If You Continue Colossians 1:23

Paul the apostle told the Colossian church members that Jesus Christ reconciled them unto God from their wicked ways through the sacrifice of His blood on the cross. His sacrifice made them “holy, unblameable and unreprovable” before the Heavenly Father, and in chapter one and verse twenty-three Paul wrote a conditional “if” that was relative to their continuing in their faith in Him. We read:

If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

The verse begins, “If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel,...” Paul places a condition on the Colossians by adding this small phrase, “If you continue” which means “to stay at or with, to tarry still, still to abide, to remain and persevere” “in the faith” or “with conviction of the truth of anything, belief” “grounded” which means “to lay the foundation, to make stable, and establish” “and settled” or “firm, immovable, and steadfast”. He also added “and be not moved away” which means “to move from one place to another or away from the existing position” “from the hope of the gospel” which refers to “expectation of good, hope, and the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation”. It was imperative that the church members not forsake their current beliefs in Jesus Christ, and they were to be immovable in their dedication to “the hope” of the good news concerning Him.

The verse goes on to say, “which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;” Paul emphasized that the Colossians “have heard” which means “attended to and considered what was or has been said, understood and perceived the sense of what was said”, and this same “gospel” “was preached” or “published, proclaimed and heralded” “to every creature” which refers to “anything created” “under heaven” or “the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it”. Though there was not the technology of today, the gospel advanced throughout the whole world.

Finally the verse says, “whereof I Paul am made a minister;” As though they didn't know, Paul reminds the church members that he was “made a minister” which means “one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master; a servant or attendant”. Paul considered himself a “servant” to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and his service was part of the reason that the Colossians knew about Jesus in the first place.

When we think about these words and conditions that Paul presented, it would do us well to examine whether we are “grounded and settled” in the faith. Drifting away from the gospel of Jesus Christ and into other beliefs is a danger that none of us can afford, and as Paul presented his words to the Colossians, he knew they were being influenced to believe the false doctrines of the Gnostics and the Judaizers. Lest we be caught up in the influence of false teachings and heresies, let us hold true to the hope of the gospel of Jesus, and may the Lord keep us in the faith by His mighty power.

Next time Paul shares about suffering that he experienced for the church members in Colosse, 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.

Holy, Unblameable and Unreprovable Colossians 1:22

After commending the Colossian church members for their love, hope and faith, and praying for them that they “might walk worthy of the Lord”, Paul told them of the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus Christ which was the price for reconciliation with God. They were alienated from God and His enemies, but because of Jesus, they could now have a relationship with the Heavenly Father. In chapter one and verse twenty-two, Paul continues to share about Jesus' sacrifice and the reasons that He went to the cross. We read:

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy

and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

The verse begins, “In the body of his flesh through death,...” Paul continued his thought from the last verse concerning reconciliation with God from “wicked works” by writing of Jesus “In the body of his flesh” or “with his earthly, fleshly, and living body” “through death” or “the separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended or simply, the loss of life”. It was imperative that Jesus come “in the body of his flesh” so that He might experience the death on the cross that would provide reconciliation from sins.

The verse goes on to say, “ to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” Paul goes on to add three reasons that Jesus died in the flesh - “to present you” or “to stand beside, stand by or near, to be at hand, be present or make appear” “holy” which is a “most holy thing, or a saint”; “and unblameable” or “morally: without blemish, and faultless”; “and unreprovable” or “that which cannot be called into to account, unaccused, and blameless” “in his sight” which means “over against, before the face of, before the presence of, before, having one as it were before the eyes, before one as witness, and before God as judge”. In other words, Jesus died to present all who believe in Him before the Heavenly Father as holy, faultless, and blameless.

When we consider these three attributes which Jesus provided by His sacrifice, we may find it hard to believe that God would see us in such a manner. We don't look at ourselves in these ways, however, because Jesus paid the price for the sins of those who believe in Him, when God looks upon us, He sees us as “holy, unblameable and unreprovable”. If there had not been so many things to give praise unto God in this book thus far, we must all desire to praise the Lord now! Jesus came not only to reconcile us who were alienated and enemies of God to the Heavenly Father, but He also gave provision for us to be holy before Him. Let us bow our heads and lift our hands to give thanks to Jesus Christ for such wonderful gifts that no one else could provide!

Next time Paul will present an “if” to his statement and tell how the gospel was preached to the whole world, 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.

We Alienated Enemies Reconciled Colossians 1:21

After declaring to the Colossian church members the peace with God that was made possible by Jesus shedding His blood on the cross, Paul the apostle told them all things were “reconciled” to Jesus through His sacrifice. “All things” both visible and invisible were brought back or “bought” back to God through the purchase price of Jesus' blood. In chapter one and verse twenty one Paul shows how the church members in Colosse were “alienated” and “enemies” of the Lord, but now they are “reconciled” to Him. We read:

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works,

yet now has he reconciled

The verse begins, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works,...” Paul reminds the Colossians of their previous status with God - “sometime alienated” which means “estranged or shut out from one's fellowship and intimacy” and “enemies” or “hated, odious, hateful, hostile, hating, and opposing another” “in your minds” which refers to “understanding, feeling, desiring, spirit, way of thinking and feeling, thoughts, either good or bad”. Paul then adds how they demonstrated their adverse ways to God - “by wicked works” or “bad, of a bad nature or condition, evil and wicked act, deed, or thing done.” The actions of the Colossians not only alienated them from the Lord, but also made them as enemies to Him.

The verse continues, “yet now has he reconciled” Paul begins this next section of the verse with “yet” which means “but, moreover, by distinction and exception” “now has he reconciled” or “brought back again or bring back a former state of harmony”. Though the Colossian church members were once the enemies of God and alienated from Him, they were now brought to a place of “harmony” with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

As we ponder these words, our hearts should be rejoicing to the reconciliation with God that has been afforded by Jesus Christ. We, like unto the Colossians, were “alienated”, estranged from, and shut out with intimacy with God because of our hated, wicked and opposing thoughts and ways. We were as “enemies” to the Lord, however, because of Jesus Christ shedding His blood upon the cross at Calvary, we can be “reconciled” with Him. Although Paul desired to show how Jesus was deity because of the influence of the Gnostic heresy, we gain the benefit of knowing Jesus' activities to bring all who will back into a relationship with God. May we enjoy our state of reconciliation, and may the Lord help us to realize what a magnificent sacrifice He made on our behalf.

Next time Paul will share the reasons why the church members of Colosse were reconciled, 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.

Peace through the Blood of His Cross Colossians 1:20

We learned in our last verse in the letter written by Paul the apostle to the Colossians, that the Heavenly Father was pleased that in Jesus should “all fullness dwell”. This “fullness” included “abundance and completeness of the presence, power, agency, and riches of God and Christ”, and in chapter one and verse twenty we realize the benefits to the Colossians and to us of peace through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We read:

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself;

by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

The verse begins, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross,” Paul begins this verse with “And,” which shows a continuum to his previous statement - “having made peace” which is “to establish harmony” “through the blood of his cross” which refers to his “bloodshed, shed by violence, slay, and murder upon the crucifixion”. Because Jesus shed His precious blood upon the cross, peace was made between God and man.

The verse goes on to say, “by him to reconcile all things unto himself;” In addition to the benefit of “peace” for man between himself and God, Paul wrote “by him to reconcile” which means “to bring back again” “all things” which are “each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything, and some of all types” “unto himself”. Nothing that could be reconciled was unable to be brought back again because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

Finally the verse says, “by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” To specifically identify the “all things” written of by Paul, he adds, “whether they be things in earth” which refers to “the earth as a whole and all the things within it” or all “things in heaven” which includes “the universal, the world, and the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings “. Jesus reconciled everything that could be brought back to Himself when He died upon the cross.

As we ponder these words, let us allow ourselves to think about all the vast number of things that are in the earth and the heavens. Because man rebelled against God, man was in effect “at war” with God and everything that could be lost was forfeited by him. By way of Jesus' blood spilled upon the cross, peace was made possible with God, and all things that were lost because of rebellion were brought back to Him again. In effect, Jesus not only “brought back” or “reconciled” everything to Himself, but He also “bought” back everything as well. Jesus' blood upon the cross purchased the possibility of peace with God, and without His sacrifice no one or no thing could be reconciled to Him. This is why the scriptures say in Second Corinthians chapter five and verse twenty “be reconciled to Him”. Jesus' invitation to be “reconciled” is open to any and everyone, and the only necessary action required is belief and trust in Him and His peace provision through the cross.

Next time Paul will write how the church members of Colosse were reconciled, 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.

Pleasing the Father Colossians 1:19

Paul the apostle was addressing false teaching and heresy that was being promoted within the church in Colosse. The Gnostics who denied the deity of Jesus Christ were infiltrating the church, so Paul showed the Colossians how Jesus was responsible for their deliverance, redemption, and

creation itself. Paul wrote of Jesus' preexistence before all things, headship “of the body – the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence”. In chapter one and verse nineteen of his letter to the Colossians, Paul begins to tell why the Heavenly Father was pleased with “all fullness” to dwell within Jesus. We read:

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

The verse begins, “For it pleased the Father ...” Paul begins a new paragraph in his letter by writing, “For it pleased” which means “it seems good to one or is one's good pleasure” “the Father” which is written in italics and means these two words were added by the translators of the Bible. The inference is that the Heavenly Father was the orchestrator and recipient of what is about to be announced.

The verse continues, “...that in him should all fullness dwell;” The Heavenly Father thought it seemed good and was pleased “that in him” that is in Jesus “should all fullness” which means “abundance and completeness of the presence, power, agency, and riches of God and Christ” “dwell” or “pervade, prompt, govern, settle or inhabit”. There was nothing lacking in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to fulfill every desire of the Heavenly Father.

As we ponder this verse, we may have difficulty comprehending fully what it means, however, we may know this: In Jesus Christ everything that was necessary for our creation, existence, deliverance, redemption, and salvation was within Him. Nothing fell short, and as Paul exalted Jesus to repudiate the heresies of the Gnostics, we see the magnificence of the Lord Jesus presented before us in such a manner that it would be foolish not to trust in Him. May the Lord help us to know the “fullness” that Jesus not only embodies but has extended toward us that we may exist and forever live with Him.

Next time Paul will write about peace and reconciliation, 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.

Head, Beginning, Firstborn and Preeminence Colossians 1:18

As Paul the apostle continued his description of Jesus in his letter to the Colossians, he wrote about His involvement with deliverance, redemption, creation and preexistence before all things. In chapter one and verse eighteen, Paul continued his list by giving more examples of Jesus' attributes. We read:

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The verse begins, “And he is the head of the body, the church:” Paul said Jesus “is the head” which means “supreme, chief, and prominent” “of the body” or “a (large or small) number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were; a social, ethical, or mystical body”, “the church” or “an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting”. Not only is Jesus over all creation and created things, but He is also the “Supreme and Chief” over all the church.

The verse goes on to say, “who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;” Paul adds two more traits of Jesus as he says He is “the beginning” or “the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader, and that by which anything begins to be, the origin, or the active cause”. He also called Jesus “the firstborn” which means “first begotten” “from the dead” which refers to Jesus' resurrection. Jesus was the first and only person who raised Himself from the grave, which showed His power, prominence and superiority over even death itself.

Finally the verse says, “that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Paul gives the reason Jesus is the head of the church, the beginning, and the firstborn from the dead, - “that in all things” that is “each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, and everything” “he might have the preeminence” or “to be first or to hold the first place”. There is no one greater, more powerful, stronger or higher than Jesus Christ, and Paul made sure the church members in Colosse knew it to be so.

When we consider Jesus do we think of Him in all His glory and preeminence? Do we remember His “headship” over the church, and how he resurrected Himself from the grave through His own power? Paul has reminded us that He did all these things to “have the preeminence”. Why then should we worry over the troubles and difficulties we face? If He is preeminent, then what circumstances enter our lives in which He is not more powerful? Maybe the next time we encounter something that seems to overwhelm us we will remember that He is the head, the beginning, the firstborn, and preeminent over anything we will ever face in this life.

Next time Paul will write about the preferences God the Father has for Jesus, 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.

Before and Consist Colossians 1:17

As a declaration and defense against the heresies of the Gnostics, Paul gave a description of who Jesus Christ really is in chapter one of his letter to the church located in Colosse. The Gnostics denied the deity of Jesus and were spreading their false teachings among the church members, so Paul began to tell the church about Jesus' ability to deliver from the power of darkness, redeem through His blood, and forgive sins. Paul told them of Jesus' preeminence and image likened unto the invisible God. He also shared how Jesus was involved in the creation of everything that was made whether visible or invisible, and in chapter one and verse seventeen, Paul continued with his description of Jesus where we read:

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The verse begins, “And he is before all things,...” Paul employed the word “before” which means “preexistent to, ahead or sooner than” “all things” which are things both “individually, each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything and collectively or some of all types”. In other words, Jesus existed before anything that ever was, is or will be created.

The verse goes on to say, “and by him all things consist.”. In addition to preexisting all things, Paul wrote that by Jesus all things “consist”. The word “consist” is “synistēmi” in Greek and means “to place together, to set in the same place,to bring or band together, to set one with another, to put together by way of composition or combination, to teach by combining and comparing, to show, prove, establish, exhibit, to put together, unite parts into one whole or to be composed of”. The idea is “held together”, and through the power of Jesus “all things” that every have been, are or will be are “held together” by Him.

When we think about Jesus' power to create, we marvel. All the wonderful creatures, animals, bugs and landscapes, and all the stars, planets, moons and galaxies were created by the Lord Jesus, and we also were made by Him. Yet, still, not only were all these wonderful things made, but they also “consist” or are “held together” by Him. What if He let go? What if He decided that He no longer desired to hold things together and let them dissipate in chaotic disarray? Oh, not only should we marvel at the marvelous power of Jesus Christ to create, but also at His magnificent ability to keep everything held together too. May we ever grow to know this creator and consistent Jesus more and more as we study His word and relate to Him.

Next time Paul will write more about Jesus Himself, 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.

All Things Created by Him Colossians 1:16

As Paul the apostle continued writing to the Colossian church members, he began to address some of the heresies which were being spread by the Gnostics and the Judaizers who had infiltrated the church. The Gnostics denied the deity of Jesus Christ, and the Judaizers mixed works with faith as necessary for salvation. In chapter one and verse fifteen Paul told the Colossians how Jesus was “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (or precedence) of every creature”, and in verse sixteen Paul tells how Jesus was the Creator of all things. We read:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

The verse begins, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,” Paul wrote, “For” which in this case means “since, on account of and because” “by him were all things” which refers to “each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, everything collectively and individually” “created” or “formed, shaped, completely changed or transformed”. Paul included all things “that are in heaven” or “the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it, the universe, the world, the aerial heavens or sky; the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced; the sidereal or starry heavens; and the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Paul adds, “and that are in earth” which refers to “arable land; the ground, the earth as a standing place; the main land as opposed to the sea or water; the earth as a whole; the earth as opposed to the heavens; the inhabited earth, and the abode of men and animals”. There was nothing created in the heavens and earth that were created by any other than Jesus Christ Himself.

The verse continues, “visible and invisible,...” As though he needed to add more specifications to “all things created” Paul added things “visible” or “open to view” and “invisible” or “unseen”. All things which are clearly seen by man, Jesus created, and all things which are not seen by man, He created as well.

The verse goes on to say, “whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:” Paul breaks down the “invisible” things created by Jesus as he wrote “whether they be thrones” which is literally “a throned seat” and refers to “kings, judges, elders or royalty”; “or dominions” which refers to “power or lordship”; “or principalities” which means “beginning or 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, the active cause, the extremity of a thing, the first place, rule or magistracy”; and finally “or powers” which refers to “the power of choice, rule, authority or right”. It denotes both “influence and privilege”, and any authority which has been put in place was created by Him.

Finally the verse adds, ”all things were created by him, and for him:” Paul completed this verse by reiterating “all things were created by him” and tells the reason why “for him” which means “unto, to, towards and among” “Himself”. The purposes and reasons Jesus created “all things” both “visible and invisible” was for Himself.

When we think about these words, we cannot help but note the awesome power of the Lord God Almighty. Paul made it very clear that Jesus Christ was involved in creation, was the Creator, and in effect God who came in the flesh. The Gnostics denied Jesus' deity and were teaching the Colossians these ideas. Paul presented the argument that Jesus Christ is the Creator, and thereby came against the heretical teaching of the Gnostics. As we ponder Paul's words, let us allow the Holy Spirit of God to help us know just how awesome Jesus Christ is, and may we never have doubt in the One who created all things.

Next time Paul will write more about Jesus Himself, 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 Image of the Invisible God Colossians 1:15

Paul the apostle wrote to the church members in Colosse not only to commend them for their faith in Jesus Christ, but also because their minister, Epaphras, told him there were false teachers among them. The Gnostics who denied the deity of Jesus Christ and the Judaizers who mixed works and faith as necessary for salvation brought into the church their heretical doctrines, and the church members were affected by them. As Paul continued his prayer in verse fifteen of the first chapter of the letter written to the Colossians, he began to address who Jesus was as part of a reaction to their false teachings. We read:

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

The verse begins, “Who is the image of the invisible God,...” The first characteristic mentioned of Jesus Christ who is God's Son was that He “is the image” or “figure or likeness in both his divine nature and absolute moral excellence” “of the invisible God” which refers to “the unseen, or that which can not be seen” God. John the apostle made reference to this in chapter one of his gospel in verse eighteen where he wrote:

No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son,

which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared (or manifested) him.

John also wrote in verse fourteen of the same chapter:

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The writer of the book of Hebrews in chapter one and verse three wrote:

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Paul was abundantly clear that Jesus Christ was and is indeed the expressed image of God Almighty, the Heavenly Father, and the Gnostics who argued otherwise were to be put to silence concerning Him.

The verse continues, “the firstborn of every creature:” The second characteristic of Jesus mentioned by Paul was that He was “the firstborn of” which means “precedent or above” “every creature” or “creation or thing created, of individual things, beings, anything created, or the sum or aggregate of things created”. In other words, before anything was created, Jesus Christ was there. He was and is “the “image of the invisible God”. Jesus existed before, took precedence and was above all created things.

When we begin to think about who Jesus really was, we cannot help but see that He was God incarnate. He came to the Earth as a man to identify with us, know what it is like to be us, and pay the price for our sins that we may live with Him for all of eternity. It is important that we know just who Jesus was, and all false doctrine about Him must be squelched. As Paul continues this description of Jesus, let us allow the Holy Spirit of God to know just who Jesus is and why we should continually worship Him.

Next time Paul will write more about Jesus Himself, 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.

Redemption of Sins Colossians 1:14

As he continued his letter to the church located in Colosse, Paul the apostle commended the church members, told them of the prayer and desire he had for them, and that they as well as he “were delivered ... from the power of darkness and translated ... into the kingdom of his dear Son:” who is Jesus Christ. In chapter one and verse fourteen we learn more of the benefit of having a relationship with God's Son where we read:

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

The verse begins, “In whom we have redemption through his blood,...” Another benefit to knowing God's Son Jesus “we have redemption” which means “a releasing effected by payment of ransom, deliverance or liberation procured by the payment of a ransom” “through his blood” or “blood shed, to be shed by violence, slay, or murder”. In other words, by the price of the “shed blood” of Jesus Christ, the Colossians and Paul were “released, delivered, and liberated” from their old lives which were kept within the power of darkness as mentioned in the previous verse. They were now freed to be within the kingdom of God.

The verse goes on to say, “...even the forgiveness of sins:” As a specificity to this “redemption through the blood” of Jesus Christ, God's Son, Paul adds “even the forgiveness” or “release from bondage or imprisonment” “of sins” which means “(letting them go as if they had never been committed) and remission of the penalty”. Jesus Christ paid the price through His shed blood that the Colossians and Paul might not only know His redemption, but also His forgiveness for their sins.

As we think through these words, let us be reminded that the word “redemption” in its basic form means “to buy back or redeem”. The idea is that something has been sold, captured, bought or stolen by one person and has been repurchased by another. We were sold into darkness, captured by sin, bought through our faults, and stolen from the relationship with our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ came to the earth and spilled His blood by the beatings, scourging and crucifixion upon the cross. Jesus paid the “redemption” or “ransom” price for us to be not only delivered from the kingdom of darkness, but also to be forgiven for our sins. In other words, He bought back every one who will believe in Him from our captors, and now we have entrance into His wonderful kingdom. As we ponder this idea, let us humbly come before our loving Lord Jesus with gratitude and appreciation for His payment for us, because without Him paying the price for our redemption and forgiveness with His blood, we would forever be lost in the kingdom of darkness and would never know the relationship we may have with Him. To God be the Glory, Great Things He has done!

Next time Paul will write more about Jesus Himself, 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.

Delivered and Translated Colossians 1:13

As Paul the apostle greeted the church members in Colosse in his letter written to them, he commended them for several areas of their faith and then began to share his prayer and desires for them. These included knowledge of the will of God, walking worthy of and pleasing the Lord, being fruitful, increasing in the knowledge of God, and being patient and longsuffering. After giving thanks to the Father who made them to be “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:” Paul wrote in chapter one and verse thirteen about them being “delivered” and “translated” where we read:

Who has delivered us from the power of darkness,

and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

The verse begins, “Who has delivered us from the power of darkness,...” Paul continued his list of the Lord's accomplishments when he included “Who has delivered” which literally means “to draw out” and implies “rescue or escape” “us from the power” or “choice, authority (influence) and of right (privilege)” “of darkness” or “ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell”. In other words, by God's infinite power He has made those who were believers in Jesus Christ to escape the power, authority and influence of all ungodliness, immorality, as well as misery in hell.

The verse goes on to say, “and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” In addition to delivering them from “the power of darkness”, the Lord “has translated us” which means “to transpose, transfer, and remove from one place to another”. It speaks “of change of situation or place”, and not to just any place, but “into the kingdom of his dear Son” which refers to the “royal power, kingship, dominion, and rule” “of his dear” or “of his agape” “Son” who is Jesus Christ the Messiah. Those who were believers in Jesus Christ as Savior, Messiah and Lord, were not only delivered from the choice, authority and right of darkness, but they were removed to Jesus Christ's rule and reign.

As we ponder these words, let us note how Paul included “us” in his phrases. Paul considered himself as being removed from the power of darkness and translated as well as the Colossian church members. Rather than this blessing being for the Colossians alone, Paul was a part of it, and so are we. We who believe in Jesus have been removed from “power of darkness” which would have lead to our ultimate doom, and we have been transferred, transposed, and moved into the glorious kingdom of Jesus Christ where He rules and reigns. Ultimately we will live face to face with Him in His kingdom, but for now He rules and reigns within our lives. Being delivered from darkness and transferred into His kingdome is one of the greatest gifts provided for mankind, and it is open to all who will receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. May the Lord help us to realize just how wonderfully blessed we as believers are because of His great translation.

Next time Paul will talk about redemption through the blood of Jesus, 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.