COLOSSIANS

Colossians Chapter 2

• Colossians 2:1  For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 

Laodicea is last church mentioned in the 3rd chapter of Revelations. It was the lukewarm church. This also is a city in Asia Minor. Perhaps the heresies were spreading here and why it was one of the 7 churches with a letter of warning from the Lord.

• Revelation 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 
• 15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 
• 16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 
• 17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 
• 18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 
• 19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 
• 20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 
• 21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 
• 22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

Do we every wonder what God would have to say about the particular congregation or church we attend?

• Colossians 2:2  That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 
• 3  In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 
• 4  And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 
• 5  For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 

Paul even in prison suffering his own hardships was more concerned with the welfare of the churches then his own problems. He was concerned that they stay full of love, wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. He was really concerned that they be careful not to be deceived by those that speak falsely using enticing words. Entice means to draw into something with persuading words that are meant to get people to believe and follow what they are saying.

We are to have discernment with the heart of God. Discern and keep out of false teaching but with a heart that does not get bitter against those that fall into that kind of trap but desire instead to get them back into the truth. Thank God for providing us His word in written form. We can study the word to avoid being trapped into error by the deceit of those that speak for Satan. Some do not realize that, but if it's false, it is of Satan.

Alive in Christ

• Colossians 2:6  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 
• 7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 

Being thankful always for all of God's gifts, for His presence and for His indwelling Holy Spirit will help us avoid the pitfalls of false teaching. The Holy Spirit will help us discern and know the truth. Jesus said, "My sheep shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Be grounded in the word of truth, praying without ceasing. Talk to God, read about God, walk with God.

• Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 
• 9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 
• 10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 

We have to be careful of the education of our children in today's world. It is full of deceit and false teaching. Yet I marvel that in spite of all the nonsense taught today, we still have those that cling to God and His word. It wasn't as bad when I went to school but it was getting started.

I had one history teacher that tried to prove there was no God. God was always protecting me from the teaching of evolution. When it was taught, it went in one ear and out the other and it didn't even influence me. I never doubted even one time that I can remember of the silly theory being true. It was the silliest thing scientists ever come up with. The birth of a baby alone tells me that we didn't get here by accident. Since I had five children myself, I could see with my own eyes that we are not here by chance. Glory to God for the witness of His Holy Spirit.

Through Jesus we are complete in Him when we come to Him for salvation. People that are without Christ really do not know what they are missing. His presence is glorious.

• Colossians 2:11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 

A spiritual circumcision took the place of the old circumcision in the flesh. We don't have to worry about whether a baby is circumcised or not as far as salvation is concerned. For health reasons it might be beneficial but it has nothing to do with whether we are right with God or not. All the old rituals of the law are fufilled by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. We have a new and living way now that changes us from within our very souls. All things become new and old things have passed away.

The Law was a school master to bring us to Christ.

• Colossians 2:12  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. 

This is baptism into Christ, not water baptism which is a symbol of what happens when we are baptized into the body of Christ by the precious Holy Spirit. There is no way being baptized in water could save a person on the inside. It is a sign of being obedient when we receive Christ though and we are supposed to be baptized in water but we are saved already before that baptism takes place. Being baptized into Christ happens first before any outward water baptism. Joining a church, partaking of Communion and any outward thing we do is good but does not save the soul. Outward acts are done because we've been saved from sin, not to save us from sin.

• Colossians 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; ;
• 14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 
• 15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

Isn't this so great? Quickened means to make alive. We were once dead in sin but through Christ we become alive spiritually. We will be literally resurrected at the coming of the Lord but we are spiritually resurrected when we come to Christ. Water baptism is a symbol of being buried with Christ then raised when we come out of the water. It is all so wonderful my words cannot express the beauty of being born again by the Holy Spirit from God. All our sins nailed to the cross. Gone when we come to Christ. We don't have to fear, we don't have to hate, we don't have to have that old stuff within us any longer. Jesus Christ makes us free. Who needs that old stuff anymore?

Let No One Disqualify You

• Colossions 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 

We can keep the Jewish feasts if we want to but it has nothing to do with our salvation. We are not to judge one another over this. Now I usually avoid pork or animals that are forbidden by the law of Moses but not for spiritual reasons. I know it has nothing to do with my salvation but I figured if God forbade it, it must have been bad for health reasons. I wouldn't feel guilty though if I did eat it. Paul is trying to get the church to stop arguing over these types of things because it has nothing to do with our walk with Christ.

• Colossians 2:17  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 

The feast days, the law and all were types and shadows of that which was to come through Christ. Every time they did animal sacrifices for instance, it pointed toward the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins once and for all. Whether we worship on a Sunday or a Saturday or even a Tuesday, what does it matter? I worship God everyday. I gather with others on Sunday. I have a precious cousin that gathers with her congregation on a Saturday. She loves God, so do I. She is filled with the Holy Spirit, so am I. So what is the difference? In Jesus we are to be made free to worship all the time if we want to. We don't have to be bound by days, months and years. I know people that are sticklers for celebrating Christmas and others who do not. There are things more important and that is do we know Jesus Christ and to have been born again by the Holy Spirit of God. Are we right with God? That is what counts.

• Colossians 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 
• 19  And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 

Any religion based on angels or something besides being centered in Jesus Christ should be avoided. Fasting is good but we must not make a religion out of fasting, self-denial and such to appear to be saintly or religious in the sight of men. I believe in dreams and visions but they are not to be what we believe in above the written word of God. We need to be careful to stay Christ centered in all things. The others things may have their place but they must be centered on the word of God and Christ. Be careful of those the profess superior knowledge. Prove all things.

• 1Thessalonians 5:12  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 
• 13  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 
• 14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 
• 15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 
• 16  Rejoice evermore. 
• 17  Pray without ceasing. 
• 18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
• 19  Quench not the Spirit. 
• 20  Despise not prophesyings. 
• 21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 
• 22  Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

Prove all things, Paul says. It's okay to check things out to make sure it's from God. Yet I repeat, have discernment but with the heart of God. Don't be quick to label our brothers and sisters in the Lord as false teachers. Just because we disagree on doctrine doesn't make one false. If that was the case we would all be false once in a while. Have compassion but yet don't believe everything that comes along in the name of the Lord.

• Colossians 2:20  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 
• 21  (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 
• 22  Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 
• 23  Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Many down through church history have added their own commandments and doctrines. Some may be good, some are not. That is why God gave us His word in written form. We do not have to be deceived. All religions have their own rituals and commands. If we seek the Lord, deep down we will know what is good and what is evil. Once we get to know Jesus in spirit and in truth, we will not want anything to do with sin. We will want to please God in all our ways. -DC

Colossians Chapter 3