Colossians

Last week's study was Colossians. It’s one of those short books, only four chapters, to a church Paul had not met. Yet he loved them as brothers through Christ and prayed for them.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:9-10 KJV)

He wanted them to understand that Christ cleanses us, that through this we are reconciled with God.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (Colossians 1:21-22 KJV)

As often has happened through the centuries, and still does today, men have determined the gospel was insufficient. That certain ‘things’ must be done in addition to believing the good news that God had for all mankind. “If you do/don’t do this, you are not … ,” sometimes using scriptures in an unscriptural manner.

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. (Colossians 2:4 KJV)

This wasn’t the only church to face the onslaught of man versus God’s word.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Galatians 1:6 KJV)

Are we so easily swayed? That was Paul’s concern.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8 KJV)

We’ve fought the battle once just to come to Christ and understand what is in store for us. Why continue in doubt?

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, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (Colossians 2:20-22 KJV)

There should be peace within us when we’ve turned to God.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16 KJV)

That peace is felt when we can thank Him for everything, even in adversity.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17 KJV)

The alternative?

But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (Colossians 3:25 KJV)

Valentin de Boulogne: Paul Writing His Epistles (Wiki Commons)