word in your heart and the lives of your friends that listen to you.

Now, if your child is not old enough to read this and understand, parents must train their children. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it."

I know that the common understanding of the passage is to accept it as a divine guarantee, but it was not expressed in that context. Psychiatrist John White, writing in his excellent book Parents in Pain, makes the case that the proverbs were never intended to be absolute promises from God. Instead, they are probabilities of things that are likely to occur. Solomon, who wrote Proverbs, was the wisest man on the earth at that time. His purpose was to convey his divinely inspired observations on the way human nature and God's universe work. A given set of circumstances can be expected to produce a set of specific consequences.

Unfortunately, several of these observations, including Proverbs 22:6, have been lifted out of that context and made to stand alone as promises from God. If we insist on that interpretation, then we must explain why so many other proverbs do not inevitably prove accurate. For example: "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth" (10:4). (Have you ever met a diligent — but poor — Christian? I have.) "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it" (10:22). "The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short" (10:27). (I have watched some beautiful children die with a Christian testimony on their lips.) "No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble" (12:21). "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed" (15:22). "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life" (16:31). "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord" (16:33). "A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life" (28:16). We can all think of exceptions to the statements above. To repeat, the proverbs appear to represent likelihood's rather than absolutes with God's personal guarantee attached.

This interpretation of the Scripture is somewhat controversial among laymen, but less so among biblical scholars. For example, Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, prepared by the faculty of the Dallas Theological Seminary, accepts the understanding suggested here. This commentary is recognized for its intense commitment to the literal interpretation of God's Word, yet this is what the theologians wrote: Some parents, however, have sought to follow this directive but without this result. Their children have strayed from the godly training the parents gave them. This illustrates the nature of a "proverb." A proverb is a literary device whereby a general truth is brought to bear on a specific situation. Many of the proverbs are not absolute guarantees for they express truths that are necessarily conditioned by prevailing circumstances. For example, verses 3, 4, 9, 11, 16, 29 of Proverbs 22 do not express promises that are always binding. Though the proverbs are generally and usually true, occasional exceptions may be noted. This may be because of the self-will or deliberate disobedience of an individual who chooses to go his own way -- the way of folly instead of the way of wisdom. For that he is held responsible. It is generally true, however, that most children who are brought up in Christian homes, under the influence of godly parents who teach and live God's standards, follow that training.

Those who believe that Proverbs 22:6 offers a guarantee of salvation for the next generation have assumed, in essence, that a child can be programmed so thoroughly as to determine his course inevitably. If they bring him up "in the way he should go," the outcome is guaranteed. But think about that for a moment. Didn't the Creator handle Adam and Eve with infinite wisdom and love? He made no mistakes in "fathering" them. They were also harbored in a perfect environment with none of the pressures we face. They had no in-law problems, no monetary needs, no frustrating employers, no television, no pornography, no alcohol or drugs, no peer pressure, and no sorrow. They had no excuses! Nevertheless, they ignored the explicit warning from God and stumbled into sin. If it were ever possible to avoid the ensnarement of evil, it would have occurred in that sinless world. But it didn't. God in His love gave Adam and Eve a choice between good and evil, and they abused it. Will He now withhold that same freedom from your children? No.

Ultimately, they will make their own choices. That time of decision is a breathtaking moment for parents, when everything they have taught appears to be on the line. But it must come for us all.

"Train up a child in the way he should go... The Amplified adds, "in keeping with his individual gift or bent", meaning, 'according to his (the child's) way', implying, it seems, respect for his individuality and vocation, though not for his self-will (see verse 5, or 14:12)." In other words, each child is unique. So each child will need his own unique training.

One child might need more encouragement than another. One child might need more discipline than another. And such factors must be considered in training. By the way, this also means that we ought to be slow to tell other parents how to do their job (cf. James 1:19). You know your children better than I do, and I know my children better than you do. Each parent must know their child, and train him up "according to his way."

A child's age must be considered as well. Dr. James Dobson believes in spanking [and I believe all people should (Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15)]. However, Dobson wisely recommends alternatives to spanking as your child is older. He suggests "lost privileges, financial deprivation, and related forms of non-physical retribution." You as parents have got to work this out between yourselves and God, and with your child. I remind you, it could save their life today... tomorrow... as well as their eternal salvation! We will pick up with verse 21, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 3:18-19

"Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord."

There are many military words used in the bible and it is helpful to understand their use, principle, and purpose as we go through these next few verses. The King James renders the original word Hupotasso, as "submit", and there is a kind of submitting suggested, but Hupotasso was a secular military term describing lining up or marshaling of soldiers under the commanding officer, drawing up in order to prepare for battle. In this state of subordination they would now "be subject" to the orders of their commander. It is a submission that is forced from inside by an understanding of order and not blindness, unwillful surrender! The fact that one soldier is a private and another is a colonel, or even general does not mean that one man is necessarily better than the other. It only means that they have different ranks, roles, and responsibilities. And so we see that the idea is more of putting ourselves subject to the position more than to the person.

What is the difference? You need to submit, true, but to what...years of abuse, infidelity... submission to anything and anyone? God does all things... properly and in an orderly manner (1 Cor 14:40). And as such, He has set up a chain of command in His Kingdom... In His Army. Without it we find, instead of moral order (kosmos), there is moral chaos... a society in apostasy and anarchy as in Judges 21:25. The fact that the woman is to "be subject" to her husband does not suggest that the man is better than or superior to the woman. It only means that the man has the God ordained responsibility of headship and leadership in the home (Eph 5:23-24). According to the Master's plan, the husband's role is to be the Spirit filled spiritual head of the house and the woman's role is to live with a Spirit enabled attitude of being aligned to her husband. We see Paul immediately (next verse) commands husbands to selflessly, sacrificially, love their wives. The Spirit borne fruit of this "agape" love in and from the husband provides the proper environment in which godly subjection by the wife is to take place (Eph 5:25-30).

God has honored wives because He has asked them to do what He also has done. The model, of course, is the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul says in Eph 5:23, 24, "For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything." Let's look at the model of being subject to authority.

Look in Philippians 2:5-8. In verses 5 and 6 it reads, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient." And so, the wife makes a choice to place herself as an equal underneath another equal, her husband, in order that there can be order and function in the family. The whole purpose of it is so that it meets the design - the order that God has ordained.

19. "Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them."

The verb agapao itself seems best understood in the NT to express a willing love, not the love of passion or emotion, but the love of choice—a covenant kind of love. The love that should have existed long before the start of the marriage is to continue throughout the marriage; Gods' love, produced within and from the husbands' heart. It can not give way to bitterness. The willing, covenant love in view here is the activity of self-sacrifice. It is a deep affection that views the wife as a sister in the Lord and the object of a promise to be kept.

The love that Paul commands sees the wife as a vessel to be cared for while at the same time a fellow heir to grace (1 Peter 3:7), a best friend, and life-partner. The nature of this love is beautifully expressed in Ephesians 5:22-28. God designed that a wife's "being subject to" operate within the context of a Spirit filled husband's sacrificial love. (Remember that context is critical for accurate interpretation and application -- here, what is the context of the command for husbands to continually "love like Jesus"?

Can we really love like Jesus? No and yes! Brothers, we cannot love this way in our own natural strength. We need to continually surrender to the supernatural strengthening by the Spirit of Christ [Ezek 36:27] in order to love our wives with His Christ-like love - so the context of Eph 5:22 is Eph 5:18 - being continually filled with and controlled by or empowered by the Spirit!. In that way she is protected (one aspect of Paul's "definition" of love - 1 Cor 13:7 where "bears" first conveys the idea of protecting by covering) because a (Spirit filled) man, one who truly loves his wife, would never force her to submit to something which is humiliating, degrading or violating to her conscience.

The godly husband loves his wife like Christ loves the church, which speaks of leadership, provision, protection, promises of good, etc. Agape (Gods' view of us) love means LISTENING, maybe one reason we have two ears and one mouth. It's another important part in our most intimate relationship, the marriage covenant. What does Christ do for His Church? He spends time with His body, listens patiently to her prayers, gives of Himself, and finally and very importantly as it pertains to husbands, Christ intercedes for His Bride continually (Heb 7:25, Rom 8:34). Mark it down -- If you have a weak prayer life for your wife or just in general, any struggle may be because your prayers are being hindered and you need to read Peter's warning (1 Peter 3:7)! It is unthinkably absurd for a Christian husband to demand submission of his wife if he is not radically loving her.

In the same way the definition of love, from 1 Cor 13, is written in both, "is" and "is not", the role of the husband is shown the same way, here in verse 19. Husbands are "not" to be bitter. Bitter is from the word "pikraino from pikros, originally, which meant pointed, sharp and then more generally of what is "sharp" or "penetrating" to the senses, like a pervasive smell, a "shrill" noise, a "painful" feeling) means literally to make bitter (as of waters that are bitter to the point of being undrinkable). To produce a bitter taste in the stomach.

Husbands...are enjoined (this is another imperative) not to be cutting; that is, the husband is not to abuse his office, he is not to be overbearing, but is to show the love of God in every respect to his wife. If a husband is expected to avoid verbally abusing his wife, he must even more so avoid physically abusing her. He is obviously expected to be his wife's protector, and he is to protect her from his own physical strength.

So, with the understanding of the military implication in some of the words in these two verses, we begin to see the strength in the order God has set forth. Later, in the next few verses, as we add to the family, the children... You begin to see the whole family as a powerful "unit", together, According to the Master and Commander's plan. Amen?

We will pick up with verse 20, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 3:14-17

"And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]" Colossians 3:14.

From the King James version of "put on", like you would a shirt or a pair of sandals, the Amplified has added "enfold", which reveals more of the original use of this putting on. You know... the strongest swords in the world are made from a similar process. The metal, once heated is folded and melted back together several times which strengthens the metal more and more. Enfolding ourselves in His Love is deeper than some kind of clean white lab jacket. Even after having accepted Christ for some while, the enfolding of His love in us must continue, until you really do see everyone through eyes of love. It is a giving on your part, a revealing of the Holy Spirit, and a work in progress by Jesus Christ. He has more fire and heat coming, more folding and hammering, and more sharpening ahead, in this process.

15. "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]."

Before Jesus left this earth He promised His disciples a peace unlike any other, when He said... "Peace I leave with you; My (His very own personal) peace) I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful" (John 14:27). The peace of Christ, the peace He gives is not only peace we experience when there is no conflict, but it gives us a sense of wholeness and well-being, completeness and totality. Ultimately, the peace of Christ is the very presence of Christ, within us. And all believers share this same peace. In Romans 5:1, we read, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace is then, both the concept of an agreement, pact, treaty, or bond, that we have with Christ, and that an attitude of rest or security which grows from our relationship with Christ. Both aspects are in view here.

Notice... it starts in the heart, where The Holy Spirit dwells, and arises to the mind!

16. "Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts."

So then, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God, Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is producing peace as both, our Perfecter, enfolding in us His Love... "see everyone the way I do, Preston!" (vs 14), and our umpire... "hey that was a foul ball, Preston!" (vs 15).

17. "And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him."

That's a great word to end on this study today, Amen? Dependence upon Christ and not in ourselves. Let's pick up with verse 18, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 3:11-13

"[In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person]" Colossians 3:11.

Paul gives away one of my secrets here in this verse. I am not a Baptist, though I have joined a local church that is. When I was a member of a non-denominational church, I never claimed to be non-denominational. These are my marching orders, right here, in verse 11.

In the Army, they shaved our heads and made us look, dress, and do everything alike. Our Drill Sergeant said, "There is no room for and there can be neither, hillbilly nor cityslicker... no hippie nor yuppie... You're in the Army now!". He told us, "anybody wanting to be a 'lone-wolf'... a 'hero'... can go back home right now, because you don't belong in the Army!" I... No... "WE" learned in the following weeks that it was a life and death matter. The importance of all of us being ONE was KEY to our safety, our objective, and even our survival. I believe it can be just that serious in the church as well. We are in the army now... Christ Jesus' army, and we all should follow the same code.

Maybe you don't see that the scriptures tell us that if we are truly saved that it is permanent... maybe you don't see that the scriptures say that following the letter (trying to keep the law) leads to death, but following the Holy Spirit (trusting in and relying upon God) leads to life... or maybe you think the rapture is before the tribulation or midway...whatever... that's ok, in this army... but setting yourself up to be better or even worse (separate) than the rest of us is just not good.

12. "Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]."

So what uniform do we wear today? Well, here in verse 12, we have our marching orders. He says that we should be, "putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. This is the "clothed in love" look, and it's really more that the way we should appear. Love should be what's inside! We are clothed this way because we are this way!

13. "Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."

That's how it is in the Army... you go to the Drill Sergeant with a complaint about someone, and he expresses his understanding of your problem by saying something like, "GET OVER IT, PRIVATE"! Christians... We are in the army and these are our orders!

Let's pick up with verse 14, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 3:6-10

"It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will)" Colossians 3:6.

It is on account of these [very sins]... There is a comfort, down inside me, to know that this "account" exists. There is a lot of really bad stuff going on in the world today. Though God has given us insight into advancements in forensic science and other technologies that enable us to send criminals away without a doubt of their guilt, still, some slip through the crack. Many others seem to stay just inside the law of man and yet commit many or all of these very sins God refers to here. Around the world, many hideous atrocities seem un-accountable... but NO ONE is getting away with anything! Amen?

We know our study in Colossians is addressed to the believer's struggle with these sins, but this verse is talking about "the sons of disobedience... those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will of God"... those, still in "the world". This is a promise, that... just like King Belshazzar read on the wall, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN", there is an account... it is being weighed, and ALL of those NOT found "IN CHRIST" will come up wanting... short... un-acceptable... and under Gods anger, or judgement!

7. Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].

Ok... back to you and I... the Christian... Paul is reminding us that, we use to be just like them... living in and addicted to [such practices].

8. But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!

We've already addressed how to do this, within this same study of Colossians, if you've just joined our study. I hope you will go back through it.

9. Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices.

Two things helpful, here, I think are: 1. About "Do not lie to one another"... We can't lie for one another either! For to do so, means to lie to someone else... Even if it's to a "son of disobedience". And 2. The Amplified adds the word "unregenerate" to "the old self", because without Christ, the "old self" was incapable of regenerating itself. Without Christ, there is NO power to fix yourself... you just stay lost and when you die you will be that way forever!

10. And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect [knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.

I love to end these studies on a positive note, Amen? Do you feel clothed with the new spiritual self, which is ever in the process of being renewed and remolded into a fuller and more perfect knowledge upon knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it? If you are "in Christ", I know you do! What a miracle salvation truly is. I've got to get on my knees right now, and thank God once again for saving my life, the way He did. Wow!

We will pick up in verse 11, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 3:5

So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]" Colossians 3:5.

"Kill"... that's a strong word, isn't it? How do you kill whatever The Lord is talking about killing, here? And why? I thought we were "made anew"... born again... changed? I thought we were covered by Christ... that God can can't see our sin anymore, if we are "in Christ"?

What God wants, is a relationship with man. We've learned up to this point in our study, how much God loves us, and that He wants us to love Him back. Well, love takes relations... a two-way system of relating between each other. Though, to completely "set us sinless", physically, (upon salvation... at the moment we are re-born) would be a very nice thing for God to do, it would relieve us of our dependence on Him. God knows that, if you and I no longer were dependant upon Him, then our relationship would be severed again. Though sinless, we would worship Him, follow Him, and revere Him... but all the while, He would know that He "made" us love Him. I know some of us have thought... "how nice it would be if our kids could be born all grown up... with degree and drivers license in hand... ready for the world... knowing how much their parents love them and they would love us back". But, would it be real love?

What happens if we skipped the times they were sick and mom nursed them back to health with hot soup and a cool damp washcloth... or when dad climbed up in the tree and helped make them the coolest playhouse, ever? What happens when we skip the bed-time stories, the laughing, the crying, and all those relational things? Wasn't that how love grew? Love takes relating... It means a relationship, and so that's why we must still do things in this NEW LIFE that we have in Christ. So, what do we do?

Well, we're back to the "Kill" word in this verse. What does it mean to kill these things God is showing us. The original word for kill meant how you treat something or how you consider things... In this verse, it refers to the things we have DIED TO... SIN. And so, we must treat these things that we use to do as though we are dead to them now. It's the Truth... Christ DIED on the cross to forgive us of the penalty those things brought (the eternal death) and we have accepted this truth and DIED with Him. So, we consider these things as dead, powerless over us (in case we fall into it in our struggle today) and powerless to us (because we see it for what it really is - sin).

What do we treat or consider as powerless and dead to us (kill)... "the evil desire lurking in your members, those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you... All that is employed in sin.

It's interesting that Paul uses the word members. In the same way we use our members, like, using our legs to walk to school or to the bus, our hands to eat, etc... we used sin to make ourselves feel important, we used sin to get what we wanted, etc. It's a long list of things we are to treat as being dead to and I'll leave you a verse below, which lists many, that is from Galatians. But, that's all Jesus wants us to do, is to treat these things as though we are dead to them. We just came out of His Word instructing us to focus on Him and not the sin. Treating and considering these things in the manner verse 5 suggests will help us to focus on Christ and those things above! Amen?

One verse today... well, it is a good one. We'll pick up with verse 6, next time.

I love you.

Galatians 5:17. "For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. 18. But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. 19. Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, 20. Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), 21. Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22. But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23. Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. 24. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires."

Colossians 3:1-4

"If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" Colossians 3:1.

We cannot seek without doing something? Seeking is looking for something, and here, Paul is telling us that we should be seeking what is above. And, if we are seeking what is above, then we MUST be seeking into the bible (Gods' Word). The Amplified renders "those things" as, rich, eternal treasures... and that is exactly what Gods' Word offers.

Searching out, seeking the scriptures is so important because, while just reading the bible alone is great... but unlocking much of the rich, eternal treasures requires more searching, prayer, biblical resources, group study, etc. I have added some helpful study tips below.

2. "And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth."

I have said before that LOVE is a great acronym for a: Life Of Viewing Everything-Eternally. And if we Love God, then we need to view everything from His point of view. In eternity, right now, God is focused on transforming YOU into His likeness, and bringing all of mankind unto Himself, just as He did you. And so, that should be where our focus is as well.

3. "For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God."

Here is just one more of many verses that should show us why focusing on sin is so unscriptural. We (whom are in Christ) have died to sin... hence the reference to, "as far as this world is concerned"... and hidden with Christ means that "If God were to look for your sin, He could only see His Son, Christ Jesus." Having already turned from sin, in order to come "into Christ", we can now Focus On That Which Is Above! We Focus on Him - He Transforms us. Amen?

4. "When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory."

In carefully studying this verse, I find no reason why this would not pertain to both, the present and future tense. Of course, we know on the "Day Of The Lord" we will appear with Him, but we also know that Christ's' Kingdom is at hand now and when He appears after the destruction of two tall towers in New York City, or at the scene of a terrible earthquake, He appears in the form of food, shelter, clothing, and His Love, and it takes you and I to carry it there for Him. And so, yes... when Christ appears, then you and I just seem to appear with Him also in the splendor of His glory. Amen?

Let's pick back up with verse 5, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 2:20-23

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Mt 23:27-28)

How then can one achieve control his or her evil desires? The only thing that can control the depraved lusts that originate from our old sin nature inherited from Adam is death. Why? Because death separates. Death liberates. Death frees. In Romans 6 Paul explains that when Christ died, believers died to the power of sin once and for all. It does not matter whether we "feel" like we are dead to sin or not! Scripture teaches that this is now a believer's position (and possession) in Christ and nothing can change that truth. Now our goal is to work out that salvation truth in fear and trembling, knowing that it is still God Who is at work in us to give us the desire and the power to work it out! (Phil 2:12-note) See notes on Ro 6:1,2, 3-note for discussion of how to walk in victory (Also see notes on Ro 6:4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14-- Ro 6:4-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11, 12-14)

Lightfoot paraphrases Colossians 2:20-23 as follows... "You died with Christ to your old life. All mundane relations have ceased for you. Why then do you—you who have attained your spiritual manhood—submit still to the rudimentary discipline of children? Why do you—you who are citizens of heaven—bow your necks afresh to the tyranny of material ordinances as though you were still living in the world? It is the same old story again; the same round of hard, meaningless, vexatious prohibitions, "Handle not," "Taste not," "Touch not." What folly! All these things—these meats and drinks and the like—are earthly, perishable, wholly trivial and unimportant! They have already been used, and there is an end of them. What is this but to draw down on yourselves the denunciations uttered by the prophet of old? What is this but to abandon God's word for precepts which are issued by human authority and inculcated by human teachers? All such things have a show of wisdom, I grant. There is an officious parade of religious devotion, an eager affectation of humility; there is a stern ascetic rigor which ill-treats the body. But there is nothing of any real value to check indulgence of the flesh."

Colossians 2:18-19

"Let no one defraud you by acting as an umpire and declaring you unworthy and disqualifying you for the prize, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions [he claims] he has seen, vainly puffed up by his sensuous notions and inflated by his unspiritual thoughts and fleshly conceit" Colossians 2:18.

"Keep defrauding you of your prize" (katabrabeuo from katá = against + brabeuo = be a judge or umpire and thus award the prize in a public game) literally refers to an umpire who decides against one, declaring him unworthy of the prize and so defrauding him of the prize of victory. In context, it refers to the depriving one of his or her spiritual reward.

Paul is referring to a "disqualification" just as when a judge disqualifies those who run out of their designated lane in a race, etc. In the same way those believers who turn from faithfully following Christ will be "robbed" of their rewards from Him at the Judgment Seat (Col 5:10, 1Cor 3:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2 John 1:8). These believers will not lose their salvation, but they will lose their rewards. Paul is warning against the false teachers who come in among the flock like savage wolves, bringing a persuasive, perverse message (Acts 20:29, 30, 31) composed of false doctrines that would rob believers of their spiritual blessings, not only in this present life but at the Bema judgement of the saints.

The key elements in this portion of Paul's warning are "false humility and the worship of angels." Both of these are common elements of false teachings. In Colossae there was an ancient teaching (later called "Gnosticism," meaning knowledge) which held that there is a hierarchy of angels between all human beings and God which must be placated and acknowledged, and that one's knowledge, which began in virtual ignorance, increased with such contact until at last one entered into the fullness of understanding of the Oneness of all things. That ancient heresy is known as the New Age Movement in which adherents seek the true Oneness of things because we are all part of the universe of created matter, and are united in Oneness with God. It claims to move you beyond self, but in actual practice, if you examine teachings like this, you discover that they focus on self; that the real goal is to develop all your self powers. That is why it is called the human potential movement --- the idea that everything is already there inside of you, and all you need to do is bring it out and develop your possibilities and full potential (Col 1:27). I have seen allot of this kind of stuff on Opera Winfrey. It's like the sign on a wall "The Light you seek is in your own lantern." So the teaching is that you already have it all---now discover it.

Whitney Houston sings, "To love yourself is the greatest love there is." which could be the theme song for the human potential quest. What is the danger of that? The apostle puts it very plainly: it "disqualifies you for the prize

19. And not holding fast to the Head, from Whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by means of its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

In verse 19, we are still inside of Paul's warning about false teachings and are taken to the most important truth - The Head... He whom we are in - Christ Jesus. In the act of not being lead away, deceived, or disqualified, our focus must be directed to Christ as the Head, The Leader, Redeemer, Advisor, Wonderful Counselor, Teacher, and Father. The focus is not on "not being deceived". I see allot of energy being spent by well meaning Christians toward not being deceived by this and by that... when really our focus just needs to be in Christ Jesus. Seeking His Word, listening to the leading of The Holy Spirit and walking in a confidence in Whom we are in... Amen? In Christ we have His Fullness, remember... and He is growing us the whole while.

We will pick back up with verse 18, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 2:15-17

"[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]" Colossians 2:15.

The word "spoiled" is a Greek verb APEKDUOMAI, and means "to divest wholly oneself, or despoil". One of the words that made up this compound Greek word meant "to strip." Paul is saying is that Jesus totally despoiled or stripped satan and all his powers. For a Christian, satan is now naked and powerless. It was a term used for the disarming of a defeated foe.

The picture is that of a Roman general who has won a really great battle, and is allowed to march his victorious armies through the streets of Rome and behind him followed the kings and the leaders and the peoples he had conquered. They were openly branded as his spoils. Paul shows Jesus as a conqueror enjoying a kind of cosmic triumph, and in his triumphal procession are the powers of evil, beaten forever, for everyone to see" satan's only weapon against us is deception (Eph. 6:11, 2 Cor. 11:14, Col. 1:13, Mat. 24:4).

The word "shew" means "to exhibit". satan and his forces are forever on display as a conquered foe. Those who are not yet convinced of satan's defeat are still subject to bondage because of their fear (Heb. 2:15). The Phillips Translation renders this phrase as, "...he exposed them, shattered, empty, and defeated, in his final glorious triumphant act!"

What is the "it" that Jesus triumphed in over satan? The answer is that "it" was the law ("the handwriting of ordinances that was against us". The devil used "our failure to fulfill the law" as a club to beat us up and convince us that God would never accept us. In a sense, the law was one of satan's greatest tools for separating us from God. But Jesus used the very thing that satan had used to minister condemnation, to condemn satan. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law and used it to satisfy all God's demands for justice by bearing our sins. The just died for the unjust and thereby liberated us from the jurisdiction of the law.

16. "Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath."

There are still many Christians whom have not reached the point in their faith... Not reached the point in understanding of Gods' Word, concerning the law, who will try to use the law to condemn us, just as satan tries to.

17. "Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ."

"Shadow of the things" is a philosophical term from Plato meaning "the real unseen world" versus the world shadows and ideas in which we live. A philosophy to distinguish the real world from the false and what is real is only a shadow of the real we can't see. Here, in verse 17, it refers to the O.T. being a type and shadow that testified to Christ. All of the sacrificing of animals, sprinkling of blood, circumcision, etc... the very long list goes on... but, all of those things represented only a shadow-like image of what being "in Christ Jesus" means to us and for us now.

We will pick back up with verse 18, next time.

I love you.

Colossians 2:13-14

"And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions" Colossians 2:13.

I know most everyone here, at some point in their lives, have been in some form of financial debt. Maybe a car or a house, a student loan, etc... and you owe(d) money to someone or someplace. Although it can be burdensome, at some point, we can at least see a light at the end of the tunnel. We are encouraged by the hope that one day it will be paid in full and we will receive from our creditors a title, certificate, or statement that releases us from any further obligation.

But to be burdened with a debt from which you will never be set free is simply too much to comprehend. To owe a debt that you know you can never pay off is psychologically devastating. Then if you extend that indebtedness, and the penalty it incurs, into eternity it becomes horrific beyond words.

Such is the reality of our spiritual indebtedness to God...until Jesus forgave it all! This is the imagery Paul suggests here to describe the reality of having our sins forever forgiven. He forgave us ALL our sins and canceled our debt. As the song says "Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."

14. "Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross."

In three different ways Paul asserts that something called the 'handwriting of ordinances ' was abolished: (1) Christ blotted it out. (2) He took it out of the way. (3) He nailed it to the cross. So, it is dead. The cross that killed Jesus also killed the handwriting or ordinances. It is no longer in force.

The "handwriting of ordinances" is described in verse 16: 'Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect to an holy-day, or of the new moon, or of Sabbath (days).' The reference is to ordinances of the law of Moses. The point of this statement is that since the handwriting of ordinances has been fulfilled, satisfied, canceled... its contents are not to be made a basis of judgment. The observance of these ordinances is no ground for approval; the non-observance is no ground for condemnation.

"Paul told the Corinthians to 'judge them that are within' and to withdraw from a certain sinner (1 Cor. 5:12). But the basis of judgment is the teaching of the apostles (2 Thess. 3:6)--not that handwriting of ordinances which was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14, 16).

"Sabbatarians--those who observe the Sabbath, the seventh rather than the first day of the week (Ex. 20:8-11)--disregard Paul's plain statement by making the Sabbath a basis of judgment, approving those who keep it and condemning as sinners those who do not keep it. But they claim that Col. 2:16 refers to certain annual Sabbath of the Jews rather than the weekly Sabbath....

"The word Sabbath appears in 53 verses of the New Testament. In the first 52 there is no debate, the Sabbatarians acknowledging that the reference is to the weekly Sabbath. But they insist that the last one, Col. 2:16, cannot refer to the weekly Sabbath. One can understand why. Col. 2:16 is the only one of those references that says the Sabbath is not binding. So Sabbatarians must either give up their error concerning Sabbath keeping or get rid of this verse. Their regard for their error causes them to do the latter. So they assert that Col. 2:16 does not refer to the weekly Sabbath, even though they are going contrary to the uniform usage of the word Sabbath in the New Testament.

"But the argument fails. 'Sabbath' cannot refer to the annual Sabbath for the simple reasons that the annual Sabbath is included under another heading in this verse, the term 'holy-day.' The Greek noun heorte means a feast, feast-day, or festival, and is translated 'feast day' in the American Standard Version. "Certain annual holy days were referred to as Sabbath in the Old Testament (cf. Lev. 16:31). But they were also called feasts. The statement in Lev. 23:4, 'These (are) the feasts of the Lord...' is followed by references to the passover, Pentecost, feast of trumpets, the day of atonement, and the feast of tabernacles. Then in vv. 37, 38 these feasts are distinguished from the weekly Sabbath: 'These (are) the feasts of the Lord,...' Thus the annual holy-days were sometimes referred to as Sabbath, but when the annual Sabbath were distinguished from the weekly Sabbath the annual Sabbath were called feasts and the weekly Sabbath were called Sabbath. "That is exactly according to the New Testament usage. The New Testament makes frequent reference to the annual holy days, but it refers to them as feasts (heorte), not Sabbath. Thus: 'feast of the passover' (Lk. 2:41; 22:1; John 6:4; 13:1) and 'feast of tabernacles' (John 7:2).

"In Col. 2:16 'holy-day' or 'feast day (heorte) is the term for annual holy days. As everyone can see, the term 'new moon' refers to the monthly holy day. And just as obviously, the term 'Sabbath' refers to the weekly Sabbath, just as it does in every other New Testament passage where it occurs" (L.A. Mott, Jr., "The Abolition Of The Old Covenant," 4-6).

The phrase used by Paul in Colossians 2:16 is never used anywhere in the Bible except to refer to the regular weekly Sabbath (Cf. Matt. 12:1; 28:1; Mk. 1:21; Lk. 4:16; Acts 13:14; 16:13).

The Greek Old Testament, the fourth commandment says, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" (Ex. 20:8). See also Exodus 35:2; Leviticus 23:37, 38; 24:8; Numbers 15:32; Deuteronomy 5:12; Isaiah 58:13.

The Adventists quibble on Col. 2:14-17 by saying ' the sabbath days being plural refers only to certain 'ceremonial' sabbaths and not to 'the sabbath as such. But the plural encompasses all the Sabbath observances appointed, as can be seen from Exodus 31:12-18 ('sabbaths' and 'the sabbath' used interchangeably). The discussion by Jesus in Matt. 12:1-8, a proof text used by Sabbatarians, uses both the plural and singular forms (cf. vv.10-13). Jesus was Lord of David, Lord of Moses, and certainly 'Lord even of the sabbath day.' Being born 'under the law,' He kept it perfectly (Gal. 4:4); then He 'took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross'.

We must pray for those who are in bondage to the misuse, of the text of Colossians 2:14-16.

In Galatians 5:1-6, we clearly see that, if one in Christ seeks to be justified by the law: (1) He is entangled in a yoke of bondage; (2) Christ profits him nothing; (3) He is debtor to do the whole law, obligated to keep it all; (4) Christ becomes of no effect unto him; (5) He is "fallen from grace."

We are reminded that it is the complete Word of God that we seek to understand. In fact, if you have just picked up in our study here, today, I encourage to take the time to go back to the start of this study to see how Paul has brought us to this point of the teaching and it will help bring much understanding, Amen?

We'll pick up with verse 15 next time.

I love you.

Colossians 2:11-12

"In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a [spiritual] circumcision [performed by] Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts)" Colossians 2:11.

True circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people." In Philippians, Paul wrote that true believers (Jew and Gentile) "are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh". Again Paul reminds the Galatians that neither is circumcision anything, nor un-circumcision, but a new creation "the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah" (Gal 6:15). It doesn't make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people.

12. [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead.

Salvation is far too important of a matter to be left up to human religious councils and conventions. There have been various remedies for sin suggested by human beings. We love to tinker with things to try and make them run better or work faster, and use less energy. We have a history of inventing rituals that help us get through all the checkpoints, simplify our transition through the spiritual process, and thereby, we can feel better about ourselves. Dealing with sin has been no different. Men have long tinkered with God's remedy for sin. One group of false teachers of the first century taught that circumcision was necessary to be justified (Galatians 5:1-4). Another group seemed to say one could continue in sin "that grace may abound." (Romans 6:1,2). Still another denied that Christ had "come in the flesh" and died for our sins (1 John 4:3). In the centuries since, other systems have been suggested by men. There is the penance system, the Calvinistic system, the various cult systems and the reincarnation system. When these systems are complied with, then you have people putting their faith in the working of man, because these things are of man and not of God. Things such as these are described in Scripture as "matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion" but are only "the commandments and teaching of men" and therefore are said to be "of no value" (Colossians 2:22,23).

Jesus once asked some religious leaders, "The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?" (Matthew 21:25). You see, this is an important question in religious matters. Many seem to think today that such a question is silly and it really does not matter. But it does matter. Jesus said so (Matthew 15:9) and so does the rest of the New Testament (i.e. Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 John 9). So then, since John's baptism is gone we would like to take Jesus' question and rephrase it according to our covenant which now has been ratified by His blood: "The baptism in Jesus' name for the remission of sins was from what source, from heaven or from men?" (Acts 2:38). If you find yourself as uncomfortable answering this question as the opponents of Jesus were in answering His, then maybe you, like they, need to take a closer look at your belief system!

Now, let us consider the following text: "Having been buried with Him through baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)

"Having been buried with Him in baptism..." (12a). In the act of baptism by faith, we are buried with Christ. The Bible does not say that baptism is only a symbol of our burial and spiritual resurrection. It does not say that a sinner is buried and raised with Christ by faith alone, saved, and then is baptized to symbolize that spiritual burial. That kind of doctrine, quite plainly, is not from heaven... but from men.

"It is true that baptism is a symbol, but not of our own spiritual death, burial and resurrection. Rather, baptism is a symbol, or likeness, of Christ's literal death, burial and resurrection" (Romans 6:3-5).

This is an important distinction because some deny the necessity of baptism by saying it is only a symbol that we have already undergone a process by which we have already been saved. But it is not a symbol of what we have done at all, but rather of what Christ has done for us. It is at the very moment that we were put under the water that by faith we were "buried with Christ."

"...in which you were also raised up with Him..." (12b). Again, in the act of baptism we are being raised up with Christ; we are not merely symbolizing our being raised up with Him at an earlier time. No passage in the New Testament says that baptism symbolizes this.

Later, Paul talks about the new life we must live following our baptism. He said, "If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." He adds, "Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry" (Colossians 3:1-5). The putting aside of the old life and the beginning of a new life is referred to as "walking in newness of life" (Romans 6:4b).

"...through faith in the working of God..." (12c). Another objection to baptism being necessary is the idea that if one accepts that it is necessary to be saved then he would be trusting in his or her own merit or work or power. Since we must trust in God's power alone to be saved, then baptism cannot be a requirement, because baptism is putting our faith in our own efforts.

This passage clearly states otherwise; that in baptism we are placing our faith not in ourselves but in "the working of God". In fact, this being the case, then one who has not yet been baptized for the remission of sins has not yet put his faith "in the working of God"! What's more is the fact that if I deny the necessity of baptism then I am denying my need to put my faith "in the working of God". Again, we must ask the question: "Baptism for the remission of sins, is it from heaven or from men?"

One other point on this matter; if by chance someone goes through the motions of baptism as he places his faith in himself or his own power, or in some church, and is not putting his faith in God's working, then such activity is vain. Certainly it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong motive. This is another reason I would first ask, "were they really saved", before I would question God's Word about the certainty of salvation. But if our obedience is from the heart, then God will take away our sins; "But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Romans 6:17-18).

"...who raised Him from the dead." (12d). God's power to raise up is wonderfully evident at the resurrection of Christ from the grave. The grave could not hold Him, for God's power is too strong. In the same way, sin cannot hold us when we are raised up with Christ from baptism. They are left behind, their chains broken. Whatever they have been, they are remembered no more. We who were once "dead in (our) trespasses and sins" are "made alive together with Christ." This is by grace through faith, according to God's mercy, and not as a result of human works (Ephesians 2:1-10). But baptism for the remission of sins is not a human work at all; rather, it is an act of "faith in the working of God."

We'll pick up with verse 13 next time.

I love you.

Colossians 2:6-10

"Colossians 2:6. As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him" Colossians 2:6.

We are not going to get very far from the focus to Christ in any of Paul's' teachings... specially in his work with the Colossians. At that time, they were being told that, "this faith in Jesus is great stuff... but you must still do this... and remember that... and add some of this"... It's the "Jesus, plus" men-tality that's still going on today. When I came to the Lord... I had been convinced that the reason my life was so messed up, was because I had been the one making all the decisions. Even when I set out to do right, it was based on what I thought or what it seemed most others thought was right. But when I received The Holy Spirit, I suddenly realized that it had to be 'totally Him' and 'no more me'. That is what the bible says, what Gods' Spirit had confirmed in me, and what a handful of Christians were telling me. I believed it then and it's still true today.

Paul is urging us to stay to that original root, (Jesus) stay planted in Him. In fact the theme of the whole book of Colossians is that every believer is complete in Christ, that all the resources that we need to grow in grace are found in Him. And the process of deepening in the Christian life is not starting with Christ and moving on to something else, but it is starting on Christ and remaining in dependence upon Him every step of the way as we are conformed to His image, who is the very image of the invisible God. But many well wishing Christians starting telling me what I should do... things to stop doing, and things that Christians should do. This was putting me back to work on myself again, instead of waiting on and listening for the leading of Christ - Himself (through The Holy Spirit).

8. "See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah)."

Paul was talking to me, here... this was what I was actually experiencing. These "crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings" may sound good, depending upon one's inclination, but they endanger church members. The apostle writes that unless we are rooted deeply in Christ, we could be "spoiled", which does not mean being "corrupted," but rather of being "plundered," hence the NKJV's use of "cheated." This empty philosophy would rob or cheat them of their faith, their hope, their understanding of God, their relationship with God, their vision, and the purpose that God is working out. Once introduced, it would begin to steal away all of their true, spiritual riches.

The Holy Spirit had already said that I was a child of God, and that He would not forsake me... that my salvation was set, and that He would not loose me, nor blot out my name, and that I could trust His Word, and that His Word does not contradict itself... foundational truths I had received at the onset of my conversion. And so here they came... warning me about things. One constant issue was that I could loose the salvation that I hadn't even earned in the first place. Usually it's based on their belief that I wasn't paying attention to things I still did wrong. I knew myself that God was busy within me in the other areas that He thought were more important. But while He was working out my sin issues... I knew Christ was covering me from Gods' view, and Jesus was wonderful and faithful, each time, to take me to the scriptures they used to threaten me with and show me through context, cross references, original use of words, etc... that His Word was not mysterious, illusive, nor contradicting.

Paul provides two possible sources of this unsteady philosophy: "the traditions of men" and the "rudiments of the world." Examining the "rudiments of the world" first will help to explain the traditions of men. Other translations call them the "elements of the world," the "basic principles of the world," or "the powers of the world." In using this term, Paul is referring to the demonic powers that make this world, this cosmos, what it is. The source of this philosophy of salvation through special knowledge or of works is Satan and the demons. This explains why, when we read the histories of various religions and their branches, the same patterns arise time and again. Man does not have it within himself to pass along accurately and dependably ideas that go back to the very beginning. With an incessant drumming, the powers of the world keep prompting men and women in the same vain deceits that directly contradict the truth about God and His purpose for mankind.

9. "For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]."

There is a philosophy which rightly exercises our reasonable faculties; a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God, and confirms our faith in him. But there is a philosophy which is vain and deceitful; and while it pleases men's fancies, hinders their faith: such are curious speculations about things above us, or no concern to us. We have in and through Christ the substance of all the shadows of the ceremonial law. All the defects of it are made up in the gospel of Christ, by his complete sacrifice for sin, and by the revelation of the will of God.

10. "And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power]."

To be complete, is to be furnished with all things necessary for salvation. By this one word complete, is shown that we have in Christ whatever is required. In him, not when we look to Christ, as though he were distant from us, but we are in him.

We'll pick up with verse 11 next time.

I love you.

Colossians 2:6-10

"Colossians 2:6. As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him" Colossians 2:6.

We are not going to get very far from the focus to Christ in any of Paul's' teachings... specially in his work with the Colossians. At that time, they were being told that, "this faith in Jesus is great stuff... but you must still do this... and remember that... and add some of this"... It's the "Jesus, plus" men-tality that's still going on today. When I came to the Lord... I had been convinced that the reason my life was so messed up, was because I had been the one making all the decisions. Even when I set out to do right, it was based on what I thought or what it seemed most others thought was right. But when I received The Holy Spirit, I suddenly realized that it had to be 'totally Him' and 'no more me. That is what the bible says... it's what God's Spirit had confirmed in me, and, what only a handful of Christians were telling me. I believed it then, and it's still true today.

Paul is urging us to stay to that original root, (Jesus) stay planted in Him. In fact the theme of the whole book of Colossians is that every believer is complete in Christ, that all the resources that we need to grow in grace are found in Him. And the process of deepening in the Christian life is not starting with Christ and moving on to something else, but it is starting on Christ and remaining in dependence upon Him every step of the way as we are conformed to His image, who is the very image of the invisible God. But many well wishing Christians started telling me what "I" should do... things to stop doing, and things that Christians should do. This was putting me back to work on myself again, instead of waiting on and listening for the leading of Christ - Himself (through The Holy Spirit).

8. "See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah)."

Paul was talking to me, here... this was what I was actually experiencing. These "crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings" may sound good, depending upon one's inclination, but they endanger church members. The apostle writes that unless we are rooted deeply in Christ, we could be "spoiled", which does not mean being "corrupted," but rather of being "plundered," hence the NKJV's use of "cheated." This empty philosophy would rob or cheat them of their faith, their hope, their understanding of God, their relationship with God, their vision, and the purpose that God is working out. Once introduced, it would begin to steal away all of their true, spiritual riches.

The Holy Spirit had already said that I was a child of God, and that He would not forsake me... that my salvation was set, and that He would not loose me, nor blot out my name, and that I could trust His Word, and that His Word does not contradict itself... foundational truths I had received at the onset of my conversion. And so here they came... warning me about things. One constant issue was that I could loose the salvation that I hadn't even earned in the first place. Usually it's based on their belief that I wasn't paying attention to things I still did wrong. I knew myself that God was busy within me in the other areas that He thought were more important. But while He was working out my sin issues... I knew Christ was covering me from God's view, and Jesus was wonderful and faithful, each time, to take me to the scriptures they used to threaten me with and show me through context, cross references, original use of words, etc... that His Word was not mysterious, illusive, nor contradicting.

Paul provides two possible sources of this unsteady philosophy: "the traditions of men" and the "rudiments of the world." Examining the "rudiments of the world" first will help to explain the traditions of men. Other translations call them the "elements of the world," the "basic principles of the world," or "the powers of the world." In using this term, Paul is referring to the demonic powers that make this world, this cosmos, what it is. The source of this philosophy of salvation through special knowledge or of works is Satan and the demons. This explains why, when we read the histories of various religions and their branches, the same patterns arise time and again. Man does not have it within himself to pass along accurately and dependably ideas that go back to the very beginning. With an incessant drumming, the powers of the world keep prompting men and women in the same vain deceits that directly contradict the truth about God and His purpose for mankind.

9. "For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]."

There is a philosophy which rightly exercises our reasonable faculties; a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God, and confirms our faith in him. But there is a philosophy which is vain and deceitful; and while it pleases men's fancies, hinders their faith: such are curious speculations about things above us, or no concern to us. We have in and through Christ the substance of all the shadows of the ceremonial law. All the defects of it are made up in the gospel of Christ, by his complete sacrifice for sin, and by the revelation of the will of God.

10. "And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power]."

To be complete, is to be furnished with all things necessary for salvation. By this one word complete, is shown that we have in Christ whatever is required. In him, not when we look to Christ, as though he were distant from us, but we are in him.

We'll pick up with verse 11 next time.

I love you.

Colossians 2:1-5

"For I want you to know how great is my solicitude for you [how severe an inward struggle I am engaged in for you] and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen my face and known me personally" Colossians 2:1.

I can't imagine everything Paul is referring to here in this passage concerning his struggle. As I share God's Word with you here and in the classroom at church, or in bible study, it takes allot of study, research, and prayer and preparation to write to you and not error, be judgmental, biased, etc,. There are many other things I could be doing, but I am not a prisoner as Paul was and I can't even pretend to imagine how much worse his conditions were compared to even a prisoner of today. I have friends who teach God's word that suffer physical conditions also, as I believe Paul did. I do share in the fact that I hardly know anyone here, yet there is this same urgency in me and in my friends that Paul is talking about here to "get the truth out there".

It's great that we can think, and pray, and be concerned for one another, at the greatest distance, and those we never saw in the flesh we may hope to meet in heaven, but what was it that Paul really desired for these people? It was the spiritual welfare of others about which he was solicitous. He does not say that they may be healthy, and merry, and rich, and great, and prosperous; but that their hearts may be comforted.

2. "[For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One)."

The prosperity of the soul is the best prosperity, and what we should be most solicitous about for others and even ourselves. We have here a description of soul-prosperity. That we are all knit together in love, and for our knowledge to grow to an understanding of the mystery of God and of Christ. When we come to have a more clear, distinct, methodical knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, then the soul prospers. To understand the mystery, either what was before concealed, but is now made known concerning the Father and Christ, or the mystery before mentioned, of calling the Gentiles into the Christian church, as our Father and Christ have revealed it in the gospel. This is what we should labor after, and then the soul prospers.

When our faith grows to a full assurance and bold acknowledgment of this mystery... not only believe with the heart, but we are ready, when called to it, to make confession with our mouth, and are not ashamed of our Master and our holy religion, under the frowns and violence of our enemy. It consists in the abundance of comfort in our souls: That our hearts might be comforted. The soul prospers when it is filled with joy and peace (Rom. 15:13), and has a satisfaction within which all the troubles of this world cannot disturb, and is able to joy in the Lord when all other comforts fail, Hab. 3:17, 18.

So, the more intimate communion we have with our fellow-Christians the more the soul prospers: Being knit together in love. Holy love knits the hearts of Christians one to another; and faith and love both contribute to our comfort. The stronger our faith is, and the warmer our love, the greater will our comfort be.

3. "In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden."

In chapter1:19, he said that all fullness dwells in him, but here he mentions particularly the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. There is a fullness of wisdom in him, as he has perfectly revealed the will of God to mankind. Notice that, the treasures of wisdom are hidden not from us, but for us, in Christ. Those who would be wise and knowing must make application to Christ. We must draw from the treasures which are hidden in Him. He is the wisdom of God, and is of God made unto us wisdom, 1 Cor. 1:24, 30.

4. "I say this in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech."

In verse 4, Paul adds another clue to his urgency for writing. Those we love who may not yet abide in The Holy Spirit and in Gods Word often enough, are or can be, so easily led astray, into error, and even to an early death. Not a death that surprises God. A death that is not what God wanted, but was forced by our ignorance, stubbornness, and rebellion, into Gods' permissive will instead of His perfect will for us. Even within the faith there is a tendency to get waited down by teachings of legalism, loss of salvation, and rituals. And, even worse are the efforts outside of our faith to pull us completely away from Gods' Word.

5. "For though I am away from you in body, yet I am with you in spirit, delighted at the sight of your [standing shoulder to shoulder in such] orderly array and the firmness and the solid front and steadfastness of your faith in Christ [that leaning of the entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]."

We may be present in spirit with those churches and Christians from whom we are absent in body; for the communion of saints is a spiritual thing. Paul had heard concerning the Colossians that they were orderly and regular; and though he had never seen them, nor was present with them, he tells them he could easily think himself among them, and look with pleasure upon their good behavior.

The order and steadfastness of Christians should be a matter of joy to ministers; they take joy when they can see order, regular behavior, and steadfast adherence to the Christian doctrine. The more steadfast our faith in Christ is, the better order there will be in our whole conversation; for we live and walk by faith, 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 10:38.

We'll pick up with verse 6 next time.

I love you.