Colossians 4:18 "In Chains"

Colossians 4:18.

"I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." NIV

Many of us feel as if we are bound up in chains. The stresses and pressures of life imprison us in a cell of duty, routine, deadlines, demands, failures, disappointments, and even by some of the things that actually bring us joy like friends and family. We can feel like we are a foot shorter carrying the weight of the world on our backs. And then we read this simple line, "Remember my chains."

Believers all around the world are in chains for Christ -- physical, emotional, or spiritual. They have done nothing wrong except to proclaim Jesus as Lord. Their lives are a jumble of uncertainty as they strive to serve the Lord and hide from the authorities. Some have been restrained in the physical battle by actually chains. Their lives are reduced to a small dark cell. They are left to simply pray and remember the Scripture they have learned. Each breath they take will be the one to leads them into another day of torture or to eternity. They are the persecuted ones.

The daily grind of living holds no comparison to the chains of persecution. My life is a breeze compared to theirs, yet I'm also challenged by them. Do I do enough for the Father? Why am I blessed to live in a country where I can worship freely? Why am I able to bow my head to pray in a restaurant without fear of being arrested? And do I live out the privileges of such a free faith to its fullest?

Lord, forgive me for complaining about the times I think my life is too complicated or frustrating. Help me to remember those who are truly suffering for Your Kingdom.

Further Thoughts:

1. What does Scripture say about suffering for Christ?
2. Do you feel like you are bogged down with life? Many people are suffering real pain -- emotional, physical, spiritual. But most of us others are just whiners. Click here and read about believers really suffering.
3. Pray today for those who are in chains for Christ.

Colossians 4:17 "Push to the End"

Colossians 4:17

"Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord." NIV

The Lord gives us all kinds of jobs. We are given gifts and talents to use for his work in a secular job or a career ministry position. We have jobs as spouses and parents, friends, and neighbors. God calls us to work in our church as volunteers and in our communities as citizens. He has given us the capacity to do many things, we just have to be willing to do them.

The Word says to do everything as if you are doing it for the Lord. So no matter what your profession, calling, or job, you should do everything to glorify Him. And since He wants us to complete our work, we should finish well.

As we are coming to the end of a school year, I keep telling our kids, "Finish well." Not because I want them to not blow their GPA with the final tests. But because they have worked hard and should continue pushing to the end. God doesn't call us to be slackers, but warriors.

With the finishing up of the book, I have to tell myself the same thing. God gave us a call to do this; now I need to finish the work I've been told to do.

Everything we do should always be to His glory. And for His glory, we should always give our best to the very end.

Further Thoughts:

1. Is there something that God has called you to do that you are avoiding? Maybe it's time to finish well.
2. Find other Scriptures to support doing that which God has called you to do.
   

Colossians 4:14-15 "Hot, Warm, or Cold"

Read Colossians 4:14-15.

The body of Christ has and will always fill the pews with a variety of believers in different stages of their walk and relationship with Christ.

Some will catch the fire quickly or gradually, but either way, their devotion is true and unwavering. They never turn to the left or the right. Their hearts are pointed in one direction -- the way of the Lord. The world appears very black and white to them because they have decided for good rather than evil. Luke and Nympha were just such people. Dr. Luke, the writer of the third gospel (my personal favorite) gave his life for furthering the gospel of Christ. He traveled with Paul often on his missionary journeys, and it is believed that he died a martyr's death. He was a Gentile doctor, educated by the Greeks, who recognized the Messiah and surrendered to be His follower. Nympha, although not as well-known as Luke, gave just as much to the mission of Christ. She gave up the privacy and safety of her home and family to have a home-church meet there. She understood that with devotion comes sacrifice. Even though meeting in her home could bring persecution, she was willing to give to her Lord all she had.

Others will take the name of Jesus, but their commitment rises and falls with the wind. They may or may not participate with the body because their Christianity is based on duty rather than heart. Full devotion is not in their vocabulary because they have never completely surrendered their heart, mind, body, and soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. Self still wants to creep in to daily life, and the Christian label becomes simply a "Get out of hell free" card in their practical life. The Laodicean church is made known as the lukewarm church in Revelation 3. God says that He'd rather we be hot or cold, but a lukewarm people He will "spit out of His mouth." The Laodicean church couldn't decide if they wanted their life guided by God or by their wealth. They fell into the horrible trap that money can buy happiness and that is all that is needed for a meaningful life. But what they miss is that God works on completely different rules than the world. Money may buy temporary happiness, but serving the Master brings overwhelming joy and the hope of eternity with Him.

Lastly, we have the cold. Those who have seen the Truth and choose to turn away from it. They may leave for several different reasons. One, self takes over. The Christian walk asks for too much sacrifice. Or maybe they were hurt by a believer and have thus lumped all of Christianity into one category and therefore want nothing to do with it. Maybe they have done so much wrong that they believe they could never be forgiven or accepted by this group of believers, and so never try. Or maybe they feel judged by believers and find fault with the whole idea from that perception. So many avenues to turn away from a life with Christ. All of them lead to the same place -- eternity without the Father. As I've read the study notes, even though Paul sends greetings from Demas at the end of this letter, we know that Demas deserted Paul later. In 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul tells us that Demas left him "because he loved this world." The draw of the world is strong. The enemy has made it very enticing. It takes diligence to stay in close relationship with Christ and the Body while voiding the temptations of the pleasures of the world. If we don't, we will destroy our faith and walk away from the Lord.

I must remain strong and determined in my relationship with and service to my Lord Jesus Christ. I have one life to live, and I choose to be fully devoted to the Master.

Further Thoughts:

1. Which are you -- hot, warm, or cold?
2. Look at the people in the Bible - Old and New Testament. Were they hot, warm, or cold. Explain.
3. Who do you want to be?
4. What does it take to live a life on fire for Christ?

Colossians 4:13 & 16 "The Church Together"

Read Colossians 4:13 & 16.

"I vouch for him (Epaphras) that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis."

I wanted to do both of these two passages because they work so well together. It's about the church being the church. You see Hierapolis was about six miles from Laodicea and fourteen miles from Colosse. These churches were relatively close to one another. The church of Jesus Christ was spreading out. How was Paul going to continue mentoring these churches? He does so through letters that Paul sent and they passed between themselves to read to the churches. They provided instruction, encouragement, and hope as young, persecuted believers finding their way.

I love seeing churches working together - intradenominational and interdenominational. I remember a few years back I was at a Women of Faith conference that met here in my city. During lunchtime, a group of men were cooking for the women from their church. The men's shirts said, "The Church of Modesto." Modesto is a town about an hour away and there is no church there by that name. All the churches in Modesto got together to be the church as one. What on awesome example of being The Church -- working together, side-by-side toward a common goal of sharing the love of Jesus Christ. If we would do that more, maybe the world would stop seeing us as a religion with rules, regulations, and rituals and instead see the power of a love relationship with our Lord.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read through Acts. What were the primary purposes for these new churches?
2. How is your church doing in being The Church? What can you do to help that?
3. What attitudes have to happen to be a cooperating church?

Colossians 4:12 "True Intercession"

Colossians 4:12.

"Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." NIV

Epaphras was always "wrestling in prayer" for the church at Colosse. What does that mean exactly? The KJV says, "labouring fervently." Fervently means "with great struggle, with difficulties, to contend with adversaries, strive, to obtain something." Epaphras was putting in a lot of time fighting the enemy in intercession for the Colosse church. I have to stop and ask myself, do I "wrestle in prayer" for anything or anyone? I pray, but am I truly engaging in the battle. For anything to be worthwhile, you have to commit time to it. How much time am I giving? Not nearly enough.

Along with being a convicting passage toward intercession, Paul also tells us how to pray for others and for ourselves. We may pray for all kinds of things, and that is okay. But what is our primary focus to be? We should labour fervently for the ability to stand firm in all the will of God. At first glance, I thought standing firm was just the first of three things, but looking closer, standing firm means to be mature and fully assured.

Maturity in the Christian walk would mean that we have reached an adulthood in our walk. As babies, we needed to be brought along by others -- very dependent on them for everything. We needed help in how to read the Bible and understand its Truths; we needed help in how to pray; we needed guidance in how to live as Christ would have us live. But maturity implies that we now are learning from the Word on our own. We are in communion with the Father on a regular basis, and we are making choices in our lives that are directed and in tune with the Father. Not that we don't need others to do life together, but we are not dependent on them for everything as we once were.

Standing firm also means being fully assured. We have no doubts about Who we serve or why. He is our complete source, and we live our lives fully devoted to Him. Sold out for the mission of Christ. This is our Lord's will for us and something we should be praying earnestly for in ourselves and others. The battle of life truly does begin on our knees.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you seek the Father only for daily comforts and safety or do you seek His will and the ability to live in it?
2. I don't know if we ever reach complete maturity in this life, but have you left the infant stage? If no, why not? What needs to change?
3. A fully devoted believer no longer looks to their own interests, but fully looks to the interests and will of the Father. Are you there yet? If no, why not? What is holding you back and why?

Colossians 4:7-11 "Reconciliation"

Read Colossians 4:7-11.

"My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas." NIV

Paul is giving his final greetings as he closes this letter to the church at Colosse. Casually read, no lessons may seem to pop out from these last twelve verses. However, I've found six lessons I think we will focus on over the next few days. It's amazing what you can learn from goodbyes.

Paul sends greetings from Mark. Now what is interesting about this is Paul and Mark had a fallout previously. You see Mark referred to as Mark, John Mark, and John. They are all the same person that wrote the second gospel, Mark, and is the cousin of Barnabas. If you look in Acts 13:13, John Mark leaves the missionary group to go back to Jerusalem. There is speculation about his reasons for leaving. Some think he left because he was homesick for Jerusalem, while others believe it was because of change of the plan due to Paul's illness or change of leadership from Barnabas to Paul. Whatever the reason was, Paul seems to have taken it personally. In Acts 15:37-40 Paul and Barnabas get into a disagreement about Mark joining them. Paul is so against Mark coming because "he had deserted them in Pamphylia" that Barnabas takes Mark and goes one way while Paul takes Silas and goes another.

They have obviously worked out their differences by the writing of this letter and also the letter to Philemon, where Paul sends his greetings from Mark. In fact, five years later in 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul instructs Timothy to "get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."

So what do we learn from this relationship between Paul and Mark? Three things -- sometimes others will seem to desert us; some will work to restore relationships; there is always the hope of reconciliation.

One thing I've learned in the ministry is that because people are at various levels of commitment to Christ, some will stay through thick and thin and some will go. Mark obviously was struggling on some level. Maybe he and Paul had a personality conflict or maybe he really was homesick. Some people will just push through the personal feelings to accomplish the mission. But not everyone is capable of or at the right place in their life to do that. And we as believers need to give the grace needed at that time for them to work through their "stuff."

Barnabas (the Encourager) worked hard to restore Paul and Mark's relationship. He defended Mark and tried to show Paul the value of bringing him along. But Paul had lost some trust in Mark and his devotion to the mission. I can't blame Paul. Having been "burned" before, I can understand not wanting to jump into the fire again. But sometimes, we need to listen to those around us to give us a better, less personal, perspective on a situation. Barnabas was that voice. But Paul needed more time.

We don't know how the reconciliation happened, but by this letter and the letter to Philemon, Mark was back to work with Paul as a valued ministry partner. There is always hope to reconcile a relationship if both parties are willing to compromise a little. Paul needed to afford a little more grace, and Mark needed to step up to the plate. Evidently, they met in the middle. For those of us who are all about the ministry at whatever cost, it's difficult to give grace to those who just don't seem to get it. Sacrifice is always involved to accomplish something worthwhile, and self-centered thinking will get in the way every time. On the other hand, we need to let people walk their own journey -- some taking longer than others. Hopefully, somewhere down the line, we are working together for the common goal of the kingdom. It will just take patience and perseverance to get there.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read through the various passages sited, as well as, some of the book of Mark to get a better perspective on the situation.
2. Are you sold out to the mission of Christ or still dragging your heels? You will not find a perfect ministry, but you can determine to work hard, remain loyal, and stay true to the ministry you are in. The main goal is reaching people for Christ. Everything else is superfluous.
3. Do you have a conflict with someone in leadership over you? Go to them and talk it out. One part of the body cannot fight another part and the body survive.
4. Are you struggling with dealing with uncommitted believers? Ask God for more grace and then go bring that person alongside of you. Mentor them into a stronger relationship with God and the mission of the Church.

Colossians 4:5-6 "Someone's Watching"

Read Colossians 4:5-6.

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders...." NIV

Recently at our church we had one of our teens (let's call him Clay) play the drums in the service. Clay had only been attending for about three months and had grown spiritually in tremendous leaps from an atheist to a believer. He had played drums for our Sunday morning youth service called, A.M. But not in the adult service. That's why his father and his girlfriend came that morning. I was sitting on the front row because Jim (my husband) and I were going to team teach on parenting that day. Jim was standing off to the side in the wing. Worship began and suddenly I realized that standing to the side, but right in front of the stage was Clay's dad with a camera taking video of Clay playing the drums. Because we work so hard to avoid distractions during worship so people can actually worship, my first instinct was to go ask him to sit in the front seats or wait until after service to get his video. I knew the team would play another song for him in between services. I even looked over at Jim to see if he wanted me to move. We both just waited a bit to see if he would sit back down, but he tenaciously stood there taping his son. Jim nodded me off to let him continue. At greeting time, Clay's dad (We'll call him, Tom) sat down beaming from ear to ear.

Bob immediately got involved in the church helping with set up (We meet in a high school.) and came to church three weeks in a row. I talked to Clay the second week Tom was there and he said that his dad really liked coming and felt it just added something to his life. This last Sunday, week three of Tom's coming, we had baptisms. We always have some scheduled with video testimonies to precede them. But after the scheduled ones, Jim always gives an invitation for anyone who wants to get baptized to come talk to a pastor. We have clothes and towels waiting for them to use. At the end of first service baptisms, Clay came forward and asked to be baptized. It was awesome. Here this 16-year-old, who only three months previously was a self-proclaimed atheist, was receiving the sacrament of baptism. Clay had called his dad to come, but Tom missed it by just minutes.

Tom stayed for second service and after the baptisms, he came forward to speak to a pastor about being baptized. Someone ran to A.M. service and pulled Clay out saying, "Your dad is going under." So with Tom and the pastor in the portable hot tub, and Clay kneeling behind his dad with his hand on Tom's shoulder, Tom took the plunge. What a beautiful sight - father and son, hugging and crying -- as together they declared that they will follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

So here's the point of my story. What if Jim or I had stopped Tom from videotaping his son that day three weeks ago? Here was an unbeliever who was proud of his boy and just wanted to document his son's accomplishment. We could have come across as very uncaring and legalistic if we had stopped him and maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have come back. I'm not saying this is the only reason Tom kept coming back. There are other factors -- the Holy Spirit working in his heart; the love and acceptance of not only Tom but his son by the people of the church. But.....what if.

People are watching us every day. Many just waiting for us to "mess up" so their view of Christians can be confirmed. Many watching because they see we have something that they so desperately want. Are we taking that fishbowl life seriously? Are we watching that we treat all people with love and kindness -- not just those in the body or the ones that treat us nicely? Are we allowing the glory of Christ to shine through our actions and conversations so we present the best reflection of Christ possible? We have to live out in front of all people the person we say that we are. Souls are hanging in the balance. And I don't want to have to answer for one of them being lost.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look for more Scriptures on being a witness for Jesus Christ to those who we are around every day.
2. How did Jesus treat the unbelievers He came in contact with?
3. Is there a "Tom" in your life who needs to see who Jesus really is? Are you showing them? If not, what needs to change?

Colossians 4:2-4 "The Daily Conversation"

Read Colossians 4:2-4.

"Devote yourselves to prayer...." NIV

Devote means to "commit by a solemn act <devoted herself to serving God> 2 : to give over or direct (as time, money, or effort) to a cause, enterprise, or activity." (Merriam-Webster) I have to include the synonyms because they are so descriptive. "synonyms devote, dedicate, consecrate, hallow mean to set apart for a special and often higher end. devote is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective <devoted his evenings to study>. dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose <dedicated her life to medical research>. consecrate stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality <consecrate a church to the worship of God>. hallow, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity hallowed by the blood of patriots>." (Read through those again.)

As I read each of the definitions of "devote" and its synonyms, I have to ask myself, "Is this the way I treat prayer?" Do I treat it as a solemn act or a quick duty? Do I truly believe and have faith that it is for a serious use or purpose? Do I invest in prayer? These are all important questions that beg an answer. God has shown again and again in history, in the Church, and in our personal lives the power of prayer. He honors our prayers when given in accordance with His will and His Word. He desires that time of communion with us to love on us and instruct. But I must be committed or "devoted" to keeping those moments with the Father sacred and regular. I should always have the communication line open to the Holy Spirit, but I also need to just sit in His presence, share from my heart, and listen to His still small voice.

Paul continues to say that our hearts should be watchful and thankful. We need to be alert to where God is at work to join Him there. He will direct if we are listening in prayer. Then thankfulness should pour from our hearts for the prayer requests answered. We should thank Him for all answers. (Sometimes the answer in "no." But that is still an answer from God.) And we should lift up our fellow brothers and sisters as they navigate through this life representing the Father.

If I were a business woman and Bill Gates offered to meet with me daily for a discussion, I would not miss a one. If I were a restaurateur and I could sit down and talk to Chef Emeril Lagasse every day, I'd make that appointment a priority. Having a conversation with the Almighty Creator of the Universe should never be taken for granted. And we should never miss an opportunity to sit down with the Father, love on Him, and let Him love on us. Christian action is necessary; devotion to prayer is life-changing. He's waiting.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you purposefully talk and listen to the Father or is it a passing conversation?
2. Some of the greatest believers in history spent hours a day in prayer. How much time will you commit to the Lord each day?
3. We can use the phrase, "I'm too busy." (I'm preaching to myself here.) But what are we too busy doing? Can we not make time for the Lord? Will any of those others things that make us "too busy" matter in the end?
   

Colossians 3:22-4:1 "Integrity"

Read Colossians 3:22-4:1.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, a working for the Lord, not for men." NIV

Fortunately, most of us are not slaves to any other master than Jesus Christ. Some days we may feel like it though. I believe in many ways this passage can apply to employee/employer just as easily because the bottom line is integrity.

The definition of "integrity" according to my trusty Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary is 1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility 2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness 3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

synonyms see honesty

Incorruptibility, soundness, completeness, and honesty. God calls us in our work places or when we are placed under another's authority to live out these qualities. They are a choice. They make us a harder-working trusted employee and employer. With these qualities, you can meet expectations without compromise. You reach above the bar and come out on top - if not in performance, at least in effort and attitude. You work harder and smarter than anybody else. You are honest. The thought of lying and cheating never enter your thoughts or actions. You are completely loyal -- to your boss and to the company.

And if you can't be those things - you need to change jobs.

Further Thoughts:

1. David was a man of integrity. How? What made him so?
2. Do you struggle with integrity? If yes, why? What needs to change?
3. Do you work with people who lack integrity? If yes, how can your life be an influence on theirs?

Colossians 3:20-21 "Parenting With Respect"

Read Colossians 3:20-21.

"Children, obey your parents...." NIV

Ironic, once again, to be writing on this passage today when I have a deadline for our parenting book. I'm trying to set aside the writing project for time to be with the Lord first.

I really want to focus mostly on the "Children/obedience" combo. So much disobedience among our kids today. The "me" generation thinks they know best (also just a product of teenager hormones) and disregard the parent's guidance/rules/directions. They've become so handy with information that they think they've received the wisdom to go with it. Obedience teaches so much more than just doing what you were told. You learn order, authority, wisdom, reason, discipline, submission, humility. I could go on, but I won't because I need to give equal time to verse 21.

Parents often end up frustrating their child through traditional rules (the ones our parents had for us and we blindly establish in our own homes without really thinking through their validity.) We frustrate them with doing exactly what we told them not to do (i.e. we yell, "Stop yelling!") or we start seeing them as commodities/or liabilities instead of human beings.

Both mandates boil down to mutual respect. If a child respects the parent for being the authority that God has placed over them, then they will be obedient. (Of course the parent needs to be living respectably as well. More is caught than taught.) Then the parent needs to treat a child with respect. There is a difference between punishing and disciplining. Yelling, screaming and beating have very different results to calm, firm, and deliberate. Don't get me wrong, I believe in spanking. But it must be done with purpose, not anger. There's a reason for the verse, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." A spoiled child makes for a rebellious future teenager.

Create a family foundation of love and respect fulfilling God's mandates and establishing a peaceful home.

Further Thoughts:

1. Parenting can be a controversial subject - even among believers. Agree with me or disagree? Why? Do you have Scripture to support your viewpoint?
2. I was going to ask, "Does anything need to change in how you parent?" but everyone always has something that can be at the very least tweaked. What area is that for you?
3. Are you being a disobedient child? If yes, why? Is that pleasing to the Lord?
4. Who in the Bible demonstrated a healthy pattern of parenting? What can you emulate from their example?
   

Colossians 3:18-19 "Submit and Love"

Read Colossians 3:18-19.

"...submit....love...." NIV

How very fitting that I come to this verse on Jim and my 24th anniversary. As I see marriages all around me struggling, I am so thankful to have a husband that loves God first, and then totally loves me second, and only me. And I give the same back to him. The prevalence of promiscuity and adultery in society in general is horrible. But those not under the law are not required to submit to the law. What is truly sickening are the numbers living in sexual sin and destroying their marriages who are professing Christians. It grieves my heart. But my ranting, although true, is getting ahead of the Scripture.

Wives, submit to your husbands: I'm not sure why people have a difficult time with this one. I suppose desire for control or lack of respect for the husband has a great deal to do with it. Also, if you are married to an unbeliever I can see situations where submission would be very difficult. Paul expands on this thought in Ephesians 5:22-24. He states that the husband is over the wife as Christ is over the Church. The way I read that, my husband has a much tougher job leading me like Christ leads the Church than I have submitting to his authority and leadership. What a responsibility. My entire well-being and future is placed on my husband's shoulders. That's a heavy weight to carry. The antonym of "submit" is "fight." I don't want to fight my husband. A union that is fighting is a civil war. What marriage could survive under those conditions? We should be fighting for our marriages, not against them.

Now here's why submitting is so easy. Read the husband's responsibility. Love your wives. Again, Paul expounds on that thought in much greater detail in Ephesians 5:25-33. He is required out of his love to make me holy by leading us in the Word. Our sinlessness is partially his responsibility. He is to guide me to the holy life that God requires and protect me from sin. A husband is to love his wife like he loves his own body - feeding her, caring for her. The entire duties of a husband to his wife reflect the relationship of Christ and the Church. What a job and burden to carry out. These are times I am so glad I am a woman. Of course, I know that I have an amazing husband to follow, and I don't take that for granted. If only all men and women could realize that if they would just take on the responsibility God gave them, marriages would not be falling apart and families would be saved.

Lord, a horrible plague is attacking our marriages. Show us how to live out the sacred covenant You have designed and to keep it holy. Lord, we desperately need Your help and guidance now.

Further Thoughts:

1. The first line of defense in our marriages is our own commitment to the Lord. Are you walking with God in full devotion. He wants completely surrender in all areas of your life, not just the convenient ones. Let Him have everything.
2. Secondly, are you being the spouse that God called you to be? What needs working on? How are you going to make a change? Do you need tools or accountability? Get them!
3. If I had to boil down marriage into one word it would be "selflessness." If you give all of yourself to a person that loves you, you will receive back all you need. Placing each other second only to God is His only plan.
4. See also my blog on the marriage passage in Ephesians.
   

Colossians 3:12-17 "Clothe Yourselves, Part 2"

Read Colossians 3:12-17.

"... clothe yourselves...." NIV

Paul continues to teach us how to live as a member of the body of Christ and in His likeness. God has really been working on me in the area of forgiveness over the last couple of years. We all have people that hurt us at many different levels. Some things we can just brush off; others cause deep wounds that leave ugly scars. The main point to remember is that I'm not perfect; God forgave me; so I should forgive others. Easy words to say, but can be very difficult to live out.

The Word says that all of these virtues should be bound together with love. Love is not an affection, but a choice. This is an agape love -- the same sacrificial love that God has for me. I must live out my life in His love.

Then out of that love wrapped around all those virtues, we can live in the peace of Christ Jesus. Paul is beginning to sound a little like he's calling us to a 60's love fest, but he's right. We can have a peace that passes all understanding. We can forgive as we have been forgiven. We can love with the love that comes from the Father. These are all promises that we can stand on. And in a world of chaos, confusion, and fear why would I want to live any other way? I am thankful that He makes all of these things possible.

So I will hang close to the body -- helping others to grow in the Word and in wisdom, and they will help me. Worshipping together. Living and loving together. All for His honor and glory.

Further Thoughts:

1. Is there someone you need to forgive that you haven't yet? Now is the time. Hurt may remain, relationships may change, but forgiveness is a choice that is possible. Do it in love.
2. Peace is a relative term. Are you living in a state of peace that you have defined or are you taking into account other's perspective of peace and accommodating them? Love would look out for the others over self.
3. Twice in this passage it speaks of "giving thanks." When was the last time you gave thanks to the Father for something other than the meal you were about to eat? Take some time each day to express your thanks to the Father. We have so much to be thankful for.

Colossians 3:12-17 "Clothe Yourselves, Part 1"

Read Colossians 3:12-17.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves." NIV

Paul has made it very clear that our old self has died, and we are made new in Christ. He has pointed out the continual choices we must make to avoid the evil things of the earth. We must participate in an active avoiding and run from the temptations that are always before us.

We have been cleansed and warned, now, as "holy and dearly loved" children of the Almighty, we must actively put on some things. Christ cleansed us from the old ways, but we must choose to put on the new. It doesn't happen automatically. We are on a transformational journey, not a quick-change moment. So we work (and it is work) to consciously seek to wear the character of Christ. God may choose to confront us with one of these at a time, but we must actively be working on them to be more like Him.

Compassion: Merriam-Webster's definition is "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." This takes a purposeful desire to put away selfishness and really look at other people. I must set aside my agenda and serve them. The human mindset of "it's all about me" just doesn't cut it. I must take time to look, listen, and act on another person's behalf to truly show compassion.

Kindness: How we treat others. Do we bad-mouth them or lift them up? Do we give people the benefit of the doubt or condemn outright? Do we compliment or tear down? Do we show the respect that all human beings desire and deserve?

Humility: "The state of being humble" which is "not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive" (Merriam-Webster) Without humility we can easily take on an attitude of "I am better than you. I am above you." Which can lead to "You are not worth my time." Also, a lack of humility can cause us to be judgmental. We are unable to extend grace because in our haughtiness we conveniently forget that we too are imperfect, saved-by-grace sinners. And without humility, we can succumb to the temptations of a god complex. In our pride, we think we are doing everything by our power and deny the true authority in Christ. So many ways to stubble when we ignore the need to embrace humility.

Gentleness: "the quality or state of being gentle ; especially : mildness of manners or disposition" And gentle is "free from harshness, sternness, or violence." (Merriam-Webster) I don't know how many times God has made "gentleness" my word for the year. You'd think I would get it by now, but He's still working on me. (I just want to be like Sister Teresa.) In confrontations, gentleness allows us to calm the savage beast of anger and frustration in others. When we answer affronts with gentleness, the enemy is disarmed. They have no where to go with their anger because you are not being hurt or affected. When we discipline our children in gentleness, we are instructing instead of lashing out. Even when Christ was angry with the disciples, He maintained a gentle spirit.

Patience: Of course this is the act of being patient. Patient is defined as "bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint; manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain; not hasty or impetuous; steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity." (Merriam-Webster) Wow, that's a lot to live up to. No wonder I have such a difficult time with this one.

The great thing is with patience and all the other virtues, I don't have to master them on my own. I choose to clothe myself, but it is Christ who actually makes me into this person. It is by His transforming power that any of this is even possible. I am to allow myself to be the clay in the Master Potter's hands. He alone will be able to mold me into the Christ-like character that He calls me to live. I just need to agree to get dressed.

Further Thoughts:

1. Find examples of Christ exemplifying each of these characteristics.
2. What are ways the five characteristics will overlap with one another?
3. What area is Christ working on with you right now? How are you doing?
4. Find other Scriptures on each of these characteristics and memorize the ones pertaining to your growth right now.

Colossians 3:3-11 "Hide Away"

Read Colossians 3:3-11.

"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." NIV

I love that I am now "hidden" with Christ in God. When Shay was about two years old, we'd play hide and seek with him. Jim would take Lauren and help her, and I would help Shay. One night, I hid him in a pile of 15 stuffed animals arranged on his floor. It was very ET-esk. All you saw was this little boy's head in among bear, duck, and dog heads. And he was good, too. All he moved were his eyes. Lauren never saw him, and it took Jim a while, too. When anyone looked at the stuffed animals, all they saw was a montage of stuffed animals.

This is what I imagine it means to be hidden with Christ in God. We just melt away from the direct view of mankind, and what they see is God, not me. That's the goal anyway. Unfortunately, there are things that we must put to death for that to happen in its clearest form.

Sometimes we can just fly over these lists of traits that we need to rid our life of and fail to really think how those words translate into the actions of our present society. So let's break it down.

sexual immorality
impurity
lust
evil desires
greed (idolatry)
anger
rage
malice: wanting to cause another pain or wish them ill will.
slander
filthy language
lying

Here's the way The Message says it:

3:5 And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God.

3:6 It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger.

3:7 It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better.

3:8 But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.

3:9 Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire.

3:10 Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.

It's impossible to hide ourselves in Christ if we continue to clothe ourselves with the evil of the world. They are in stark contrast to one another and by the way, we know better. If we take off these things, people will see Jesus, not our sin. Do you want to be hidden in Him?

Further Thoughts:

1. Read through the list of "put offs" again. What ones do you need to work getting rid of? Why do you hang onto it?
2. Another way of asking question one is, "When people look at you, do they see Christ or one of those sins listed above?"
3. What other Scripture talks about putting off the old self?

Colossians 3:1-2 "Check Out the View"

Read Colossians 3:1-2.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." NIV

Wow, chapter 3 is so chocked full of information. We don't see the rules of man, but now we are simply looking at God's laws for how we live our life.

First of all, we have to get the right perspective. We live here on earth in the muck and mire, joys and celebrations that is called life. Everyday we get up, go through a morning routine, go to work or school, interact with others, meet challenges -- sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. We come home, again interacting with others, this time family -- sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. We go out with friends or to evening activities or meetings. Come home, unmask, and go to bed. Those are the bare bones of most people's existence to some degree or another. Now in there are interspersed many joyful times and some tragic. Some messy relationships and some amazing friendships. We face temptations and fight discouragement. We experience creative moments that overwhelm us and views of stars and vistas that leave us in awe.

But through all these events, minus a few airplane rides, our perspective is firmly grasped in an earthly view. We see all things linear -- in time and space. There is a beginning to all things and an end. We work, we go home. We cook a meal, eat it, and clean it up. We start projects and finish them. We live, we die.

But God is calling us to a higher perspective -- His view. He's telling us to separate ourselves from this earth, and it's trappings and limitations, and see life as He sees it. We are children of the King and the King is telling us to take a look from the throne room. The view is much different from that angle. The foggy places are clear. The darkness is seen darker, and where the light shines, we are blinded by its brilliance. He's saying that we should see ourselves and our simply little lives from His perspective and embodied in the His view of who we are and what our purpose is. The Almighty invites us to look through His eyes to a hope and a future -- to a better way that rises above the complexities of this earth so we can live in it but not be of it. Will you take a look? The view is amazing.

Further Thoughts:

1. Compare and contrast Paul's life before Christ and after. How did his perspective change?
2. Why do we get stuck in the earthly perspective? What breaks down to make that happen?
3. When are the times that you have seen as God sees?
4. What view do you have right now? Why?

Colossians 2:16-23 "The Heart of the Matter"

Read Colossians 2:16-23.

"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 the sensual indulgence." NIV

Again, I know that Paul is addressing the heresy that was permeating the church at Colosse, but I have a really hard time not equating this passage to the division of denominations today. Don't misunderstand me -- I am a member of a denomination and support it as best as I can. But I can't ignore the fact that denominations are man made and can be a hiding place for personal agendas. Against drinking? Be a Wesleyan. For drinking? Be a Presbyterian. Against women in ministry? Baptist. For speaking in tongues? Assembly of God. For ritual? Episcopalian. And those are all Christian denominations. But my question is are denominations and their distinctive doctrines biblical?

Denominations were beginning to informally form in Paul's day. But the dramatic branching probably occurred at the time of Martin Luther's 95 Theses and the Protestant Reformation. I think Paul, if he could, would apply this passage to the denominations today. So many do's and don'ts apply that are not from the Bible or loosely based on interpretations from the Bible and from personal biases.

I could ramble on about this all day, but I don't intend this post to be a denomination bashing. Here's the bottom line. Paul points out in verse 23 the problems that arise with man made rules -- even those that are based on Scripture. But the answer is not what we are doing or not doing. The answer lies in where is our heart and to whom is it devoted? I'm so thankful that I will be judged not by church leadership and how well I followed the rules, but by the Father who knows my heart. True change can only occur there.

Further Thoughts:

1. Keeping in mind that there are no perfect denominations, are you following "rules" or the Word of God? Take some time to really think this through. It's easy to admire a group of people and want to be like them. Then just accept everything they say at face value. Think it through for yourself.
2. Is your heart totally surrendered to Christ and His ways? Do you base everything you do on loving and serving Him? That's the heart.

Colossians 2:13-15 "A Defeated Foe"

Read Colossians 2:13-15.

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities he made a spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." NIV

Paul is still addressing the false teachings that were bombarding the church of Colosse. But there are so many truths here that are applicable to our lives as believers today.

We are no longer bound by the "written code with its regulations." Christ took all of that on Himself, and made us free to have a direct relationship with God. Our relationship is not based on do's and don'ts, but on love, grace, and surrender.

But here's the part I really want to focus on -- He "disarmed the powers and authorities." When Christ submitted to hang on a cross for our sins, the enemies -- visible and invisible -- were conquered. We are no longer bound to the written code but we are also not bound to the enemy's power either. Since the sinful nature is destroyed, we are not only given power over it, but over the enemy, as well. We have been gifted an authority over the minions of Satan and even Satan himself. He has no power over us that we do not give to him.

How often do we give the enemy the power he does not rightfully have? We yield to his temptations. We flirt with his enticements. We allow compromise to creep in. We fail to remain diligent and become lukewarm in our devotion and faith. We live in defeat and depression denying our rightful joy. We simply hand all our authority over to the enemy wrapped up with a silver bow.

But it doesn't have to be that way, and it's time we retake our authority back. Not with political petitions or propaganda emails, but in each individual heart and life. Sometimes we can try to swing too far the opposite direction and become God on earth. We are not meant to have control over this earth; we are meant to make a difference in it by His power and authority. No matter what we see happening around us, the enemy is defeated if we take claim over the power given to us by the Father. It's a leap of faith and every individual believer must make the leap by themselves. No one can do it for them. The promise is there. Claim it; live it. No longer serve a defeated foe; but live in the power of the Almighty.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you trapped in a defeatist mindset? Why? What do you need to do to claim power over the enemy?
2. No one in the Bible served God by overthrowing the present political regime. How did they serve Him?
3. What is the connection between claiming the power of Christ within us and prayer? Support with Scripture.

Colossians 2:11-12 "Surgery Complete"

Read Colossians 2:11-12.

"In him you were also circumcised...." NIV

"Circumcision" It's interesting how one word can bring both horror and complete joy. It just all depends on whose power is at work. I was just reading the other day in an autobiography about female circumcision in Somalia. Horrific mutilation and pain. God definitely has nothing to do with that practice. It's pure evil.

But Christ offers the circumcision of our sinful nature. Now there is where the joy comes in. I always imagine that I had a huge black spot on my heart that desires to sin. Christ takes a very precise laser knife and cuts out the spot freeing me forever of the sinful nature that plagues me.

It's interesting to look at sin from a Christian's perspective. I no longer have a desire to sin. But I am still tempted by sin. And I still sometimes fall and succumb to it. (Thank the Lord that forgiveness and grace isn't all used up with our initial repentance.) But the desire to go after sin is gone.

Now, I'm not battling the curse that I was born with as much as the enemy's lurings to get me to turn. But because I am filled with a power that is so much greater than he is, I can resist those temptations. I am not weak in my sin. I am strong in the power of Jesus Christ. I have the shield of faith protecting me from the fiery darts. I am a new creation. The old is dead having been cut out of my living tissue. It no longer has anything to sustain it. But I'm not maimed from the surgery. I am made whole through my Lord and can face any temptation thrown at me. I can live in joy rather than fear. I can live in victory rather than defeat. My God is in control, not the remnants of an ancient curse placed upon me. My choice has been made and my future made sure. I am alive in Christ and His power.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you still live in the defeat of the sinful nature? Why? If you've received Christ, it was taken away. You can face the enemy now because the power of Christ in the fullness of the Deity lives within you. The curse is gone.
2. Face temptations today with power and joy. You are an overcomer through Him.
3. Research the "shield of faith."
   

Colossians 2:9-10 "The Fullness"

Read Colossians 2:9-10.

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives...." NIV

Wow, I don't think I've ever realized the richness of Colossians before. I can't move forward more than a couple of verses at a time. I keep getting stopped dead in my tracks.

Here, Paul is very clearly declaring the divinity of Christ. The fullness of the Deity would be all power and authority that God holds, Christ equally holds. There is no separation of duties, no hierarchy of position. Equal beings with equal powers. One and the same.

Paul is obviously addressing the heresy of the Gnostics that was so rampant at the time. But his "proclamations" (See May 2nd post.) of Christ as Deity is relevant to the foundations of the beliefs of all Christians. If we are going to be Christ-followers, rooted in Him and His power, we must know that we are following the one true God. God incarnate -- full and complete though in human form. And that is exactly what Paul is declaring here.

I love the word, fullness. Christ was not just part God. He didn't just get the spectacular miracle-worker part. He didn't just embody the great orator portion of God. He was completely God in all aspects. He was the all-knowing, all-seeing God. Nothing was hidden from Christ in knowledge or power. He was all He could be as God.

Now here's the kicker -- because Christ was all He could be as God (fullness of the Deity), we are all we can be in Christ (been given fullness in Christ.) I am absolutely as complete in Him as I can be on this earth. What all that completeness includes will be discussed in the rest of Chapter 2, but for right now, I just bask in the great mystery and wonder that I have been given fullness in Christ. And in that fullness, I am truly free!

Further Thoughts:

1. Search for other passages that address the Deity of Christ.
2. We will continue to grow while on this earth, but do you live as one that is complete in Christ? If no, what needs to change?
3. How would your life change if you truly lived the fullness of Christ?

Colossians 2:1-8 "Rooted in the True Source"

Read Colossians 2:1-8.

"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." NIV

I'm teaching Biology 1 to my 14-year-old right now. We are studying Kingdom Plantae - or for you laymen, plants. :) Just this week we were discussing how water moves up the roots of a plant to the leaves. Scientists actually don't know for sure how this happens, but their theory -- the cohesion-tension theory -- is this. As the stomata (tiny pores) in the leaves open for photosynthesis to happen, the water in the leaves evaporates out of the pores. Since water molecules really want to stay together -- they have a really tight bond with one another -- as the water evaporates, the molecules below them rush upward to stay near the higher ones. Then the molecules below those rush up to stay with the ones above them. The follow-the-leader water molecules continue pulling water up into the xylem (a transportation pathway) in the roots through the stem out the petioles to the leaves until the stomata close for the night and evaporation stops. Pretty cool theory, huh. The trick is the root must be in wet soil to have a supply of water to draw from.

Verse six says that we are to be rooted in Christ Jesus. He is our "water/nutrient" supply. Without the water He provides, our leaves will wilt and if completely cut off from His supply, eventually die. We have to have his nourishment to continue to live spiritually. Water from any other source will seem to be helpful, but actually is doing nothing but starving us to death. You see, a plant receives all its water and nutrients from what the roots draw up from the soil. Water that has fallen directly onto the leaves does not feed the plant. Other beliefs and philosophies, even Christian traditions, cannot fill us up and grow us up spiritually. They will just sprinkle us with useless droplets. But the real power for our existence comes from Jesus Christ and Him alone. His power flows up from the depths of our being, keeping us standing straight and strong, growing and shining for His glory. Don't you just love how God's creation illustrates His character?

Further Thoughts:

1. What or whom do you have your roots planted in? Are you putting too much faith in the droplets on your leaves?
2. What does Scripture say about false prophets or listening to man over God?
3. How do we keep our roots firmly planted in Christ Jesus?