Colossians
One of my favorite books of the Bible is the letter of Colossians. I have spent many sessions teaching this little letter in the past. I love the care and concern that Paul expresses to these believers even though he has never met them. I love how unselfish he is. He is in prison, yet he doesn't go on and on about how hard things are for him. He also doesn't ask for material things or pray for the Colossians that they would be comfortable. Rather, Paul focuses on how Christ and the cross are of first importance.
I have heard that there are over 40 opinions on what the heresy or problem was that caused Paul to write to the Colossians. Though there is much to be commended about them, including their faith, hope and love. There is a problem or concern that Paul had. It seems that someone is trying to add to the gospel with some type of philosophy or tradition, whether it is a Hellenistic group of Jews or gnostic group or something else. It is possible that Paul didn't know exactly what it was or maybe it was a mixture of things. That area of the world was known for magical thinking and empty philosophy.
That is why the idea of knowledge is so important here. Some people were claiming they had something more than what the Colossians already knew. They wanted them to observe festivals or traditions of man. Paul emphasized that it was Christ who delivered us from the domain of darkness and saved us (Col 1:13). He emphasized that he was the head of the church (Col 1:18). He emphasized that fullness came through knowing Him and no other (Col 2:10).
Paul essentially said that if you are adding to the cross with something else, then you are allowing others to defraud you of your liberty and freedom in Christ (Col 2:18). Why is this important? Because I think that sometimes christians still measure how great someone is by what they do in the church or their activity. But, I have met a lot of christians who serve in the church who have had a lot of offices and responsibility, but the truth is they don't treat other people very well.
The challenge for the christian is not to measure how well your doing by outward appearances. God wants to change us from the inside out. God wants us to "set our minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Col 3:2). Why does he want to do that? So, that God can transform us through his word and Spirit to be more christlike, so that we will walk in a manner worthy of Him (Col 1:10). The truth is, we cannot do this on our own, we have to rely upon the Spirit of God within us.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
"And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Ephesians 4:23
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint. . . ." Rom 5:3-5a
I have heard that there are over 40 opinions on what the heresy or problem was that caused Paul to write to the Colossians. Though there is much to be commended about them, including their faith, hope and love. There is a problem or concern that Paul had. It seems that someone is trying to add to the gospel with some type of philosophy or tradition, whether it is a Hellenistic group of Jews or gnostic group or something else. It is possible that Paul didn't know exactly what it was or maybe it was a mixture of things. That area of the world was known for magical thinking and empty philosophy.
That is why the idea of knowledge is so important here. Some people were claiming they had something more than what the Colossians already knew. They wanted them to observe festivals or traditions of man. Paul emphasized that it was Christ who delivered us from the domain of darkness and saved us (Col 1:13). He emphasized that he was the head of the church (Col 1:18). He emphasized that fullness came through knowing Him and no other (Col 2:10).
Paul essentially said that if you are adding to the cross with something else, then you are allowing others to defraud you of your liberty and freedom in Christ (Col 2:18). Why is this important? Because I think that sometimes christians still measure how great someone is by what they do in the church or their activity. But, I have met a lot of christians who serve in the church who have had a lot of offices and responsibility, but the truth is they don't treat other people very well.
The challenge for the christian is not to measure how well your doing by outward appearances. God wants to change us from the inside out. God wants us to "set our minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Col 3:2). Why does he want to do that? So, that God can transform us through his word and Spirit to be more christlike, so that we will walk in a manner worthy of Him (Col 1:10). The truth is, we cannot do this on our own, we have to rely upon the Spirit of God within us.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
"And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Ephesians 4:23
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint. . . ." Rom 5:3-5a
