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But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Colossians 3:8-11 NKJV
It's easy to point out others' sin, isn't? Did you know when you point out others' sin you're really pointing out your sin that you see in them? That's why it's so easy to spot. You know it well, because you deal with it yourself. I heard a pastor teaching one time say "You want to point out someone's flaws? Go ahead. Just remember, when you point at them, you've got three fingers pointing back at you." That's good to remember.
Jesus taught us to deal with our own issues before trying to help others in Matthew 7:3-5 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye"; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
How can we possibly give advice about something, if we ourselves have never go through it ourselves? You can, but most likely people won’t listen because you’re not creditable. Jesus taught us to consider first our own state. He reminds us to remember where we came from, to keep us humble. When advice is given humbly, the receiving person is much more likely to hear the message. If you have been there and can share your experience of how God helped you, then you bring hope to the other person’s situation.
Paul is saying something similar in today's verse. When he said "you yourselves are to put off all these", I think he was referring to your own personal conduct. We can only control our own bodies, mind and tongue, not other peoples'. Notice the action in the saying? It's deliberate. A choice one must make. A conscience effort to put away all that would lead to death.
Once we've put off the old man, we then put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to Him who created him. In other words, the new man is a spirit-led individual who receives knowledge from God. Romans 12:2 says we are to be renewed in the mind by allowing God to change the way we think. We do that when we choose to walk by the spirit and not be the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16).
In conclusion, we must remember that Christ is all and in all. That means that it is by His power that I am able to do all things (Philippians 4:13).
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 NKVJ
Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33 seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and you will have everything you need. Where is your priority? Jesus made it clear that God's kingdom should be our first priority. Paul is confirming it in today's verse also.
Looking at our thought life is one indicator of our priorities. Where do we focus our thoughts? Are you thinking about the office politics and how to get ahead? Are you wondering how you're going to pay your bills? Are you worried you won't fit in a school? Jesus said no one can ever add a cubit to their height by worrying, so why bother? Read more about what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-32.
Time is another indicator. The first church is a good example of where to spend time. Look at Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." Where do we spend out time? Do we make time for God every day? Do we read His Word? Do we talk with Him throughout the day in prayer? How
much time do you spend watching television? Or reading a book? What about serving others? Or community work? If you're willing to spend time on something, then that something is priority in your life.
Another way to determine priority is by your checkbook. Again look at the first church in Acts 2:44-45 "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need." Where do you spend your money? Do you tithe? Giving back to God what's rightfully His before you pay your bills,
is certainly sign that your priorities on God. What about the money you have left after you tithe and pay your bills? Where does it go?
We must be cautious, not to do these things for the sake of doing them or just to be seen by men. Jesus has a strong warning for us in Matthew 7:21-23 ""Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?"23 And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!""
If we're in properly relationship with our Lord, then our motives will be properly aligned with His will and our thoughts, time and money will reflect His priorities too. Examine yourself today. Are you aligned with Him? Check you're priorities. Are you focused on God's kingdom? If not why?
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,"22 which all concern things which perish with the using according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:20-23 NKJV
When we became Christians by allowing Jesus to rescue us from the penalty of our sins, we became new creations in Christ. The old is gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then being now new creations, why do we still operate out of our old ways? Could it be that we really don't believe it? That's what our actions would indicate.
We have a liberty in Christ which frees us from all bondage to rules and regulations. I'm not saying we're above the law in a smug kind of way. As we operate out of Christ's Spirit in His, we live out of love. As we live out of love, we fulfill the law as Galatians 5:14 says: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.""
Our minds and hearts need to be focused on the things that matter in eternity, not the things that have not lasting value. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
What are the things that are not seen? Motive, Character, Trust, Belief are just a few.
Motive is what the Lord looks at. 1 Samuel 16:7 "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart"" Why we chose to do or not do that? Was it for selfish gain or to be seen as good before men? Or did you do or not do something in order to bring glory and honor to God? Why we do something is more important than the actual doing to God.
While you can see the results of someone's character you can not see the character itself. God's in the business of improving our character. In every way He is shaping us, molding us and developing Christ-like character in us. Romans 5:3-5 "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Trust is what allowed Abraham to tie up his son Isaac and offer him to the Lord in Genesis 22. In order to give your own flesh and blood you have to trust that the Lord knows what he's doing. God promised Abraham's seed would be more numerous than the sands of the shores and that this promise would come through Isaac. Therefore, if the Lord was now asking for Isaac as a burnt offering, then the Lord would raise him from the dead to fulfill the promise. That took faith.
Faith is based on trust. Did you ever stop to think about trust? It is not something you just have. It has to be built. It takes time to learn to trust. That's why I like keeping a prayer journal. In it I journal out my prayers and God's answers my prayers. If ever I seem to be waning in my faith, reviewing that journal re-energizes it! To see in black & white, all the times where God came through for me, is so amazing to me. Try it and see for yourself!
Belief or faith itself is unseen, but you can see the results of it. Hebrews 11:1 says: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The entire chapter of Hebrews 11 describes various ordinary people from the Old Testament who had faith. From Abel to Noah and Abraham and Sarah, they all live out of faith. In every story you'll find ordinary people asked to something that seemed strange by the world's standards, and yet carried it out by faith.
It's all about perspective. Who's perspective are you going to live by? Yours or the Lords?
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. Colossians 2:16-19 NKJV
Judge not and you won't be judged is what Jesus said in Matthew 7:1. The bible says a lot about judging. Here's a few verses to think about regarding judging:
Look at today's verse again. It says "let no one judge you". How can we control what others think about us? I don't think that's what Paul's trying to say. I see two possible scenarios:
1. Let your own behavior be such, that you can not be accused of wrong doing.
2. After examining ourselves to ensure we are following Christ in all we do, say and think, when others judge us, we should let their criticisms fall to the floor. Do not take their judgment into our being and let affect us.
We are judged by a higher standard than mere man's opinion of us. God is the only righteous One who can judge justly. No one knows our motives better than God. So it's best to leave it up to God to judge appropriately.
In the rest of today's verse, Paul talks about false humility, busy-bodies, proud people who may try to appear godly but actually deny Christ inwardly. This has been going on for centuries. 2 Peter 2:1 "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction." Sadly, it is still true today.
There are people who say they are Christian, but after looking for fruit of the Spirit in their lives, you can find none. While we are not to judge others, we are asked to be fruit inspectors. Look at what Luke 6:44 says: "For every tree is known by its own fruit." By checking out the fruit, we will have a better idea whether someone is authenticate or not. Remember, it's not us who determines who is a "real" Christian or not. That's God's job.
Paul simply encouraging the Colossians to be wise among these types of people and instructing them not listen to their advice or criticism for that matter, for the truth is not in them as evidenced by lack of spiritual fruit in their lives.
So rather than judge someone regarding the lack of fruit in their lives, why not make it an opportunity to pray for them to receive knowledge, understanding and insight of God's marvelous love for them, that they may receive it and experience the joy of the Lord, which will compel them to begin walking by the Spirit and not by the flesh.
The last phrase of today's verse says "grows with the increase that is from God", it's God who does the growing in us. We are mere the servants who plant the seed, or water it (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). It's God who makes the seed (Word of God) grow in someone's life.
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the un-circumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:11-15 NKJV
In the Old Testament, believers were circumcised to represent the covenant God made with them. And God said to Abraham: Genesis 17:11 "and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you." The cutting away of flesh represented that they could not save themselves, but rather they must rely on God. So
circumcision, itself, was not a bad thing. But over time, some forgot why they were performing the circumcision to begin with and there's where the problem is. Judges 3:7 "So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs."
In the New Testament, God has given us a new sign of His promise -- Jesus Christ. Matthew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." When we believe in Jesus Christ, we are circumcised in the heart. God said in Ezekiel 11:19 "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh". To demonstrate this change, believers are baptized. Acts 2:41 "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized".
Baptism is a symbol of what Jesus has done for us. When we are put under the water, we die to ourselves, as Jesus died on the cross to pay for sins. When we are raised out of the water, it symbolizes our new life we have in Christ. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too are we made alive by Him.
Do you carry a burden of guilt around with? Christ came to free you from that burden. Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7). When He died for your sins, the penalty for your sins was satisfied. You are no longer guilty of sin! He has forgiven you of all your wrong-doing and made you right with God. There is no more record containing every bad thing you and I ever did -- it's gone, wiped out, forgiven. Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Now that is something to get excited about!
In taking out of the way all the wrong and nailing it to the cross, Christ, took away satan's power over us. Fear of death has no hold on us anymore. For we know, when we die we go to be with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8) as forgiven souls, righteous in His sight because of what Christ did for us. What can satan do to us now? He can't take away God's love for us. It is written in Romans 8:34-36 "nothing can separate us from God's love". If God is for us, who can be against us?
To the Christian, who is walking by faith and not by sight, believing in God's Word and living out of those promises, they have victory! Where do you stand today?
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according
to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and
not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and
power. Colossians 2:8-10 NKJV
There are many ways we can be deceived. In Colossians 2:4 it says we can be
deceived with persuasive words. Have you ever supported someone because of
the things they said and only later realized they said those things, just to
get your support? Frustrating, isn�t, like being betrayed, suckered, or
made the fool.
In today�s verse, Paul tells us we can be deceived through philosophy, empty
deceit, such as flattery, traditions of men and basic worldly principles.
With philosophy, some people spend so much time trying to figure out life,
they come up with half cocked ideas with a sprinkling of truth that may
sound good, but really leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 �There is a path
before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.�
Many have been deceived by the traditions of men. It�s easy to fall into
this category. There is nothing wrong with traditions, as long as they lead
you closer to Christ. However, people have this insatiable desire to earn
their way. If they use traditions, to prove their worthiness to be accepted
by God, they are deceived. No one deserves God�s love. Romans 3:23 �all
have sinned and fallen short of the glory�. No one deserves to go to heaven
based on their own good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 �For by grace you have been
saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9
not of works, lest anyone should boast.� It�s a gift God�s given to us, to
understand our sin condition, agree with God that we deserve death and to
accept Jesus� death on the cross as a substitute for us. Romans 6:23 �For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord.�
Basic principles of the world can lead us astray also. The motto �He who
dies with the most toys win� puts the priority on acquiring material
possessions. A young ruler came to Jesus one day in Matthew 19:16-22. He
wanted to know what he needed to do to get to heaven. While he had
�supposedly� keep the law his whole life, he was still searching for
something more. Jesus told him sell all you have, give to the poor and
follow me. The rich ruler went away sorrowful because he had many
possessions. A classic story of how possessions had stolen the young
ruler�s heart. While having material possessions are good, they can easily
turn into a hindrance when you get sucked into believing the only thing that
matters is getting a bigger and better things.
The saying �as long as your good, everything will work out� is also a big
fat lie. This one is tricky. It sounds like a good proposition. If I�m
good, then good will come to me. This is also a crooked way of getting us
to believe we can earn our way, which is false thinking. First off, no one
is good according to the bible. Psalm 53:3 �Every one of them has turned
aside;They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No,
not one.� Even Jesus said no one is good, but God in Mark 10:18 �So Jesus
said to him, �Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is,
God.� Even if we were good, no one ever experiences all good through his/her
life. There will always be times of disappointment, sorrow, pain, fear, and
trials.
By wise therefore and follow Christ. Study what Jesus taught. Live by His
standards and you�ll find life to the fullest. Learn to walk by the Spirit
and not after the flesh and these things will have less of a pull on you
(Galatians 5:16).
For in Him, Jesus, dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And the very
good news is He dwells within you (2 Corinthians 1:21-23). That means we
have the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form living inside of us. He is
right there with us every moment! All we need to do is turn to Him, allow
Him to work through us, changing us into His image.
John�s motto from John 3:30 �I must decrease and Him increase�, therefore,
should be our motto too. Jesus should be increasing in us, as we, ourselves
are decreasing. Christ is the head of all principality and power.
Everything that exists, even the spiritual realm we can�t see, was created
by Him for His pleasure. He thought it all up, knowing everything about us
before we were even created. He knew exactly what we would need to get
along in this life.
Did you know you have everything you need to live out a godly life until
Christ returns? You do according to 2 Peter 1:3. We are complete in Him.
We need nothing more, because absolutely everything that�s required has
already been given to us.
Stand firm, cling to Christ and do not be deceived.
In Christ's Love,
Elizabeth Marks
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Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:4-7 NKJV
Have you ever been deceived with persuasive words? How do you become deceived? Someone tells you something that sounds like the truth and may have some truth in it, but ultimately it is not the whole truth and you believe it. We know where these lies come from, don't we? Jesus said this about satan in John 8:43-45 "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."
If you were a carpenter you would not take someone's word that the cut is straight or measure correctly, you would measure and cut it yourself to make sure it is exactly right otherwise the item you're building could come out all wrong and would be wasteful of all that time and material.
How do you know you're being deceived by some who teaches the Word of God? You find out for yourself. Search the scriptures to know if it's true, like the Bereans did ( Acts 17:11 ) when they heard the gospel. I would expect you'd do the same with this article. Look up the verses for yourself, to make sure they are not twisted out of context.
We need not fear though. John 8:31-32 "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." We also have the Holy Spirit guiding us in all truth ( John 16-13 ).
"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." Did you notice the process outlined here? First you receive Christ Jesus the Lord, then you walk in Him. Next your become rooted, grounded and built up in Him, which establishes your faith and ultimately brings thanksgiving.
How do you walk in Him? Follow His examples and obey His commands. Galatians 5:16 "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." How do you become rooted and built up in Him? Read His Word and be transformed in your thinking ( Romans 12:2 ). Keep your focus on Him and His ways and be watchful of His activities in your life. How about being established in faith? Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
There are many practical ways to do the things outlined above. Read your bible daily. Join a bible study. Talk about what you learn with other believers. Keep a prayer journal, noting when the answers come. Start thanking God for who He is. Keep your thoughts focused on things that are lovely, pure, true, praise worthy, excellent and of good repute ( Philippians 4:8-9 ).
Let me leave you with Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."
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In Christ's Love,
Elizabeth Marks
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For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3 NKJV
There is a conflict within those who are called. I'm not sure conflict is the right word. I mean there is burden within that causes one to act. Paul had this burden in his heart for all people. It caused him to reach out and encourage people everywhere.
Paul's desire is the people's hearts may be encouraged. Everyone needs encouragement at one time or another. Acts 27:36 "Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves." Encouragement enables someone to continue on. Isn't that what we need, to continue on in our faith, no matter what may come?
Paul wanted believers to be knitted to together or united in love. For Jesus taught us in John 13:33-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Allowing love to reign in our lives, sets us up for receiving the full assurance of understanding and knowledge of God. If we are not allowing love to temper our thoughts, attitudes, actions and behaviors, we not be able to grasp God's business in our lives and in the lives of others. Hebrews 10:22 "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Where do we get this knowledge of God? It comes from God's Word as the psalmist said in Psalm 119:66 "Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments." Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction."
So my prayer for all who read this is Hebrews 6:11 "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end".
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1:24-29 NKJV
Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:11-12 that we would be persecuted for His sake: "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." While persecution is not pleasant or easy, in once sense it is
good. Being reviled for His sake, indicates that you are living "Christ-like" and that should be a blessing knowing you're on the right track.
Two things speak to me about "I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God," that Paul spoke. One is he didn't assume the position of minister. He was given the job by God. Romans 11:29 "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Some might say it was his "calling". However you refer to it, it is something God ordained and it compels you to comply. For me, writing is like that. I simply must write. I am obedient to get to the computer, but it is God speaking the words through my fingers as I type.
The second thing that spoke to me is the reason the position of minister is given. It's not given for selfish reasons. It's given to benefit of others and to fulfill the word of God. Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). In His wisdom, he gave people gifts, talents and abilities for the purpose of fulfilling His word. 1 Corinthians 12 has a lot to say about these God given gifts. These gifts are to be used to build up the body of Christ and so doing will fulfill the word of God.
When Paul said the mystery would be revealed to His saints, he was referring to the Holy Spirit in us. Look at what Jesus said in John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." Jesus further explained in John 16:13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He
will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." The Spirit of Christ living in us does the revealing of God's mysteries. Little by little as these mysteries are made known to us, the hope of glory we have increases, bring with it an overflowing joy.
Paul says "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Remember, that God's word is good for correction, teaching, rebuking and training man in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Therefore, we need to stay in God's word to continue being equipped for His work.
Lastly, Paul says his labor and striving is God's working in him. Paul recognized God's work and allowed God to bring it about in Paul's life. It's like that for us. Some times it's hard to step aside and simply allow God to work through us. We so easily want to handle it on our own, or think we know the best way to accomplish something. But God works differently. Our job is to listen for His prompting and then follow through with it. We do, we see the amazing things He does through us and we can easily give all the glory to God because we know we never could have caused the thing to come about with His might working in us. Let us go on to find out what Zechariah learned in Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the LORD of hosts."
Are you letting God's Spirit work in you?
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:21-23 NKJV
Would you be willing to die for someone else to live? Most people would answer no. Scripture says Romans 5:7-8 "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die." If your salvation depended on a human dying for you, you'd be in big trouble. Thankfully, it depends only on Jesus Christ dying for you.
Look at Romans 5:8, it says "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." We were sinners, alienated, and enemies in our minds by wicked works and lack of belief. And yet, God loved us and died for us anyway!
Through Jesus' death on the cross our old sinful nature is put to death. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Romans 6:4 "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Isaiah 61:10 says "For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness". Jesus' righteousness now covers us to present us to the Father as pure, holy, blameless and above reproach in His sight. We are made this way for a reason as 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 says "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation."
Colossians 1:23 "If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel", the word of reconciliation may go out to all the world, as God has purposed it. Philippians 1:27 "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel". Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."
Therefore may you be like Psalm 111:8 "They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness."
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:19-20 NKJV
In the beginning, God made the world in a certain order and pattern. He didn't just randomly throw it all together. He methodically created it all one piece at a time, with order and in order. Read Genesis 1, to see for yourself. God is the God of order, not of chaos as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
Part of His plan, was laying out the foundation of how God operates with His creation. For God to be a loving God, He can not allow evil to go unpunished. Therefore, He set up a way for the people's sins to be passed to an animal, which was then killed as an offering to the Lord. The Old Testament provides a picture of how the death of an animal, paid for sins committed by the people, but the offerings had to take place over and over again. It never took away the people's sin, only pacified the penalty of sin by killing an animal instead. The penalty of sin is death ( Romans 6:23 ). There is no forgiveness of sin, without death. The Old Testament
offering system was meant to be a shadow of the things to come.
God, not wanting anyone to perish from their own sin ( John 3:16 ), decided He would reconcile the world to Himself, through death on the cross and put an end to the ritual of animal sacrifice.
He knew from the beginning we would sin, but loved us any way, sending His son Jesus to die in our place, when we were still His enemies because of our sin ( Romans 5:11 ).
Are you trusting in God's love today?
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For
by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or
powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before
all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body,
the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all
things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:15-18 NKJV
No one has ever seen God, they say. But Jesus said in John 14:9 �He who has
seen Me has seen the Father�. Jesus Christ is God - He is the image of the
invisible God, who reigns over all creation. He gave us His Spirit to
confirm that truth in us. John 16:13 �However, when He, the Spirit of truth,
has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own
authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things
to come.�
Before anything was created, Jesus was there, with God and was God. John
1:1-4 describes Jesus this way: �In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All
things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was
made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.� Everything
exists by Him, meaning He holds it all together and for Him, meaning all of
this is for His pleasure.
I once saw a television program that was doing a story about a headless
chicken. There was this farmer, who went to collect a chicken for dinner.
He proceeded to cut of it�s head, but the chicken squirmed out of the
farmer�s hand and ran around. The chicken, no joke, lived for more than two
weeks without a head! How can this be? They had footage of the chicken
being hand feed by pouring the food down it�s throat! Yikes! My apologies
if this is too graphic, but it�s a great illustration. Can a body function
with out a head? Not usually.
How often do we, as Christians, operate like the chicken without a head? By
that I mean, we squirm out of our Lord�s hands and want to do things our way
instead of His way. Now, with the chicken it only lived a shorted while.
What would happen if we chose to disconnect from the head? How long would
we last?
There are plenty of pictures of this principle in scripture. Let�s look at
just three.
� John 15:5 �I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I
in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.� Can a branch
cut off from the vine survive? No, it withers and dies over several days.
� Psalm 1:3 �He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That
brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And
whatever he does shall prosper.� Can a tree survive without water? Of
course not. Given plenty of water it produces fruit. The same can be said
for the Christian and God�s Word.
� Romans 12:5 �For as we have many members in one body, but all the members
do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and individually members of one another.� We are described as a member of
the body, just like we have a hand or foot or a kidney (for that matter) in
our physical body.
If we are the body, who is the head you might ask? Jesus Christ is the head
of the body of Christ. So let us remember to hold fast to the Head as said
in Colossians 2:18-20 ��holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body,
nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase
that is from God.�
Are you holding fast to Christ the head? If not, why?
In Christ's Love,
Elizabeth Marks
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For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 9-12 NKJV
As God's Word goes out it brings forth fruit that God intends ( Isaiah 55:11 ), for this reason Paul doesn't cease to pray for the Colossians. Philippians 3:17 "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." Paul lays out a wonderful example for us to follow in this section of scripture.
First, Paul says he does not cease to pray for them. This is very encouraging. Knowing someone is praying for you may help you feel loved, wanted and cared for. To have someone remember you and your needs in prayer and lift you up to the Father demonstrate love for one another. John 13:34-36 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Second, Paul moves on to explain what he prays for. He asks that they may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. I can't think of a better thing to pray for. Knowing that Isaiah 55:9 says "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." We can never fully understand the mind of God, so praying for knowledge of His will, wisdom and spiritual understanding is definitely a good idea.
Next Paul moves on to the action part, praying that they may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing and being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. We are representatives of Christ as such our thoughts, behaviors, attitudes and actions in this life reflect Him just as light let's us see in the dark. Matthew 5:14-15 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Paul prays for them to be fruitful in every good work and we all know the only way to be fruitful is to allow ourselves to walk by the Spirit as Romans 8:4 says "that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Paul also addresses "the how" part when he prays that they be strengthened
with all might, according to His glorious power. It's by God's Spirit, not our own, that we are given strength according to Ephesians 3:16 "to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man"
Paul also prays for all patience and longsuffering with joy. Who couldn't use patience? Just when you think you've learned patience in one area, another area starts showing it needs patience too. How about longsuffering with joy? Did you know that when you are suffering and you display joy in the amidst of it you are a testimony of Christ? Matthew 5:12-13 says, "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."
Finally, Paul ends his prayers with thanks to God for qualifying us to be partakers in His inheritance with the saints. Giving thanks is showing appreciation towards God. It's demonstrates an awareness that all good comes from God as James 1:17 says "Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father"
So now you know how to pray. Who can you start praying for today?
which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:6-8 NKJV
The word of God, the truth of the gospel which came to the Colossians also goes out in all the world to bring forth fruit. In Isaiah 55:11 God says "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."God's Word always brings forth fruit in the form of changed minds, changed attitudes, changed hearts, changed lifestyles, and changed lives. Someone who studies the Word of God and allows it to transform ( Romans 12:2 ) them is like what Psalm 1:3 describes: "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That
brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper." God says in Proverbs 8:19 "My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver." Jesus taught us the importance of checking out other's fruits in Matthew 7:15-21 when he said "You will know them by their fruits." Especially important is examining those who teach God's Word. We need to be wise and check out what they say against the Word of God to be sure what they teach is true. Just like the Bereans did in Paul's time. Acts 17:10-12 "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." We have a helper who does that in our lives. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 "These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." Thank God we have Him to discern spiritual things. What about you? Do you listen to teachers or pastors and check out what
they're saying by looking it up for yourself in God's Word? Be wise, search scripture to validate the truth.
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, Colossians 1:4-5 NKJV
The Colossians had faith, love and hope, so much so that it was heard of by others who didn't live in Colosse. When you think about faith, love, and hope what do you suppose are the identifying attributes that cause people to take notice? Faith is trusting in God no matter what the circumstance may look like. Let's look at a few versus where Jesus points out faith of
others. In Matthew 8:9-11 in the story of the centurion "When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" The Centurion believed and told Jesus to just say the word and his servant would be healed. In Matthew 9:1-3 "Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith..." Jesus probably got a kick out of seeing these 4 guys tear up the roof to lower their paralytic friend down in front of Jesus to be healed. These friends acted so their friend could be healed. Their faith was demonstrated. Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith demonstrates belief. We can see how important faith is in Matthew 9:29 "Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." If things are done according to our faith, then we better start implementing our faith, don't you think! What about hope? How can you tell someone has hope? If they have hope, they have faith. No hope, no faith. The two are integrated and can not be separated. Hebrews 6:19 says "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast". 1 Peter 1:13 says we should rest in hope: "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ;" In who do we hope? 1 Peter 1:20-22 tells us "so that your faith and hope are in God." Having hope in our Lord, means we wait patiently for His promises to come to pass. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 "remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father". Remember every word He speaks will not return void as Isaiah 55:11 says "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." We've looked at faith and hope, now we'll look at love. How is love demonstrated? Luke gives us a clue in Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High." God's love is greater for John says John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus said in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." We too, should lay aside our selves for the love of others. Why do we love, because Jesus commanded it. John 13:34-36 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Apparently, the Colossians were doing all this and Paul takes note of it and re-confirms they are following the truth of the gospel. This reminds me to always affirm others when I see them following the word of God too! Who can you affirm today?
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Colossians 1:3 NKJV
Thanks to God is the first clue that our thoughts on fixed on Him. Are we giving thanks to God at every turn? See what Paul says about giving thanks in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Being thankful is God's will for us, so in everything let us give thanks. Before I came to Christ, my thoughts were not very positive and I found it difficult to give thanks readily. Now, being a new creation in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) it's much easier giving thanks. Sometimes, I wake up in the morning with thankfulness and praise to God on my mind. How wonderful it is! Prayer is the next clue that your relationship with God is flourishing. Paul mentions he is always praying for the Colossians. How often are you in prayer, once a day or throughout the day? Here's the key -- pray always. The psalmist knew it in Psalm 55:17 "Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice." If Jonah could pray from the belly of a fish in Jonah 2:1 "Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly." Then we can certainly pray in whatever condition we find ourselves. Even when we don't know what to pray the Holy Spirit in us helps us for in Romans 8:26 is says "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Where can you start being thankful today?
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:1-2 NKJV
Paul is always pointing to Christ and to God. Paul did not boast about himself, though he could have. Remember his list of accomplishments? Philippians 3:4-6 "though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." Paul had plenty to brag about, but he didn't because he no longer depended on those things to define who he was. Instead he lived according to Psalm 44:8 "In God we boast all day long, And praise Your name forever." Paul says he;s an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, meaning he did not choose Christ, but Christ chose him. We have been chosen too. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 "But we are bound to give thanks to God
always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth..." In the last part of today's verse, notice how Paul uses words like brother, saint and faithful brethren in Christ, Paul's reference to these words is confirming that we are all one in Christ ( Romans 12:5 ). He
belong together. Now, who wouldn't be encouraged if they were called "faithful brethren" in a greeting? Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ seems to be Paul's unique opening in his letters. Again, he points to the only source of grace and peace -- God and Jesus Christ.
