Freedom from Human Rules

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” Colossians 2:16-17: This section of scripture begins with the word “therefore”. The previous messages are “there for” us to grasp why we can be free from deceptions and legalism. The previous section pointed out all that Christ is to us now. Here, Paul is describing a dedication that goes far beyond true Christian discipline and seeks to please God by extreme forms of self-denial.

Dedication and discipline have a proper role in the Christian life. The proper motivation to make yourself do what God wants you to do is simply because you love him. Paul has already commended the Colossians because they led disciplined, well-ordered lives. But discipline can become a god when the motive is to look good and thereby to win the approval of others and God.

Paul declares these rituals, are a mere "shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." Once the reality has been realized, shadows are no longer of any value. Shadows, given in advance, are pictures designed to prepare us for something. Once you have found Christ, you do not need the shadows any more. Paul includes the Sabbath day as an example. By placing your priority on honoring the Sabbath instead putting the priority on the relationship with God, defeats the purpose of honoring a holy day. Jesus should be the center of all life and the source of excitement in a Christian's experience. To place primary value on the shadow is to ignore the source of excitement and vitality in life. That is the danger in observing shadows. 

“Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind” Colossians 2:18: The key characteristics here are "false humility and worship of angels." 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. Today we see this played out under the name of the New Age Movement. At the heart of it, this claim is to seek the true “Oneness” in the universe. This claim is the way to escape from being centered in oneself, and so move into the fullness of knowledge of the universe. That is why Paul refers to it here as a "false humility." It claims to move you beyond self, but they actually focus on self and the real goal is to develop the powers of self. 

“They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.” Colossians 2:19:  Mysticism, a compulsive following of spirit guides, always stops growth. Someone who becomes involved in these kinds of teachings cuts himself off from the Head. When the head is cut off a human body, you die. According to the apostle, the same thing happens when anyone has lost contact with the Head of the church which is Jesus. Also at loss is the connection to the church; the body of Christ. When we are no longer fed by teachers and by shepherds of the church, the "ligaments and sinews", growth stops completely. The process which God himself has outlined in his Word is "Follow me". His ways of growing in the knowledge and understanding of Spirit and Truth is the only way to true growth and maturity.

“Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:  “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” Colossians 2:20-21: In the church this becomes what is called "legalism," which is to pursue holiness by self-effort, instead of accepting the holiness that God freely gives, by faith, and then living it out in terms of experience. A legalistic look at life says, "Everything is wrong unless you can prove by the Bible that it is right. Therefore, we must have nothing to do with anything that the Bible does not say is right." That reduces life to a very narrow range of activity. But the biblical Christian looks at life and says, "Everything is right! God has given us a world to enjoy and live in. Everything is right, unless the Bible specifically says it is wrong or is proven through the violation of Biblical principle." Some things are wrong; they are harmful and dangerous. Adultery and sexual promiscuity is wrong. Lying and stealing are wrong. But there is so much that is left open to us that is good. If we are willing to obey God in the areas that he designates as harmful and dangerous, then we have the rest of life to enter into in company with a Savior who loves us, and who guides and guards us in our walk with Him.

“These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.” Colossians 2:22: Paul says that whatever benefit practicing legalism may gain it is only temporary, it all ends at death. Outwardly you look good, but inwardly you are like a grave full of rotting bones. Stubborn to continue to live with the appearance of certain status and privilege will eventually prove in the end, legalism is worthless.

“Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” Colossians 2:23:  Paul declares these things are of no value in restraining the indulgence of the flesh. People may outwardly appear dedicated and disciplined, but inwardly sin rages unchecked. Inside they are angry, resentful, filled with a spirit of bitterness. Many people suffer this condition and even some Christians have this problem. They are trying to manage the externals instead of walking in the fullness of life with Jesus Christ, finding the inward purity and cleansing that only He provides.

The world is full of distractions and things that lead us away from God. We need to be constantly in the Bible being fed by the Word and led by the Holy Spirit. Even within the church we can be unknowingly misled or also lose our focus and direction. Where is your spiritual growth centered? What is the difference between an absolute, your convictions, and a preference? When do you make a stand? 

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

Paul warns the Colossians to beware of false teachers and not to go near them if they valued their spiritual freedom. We are reminded here by Paul that spiritual fullness is found only in Christ, who is fully God. God went to tremendous lengths to secure this blessing of fullness for us. He sent his Son Jesus to earth in human form to die a brutal death on the cross. Jesus’ death paid for our release from the stranglehold of sin and death, and it enables our entry into a new life of spiritual blessing and strength. God provided this costly redemption, not so that we would be content with a mediocre Christian walk or satisfied with a stifled spirituality, but so that we would enjoy a profoundly close and vital union with him for eternity—starting now.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7: The object here is to persuade them and us, not to get off course from the views they had of Christ when He was made known to them. As a tree grows its roots deep in the soil, so our faith should grow deep into our hearts, developing a resounding desire and praise for relationship with Him. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus taught that, “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear [the word of God], but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (Luke 8:14-15). We must allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate the soil of our hearts and so enable God’s word to flourish, be fruitful, and multiply in and through us. Fruitfulness and love are signs of Christ’s fullness within us.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8: When a person comes to know Jesus as their savior, their spirit is joined in union with the Holy Spirit. Something also happens in the soul that causes a change; the eyes of our understanding are opened to a great extent when we are saved. Our mind, which is part of the soul, changes to a degree, but we still are plagued by much of our mind that is still finding pleasures in the flesh. That is why we are instructed not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2) We need to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds if we are to keep free of deception and worldly influences.

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10:  As man, Jesus was not merely God-like, but in the fullest sense, He is God. These words declare that the perfect Godhead is in Christ. He has all of the attributes of God; His unchangeable power, strength, character, etc., are all in Jesus. Father, Son, Holy Ghost, and Word are all in Jesus. In Christ we have been brought into fullness. Through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we were given a new birth, a new beginning, and a new nature (John 3:1-16).

Spiritual fullness in Christ is possible because of who He is and what He has done. First, we are complete and made perfect in Jesus because He is all the fullness of God. When we accepted the invitation of grace, He made His presence known in our hearts and minds. He now lives in us and through us. Second, our standing and position in Christ is guaranteed. His work on the cross is finished. We have been reconciled and redeemed (Ephesians 1:7-8). All the requirements of the law have been met through His atoning sacrifice (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2). He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17), removing the barrier of sin between God and humanity (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). We have been justified, made pure and righteous at the moment of salvation (Romans 3:24-28; 5:1), therefore we are now, new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). He is our advocate, mediator and assurance and so through His never ending love for us, we’ve been sanctified, set apart and made holy unto God by the Spirit to grow out of sin and more fully into Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1Peter 1:2).

“In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12: A foreshadow or pictures of things to come, external circumcision was performed by hands of man. God, the Divine Physician and Healer, cuts away the “flesh” and sinful desires from our spiritual heart. Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have died to sin and risen in Christ (Romans 6:4-14).  

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14: Because of a sinful nature, we were spiritually dead, deprived of the life of grace, and separated from the life of glory. The law was against us, condemned us and opposed us. He disarmed the law, with its legalistic rules and regulations. On the cross, He became the ransom for many, canceling the debt of sin in full (Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:15.)

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15: Christ, as an absolute conqueror, publicly displayed His power over Satan, and over all the powers of darkness, defeated the enemy in view of heaven and earth.  

Like a tree needs healthy soil, water and sunlight to be firmly rooted and to flourish, we continue to be built-up in the fullness of God when we immerse ourselves in his love, in his ways, in his Spirit, and in his Word. Our Christian walk should be a journey towards spiritual maturity that allows us to experience more and more of Christ’s fullness. We should always be seeking Him, listening to the Holy Spirits guidance, and growing in knowledge of Him. 

Countering Deception

Paul has never met the Colossians church face to face. Paul has only heard about them from Epaphras, who it seems was the one who founded the churches. Paul is working hard and suffering for them in particular. He is concerned that the Colossians avoid a certain deception that threatens the church and his letter is designed to further this end: “For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face.” Colossians 2:1.

Paul’s desire for them is that their hearts be united. He suggests that the encouragement and unity of the community in love is a means to understanding and knowledge of Christ. Such knowledge is primarily available to a community of encouraged, united, and loving followers of Christ: “I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3.

The riches that Paul says is available to a community united, is cognitive in nature; “assured understanding,” “knowledge of God’s mystery,” “wisdom and knowledge.” While these are at least some of the riches of Christ’s glory and surely not restricted to the mental process of understanding, perceiving, judgement, etc., it may be that Paul emphasizes these riches due to the Colossians had been misled into seeking secret knowledge by false teachers.  Paul contends that knowledge they might want or need is to be found in Christ and in Him alone.

Paul suggests that in Christ our understanding is assured in a way that it is not otherwise. For the Gnostics, special knowledge was the means to freedom from an evil material world. For Paul, knowledge of Christ and wisdom about how to live this earthly life is the end result of appropriate community bonding to Christ. Paul directs the Colossians not to mere knowledge, but to Christ and his community as a means to knowledge and wisdom.

“I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:4-5.

Paul states that his purpose in reminding the Colossians that Christ is the right way to understanding, knowledge, and wisdom and that no one may deceive them with plausible arguments. The deceptive arguments pushed the Colossians toward disunity rather than the loving unity Paul urges, and toward a kind of knowledge apart from Christ that left them unsure of themselves, contrary to the assured understanding and knowledge that Paul says is to be found in Christ.

Paul reminds them that although he is not physically with them, he is with them “in spirit.” This phrase seems to suggest that Paul views himself as connected with the Colossians by God’s in-dwelling Holy Spirit—“Christ in you” and that the Colossians are on his mind and in his heart despite his physical absence. Paul’s joyful hope is that they would have firm faith in Christ, and that they would have strong morale. Paul’s hope seems to be that they would be firm not only in their faith in Christ, but disciplined to resist false teachings.

What can we learn from this passage? Paul suggests that it is deceptive to think that one could go it alone—“Just me and Jesus”—and have the kind of firm, living faith in Christ that is able to resist deceptive teachings. If we are to maintain a firm hold on the truth, we must gather together in our pursuit of Jesus. Alone, we are all too vulnerable to discouragement and believable but deceptive arguments.

Paul’s Labor for the Church

“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;  in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:3-10.

The Apostle Paul endured great hardship for the sake of the Gospel. He did so for the cause of Christ and for the sake of the Church: “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24.

Paul presents the Gospel and while it is magnificent and glorious all on its own, the Gospel goes out to gather believers into worship and place them into a position to fulfill their highest purpose; to be true followers of Christ, becoming more like Him, manifesting spiritual fruit, bringing glorify to God:

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:25-27.

Paul abandoned the world, using his resources, giving all glory to God. Paul gave all of his resources, his time and energy, for the sake of the Gospel and glory of God in Christ and the welfare and growth of the body of Christ: “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:28.

No one can deny that Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was called to preach the Gospel to all who had ears to hear. His authority came from God and not from other humans: “To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:29.

The Bible teaches that the church has an exclusive work on earth, bringing of the lost to God through Christ. This is accomplished through evangelism, edification, and giving to those in need. Jesus said, "Go preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. Paul reproved the church: "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church." I Corinthians 14:12. The church is to practice giving, and in this way to bear one another's burdens. It's important to be willing to give, both to the Lord and His Church and to other people in need: “the righteous give without sparing.” Proverbs 21:26.

God gives us grace to rest. We need to let go and stop trying to control everything. Christianity is not a works based faith, where we labor to gain approval from God. However, the call to rest in Christ is not a call to laziness. The first step to action requires awareness and seeing the need of those around you. Many people start something but do not finish it. It is a rare and beautiful experience to carry out the responsibility to finish the thing God has called you to do. Sometimes the change we need to make in ourselves begins when we start with helping those around us. What it that God has put in your heart, seeing the need, His call to you for action?

The Supremacy of Christ

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.

Nothing can rival the place of Jesus in our lives. He is Lord over all. Colossians is a letter committed to heightening the impact of the person and power of Jesus Christ and His absolute supremacy. Paul presents Jesus as Lord over creation, the church, and all ministries. Paul gives seven reasons why Jesus is supreme: First, He is the perfect resemblance and representation of God. The very nature and being of God have been perfectly revealed in Him: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15.

Second, Jesus is supreme because in Him all things were created. Everything in the universe continues to exist because of Him: “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17.

Jesus is supreme because He is the head of the church and also supreme because He is firstborn from among the dead. Christ rose from the dead never to die again. His resurrection marked His triumph and supremacy over death forever: “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:18.

Fifth reason Paul gives Jesus is supreme is all the fullness dwells in Him. The Divine nature in all its fullness dwells in Christ. Fullness means completeness. Paul says the full and complete deity dwells, abides permanently, and supremely in Jesus Christ. He is the absolute and perfect God: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:19-20.

Jesus is supreme because we have peace with God through His blood and the last reason given is Jesus is the Reconciler. We have received reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Peace has been made through His blood. God is not reconciled to us; we are reconciled to Him by Jesus Christ: 

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:21-23.

Stumbling Blocks that hinder Spiritual Growth

As Christians, we are called to move forward in our faith. The apostle Paul set the example for us when he said: "I press toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14). You are not supposed to stay in the same place spiritually year after year. God wants you to grow. But often we get stuck, usually because of one of these six roadblocks:

Lack of spiritual hunger:  God is looking for people who refuse to be content with where they were last year. You must ask the Holy Spirit to set your heart ablaze with a desire for more of His presence and power. David is our example of spiritual hunger. He wrote: "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after You, O God" (Psalm 42:1). We can't use our discouragement as an excuse. David fanned the flames of spiritual fervor even when he felt like quitting.

Laziness: Paul exhorted the Romans, (see chapter 12:11-12) to be "fervent in spirit," but first he warned them not to be lazy. If you are sitting on your dreams or procrastinating when you should be growing your faith, the "lazy" label applies. Be consistent and keep going.

Unpacked baggage: The Israelites who left Egypt could have marched into the Promised Land in a matter of weeks, but they ended up in a holding pattern for 40 years. Why? They were dragging their sin with them. The more weight you drag behind you, the less likely it is that you will reach your destination. You may think you can manage your sin, but it is more powerful than you are. Repent, confess your weakness to someone else and get free.

Fear of change: Nothing will keep you in spiritual limbo like fear. It paralyzes. Some people keep their dreams inside them for decades—and then they take them to the grave. If you want to grow, you must take risks. Don't let your fear of public speaking, airplanes, crowds, strangers or people's criticism stop you from trusting in the God who is bigger than all those things.

Shallow relationships:  Abraham had to part ways with Lot because they had very different goals. Lot had a selfish motive, and Abraham was fully surrendered to God's plan. If you spend all your time with selfish people who are content to live spiritually fruitless lives, you will end up just like them. Some people don't want God's presence. Don't let them drag you down.

A religious spirit: God does not stay in the same place or do things the same way. His character is unchangeable, but He always has a fresh word and a new anointing to pour on His people. Don't let religious inflexibility keep you from experiencing the adventure of following His Spirit. 

Foundation for Godliness

“When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’  On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:11-13. There is a common misconception that believers should be perfect. Pretending to have our lives in order, many of us wear happy faces and speak words that sound acceptable. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings, as if they should not exist. Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we’re born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous. Yet our battle with sin continues till we arrive in heaven. In fact, striving for perfection actually can be a trap that pulls us away from living a godly life. Functioning in this way is a form of relying on our own capability. Jesus said that He came to heal the spiritually sick because they recognized their weakness. With an awareness of our inadequacy comes the realization of our need for Him. The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn’t care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness. This is the foundation for godliness. We should accept our neediness and seek God passionately. Doing so allows the following attributes to develop: a hunger for God’s Word, faithful service, deepening trust, and decision-making based upon principle rather than preference. Patiently and mercifully, God matures us. Be careful not to cover up your sins in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without recognition and confession of our sinfulness, we are unable to rely fully on God. It is only with this awareness that we can passionately seek Him, obey in His strength, and confess with repentance when we miss the mark.

Back to Life

What we look at occupies our thought life and our words. What we think about and talk about become our beliefs. Thoughts influence our feelings that produce desires which lead to actions. Our thoughts, words, feelings, beliefs, desires, and actions all sit at the throne of the heart which defines a person’s character: “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7.

We have control over the quality of our hearts. The quest for character requires that certain things be kept “in” the heart as well as kept “from” the heart. An unguarded heart spells disaster. A well-guarded heart means survival. If you hope to survive harsh circumstances, overcoming each difficulty and attack, you will have to guard your heart as you seek to keep it on the right path to knowing God’s will. The Bible says to listen closely to what it has to say and to take hold of it, staying fixed upon it. The writer emphasizes guarding the heart because the heart affects the quality of health and all of life:

“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:20-27.

The way we think, positive or negative, grows stronger with constant repetition. This may explain why so many people are gloomy and gray stay in that mood, and why others who are enthusiastic and cheerful continue to be so even though they are going through difficult circumstances. The Bible tells us what to think about:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8.

It is God’s will for us to summit to His ways. His way is a better way. If we are ever to get the Christian life right, we have to give up doing it the way that suits us and stop following the patterns of the world. The things we look at, the way we talk, desires, actions, all of it, all belongs to Him. We don’t have to stumble blindly in the dark. God sheds light through His Word and tells us how He wants us to live:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Paul is a prisoner in Rome while he writes this letter to the faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse. It is very likely that Paul also wrote to Philemon during this time. In Philemon 1:23 Paul mentions Epaphras and refers to him as his fellow prisoner in Jesus Christ, and mentions him again in Colossians 1:7. Paul's prayer is centered on God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul always gives thanks for God's work in the lives of others. Paul lays a goal before his readers; while he uses the triad of faith, love and hope to commend the Colossians, it also serves to set out the objectives of Christian life. Every task that we perform, every calling we hear, every burden we respond to, every act of worship and every opportunity to witness should aim to strengthen our faith, love and hope:  

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.” Colossians 1:3-8.

The Apostles were mindful of the Colossians and prayed for them frequently and constantly, just as we should be mindful, lifting up one another in prayer. Paul doesn’t pray that we have a "knowledge" of God’s will, for some knowledge of it we have already. What he asks for is that we might be "filled" with the knowledge of it, which supposes that we do have knowledge, but that our knowledge is not full and complete, but imperfect, and that we might have a larger measure of it, and such a fullness of it as we are able, in our present state. He adds that we be led into all the wisdom of God, the revelation of His will concerning the salvation of His people, and that we have a "spiritual understanding" of the mysteries of grace:  

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding.” Colossians 1:9

Paul prays that knowledge be put into practice, for knowledge without practice is useless. He first asks for knowledge and then practice, for we cannot act according to the will of God unless we know it. And when we know it, we should not be content in our knowledge, but put it in practice bearing fruit in every good work. We are like trees planted by the Lord and the good work is the fruit. We give thanks to God for all our knowledge, and the increase of it and all our fruitfulness in good works, for all blessings and increase are from Him. We have abundant reason to give thanks to the Father for our heavenly inheritance, freely given to us since we are not worthy of how great the inheritance is:

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his saints in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:10-12 

God in His power and grace delivered us from the enemy which is sin, darkness, blindness, ignorance, and unbelief. We are internally called, and brought us powerfully out of this darkness, by introducing light to us, revealing Christ in us, causing the enemy to flee, and the scales of darkness and blindness to fall from our eyes:

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14.

Christ, Our All in All

The apostle Paul wrote the book of Colossians. It carries an enormously significant message that speaks to believers at all times and in all places. Paul strongly warns the Colossians about false teaching that emphasizes human philosophy and teachings that diminishes Christ. The key theme of this book is Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Paul’s emphasis is “In Christ” we are united in Christ, complete in Christ, dead and risen with Christ, and hidden with Christ. He wrote this letter to help them stay on course.

The book of Colossians helps all who are tempted to take their focus off Jesus. Paul’s letter to the Colossians is his greatest declaration that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the very image of God, the preexistent sustainer of all things and the reconciler of all things:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation…He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:15, 17-18.

Gnosticism is a false teaching that “superior knowledge” is required. It attacks the adequacy and deity of Jesus Christ in a subtle and alluring matter. Like most false teachings, false teachers slither into a person’s life in a subtle manner. They don’t attack Jesus out right; they simply include Him as one option among many. We need to be careful who we listen to. We need to know what we believe and in whom we believe:

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10.

Legalism is a false teaching that “superior behavior” is required. The Colossians believers were in danger of turning their focus from Christ alone to keeping legalistic regulations and religious ceremonies. This human philosophy threatened to disconnect believers from the Head, Jesus Christ. Paul declared that Christ, and Christ alone, deserved center stage in their lives, and in ours.

We can learn four lessons from studying the book of Colossians: First, Jesus Christ is first, not among many, but supreme. He is Lord of all. There is nothing above or equal to Him.

Second, the infiltration of heresy is subtle, not bold and offensive. There is a powerful pull toward false teachings that add some human element to the pure gospel of Christ. We must be well-grounded in the foundations of the faith in order to resist.

Third, the way we live our lives is important. The way we treat other people is relevant. The way we handle success and failure speaks volume. People are watching how we live and how we are at work. The world is watching us and so is God. Ultimately we will answer to our Maker. Our diligence underscores and reveals the substance of what we believe.

Forth, people are eternal souls made in the image of God, not anonymous faces. You never become so important that people become unimportant. We were created to be in relationship and it is necessary to remind ourselves of the way God calls us to relate to one another. We must be careful to not become so preoccupied with all the programs and all the plans and all the projects that people become a second thought. Our lives are a call to serve. We serve our Lord Jesus Christ and we serve our brothers and sisters whom He has placed in our lives.  

Reading the book of Colossians provides a whole new perspective on the way you think about Jesus Christ. From time to time, we need a fresh vision of Jesus. Colossians is a letter committed to heightening the impact of the person and power of Jesus Christ. He is the One who dominates this letter to the Colossians. He is Lord, He is our life, He is our love; He is our everything. Christ and Christ alone!