Tag: Colossians 1
All patience with joy!
Scripture reading for September 8: Colossians 1
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered 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.” Colossians 1:9-14
Paul wrote another letter from prison in Rome to the believers in Colossae. The church there had been founded during Paul’s missionary journey where he preached for three years in Ephesus. They were being attacked by false teachers who were undermining the supremacy of Christ and His sufficiency. But Paul wrote to encourage them through prayer and words of truth. His prayer in these opening verses was for a knowledge of God’s will in spiritual wisdom and understanding. He knew when believers had a full understanding of God’s will that they could then conduct themselves in a godly manner and fulfill the good works that He had prepared for them.
Paul also prayed that they would be strengthened with all power through the Holy Spirit. When believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, they can grow spiritual fruit like patience and joy and endurance. They live lives of thankfulness and look forward to sharing in eternal inheritance in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. They rest in Christ’s sacrifice of His blood to bring their forgiveness of sins and redemption from death and eternal separation from God in outer darkness. They have joy in their deliverance from the darkness of sin through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Firstborn of all creation and Creator of all things. (Colossians 1:15)
Is your life today marked by the fruits of endurance, patience and joy? Is your knowledge of Jesus Christ continuing to grow and can you clearly define His will for your own salvation? Do you experience the pleasure of God and His power growing in your daily walk?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, the Firstborn of all creation and my Redeemer. I understand the mystery of His will that through Jesus Christ, all mankind would be enabled to receive forgiveness of sins and a transfer from the darkness of sin into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in and through me today. Amen.
Christ in You–the Hope of Glory!
Scripture reading for September 7th: Colossians 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Colossians 1:24-27 “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the Church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness–the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Paul rejoiced as he suffered in jail for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He rejoiced that he had the privilege to serve Christ’s body, the Church, through preaching the full word of God and suffering in his flesh! He had held nothing back so that their faith would rest on the firm foundation of God’s word and the faith that came from hearing it. There was a mystery that had been hidden from other generations and the Jews that God now revealed to all those “saints” who trusted in Christ. This “mystery” was that Christ Jesus would live in each believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit and revealing the glory of Christ in ever increasing measure.
Observations for over-comers: We are the temple of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, who indwells us and sets us apart to enjoy His presence and glory forever! “I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all My delight.” (Psalm 16:2-3)
Christ is supreme!
Scripture reading for September 8th: Colossians 1
Paul wrote a letter to the church at Colosse to counter some false teachers that had come into the church and were adding to the gospel human traditions and philosophy. They were also promoting the worship of angels. Paul’s emphasis was on correct doctrine concerning the supremacy of Christ and proper Christian conduct and character.
“He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17) One of the areas that Satan always attacks is the truth of God as creator of all things. We see this in the intellectual world of our present culture. Paul exalted Christ as the One God who created all things and who holds all things together! He exalted Him as the creator of angels and all authority, therefore supreme over all authority.
“And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:18-20) Not only is Christ the creator, but He is also the head of the Church. He earned this position by His death on behalf of sinners and His resurrection to become the firstborn back from death! It is only through His blood that we are saved! Christ is supreme!