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.
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