Thursday, April 23, 2015

Colossians 2 - Completeness IN Him

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:9-10

Join us as we continue to look at the Apostle Paul's words to the Colossian church.

Just like today, there was much false teaching in the first century church that tarnished the pure Gospel of Grace given by the Lord Jesus Christ to Paul. As a result, he was vigilant in encouraging the believers to hold fast to the sound doctrine and truth that they had originally heard and come to believe. Most of us Christians know that this takes diligence and discipline, especially when surrounded by negative circumstances and negative people!

Paul tells us that Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily AND that we are complete IN Him! Just meditate on that a while and let it change you from the inside out! This takes spiritual eyes and ears to fathom!

There are so many more wonderful truths shared in this magnificent letter. Read it and be blessed!

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Colossians 1 - Translated into the Kingdom of Light

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:12-14.

The letter to the church at Colossae is such an uplifting word to the body of Christ. It is one of my favorite letters written by the Apostle Paul, because it has given me so much encouragement over the years. In particular, it is interesting to note how he begins this letter (as he does all of his letters except for Galatians) praising God, giving thanks, expressing his joy in knowing the Lord, and then reminding his hearers/readers of who they are IN Christ and what the Lord Jesus has done for them by taking sins away on the cross. This is a good pattern to follow when teaching the Word of God. Most Christians need to be reminded of who they really are, not what they have failed to do or not do. The enemy does a pretty good job of that without our help!

Chapter 1 is full of wonderful truths, particularly the truth that we have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, which is the kingdom ruled by Jesus. And not only that, we are partakers in the inheritance that comes with being a part of this new kingdom. None of us truly has any idea of how glorious this inheritance is! It certainly exceeds anything we could think or imagine with our human minds!

Also, we are told in Chapter 1 that we can pray for the knowledge of God's will and to expect wisdom, revelation, and understanding to be given to us. How many of us actually stop to consider what an awesome gift this is? I have to remind myself many times, and still I find it hard to fully fathom.

We serve such a wonderful, marvelous, awesome God!