Affections on Things Above Colossians 3:2

Paul the apostle began his letter to the Colossians by commending them for their faith in Jesus Christ, and he went on to warn them of the false-teachings of the Gnostics and Judaizers who were among them. In chapter three of his letter, Paul turned the attention of the Colossians from the temporary things of the earth to seeking the things which are eternal and in heaven with Christ, and in verse two of chapter three Paul gives instructions to the church members as to where they should set their affections. We read:

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

The verse begins, “Set your affection on things above,” Paul employed the words“Set your affection” which is the Greek word “phroneo” and means “to have understanding, be wise, feel, think or direct one's mind to a thing; to seek or to strive for” “on things above” which is the word “ano” and means “up, upwards, above or on high”. The Colossians were to be focused upon the things in heaven which are eternal and everlasting, and their understanding, direction and striving was to be toward these eternal things.

The verse goes on to say, “not on things on the earth.” Conversely to having their “affection” toward the “things above”, the Colossians were not to have their “affection” “on things on the earth” or “temporary things of the ground”. In other words, the Colossians were not to be passionate and directed toward the temporary material things of the earth. They were rather to have their focus and passion toward the heavenly things.

Although this verse is very short in words, especially in the Greek, “Phroneo ano, me epi ge”, it is packed with decision making and direction. As we think about our own “affection”, where it it “set”? Do we focus our time, energy, money and efforts upon things that are “on the earth” and temporary, or do we “seek and strive for” the “things above”? A good measure for ourselves will be to examine where we spend our time and upon what we spend it? Therein lies the answer to what we really “love” or have affection for in our lives. If we can “love and have affection” for the right things, we have it made, and as one person said, “If we have our “love and affection” upon the wrong things, we have it “unmade”. The easy question to answer is, “What do we love?”, and when we discover that answer, we will know where our affection is set as well.

Next time we will see why Paul says to set our affection above, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Seek Things Which are Above Colossians 3:1

Paul the apostle addressed the false-teaching of the Gnostics and Judaizers who were attempting to persuade the church members of Colosse toward their ideas. The Gnostics believed that Jesus was not deity, and the Judaizers believed that a person had to follow the law of Moses in addition to believing in Jesus for salvation. After Paul showed Jesus to be God, and demonstrated how the “rudiments of the world” were temporary and not eternal, he tells the Colossians where their seeking should be. We read in chapter three and verse one:

If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ sits on the right hand of God.

The verse begins, “If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,” Paul employed the word “If” which in this case means “if or whether” and implies that there is two or more selections possible. There is the possibility that those to whom he is writing are or “are not” as he is about to write. He wrote, “If you then be risen with Christ” or “raised up together from mortal death to a new and blessed life dedicated to God”, “seek” which means “aim for, strive after, require, demand, or crave” “those things which are above” or “in a higher place, up, upwards, on high and of the quarters of the heaven”. Rather than being concerned with the temporary “things” of the earth, the Colossians were to be “aiming at and craving” the things which are eternal.

The verse continues, “where Christ sits on the right hand of God.” As a further motivation to the Colossian church members, Paul tells them where these “things which are above” are specifically located: “where Christ sits on” or “is seated, fixed, occupied and abides” “on the right hand” which is the place of honor and authority “of God”. When Jesus Christ went back to heaven after His ascension, He was seated at the right hand of God. This is where Paul the apostle directs the attention of the church members in Colosse, because where Christ sits, things are eternal and not temporary as the heretical teachers were promoting.

While we meditate upon Paul's words, let us think about the idea of “seeking”. Jesus said, “Seek, and you shall find”, and “aiming at and craving” the eternal “things which are above” is the best use of our time alloted on the earth. As we think on these things, perhaps we should take inventory of our time and measure how much of it we devote to seeking the heavenly things, and if we find that we need to make adjustments, let us be obedient to the words of Paul and seek for the things that last.

Next time we will see where Paul says to set our affection, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Will Worship and Humility Colossians 2:23

Paul the apostle wrote to the Colossians not only to commend them for their faith in Jesus Christ, but also to defend against false-teaching that was being presented among them. Some of these heretical teachers were promoting works along with faith as a basis for salvation. Paul demonstrated how salvation comes through Jesus Christ's finished work, and the Colossian church members were “complete” in Him. As he completed chapter two of his letter, Paul asked the question as to why they Colossians would return to the “rudiments of the world” which were “after the commandments of men”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-three Paul describes how that sort of thinking only promotes “a show of wisdom, humility and neglecting of the body”. We read:

Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility,

and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.

The verse begins, “Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship,” Paul begins by telling the church members that these “commandments of men” “have a show of wisdom” or appear to be “broad and full of intelligence and used of the knowledge of very diverse matters”. These traits are demonstrated “in will worship” which is “voluntary, arbitrary worship, worship which one prescribes and devises for himself, contrary to the contents and nature of faith which ought to be directed to Christ, and said of the misdirected zeal and the practice of ascetics”. In other words, these who are able to manage themselves and their “will” appear to be very spiritual and wise, however the Colossians were to know that this is “indeed a show”.

The verse goes on to say, “ and humility, and neglecting of the body;” In addition to “wisdom in will worship” these who practice the “commandment of men” also showed “humility” which is “having a humble opinion of one's self, a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness, modesty, and lowliness of mind”. They also demonstrate the“neglecting of the body” which shows they are “unsparingly severe with their bodies”. In other words, these who denied their bodies of their appetites and needs appear to others to be “superior, super-spiritual, and wholly devoted to God”, however it was only an appearance.

Finally the verse says, “not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.” Paul adds that these practices of the “commandments of men” are “not in any honor” or “a valuing by which the price is fixed” “to the satisfying of the flesh” which means “the repletion, satiety, or satisfying of the flesh”. It also means “to satiate the desires of the flesh, or indulgence of the flesh”. The idea is that there may be some honor which comes from denying the flesh, but it is personal and does not honor God. It only satisfies or satiates the flesh nature of a man, and the honor of God that it sought by this form of worship was to no avail.

When we think about these words of Paul, we may think about those in the past or perhaps in the current day who sought after or seek after the honor of God by their denying of their flesh. These may have appeared to be “righteous and holy”, however their denial was at best a satisfying of their flesh nature and do not receive honor from God. Perhaps we have “commandments of men” or “traditions” which are ruling in our lives and make us feel a little more wise, humble, and neglecting of the body than others. If so, it might be a good idea to examine our own “rules” and compare them to the “grace” and “completeness” that is provided by Jesus Christ for our salvation. Who knows, there may be a few “commandments” that we will remove when we discover the vanity of them.

Next time we will begin a new chapter and see Paul talk about “things above”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Perishing Things Colossians 2:22

Paul the apostle knew the Colossian church members were being persuaded to follow false-teachings of the Gnostics and the Judizers who were heretical groups that existed in their time. He refuted the teaching of the Gnostics by showing the deity of Jesus Christ, and he countered the Judaizers by showing the “shadow of things to come” for which the law was originally intended. In chapter two and verse twenty-two, Paul continued to show the temporary nature of rules which included touching not, tasting not and handling not. We read:

Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

The verse begins, “Which all are to perish with the using;)” To demonstrate the temporary nature of the rules concerning touching not, tasting not and handling not, Paul wrote, “Which all are to” which includes “every, the sum total, and completely the whole” was to “perish” or “corrupt, destruct or decay” “with the using” which means “as they are used or consumed”. Notice the parenthesis that is after the word “using”. This is the closure of a parenthetical phrase began by Paul in verse twenty-one which was “(Touch not; taste not; handle not;”, and we should keep this in mind as we proceed with the verse.

The verse continues, “after the commandments and doctrines of men?” This phrase employed by Paul is a continuation of verse twenty where we read, “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,”, and to continue Paul's original thought should be added to the end of it such as: “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances, after the commandments and doctrines of men?” These “commandments” or “precepts” and “doctrines” which are “teachings and instructions” were “of men” or simply by human beings. These were not the laws of God, but rather the teachings, precepts and instructions from men. Paul challenged the Colossian church members with being “dead in Christ from the rudiments of the world”, and since the old things such as works and deeds for righteousness were passed away, there was nothing to be added to their salvation.

As we ponder this challenging verse from Paul, it will do us well to consider Paul's question as though it was directed toward us personally. If, or since, we are “dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world” are there ordinances, traditions, or rules which originate from men and not from God which we hold dearly in our lives? It is easy to sit back and make judgment against the Colossians who were influenced by these false-teachings, but do we have ways in our lives that we follow without compromise which are “perishing with the using”? Let us take the time to evaluate our “perishing” things and weigh them against the eternal, non-perishing ways of God, and may we devote ourselves to continuing in that which is everlasting.

Next time Paul will write about “will worship and humility”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Touch, Taste and Handle Not Colossians 2:21

The Judaizers and Gnostics were two false teaching groups who were spreading heretical doctrine throughout the Gentile churches. The church in Colosse was one of the churches who heard their teachings and were being convinced they were true. The Judaizers believed that works such as circumcision and following the law of Moses were necessary for salvation, and the Gnostics denied the deity of Jesus Christ and were spiritualist. Paul the apostle addressed these false-teachings in his letter to the Colossians, and in chapter two and verse twenty-two he wrote specifically to some of these heretical concerns. We read:

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

The verse begins, “(Touch not;” Paul, who knew the law implicitly, addressed the law of what people were not to “touch” or “to fasten one's self to, adhere to, or cling to”. The law of Moses gave specific rules concerning touching “a dead body or anything that was offered to an idol”, and touching these things would make a person ceremonially unclean. If someone touched one of these things even by accident there were various mandatory laws that were to be followed to be clean again.

The verse continues, “taste not;” In addition to laws concerning what not to touch, Paul added, “Taste not” or “try the flavor of, take nourishment from or eat” as part of these false-teachers' rules. There were rules concerning what they were not to eat such as bat, raven, owl, and things that creep on all four legs in the law of Moses, and Paul included these in his examples to the Colossians.

Finally the verse says, “handle not;” Paul also included laws concerning what they were not to “handle” which is similar to “touch not” but means more specifically “to do violence to or injure”. The idea was to hold on to something in a more clingy way than the slight “touch” mentioned above. Whenever a person clung too closely and hung on to something impure, they violated the law and were certainly unclean.

As we think about these words of Paul, the message is “don't, don't don't”, and it speaks of “legalism”. Those who were promoting these laws were presenting a manner of living which at best leads to “self-righteousness”, and “self-righteousness” is not enough to have a relationship with God. No one could follow the law of God and Moses except for Jesus Christ, and this was the reason He came. People failed when it came to following every “touch not, taste not, handle not” law, but Jesus fulfilled all righteousness and was without “sin” in His life. Perhaps as we meditate upon this idea we will find areas of “legalism” in our own lives that make us feel a little more “righteous” than others, and if we do, may we bring all these misgivings to our Heavenly Father and leave them at the holy altar of Jesus Christ who fulfilled all righteousness on our behalf.

Next time Paul will write about how these things perish, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

 

Dead to the World's Rudiments Colossians 2:20

Paul the apostle desired for the Colossian church members to know how they related to Jesus Christ, and he used the example of the physical body to do so. Jesus Christ is the “Head” of the church, and all the bones and ligaments function in accordance with the head. They were to have no other directors than Jesus Christ, and as they followed His lead, they would grow with the “increase of God”. In chapter two and verse twenty, Paul asks the Colossians a question concerning the laws that false-teachers were attempting to teach them to follow. We read:

Wherefore if you are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world,

why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,

The verse begins, “Wherefore if you are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world,” Whenever we see the word, “Wherefore” in the Bible, we should always ask, “What is the “wherefore” “there for”? In this case, it is a word that draws a conclusion after what has just been stated. Paul referred to increasing with the increase of God by understanding the relationship of the church to Jesus Christ. He asked, “if you are dead with Christ” which means, “since or on account of” the fact that when they received Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord they left the life they had known, and they were delivered “from the rudiments” which are “the first things or the elements and primary and fundamental principles of any art, science, or discipline” “of the world” or that which is part of the world in which they existed.

The verse goes on to say, “why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,” Paul asked the church members, “why” and then gave a condition, “as though living in the world” or “as though your citizenship is part of this world” “are you subject to ordinances” which is the Greek word “dogmatizo” from which we get our English word “dogma” and means “to decree, command, enjoin, or lay down an ordinance”. The heretical teachings of both the Gnostics and the Judaizers were promoting “dogma” of this world, and they set down the “rudiments” thereof as a basis for salvation. Paul asked the Christ believing Colossians why they were attempting to follow those rules.

Paul's idea was to challenge the church members of Colosse to think about how they left the basic elements and laws for salvation when they received Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Though there were some people who believed that an ascetic life was pleasing to God and those who restrained themselves from the “rudiments” of the world were righteous enough to be saved, Paul refuted that teaching. As we ponder Paul's words, let us take inventory and discover whether we continue to believe that some righteous act we follow somehow furthers our own salvation, and may the Lord reveal to us that it was only by His grace that any of us know Him as our personal Savior and Lord.

Next time Paul writes about touching and tasting, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Increasing with the Increase of God Colossians 2:19

Paul the apostle wrote to the Colossians not only to encourage the church in their walk with the Lord Jesus, but also to address several false-teachings which were being promoted among them. He desired for them to know that Jesus Christ was indeed deity, and there was nothing they could add in works that needed to be accomplished for their salvation. There was no form of humility or worshiping of angels which would help them, and these served only to vainly puff up those who maintained they possessed such traits. Belief in Jesus was all that was necessary for their eternal life. In chapter two and verse nineteen of his letter to the Colossians, Paul shows how the church which is known as “the body of Christ” continues to increase where we read:

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.

The verse begins, “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered,” Paul used the phrase, “And not holding” which means “to keep faithfully, carefully, and to retain”, and he adds, “the Head” which refers to Jesus Christ and means “anything supreme, chief, and prominent”. Paul goes on to say, “from which all the body” which is a metaphor for the church, “by joints and bands having nourishment ministered,” or as the joints and ligaments in a physical body help “to supply, furnish, ministered to and assist” so does Jesus Christ for His church.

The verse goes on to say, “and knit together, increases with the increase of God.” Paul employs the words “knit together” which is the Greek word “symbibazō ” from which we get our English word “symbiotic” which means “to cause to coalesce, to join together, put together, and to unite in affection”. As joints and ligaments of a physical body work for the benefit of the whole body, so do the parts of the church work as well, and the result “increases with the increase of God” or “grows and becomes greater” as God does. Not only were the Colossians to know the importance of the “Head” of the church, but they were to realize the benefits for Jesus being so.

While we think upon these words of Paul, we should keep in mind that Jesus is the Head of the church, and all the parts of the church flow together as He supplies the direction. Just as our bodies are directed by our minds, so should the church be directed by Jesus. If it is otherwise managed, there is chaotic movement and direction is out of control. As we obey Jesus, we increase “with the increase of God”, and if we move on our own, not only do we disrupt the flow of the church, but we also subject ourselves to abnormal alignment with the body. May the Lord help us to comprehend the benefits of uniting and increasing with Him.

Next time Paul asks the Colossians and important question about being dead in Christ, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Not Beguiled Colossians 2:18

Because there were false-teachers among them, Paul the apostle addressed the Colossian church with certain heresies which penetrated the church. The Gnostics were promoting the idea that Jesus was not deity, and the Judaizers were saying it was necessary to follow the Jewish laws in addition to faith in Jesus to be saved. Paul refuted both of these ideas in chapter two of his letter to the church, and in chapter two and verse eighteen he warned the church members to not be “beguiled”. We read:

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

The verse begins, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels” Paul begins with this Greek phrase “katabrabeuō medies katabrabeuō hymas katabrabeuō” which is a charge and a warning, “Let no man beguile you” and means “to decide as umpire against someone or to defraud of the prize of victory” “of your reward”. The idea is to not allow anyone to “rob you of your salvation”. He goes on to add, “in a voluntary humility” which is a “desire, wish or intention to have a humble opinion of one's self, a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness, modesty, humility, and lowliness of mind” “and worshiping of angels” or “external, consisting of ceremonies, religious discipline or religion” concerning “messengers or ones sent” from God.

The verse goes on to say, “intruding into those things which he has not seen,” Paul adds the words “intruding into” which means “to enter, to frequent or haunt” “those things which he has not seen” or “looked at with the eyes, see with the mind, to perceive, know, become acquainted with by experience”. Though they acted as though they were spiritual, these “beguilers” promoted ideas and things that they had never seen nor perceived.

Finally the verse says, “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,” The result of their “extra spiritualness” was they were “vainly puffed up” or “inflated, blown up, caused to swell up, puffed up, made proud or lofty” “by his fleshly mind” which refers to “the natural mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining the understanding”. These who promoted ideas such as their own “humility, being able to visit with angels, and pontificating upon things neither they or their companion had seen” resulted in a prideful demeanor which made them feel superior to everyone else around them.

As we consider these words of Paul, we may have met those within our lives who think themselves to be just a little more spiritual than anyone else. These may have even made us or others feel that somehow their salvation was in jeopardy because the spiritual level displayed by us was not as elevated as theirs. Paul said, “Let no man beguile you” or ''fool you” into this vain thought. All through this chapter Paul has given us warnings about not being beguiled, judged and unaware which means the Lord God desires that we be circumspect for these false ideas as well. Perhaps as we meditate upon Paul's words we should think about God's desire to keep us from being “beguiled”, and that fact that He desires it means we can be assured that He is on our side and salvation is within His hands.

Next time Paul writes about increasing with the increase of God, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Shadows Colossians 2:17

As Paul the apostle continued his letter to the Colossian church, he began to address the false teachings of the Judaizers who were promoting “works” combined with faith as a requirement for salvation. He told the church members not to allow others to judge them “ in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days”, and in chapter two and verse seventeen Paul gives the reason for not allowing this condemnation. We read:

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

The verse begins, “Which are a shadow of things to come;” Paul called these laws, rules and ways “a shadow” or “an image cast by an object and representing the form of that object; a sketch, outline, or adumbration” “of things to come” which refers to “the hereafter, the future or what is about to come”. Just as the “shadow” of a body shines on a wall or floor is not the real person, so were the rituals and traditions of eating, drinking, and holy days such as the new moon and sabbath not the real image either.

The verse continues, “but the body is of Christ.” Paul continued by showing the image that formed the shadow was “the body is of Christ” or “Jesus”. Paul employed the disassociation conjunction “But” to declare the superiority to the “body of Christ” to the “shadow” of Him. Each “eating, drinking, and respect of holy days” was only pointing to the real image which was Jesus Christ when He came to the earth, and when the church members understood the place and purpose of the rituals, they would know that they all pointed to Him.

When we consider the brilliance of God Almighty, we may be often overwhelmed. Our God knew well in advance that Jesus would come and be the Savior of the world, and even the ordinances and laws which He commanded among men were pointed to Jesus. There was more than one purpose for these wonderful laws and traditions, but the main purpose was to reveal the real person of Jesus Christ and not just His shadow. The “shadow” only demonstrated there was a real image behind it. As we ponder these things, let us allow our minds to think about all the laws concerning fastings, feastings, images, and ways to conduct ourselves as being only a “shadow” of the real person Jesus. Perhaps then shall we bow ourselves before Him in worship and declare, “You are worthy to receive all glory, honor and praise”.

Next time Paul writes about voluntary humility, worshiping angels, and intruding into those things which he has not seen, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Not Judged Colossians 2:16

Paul the apostle refuted the false teaching of the Gnostics and began to address the heresies of the Judaizers as he wrote to the church members in Colosse. After declaring who Jesus was to the Colossians and what He had done for them, Paul the apostle continued his reasoning with the church members in chapter two and verse sixteen of his letter where he wrote:

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday,

or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

The verse begins, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink,” Paul began with the word “let” which means “allow, permit, approve, esteem or prefer” “no man” which includes “any person or certain person” “therefore” or “in conclusion, then, accordingly, consequently, these things being so” “judge” or “to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, or choose” “you in meat” which is a reference to “eating” “or in drink” which is drinking. As a conclusion to the fact that Jesus did all that was necessary for the salvation of the Colossians, there was nothing else needed to do. The Judaizers were attempting to make “Jewish” all the Gentiles who were accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. These false teachers were telling the Colossians along with other Gentile people that if they were to be truly saved, they would not only have to believe in Jesus, but also follow their ceremonial laws such as: circumcision, eating and not eating certain foods, and drinking and not drinking certain drinks. Paul told the Colossians not to allow these false-teachers to judge them in this manner.

The verse goes on to say, “or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” In addition to “eating and drinking”, Paul adds “in respect of an holyday” which was a reference to “the feast or fasting days which the Jews followed”. Paul added “or of the new moon” which was “the Jewish festival of the new moon” and “or of the sabbath days” which referred to “the seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work”. Jesus' work was so complete on the cross that the Jewish laws of holydays, new moons and sabbath days would not add anything to the salvation that was available to the Colossian Gentiles.

As we reflect upon these words of Paul, it is interesting to note that the same Greek word “krino” is used for the word “Let” and “judge”. The idea in both is that the person reading or hearing this passage will make a judgment based upon the content within it. The Judaizers are similar to those who are “legalists” today because they believed their salvation was based upon their works and not Jesus' completed work on the cross. As we ponder these things, perhaps it would help us to examine our own “law-setting” in these different areas. Do people “judge” us in “eating, drinking, holydays, new moons or sabbath days”? If so, let us hear the words of Paul who wrote “let no man therefore judge you”, and may the Lord Jesus grant us the wisdom to know how to accomplish His will for us.

Next time Paul writes about the “shadow” of these things, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Spoiling and Triumphing Principalities and Powers Colossians 2:15

Paul the apostle desired that the Colossian church members know who Jesus was and what He did for them. He told the Colossians they were “circumcised” spiritually, buried with Jesus through baptism, made alive again by His resurrection, and all the “handwriting of ordinances” against them were “blotted out” and nailed to the cross upon which Jesus suffered and died. In chapter two and verse fifteen of his letter to the Colossians, Paul shows how Jesus defeated the spiritual “principalities and powers” which were against the Colossians where we read:

And having spoiled principalities and powers,

he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The verse begins, “And having spoiled principalities and powers,” Paul begins with the phrase “having spoiled” which means “to wholly put off from one's self, to strip off for one's self (for one's own advantage), despoil, or disarm” “principalities” which means “beginning, origin, the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader, that by which anything begins to be, the origin, or the active cause” “and powers” or “ones who have rule, choice, liberty or authority”. These “principalities and powers” were the ruling representatives of the kingdom of darkness which came against Jesus and who thought they were victorious over Him upon the cross. Even Satan himself thought the cross was the end of Jesus, however Jesus “spoiled”, despoiled and disarmed his futile attempt to eliminate Him.

The verse goes on to say, “he made a show of them openly,” Rather than defeating Jesus, Jesus “made a show of them” or “made and showed as an example” these “principalities and powers” who were against Him “openly” which means “freely, unreserved, frankly, without concealment, without ambiguity or circumlocution; free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness and assurance”. Jesus “openly” defeated the plot of those who were not only against Him, but also against everyone whom those “principalities and powers” desired to destroy.

Finally the verse says, “triumphing over them in it.” In addition to making a “show of them openly”, Jesus was also “triumphing over” or “having causative force or victory over” “them in it”. Though the cross was meant by “principalities and powers” to be that which defeated Jesus, it became the pinnacle and symbol of Jesus' triumph and victory over Satan and his foes. The Greek word for “triumph” is “thriambeuō” and by implication means “to celebrate over, rejoice over, and have festivities over”, and Paul wanted the Colossians to know there was great cause to celebrate what Jesus did for them on the cross.

When we take the time to meditate upon these words, perhaps our minds will imagine the forces, “principalities and powers”, which were against Jesus, and no matter how large that force of beings was or how powerful they were, Jesus made an example of and triumphed over them. Jesus' power is ultimate, and when we realize He exercised it not only that these “principalities and powers” would be defeated in His life, but also in ours, we cannot help but bow our heads and our lives to His All-Powerful mightiness. As the old hymn says, “All hail the power of Jesus' name, let angels prostrate fall”, and may we join in their worship as we are only beginning to understand what He did for our salvation.

Next time Paul writes about laws for eating and drinking, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Handwriting Against Us Colossians 2:14

As Paul the apostle continued to show the Colossians how Jesus was indeed God and how there were benefits that were afforded by His sacrifice on the cross for them, he wrote of their “spiritual circumcision”, their “baptism” with Christ and their “resurrection” with Him from their sins and works of the flesh. In chapter two and verse fourteen Paul continued his description as he wrote of the “blotting out” of “the handwriting of ordinances” which was against them as well. We read:

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The verse begins, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,” Paul begins with the phrase, “Blotting out” which means “to anoint or wash in every part, to whitewash or plaster, to wipe off, wipe away, to obliterate, erase, or wipe out” “the handwriting” or “what one has written by his own hand, a note of hand or writing in which one acknowledges that money has either been deposited with him or lent to him by another, to be returned at the appointed time” “of ordinances” which is the Greek word “dogma” and means “doctrine, decree, the rules and requirements of the law of Moses; carrying a suggestion of severity and of threatened judgment, of certain decrees of the apostles relative to right living” “that was against us”. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, every ordinance that was against “us” which means “the Colossians and Paul”, was as though it was erased, gone, and never to be seen again.

The verse continues, “which was contrary to us,” Paul continued by including himself in the word “contrary” which means “opposite to, set over against: meeting one another, opposed to, and an adversary”“to us”. Before Jesus made His sacrifice upon the cross, the “handwriting of ordinances” were against not only the Colossians, but also Paul the apostle as well.

The verse goes on to say, “and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” The phrase, “and took it out of the way” means “moved from its place, to take off or away what is attached to anything, to remove, to carry off, carry away with”. Paul adds, “nailing it” or “fastening with nails” “to his cross” or “to the cross on which He died”. Every “handwriting of ordinance” that was against the church members in Colosse, Jesus “nailed” to His cross when He suffered and died for their sins. Everything from the past was erased, and they were now set free by their belief and trust in Jesus.

When we ponder these words of Paul, not only did they apply to the Colossians, but they apply to us as well. Every “handwriting of ordinances” which were against us were nailed to Jesus' cross. We were guilty before God as we attempted to keep His law and the ordinances set within it, yet because Jesus nailed those handwritings against us to His cross, we may now be set free from them. The “handwritings of ordinances” have been erased, and now there is a clean slate before us. As we conclude this study, let us bow our heads in gratitude to Jesus Christ who though we were condemned through the “ordinances” written against us, we are now liberated by His great sacrifice. Glory be to His name!

Next time Paul tells us how Jesus triumphed over principalities and powers, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.