Colossians 3 continued - Put on Love!

And above all these things put on charity [love], which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:14-15

As a new creation IN Christ Jesus, we have the ability to forgive people who have hurt us and to love them unconditionally, even when they don't deserve it. Even when they are the most unlovable people in the world! This is something the flesh cannot do, but the Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit, can do as He works through us. It is a miracle!

We also began a discussion of human relationships, particularly between a Christian husband and wife. Wives are to submit to their own husbands while husbands are to love their wives and not despise them. This is a controversial issue, but one that is easy and pain-free if done in accordance with the Spirit.

This is a two part video, so make sure you tune into part 2 for more discussion on submission!

Colossians 3 - Put Off the Old Man!

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:8-10.

Now that we have become new creations IN Christ Jesus and are considered to be righteous children of God, we have the unique ability, authority, and power to mortify or deaden the fleshly desires of this mortal body. 

Before we were born again IN HIM, this would have been impossible, since we were natural men who could only rely on our will power - which is always short-lived, as every dieter knows! But when we go through the new birth, we attain the ability to put those things away, to figuratively kill them, to take control of our earthly bodies and not let them control us. We do this by keeping our thoughts on things above, where Christ Jesus dwells, and not on things below, the things that are here on earth.

We need to reject any teaching that tells us we are still pathetic sinners with no ability to control our raging hormones, earthly desires, and emotions. All of that is a lie from the enemy working through well-meaning men. We must remember that IN Christ Jesus we have authority and power over all of that. It may take some time for manifestation to come, but if we stand firm, contiuing in the faith, listening to the father and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will see results!

The Holy Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth, and the heavenly father will help us and show us what we need to do to overcome. He's a good God!

Colossians 2 continued - Made Alive with Christ!

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Colossians 2:12-13.

Now that we are considered to have died with Christ, to have been buried with Him, and then raised up with Him in new life, why should we follow man-made rules and regulations regarding what we should eat and drink and when we should worship? If all of our sins have been forgiven and put away and we have been considered to have died to this world, why then are some of us trying to follow the rules of this world?

These are interesting questions that the Apostle Paul asked the church at Colossae. They are questions that we need to ask ourselves. We need to adjust our thinking and believing and line it up with God's Word by opening up the Scriptures and studying them for ourselves. We are to set our minds on spiritual things from above concerning Christ Jesus and not the things of this earth.

This takes practice, but it bears much fruit. The Holy Spirit will help us by giving us comfort and guidance.

We serve an awesome God!