Colossians - session 1
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The town of Colossi was a major trading post when Paul wrote this letter. Oriental travelers mixed with those who worshipped angels, even "river spirits". What a mixture of religions! This posed quite a challenge for Paul. In the one Christian church that had been introduced to the Gospel, a good bit of the message had been distorted. Some of the newly baptized Believers had attempted to work the role of Jesus into their own form of religion. Are we then surprised that this still happens today?
Paul began this letter on a positive note. In chapter one, he extols the supremacy of Christ.
Paul began this letter on a positive note. In chapter one, he extols the supremacy of Christ.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17)
In other words, no other thing is worthy of worship--rivers or angels. Paul begs them not to be deceived!
For in Christ, all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given the fullness of Christ, who is the head of every power and authority. (Colossians 2:9)
He encouraged them (and us) to "set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, for you died [to self] and your life is now hid with Christ" (Colossians 3:2,3). This seems to me to describe the FULL Christian life, and what it means to be "complete in Christ". Paul gave them the list of virtues that he wrote about in Galatians (5:24); the fruit of the Spirit. But he added to that,
Vear with each other, forgiving one another, and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)
He repeated his call to husbands and wives (refresh your memory by going back to our session on Ephesians, in which we discussed the fifth chapter). He also includes slaves who reverenced the Lord. Then he refers to slave owners, reminding them of their Master in Heaven. He mentions Onesimus, a slave owned by Philemon, who lived in Colossi. We will read more about him later.
Paul ended this letter with the assurance that it was written by his own hand. His eyesight had not yet failed him. Please re-read Colossians to be encouraged to live as an "over comer" for Christ! There was a lot to overcome in those days, just as there is today!
God bless!
Paul ended this letter with the assurance that it was written by his own hand. His eyesight had not yet failed him. Please re-read Colossians to be encouraged to live as an "over comer" for Christ! There was a lot to overcome in those days, just as there is today!
God bless!