Free Bible Commentary
Colossians
Colossians 4:15-18
Sunday, November 04, 2018“Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.”
--- End of Scripture verses—
When we find a good doctor, we hope that he/she will not move away and set up practice in another state. Paul was blessed to actually have a “beloved physician” for one of his travelling companions as he journeyed around the Roman Empire preaching the Gospel. What an amazing person Luke must have been. He was a physician, an historian, beloved by Paul because he was a fellow worker in the Lord, and the Lord used Him to write one of the four inspired Gospel accounts and the book of Acts.
The brethren in the city of Colosse were to share the message of this letter with the local church that met in the city of Laodicea about 11 miles away. Also the letter that Paul had written to the Laodiceans was to be read to the church in Colosse. Even though some of the information in Paul’s epistles was aimed at specific individuals and congregations and their unique needs and issues, the truths revealed in these inspired epistles are timeless and applicable to the spiritual necessities and problems of all people in all locations around the world.
I would love to know the contents of the letter that Paul wrote to the Laodiceans, but it has not been preserved for us to read. It is just a matter of curiosity on my part because, the truth be known, even if that genuine epistle was discovered intact, it would not add significantly to our spiritual wellbeing. God has delivered and preserved the entirety of His perfect, inspired revelation that He promised to mankind (1 Corinthians 13:9).
Everything that God wants us to know, believe and do is contained in the canonized compilation that we call the Bible. In it the Lord “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). It is “inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Lord willing, we will have some introductory words on the letter of 1 Thessalonians for tomorrow.
You are invited to worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ located at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
9:30 AM Bible study for all ages. 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM worship services.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 4:10-14
Saturday, November 03, 2018“Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.”
--- End of Scripture verses—
It is so easy to lose sight of the fact that Paul had written this letter as a prisoner (verse 18), and that he had been wrongfully incarcerated for doing nothing more than serving the Lord in truth and righteousness. His conditions were not deplorable, but he had lost his freedom and mobility, and there had to have been days that he felt restless and disheartened. It was at times like these that I feel certain he must have appreciated his “fellow workers” all the more that had “proved to be an encouragement” to him (verse 11).
We all need the encouragement that only brothers and sisters in Christ can provide. It is a rich blessing to receive comforting words of support and reassurance from a person of “like, precious faith” that we know has our best interests at heart. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 that the encouragement of a fellow Christian is really the extension of God’s very own comfort. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
I want to be that kind of person because I know that God wants to use me in that capacity. He wants me to lift up my fellow, world-weary pilgrims, and help them on their journey home. It is appropriate that Barnabas, “the son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36) is named in this list of brethren who buoyed the apostle’s spirits. But let’s remember that the thing that encouraged Paul the most was that these men were ardent and dedicated “fellow workers in the kingdom of God.” The only way that we can help ourselves and others to stand “fully assured” that all will work out well in the end is to stress the importance of the need to “stand perfect…in all the will of God” (verse 12).
Please read Colossians 4:15-18 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 4:7-9
Friday, November 02, 2018“As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.”
--- End of Scripture verses—
Paul had some kind words of high praise for two of his close friends that he was sending back to Colosse with this letter and information about Paul’s situation in prison at Rome. Tychicus and Onesimus were both Paul’s “faithful and beloved” brethren and servants in the Lord. They could be depended upon to always do the right things, and Paul could always count on them to carry out important and sometimes difficult tasks for and with him as they served the Lord Jesus together.
We are commanded by the Lord to love all people. But isn’t it much easier to love the people that we know will always try their very best to come through for us when we need them the most? That is the kind of person that I most want to be. I can’t think of a better description that I would like to have attached to people’s memory of me than “faithful”. I want to be a faithful husband, father, brother, worker, and most of all a faithful Christian. Tychicus and Onesimus were beloved by Paul because they were the beloved servants of the Lord (Ephesians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13) who served Him faithfully to the end.
Please read Colossians 4:10-14 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 4:5-6
Thursday, November 01, 2018“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Paul had given instructions for the proper treatment of brethren in Christ (3:17), family members (3:18-21), and “work” relationships (3:22-25). In today’s verses he encourages us to be wise in our “conduct” (verse 5) and our “speech” (verse 6) when we deal with “outsiders”. An outsider is a person who lives outside of the eternal security of a relationship with Yahweh through the Lord Jesus Christ.
We must remember that we were at one “time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). But, through the grace of God and the efforts of some loving “insiders,” those of us who are Christians were taught and obeyed the Gospel, and are now dwelling inside the fold of safety.
When talking to people who are not Christians, our speech should “always be with grace.” We should always try to speak graciously and humbly to lost people understanding that we have found something that they desperately need, and that we are to be Christ’s representatives on earth as possessors and exhibitors of God’s saving grace. Our words should be carefully selected and “seasoned” so that they can be palatable to the listeners. Just trying to ram God’s word down people’s throats never works and is actually counterproductive.
James, the Lord’s brother, tells us that “we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well” (James 3:2). When speaking to people, the wisdom from above dictates that we be “peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
Please read Colossians 4:7-9 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 4:1-4
Wednesday, October 31, 2018“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
“Devote yourselves to prayer” (verse 2) – I often find myself approaching the Lord’s throne of grace when I am afraid, when there is an illness or when I want something. That is not devotion to prayer. That is praying when I feel I need the Lord’s help more than usual. But the truth is that I need the Lord every minute of every day, and I need to lead a dedicated prayer life that habitually and continually draws near to Him in good times and bad; in times of plenty and in times of need.
“Keeping alert in it” – We need to keep our minds clear and focused as best we can when we pray. Sometimes I catch myself just saying “mindless” words without putting much thought into them when I am talking to (at) God. And, as most of you have probably already discovered, it is impossible to keep alert in prayer when you are lying sleepily in your bed at night after a long, hard day of life. The horizontal prayer position is not forbidden in Scripture but it is not very conducive to attentive, focused, coherent prayer.
“With an attitude of thanksgiving” – Friends, we have a lot to be thankful for. I know that when we are going through a rough spot it is difficult to think about the things that are going right in our lives. But, more times than not, the good far outweighs the bad. A grateful heart is one that is much more open and receptive to God’s blessings than an unpleasant, dissatisfied disposition of mind. Count your many blessings every day. You will actually find that they are far too many to count and sufficiently thank God for. Show Him your appreciation for your innumerable blessings just the same. That pleases God and mentally eases your burdens.
“That God will open up…a door for the word” (verse 3) – If the Apostle Paul saw the need for prayers for open doors into people’s hearts to preach the truth, then certainly we should as well. Pray daily that God will give you opportunity to talk to someone about their immortal soul and their eternal salvation, and that God will “make it clear in the way” you ought to speak to them (verse 4). I am convinced that God will never deny a petition like that. Be and stay devoted to prayer!
Please read Colossians 4:5-6 for tomorrow.
Have a great day.
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 3:22-25
Tuesday, October 30, 2018“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
The Bible does not condone or glorify slavery. It was just a prevalent reality in the first century world in which the letters of the New Testament were written. God is telling us here that a person can be a slave and still be a Christian. A person can be a slave owner and still be a Christian. But a person’s relationship with God through covenant in Christ Jesus must profoundly affect his relationship with a slave or earthly master. A slave or master (4:1) who also serves the Lord Christ (verse 24) must be the best servant he can possibly be.
Paul tells us here that “whatever” we do, we should do it to the best of our ability—with all our heart—because all of our work is done ultimately for the Lord (verse 23). Even if we have a boss that we think is the biggest jerk in the world, we should still work diligently and with the best quality and attitude that we can because we work for and represent the Holy One who has supreme authority in heaven and on earth. Even if no one else on earth is watching us, we serve a Master in heaven who sees all and knows all and judges “without partiality” (verse 25).
“From the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance” (verse 24). Do you serve the Lord Jesus Christ? I promise you that you will not be offered a better retirement package than the one you are promised through a life of dedicated service to the “blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:16).
Please read Colossians 4:1-4 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 3:18-21
Monday, October 29, 2018“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
The Apostle Paul covers in a few, terse words what is an enormous part of being a new creation in Christ: the proper treatment of our family. It is “fitting” for wives to be subject to their husbands because that has been God’s plan for marriage from the very first espoused couple (Genesis 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:14). It is appropriate in God’s sight for wives to submit to the leadership of her husband, but it is even more the right thing to do when she is “in the Lord.” A woman who is a Christian has double motivation to be the kind of wife that God wants her to be.
Husbands are to love their wives and not be “embittered against them.” A husband’s authority over his wife is not absolute. God expects men to lovingly lead their wives in an understanding way (1 Peter 3:7). He is to love her as Christ also loves His church and “gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). That is a devoted and sacrificial love, but when great sacrifice is consistently required, bitterness can ensue. Husbands must be careful to quell their anger and moderate their temper, and not treat their wives with harshness and roughness.
Children are to obey their parents “in all things.” This is a command of God that must be expected by parents from their children even when they are young and immature; so it is imperative for the parents to patiently discipline and train their children to be compliant to their leadership (Proverbs 22:6). Any older and more mature child who converts to Christ is commanded by God to submit to the authority of their parents, and mom and dad should remind them of this on a regular basis if necessary.
As husbands are prone to be harsh and bitter towards their wives if they are not overly careful, they also may be inclined to “exasperate” their children. When parents are hypercritical of their children, it has the tendency to discourage them and suppress their emotional and spiritual development. It takes a group of careful and attentive hearts guided by the Lord’s direction to keep a healthy balance in a family composed of a variety of personalities, temperaments and maturity levels. But just remember the words of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Please read Colossians 3:22 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 3:15-17
Sunday, October 28, 2018“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
--- End of Scripture verses--
There are three things that we must do as individuals if we want to be united in Christ with our brethren and pleasing to God in heaven: We must let the peace of Christ rule within us (verse 15), the word of Christ dwell within us (verse 16), and the name (authority) of Christ govern all our words and actions (verse 17). Of course, the word of God is the linchpin of this trio that provides God’s peace and reveals Christ’s sovereign authority.
We often like to think about Philippians 4:7 which says, “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” And we rightly love the imagery of that indescribable, invaluable inner peace “guarding” or protecting our hearts. But we must be careful to let Christ’s peace “rule” in our hearts as well. To “rule” means to “umpire”. We need to learn to “let” or “allow” God’s peace to “settle” those inner conflicts that we struggle with, as well as the disputes we sometimes have with other Christians.
Since it is in the Bible that we learn God’s plan for sending His Son to die for our sins so that we can be reconciled to Him and have “peace through the blood of His cross” (1:20), we really need to fill ourselves up with “the word of Christ.” The less time we spend in God’s word, the less internal and external peace we will experience in our lives. Singing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…with thankfulness” in our hearts helps fill the heart with peace as well. Singing along with A/C D/C or Motley Crew might not provide an adequate release for stress, and may likely increase it! But singing God’s praises from hearts filled with thankfulness will help the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts.
But we must be careful to not settle for false peace. We can salve our consciences and pacify our relationships by just “going along to get along.” Whatever we do in word or deed must all be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus” if we truly want to have peace with God. This means that we have to appeal to the revelation of Christ and obey His authority in everything that we believe, say and do in order to be in a right relationship with God. Inner peace and peaceful relationships are secondary at best. Our first priority must be to please God in all respects (Colossians1:10) if we want to go to heaven when we leave this world and all its turmoil behind.
Please read Colossians 3:18-21 for tomorrow.
Please come worship God with us this Lord’s Day at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ. We are located at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
We offer Bible classes for all ages at 9:30 AM and we assemble for worship at 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 3:12-14
Saturday, October 27, 2018“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
God’s chosen people should strive mightily to become the choicest of people. The Gospel call of salvation and separation is a call to holy living which is a beloved thing to behold in the eyes of the Lord. Christians are the beloved of God because they have been delivered “from the domain of darkness, and transferred…into the kingdom of His beloved Son” (1:13). Paul shows us in today’s verses what a lovely life of light and loyalty looks like.
When we cast aside the old, filthy garments of sin and lawlessness, and “put on” the apparel of faith, beauty and obedience, our lives will look a whole lot like the life of our Master and Savior. Like Jesus, we must endeavor to be compassionate, kind, humble gentle and patient with other people, and especially with those who share our common calling in Christ. When a brother or sister behaves in an un-Christ-like manner towards us, we should be ready to forgive them, just like Christ has readily forgiven all of our many sins and transgressions.
As we sink ourselves into these virtuous vestments of faith, we should wrap ourselves up in the raiment of love which, “beyond all these things” will help to secure the unity of the members of our spiritual family. Sacrificial love will knit our hearts together with our brethren in Christ like nothing else in this world possibly can (2:2). “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Love is patient, love is kind, love bears all things, love endures all things, love never fails.
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:14).
Please read Colossians 3:15-17 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 3:5-11
Friday, October 26, 2018“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”
--- End of Scripture verses--
When we crucified the old person of sin and buried him in the waters of baptism, we arose to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-6). Once we are reborn spiritually and come alive in Christ, we are to continually mortify the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:23), and consider the members of our earthly body as dead to its sinful passions (verse 5). When we were “living in” these things we were dead to God and subjected to His righteous “wrath”.
But, if we are thinking clearly and are cognizant of just how disgusting a life filled with sinfulness is, we will readily “put them all aside” (verse 8), or rip them off like a dirty garment and fling them as far away from us as we possibly can! God condemns sexual sins and the lust for money in verse 5, and sinful thoughts, emotions and words in verse 8, and all “evil practices” in verse 9. Those were the thoughts, words, actions and traits of the old person that we crucified with Christ, and that we must never allow to revive and hold sway over our lives again.
And in case you haven’t noticed, that old guy doesn’t like to stay dead! If we want to successfully crucify and hold down the “old self,” we must work diligently to persistently replace those old, habitual, sinful practices with the wholesome and godly pursuits of the “new self” (verse 10). Lord willing we will look at characteristics of that new, blessed, living person tomorrow. But for today just know that the only way to recreate ourselves in the image of the Lord who created us is to be “renewed to a true knowledge” of His will for us.
That means that our Bibles cannot be just for show as props on the mantel and coffee table! Nose in The Book friends!!!
Please read Colossians 3:12- 14 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 3:1-4
Thursday, October 25, 2018“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Paul wrote extensively about many activities that a Christian should not participate in chapter 2. But our new life in Christ is not all about what we must avoid doing. Our main focus should be on the things that we are to be actively “seeking” (verse 1) and setting our minds on (verse 2). He wrote in 2:20 that we have “died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world.” In verse 1 of Chapter 3 he emphasizes that we have also been “raised up with Christ” to live a new life dedicated to truth, holiness and obedience to the Lord. We will see in this chapter that there are certain things we are to “take off” (stop doing), and other things we are to “put on” (pursue with a passion).
We are to seek and set our minds on “the things above.” That is to say that our minds should be focused on heaven and eternity and spiritual pursuits, even as we take care of our (not as) important secular business here on earth. Paul is not suggesting that we walk around with our heads in the clouds. On the contrary, to seek the things above “where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” and reigning with supreme authority, is to engage ourselves in the very serious pursuits of learning His will, living righteously, worshiping truthfully, helping the needy, and teaching the lost. Our faith in Christ and commitment to God’s will for us are higher and nobler than, and should take preference over, any worldly commitment or desire.
Even as we shine our lights so that others may glorify God because of our good deeds (Matthew 15:16), our lives are still “hidden with Christ in God” (verse 3). When we “sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts” (1 Peter 3:15), that light illuminates from within where Christ and His word have been firmly buried, planted and rooted. The world did not recognize Jesus (John 1:5), so most of the people of the world will not recognize or appreciate the fact that He is the source of our transformed life. But when Christ returns all truth will be exposed for what it is when we are “revealed with Him in glory” (verse 4).
Please read Colossians 3:5-11 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 2:20-23
Wednesday, October 24, 2018“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Paul makes frequent references in his epistles to the death we experienced when we “died with Christ” (verse 20), and buried the old person of sin in the waters of baptism (Romans 6:3). When we “mortify the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13) we are to effectively die to “the world” and its sinful passions and influences. Any type of man-made religious practice is considered by God to be “elementary principles of the world” that we are to put to death with the old, unredeemed person and his errant ways and practices.
“The commandments and teachings of men” (verse 22) have the “appearance of wisdom” (verse 23), but they are only foolish and substandard substitutions and additions to the perfect mind and will of God. Jesus condemned man-made doctrine and worship in Matthew 15:8-9: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” It is really very easy to discern between the teachings of men and the doctrine of Christ. You can learn of Christ’s commandments and precepts in the New Testament, but the teachings of men you cannot find therein.
The Holy Spirit condemns “self-made religion” in verse 23. The King James version renders this term as “will worship”. Any time we try to worship God in alignment with our desires and not according to His will that He revealed in the pages of the New Testament, we have merely invented practices that are foreign and unrecognizable and unacceptable to Him. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
Friend, please do not fall for the self-deception that it doesn’t matter what you believe or how you worship, just as long as you are sincere about it. Please don’t fall for Satan’s lie that God wants you to find a religion that you can feel comfortable with. God cares very little about our comfort when it comes to serving and worshiping Him. The Lord is very demanding, and, as Creator of the Universe, He has every right to be. Please kneel to Him now and meet Him on His terms so that you can stand before Him on Judgment Day.
“So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left.” (Deuteronomy 5:32)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Please Read Colossians 3:1-4 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 2:16-19
Tuesday, October 23, 2018“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
There is more going on here with regard to the “food and drink” than merely a condemnation of dietary restrictions of the Law of Moses (verses 21-22), but it is obvious that the references to “a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day” are specific to that inferior and supplanted covenant and system of rules and regulations. Paul called these types of austerity measures and religious rituals “elementary principles of the world” in verse 8, and here he refers to them as “mere shadows” (verse 17).
A shadow is completely dependent upon and inferior to the object that casts it. A shadow is temporary and non-substantive, and has no significance except in its relation to the material that it darkly reflects. The ordinances of the Law of Moses were precursors that foreshadowed the superior things that were “to come” in “the substance” which is Christ Jesus. The Hebrew writer wrote the following about this shadow and substance relationship that existed between the Law of Moses and our covenant in Christ:
“Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, ‘See,’ He says, ‘that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.’ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:4-6)
Paul was not singling out the ordinances and holy days of the Law of Moses in His denouncement of the rudiments and elements and shadows of the “religious” world. He condemned any form of false teaching and practice as disqualifying us from the race and “defrauding” us from our eternal “prize” in Christ Jesus (verse 18). Anyone who tries to enforce “self-abasement” or the “worship of angels” is acting equally contrary to the truth and worthy of condemnation.
Paul even warned against people who take their stand on “visions” that they claim they have seen. There is only one reliable and authoritative source of revelation for our faith, work and worship today, and that is the New Testament. You cannot trust your own feelings, dreams or apparitions that you think you have experienced. I know some people who are convinced that they are privy to prophetic dreams and visions even today. An inspired Apostle tells us here that these things cannot be trusted! They cause people to be “inflated without cause” (verse 18)! Why? Because there is no substance to them! They are just feelings or hallucinations!
Don’t trust your feelings. Get your spiritual instruction and nutrition from Jesus through the Bible only. He is “the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God” (verse 19)!
Please read Colossians 2:20-23 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 2:14-15
Monday, October 22, 2018“Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Most denominational preachers will insist that the “certificate of debt” that was cancelled out by Christ on His cross was the unpayable debt that we owed God because our sins and “transgressions” (verse 14). While it is true that Jesus paid the price to secure our forgiveness by His substitutionary death, what was taken “out of the way” and “nailed…to the cross” was the “certificate of debt consisting of decrees” or “ordinances”. This is a clear reference to the commands and statutes of the Law of Moses.
In a parallel passage Paul wrote about Christ abolishing the Law of Moses in order to bring Jews and Gentiles together in one body: “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace.” (Ephesians 2:14-15) Tomorrow we will see that Paul went on to warn the Colossians against false teachers who attempted to enforce holy days associated with the now-defunct Mosaical Law (verse 16).
Paul said that those “decrees” were “against us” and “hostile to us.” The only way for a Jew or a Proselyte to be justified by the Law of Moses was for them to keep it perfectly. The Law only condemned the transgressor and offered no true means of atonement. That was only provided when the Savior lived a perfect life of sinlessness and offered himself as a propitiatory sacrifice. The Law also was an instrument of “hostility” toward the Gentiles in that it served as a “barrier” of separation and exclusion from God’s “covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2:12).
Not only did Christ nail these hostile decrees to His cross when He died for our sins, He also overthrew and “disarmed” the hostile spiritual forces that were arrayed adversely against Him and all humanity. He “triumphed” over Satan and his evil militia by His resurrection from the grave, in which He demonstrated His absolute authority over life and death, and declared himself to be “the Son of God with power” (Romans 1:4). Like a general returning home from a successful military campaign in a victory celebration, Jesus made a “public display of them, having triumphed over them.”
Jesus has done all the heavy lifting friends. Stay faithful to Him and you are guaranteed the final victory! “Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)!!!!!
Please read Colossians 2:16-19 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 2:10-13
Sunday, October 21, 2018“And in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Only in Christ Jesus can we be made “complete” (verse 10), lacking nothing that is good and essential for spiritual life and prosperity. As Christ has “all the fullness of deity” (verse 9), He is more than capable of filling us up with all the spiritual blessings that can only be found “in Him” (Ephesians 1:3). Jesus is “the head over all rule and authority,” and He amply supplies all that the body (His church) and its members (Christians) need to survive and flourish.
In Christ Jesus we have undergone a spiritual circumcision (verse 11). Unlike the physical circumcision of all Jewish males, this one is evidenced by the ways that our lives have been transformed, not by the changed outward appearance of the flesh. Paul talked about this circumcision in Romans 2:28-29: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
This circumcision takes place in the waters of baptism, when we are “buried with Him” and afterward we are “raised up with Him through faith” (verse 12). Again Paul elaborates in his letter to the Romans: “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” (Romans 6:3-6)
This circumcision of the heart where the “old self was crucified” and the “body of sin” was “cut away” cannot be appropriately called a work of man because it is actually “the working of God” (verse 12). This is where the Lord makes us “alive” spiritually, “having forgiven us all our transgressions” (verse 13). Have you been made complete in Christ? If you have not been baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, you have not experienced the necessary spiritual rebirth or taken your first baby-step in a new life in Him.
Please read Colossians 2:14-15 for tomorrow.
Please come worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ located at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville.
9:30 AM Bible Study – 10:30 AM worship service – 5:00 PM worship service.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 2:6-9
Saturday, October 20, 2018“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The Colossians had “received” the teaching of and the truth about “Christ Jesus the Lord” (verse 6) from “Epaphras” (1:7), and other faithful Gospel preachers and teachers. They had received and believed the perfect revelation of God in opposition to “the tradition of men” (verse 8) which was taught by people who did not have their best interests at heart, and who brought damnable heresy into their lives. Christians must shun all false doctrine that only brings alienation from God, and “walk” in the truth that alone brings freedom and salvation.
We must be taught right in order to be saved by the Lord, and we also need to walk (live our lives) the right way—strictly according to the doctrine of Christ—in order to remain faithful to Him throughout our lives. Once we have had our faith “firmly rooted” in Christ Jesus the Lord, we should strive to be continually “built up in Him and established” even more deeply and securely in the truth (verse 7).
There is an ever-present danger in the “deception” that exists in purely human “philosophy” and reasoning (verse 8). Even reverting back to Old Testament ordinances, which originated from God’s mind and were formerly pleasing to Him (Colossians 2:16-23), is considered to be “elementary principles of the world” that were superseded by Christ. Once God has “rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (1:13), we must be vigilant to never be taken “captive” again by Satan and His dark power of sin and error.
If we truly comprehend what God has accomplished by giving us the Sacrifice of His Son and the superiority of His doctrine, our hearts would be “overflowing with gratitude” (verse 7). If we learn to appreciate the former bleak, horrid, lost condition that sin created in our lives before Christ, we would treasure the beautiful, vivid contrast of walking in the light of His truth and glory, and reverting back to that darkness would not even be a remote consideration. No matter what circumstances you may find yourself living in today, if you are in Christ, be grateful for the salvation, freedom and eternal hope that God has so mercifully given to you in Him!
Please read Colossians 2:10-13 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
Colossians 2:1-5
Friday, October 19, 2018“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul experienced great external and internal “struggle” (verse 1) on behalf of his brethren as he fought for the truth of the Gospel. Paul earnestly contended for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints (Jude 1:3), and he willingly and daily confronted the enemy of sin and doctrinal error. He was obviously troubled over the false teaching that was threating the security and unity of the Christians in Colosse, and he expressed this internal struggle by writing of His concern for them and by taking it to God in prayer on their behalf.
The disclosure of Paul’s daily struggles is a clear attestation to the very real and serious dangers that moral transgression and the “persuasive argument” (verse 4) of false teaching present. Anyone or anything that stands in opposition to God and His will for His people is a source of stumbling and falling short of the salvation that Jesus died to make available. The only ways to combat wickedness and lawlessness is by learning, living and teaching the pure, unadulterated truth, and by petitioning God for the wisdom and understanding of the ones who are teaching and hearing it.
Teaching the Gospel truth is also the only way for the hearts of brothers and sisters in Christ to be “knit together in love” (verse 2). Paul tells us to speak the truth in love in Ephesians 4:15, and, in Christ Jesus, truth and love are inseparable companions. The only way for brethren to attain “the full assurance of understanding resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery” is that we all learn the same, absolute truth that produces “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1), and to stand firmly together in our convictions for that truth and our love for one another. No amount of earthly wealth is worthy to compare to the true “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (verse 3) that can only be found through Christ and His word and His church.
Please read Colossians 2:6-9 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:24-29
Thursday, October 18, 2018“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
I don’t believe that anyone truly enjoys suffering, but Paul was able to “rejoice” because He was following after His Master’s example, and picking up in the suffering of “afflictions” where Christ had left off (verse 24). After Christ had stopped him cold on the Damascus Road and completely turned his life around, Paul’s “purpose” (verse 29) in life was to “fully carry out the preaching of the word of God” (verse 25). Paul was not about to let sufferings, persecutions and afflictions stop him from teaching people the message of eternal salvation that they so desperately needed to hear and obey.
The word of God is considered a “mystery” because the full scope of the truth was once “hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been” made clearly and fully known through the Gospel (verse 26). The mystery is that Christ Jesus is the “hope” and “glory” of the Gentiles as well as the Jews (verse 27). Paul did not discriminate in the proliferation of the Good News, but admonished and taught “every man” (person) regardless of lineage, background or status. His goal was not only to convert people to Christ but also to instill “wisdom” within them so that they would grow to spiritual maturity and be “complete in Christ” (verse 28).
Paul labored and strove for the furtherance of the Gospel because God’s “power” worked “mightily” within him (verse 29). But lest we think that we are not equal to the task because we are not endowed with the power and authority of an Apostle of Christ, let me remind you that there is ample, mighty power dwelling within the word of God itself! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Let the word of God do what He designed it to do! Just teach people the truth and do not even give consideration to your own inadequacies! The Gospel is God’s power to save!
Please read Colossians 2:1-5 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:21-23
Wednesday, October 17, 2018“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
When we were in the world and engaged in sinful thoughts and “evil deeds,” we were “hostile” enemies of God and “alienated” from Him and His spiritual blessings (verse 21). Wicked thoughts and actions are direct attacks on God and His holiness, and are completely deserving of God’s righteous wrath. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).
Yet, because of His great love and mercy, Jesus paid the penalty that we all deserve from of our sins, and He “reconciled” us “in His fleshly body through death” (verse 22). Without Christ’s sacrifice there could have been no appeasement of God’s wrath and therefore no reconciliation with Him. Sinners who refuse to turn to God through obedient faith in Christ Jesus make themselves forever the Lord’s enemies and will be eternally damned and estranged from Him.
For those of us who willingly and purposefully chose a covenant relationship with God through Christ, we must “continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast” and unmovable in our hope (verse 23). Jesus died for us in order that He might present us “holy and blameless and beyond reproach” as we stand before God on Judgment Day (verse 22). But we can see that Christ’s sacrifice and our “belief alone” will not be enough to secure us on that day. We will only be regenerated on the last day “if” (verse 23) we continue firmly, steadfastly and unwaveringly in our faith in Jesus and our conviction for His Gospel.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Please read Colossians 1:24-29 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:18-20
Tuesday, October 16, 2018“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Jesus is “the head of the body, the church” (verse 18). The church of Jesus Christ does not have a chief earthly ruler or headquarters. There is no ruling class or committee or governing body that makes policy, determines doctrine or delegates authority. Jesus reigns over His church kingdom seated at the right hand of His Father’s throne in heaven as Supreme Ruler. He has dictated His will and commands to us through the inspired revelation that has been perfectly preserved throughout the ages in the pages of the New Testament.
Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead.” He is not the first person to ever be resurrected from the dead, but He is the only one who has arisen by His own power and authority, and the only one to remain alive and in a glorified form after having arisen. Jesus holds “first place” or “preeminence in everything.” He is God in all “fullness” (verse 19), form (verse 15) and essence. He is the Creator of the Universe, and all things were made “through Him and for Him” (verse 17). He is the ruler of eternity, of all creation and of the church that He purchased “through the blood of His cross” (verse 20).
The Father chose Jesus, and Him alone, to “reconcile all things to Himself” and make “peace” between Himself and mankind (verse 20). There is no other way to an eternity with the Father in heaven than through the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 14:6), and our faith in Him and obedience to His commands. The only way to live with God’s grace and favor, and to have things ultimately end well for you is to give Jesus “first place in everything” in your life.
Please read Colossians 1:21-23 for tomorrow.
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:15-17
Monday, October 15, 201810-16-18 – Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
---End of Scripture Verses---
Paul is making the case for the preeminence and absolute authority and sufficiency of Christ Jesus. The brethren had some misconceptions about the nature of Jesus because of the misinformation spread by some false teachers. Paul teaches them who Christ is in regards to deity (verse 15), as concerns the created Universe (verses 15-17), and in relation to the church (verses 18-23) in this chapter.
Jesus is the “image of the invisible God” (verse 15). To say that Jesus is the “image” or the “eikon” of God is to say that He is the Father’s “representation and manifestation” (Vine’s Dictionary). The Apostle John wrote concerning Jesus: “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him” (John 1:18).
Jesus bore the image of His Father in heaven because He coexists with Him from eternity and He shares the same eternal nature and essence of the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew writer wrote of Jesus that “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus doesn’t merely bear the “image” of the Father in appearance, but is the “exact representation of His nature.”
To say that Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation” is not to say that Jesus was a created being. Paul is relating the concept of rank and privilege, and not birth and origination by this statement. He is not saying that Christ is a part of creation, because “by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth” (verse 16). Jesus as the Word existed “before all things” (verse 17) therefore His is far superior to anything in the created world, and owns the rank far above any created person or thing.
In Jesus “all things hold together” (verse 17). As we read in Hebrews 1:3, Jesus “upholds all things by the word of His power.” The Word not only created the Universe, but He also maintains its order and cohesiveness by the Almighty power that He exerts in keeping things intact and functioning properly. Do you feel as if your life is flying out of control as you read this? Maybe it is because you have not made or maintained Jesus as the center of your world. It is impossible to “hold it all together” without Jesus as the power source for mental and spiritual cohesion in your life.
Please read Colossians 1:18-20 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:13-14
Sunday, October 14, 2018“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Through the beloved Son of God alone can we hope to be rescued, transferred, redeemed and forgiven. “The domain of darkness” is the realm of sin and spiritual death where “the prince of the power of the air” reigns (Ephesians 2:1-2). This is the state of existence of spiritual blindness and ignorance and alienation from the God of love, light and holiness.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4: “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Jesus lived and died and arose and ascended in order to illuminate our lives and rescue us from this horrid realm of alienation and damnation. He paid the purchase price of “redemption” with His own blood that brings us back into good standing with God, and transfers us into the safety of the “kingdom of His beloved Son.”
Friend, if you are living outside of a covenant relationship with God through the blood of His Only Begotten Son, you are in grave peril! If you have yet to express your faith in God by complying to the command to be baptized “for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38), “into Christ Jesus” and “into His death” (Romans 6:3) so that you can contact His blood and arise to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4), you are still dead in the darkness of sin.
If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world (John 3:16), and you are ready to confess your belief in Him (Romans 10:9-10), repent of your sins (Acts 2:38) and turn to the Lord in obedient faith, you can make your life right with God this very day!
Please come visit us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ. We are located at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
We offer a Bible study period at 9:30 AM and we assemble for worship at 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
God bless you and have a wonderful Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:9-12
Saturday, October 13, 2018“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The only way we could ever hope to do God’s bidding on a consistent and continual basis is to “be filled with the knowledge of His will” (verse 9). If we do not take the time to frequently feed bountifully upon and fill ourselves up with the living word of God, we will find ourselves suffering from spiritual starvation and alienation from the giver of “all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
If we are spiritually malnourished, we will not be able to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (verse 10). We will just stagger around and bump into and trip up on all manner of foolishness and transgression. The word of God is not only food but it is also living seed that, when planted firmly within our minds, bears lovely fruit that manifests itself in “every good work” of faith and love.
God’s word is our source of “strength,” “power,” and “might” to do these good works and remain “steadfast” in times of troubles and trials (verse 11). The Bible produces “patience” within us so that we can “joyously give thanks to the Father” not matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in. Isn’t it a wonderful and joyful thing to know that, whatever our lot is here on earth that God has taught us to say: “It is well with my soul”? We have an eternal “inheritance” with “the saints in Light” (verse 12) that no depth of darkness in this world could ever hope to dim or flicker out!
Rejoice and give thanks holy ones! If our Father in heaven is for us, no one and no thing can ever prevail against us! Drink deeply from the wellspring of life! I am so thankful that you are reading along with us in these daily Bible readings, but please do not stop to sip at this little well only. Let this only serve to stimulate your thirst to drink much more deeply and meaningfully throughout the day!
Please read Colossians 1:13-14 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:1-8
Friday, October 12, 2018“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul mentions the blessed triad of faith, hope and love in verses 4 and 5. The Apostle tells us that the greatest of these three virtues is love in 1 Corinthians 13:13, but it seems that hope is the hinge. It is “because of the hope laid up” in heaven that their faith and love were so strong. If we did not have hope in Christ Jesus for a bright eternity in heaven, there would be little or no motivation to have Christ-like love for our brethren or fight the good fight of faith. “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). The hope (confident expectation) of heaven is the driving force behind our faith and our love and every good thing that we do. How pitiable we would be if our hope ended at the grave!
The Gospel is THE word of truth (verse 5) that prompts us to have faith in God and love our brethren, and that gives us the hope of heaven. The Gospel is a living, dynamic, spiritual power plant (Hebrews 4:12). It is not only the absolute truth and the final word on truth, it is the “power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16) and transformation (Romans 12:2). The Gospel is “constantly bearing fruit and increasing” in the world today, just as it was “in all the world” back then (verse 6).
Sometimes we may get discouraged because it seems that people just don’t respond favorably to the Gospel like they used to. But human nature and mankind’s needs have not changed in the slightest. People still need the Gospel today as much as they ever have in the past, and God’s word will still work powerfully in their lives. It's just that we must be determined to get the word out into the world and into human hearts. “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
Please read Colossians 1:9-12 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Introduction to Colossians
Thursday, October 11, 2018The city of Colosse was located in the district of Phrygia in the province of Asia (Minor – modern day Turkey), and it was in close proximity to the cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea, the latter of which Paul wanted this letter read to (4:13, 16). Once a large and prosperous city that flourished because of its wool garment industry, by the time of Paul’s writing in the first century, Colosse was in decline, especially in comparison to its sister cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea.
It is not known how the church began in Colosse but it is unlikely that Paul had a part in its inception because it appears that he was personally unknown to the churches in that area (2:1). Jews from Phrygia were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost when the church of Christ was established (Acts 2:10), so perhaps some of those played a part in converting some of the locals to Christ when they returned home. Epaphras worked diligently to spread the truth with Paul and he was from Colosse (4:12), and he actually preached the Gospel there (1:7), so he may have been instrumental in starting up the congregation.
It seems that the main reason Paul wrote this letter was to warn the brethren to “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (2:8-9). There was an element among the brethren in the region that was teaching damning heresy that may have been a combination of early Gnosticism and old Judaism.
Twice in the letter Paul emphasized that all the fullness of deity dwelt in Christ in bodily form (1:19: 2:9), which is a direct refutation of the gnostic principle that flesh is inherently evil. The Apostle also warned the brethren against the keeping of Jewish holy days which were “a mere shadow” of the truth and substance that has since been revealed in Christ Jesus (2:16-17). Paul wanted these brethren to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that” they would be able to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (1:9-10).
Please read Colossians 1:1-8 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor