Colossians

Who is Paul?

Paul is the author of Colossians. He was a very religious man. He played an important part in the history of Christianity. Even before he was a believer his actions where significant. His extreme peresecution of Christians after Stephen's stoning led to the wide spread scattering of the Christians, causing Jesus final commandment to be obeyed Go and spread the gospel to all the world...
Then Paul's own personal experience with Jesus changed his life forever. You can read about his conversion in Acts 9:1-30.
Paul never lost his fierce intensity, but from thin on he lived for Christ. God used every part of Paul's background, his training, his citizenship, his mind and even his weaknesses to spread His Word.
Will you allow God to use all of you?
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Colossians Chapter 1

Paul is writing along with Timothy to those in Christ in Colosse. They begin by giving thanks to God And letting them know they are always in their prayers since they have heard of their faith in Christ and love for the saints. Because of the hope laid up for them in heaven. Of which they heard in the work of truth of the gospel, which they had learned from Epaphras, a fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ their behalf. Who told Paul and Timothy of their love in the Spirit (1:1-8).
They go on to tell that they pray for them always that they be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that they can walk worthy of the Lord pleasing Him completely, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in knowledge of Him strengthened with all might according to His glorious power for all patience and long suffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father who enabled us to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in the light. He has also delivered us from the powers of darkness and transported us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. By Him al things were created that are in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things and all things consist in Him. He is the head of the body, the church, the who is the beginning, firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have preeminence (1:9-18).
Paul goes on to explain Christ’s position that it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him reconcile all things to Himself whether things on earth or things in heaven making peace through His blood of the cross. And those that were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled us in the body through His flesh through death, to present us holy blameless above reproach in His sight (1:19-22).

So… What does this say to Me???

Paul and Timothy are praying for the believers. He tells us who Christ is and what God has done for us:
1:12 Qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance
1:13 Delivered us from the powers of darkness
1:13 Conveyed (transported) us into the kingdom of the Son of His love
1:14 Redeemed us through His Son’s blood
1:14 Forgiven our sin
1:21-22 Reconciled us in the body of His flesh (Christ)
Which shows us the great love God has for us.
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Colossians Chapter 2

Paul tells of his concern and joy for them. He encourages them to be knit together in love and attain all the riches of the full assurance of understanding the mystery of God, both the Father and of Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:1-3).
He warns in verse 4 not to be deceived persuasive words. Even though Paul was not with them he tells them he is with them in spirit and rejoices to see their focus is on God through trials and hardships. He encourages them to walk in God as they received Him. To be rooted in Him and have an established faith as they were taught being thankful always (2:4-7).
Again Paul is warning them not to be cheated by philosophy and empty deceit, not to get caught up in the tradition of men according to the world and not of Christ, because in Him swells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and their completeness is in Him. Who is the head of all principality and power (2:8-10).
Paul goes on to explain they were circumcised also without hands by putting off the body of sins of flesh by the circumcision of Christ being baptized with Christ and raised with Him through faith in the working of God who raised Him from the dead. Being dead in sin He made them alive together with Him forgiving them of all sin and wiping away the requirement of the written law, by nailing it to the cross with Christ, taking it out of the way, triumphing over the principalities an powers making a spectacle of them. So let no one judge you in food or drink or festival or sabbath, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is in Christ. Don’t be cheated of your rewards by being distracted by the worship of angels or in false humility, being vainly puffed up by fleshly minds. Not holding fast to the Head from whom all the body is nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments and grows with the increase that is from God (2:10-19).
Since you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world why subject yourselves to the limitations of the world as though you were living of it? Which are the things that concern what to touch, taste and handle. These are things that pass away. They have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility and neglect of the body, but in fact have no value against the indulgence of the flesh (2:20-23).

So…What does this say to Me????

Paul wanted to encourage the people of Colosse, as well as us, to continue to have faith in God and His Word in the face of trials and hardships. Also to warn against falling into the traditions of men that sound good, but in fact have no bearing on salvation.
We are forgiven and all we need is in Christ. We are complete in Him. When Christ died on the Cross he wiped away the hand written requirements/law that was against us, because we would never be able to fulfill the law to gain salvation. So He took that out of the way and provided a new way—Christ, through His death and resurrection. And forgives our sins fully when we accept this. We need not be judged according to the previous law. Therefore don’t be cheated out your rewards by getting caught up in legalism, the do’s and don’ts, but remain focused on the relationship with Christ which is where you receive nourishment and growth and freedom.
The do’s and don’ts may appear to have the wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility and neglect of the body, but in fact have no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Only through Christ can you die to self and worldly things and please God.
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Colossians Chapter 3

Paul goes on telling the people that being raised with Christ – through acceptance fo Him and baptism that they are to seek those things that are above, Godly things. That they should seek Godly things because that is where we are hidden, in Christ. Therefore, they must put to death the things of the earth, worldly things, fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires and covetousness. God’s wrath is coming because of these things. These things they once did, now, being new they are to put off the old things, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language. Don’t lie to each other. Put on the new man according to image of Him who created him where neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised Christ is in all (3:1-11).
As the elect of God, holy and beloved put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. Even if there are problems between people they must forgive as Christ forgave them (3:12-13)
He goes on saying above all these things put on love, the bond of perfection and let the peace of God rule your hearts to which you were called in one body and be thankful. Let the word of God dwell in them richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him (3:14-17).
Paul goes on to give some direction on the Christian homes.
Wives are to submit to their husband, as to the Lord.
Husbands are to love their wives and not to be bitter toward them.
Children are to obey their parents in all things for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers are not to provoke their children or they become discouraged.
Bondservants are to obey their masters in all things according to the flesh not just in eyeservice as men pleasers, but in sincerity of heart fearing God (3:18-22).
He explains that whatever you do do it to the Lord, not unto men, knowing that you will receive the reward of inheritance for serving the Lord. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done and there is no partiality (3:23-25).

So… what does this say to me???

This says to me that once you accept Christ as your personal Savior you should turn from your old ways, put these things behind you and turn toward the things of God. This putting off of the old ways may or may not happen overnight, but there should be evidence of change in progress, because there will be a desire to please God.
We serve God through submitting ourselves to those above us, whether be our husband, parent or master. It is ultimately God we are serving. So whatever we do we should do it as if it were to the Lord as if there were no middleman.
Through our obedience to God we will receive the reward of inheritance because you serve the Lord, and those that do wrong will get what is coming to them eventually.
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Colossians Chapter 4

Paul continues with the instruction for the household. HE tells the bondservant’s master to treat the bondservant just and fair because he too has a Master in heaven. He goes on to give three guidelines for dealing with those outside the faith.
  1. to pray diligently with thanksgiving
  2. to live a lifestyle pleasing to God
  3. always consider your speech making sure it is proper
Paul also requests prayer for himself and those with him. That God would open a door for them to speak the hidden truth of Christ (4:1-6).
Paul begins closing by telling them that he is sending Tychicus and Onesinus to them that they will make known all that is happening since Paul himself is in prison (vs.3). He gives a greeting from Aristarchus a fellow prisoner. Tells them to welcome Mark if he comes to them, and that Justus along with the others have been a comfort to him. He continues adding that Epaphras is laboring in prayer for them that they will stand perfect and complete in the will of God. He sends greetings from Luke, the doctor and Demas. He also tells them to greet the brethren that are in Laodicea and Nymphas. He finishes up with telling them to pass his letter to the church of Laodiceans and to also read their letter. Also to tell Archippus “Take heed to the ministry which you may receive in the Lord that you may fulfill it.”*(4:6-18)

So… What does this say to me???

That you should treat those you are head of the way you would want to be treated with respect and courtesy, remembering you have a Master in heaven.
Also that we have a responsibility to the non-Christian world …
  1. to pray for them and that we would have an opportunity to share Christ with them.
  2. that our behavior is what it should be according to God’s word … set an example.
  3. Think before we speak.
Finally Paul lets them know who is with him, who may be stopping by to see them, and who has a great concern for them and is praying from them always, Epaphras.
One last thing, there is always something you can do in any situation. You can PRAY.
In your life is prayer a last resort or a first response?

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