Text: Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV)
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
In this section, Paul describes what a Christian should be doing. The set of characteristics described in verse 12 are things that the Christian is to "put on" or begin doing to incorporate into our way of life. Notice in verse 13 that we are commanded to forgive our fellow Christians "as Christ forgave you." He bore all of our sins, though great in number and the most grievous things possible, so we should willingly and joyfully forgive our fellow Christians no matter what they have done to us (assuming they actually ask forgiveness). There is no limit to this.
I think verse 14 is one of the clearest articulations of a crucial New Testament principle- love, as in Matthew 22:37-39 (the greatest commandments according to Jesus). Love toward others is overarching. If one always acts in love towards others, that person really doesn't have to worry about following the nitty gritty rules of behavior. Rather than the system of the law in the Old Testament, the New Testament generally lays down broad principles of behavior. Certainly there are details and specifics in what Christians are and are not supposed to do; however, the purpose is to show us how to please God in our lives. How could we properly show our love for God if we don't know what He wants? Love is that which holds together and completes all of the other virtues ("bond of perfection").
Literally from verse 15, let the peace that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as one's Savior be the umpire of our lives. If we let this peace surround everything in our heart and mind, nothing can dissuade our joy or spiritual walk.
I am not going to go deep into Christian music here, but the idea conveyed is that a primary purpose for it is to teach or remind us of truth from the Bible. If the lyrics to our songs don't accomplish this, then we need to find some that do because this is a command.
Echoing 1 Corinthians 10:31, the Christian is again reminded in verse 17 to live every aspect of their life for God's glory and in a way that reflects Jesus Christ.
Application(s):
Don't delay and make an active choice to start putting on the Christian virtues commanded here.
Focus on loving other Christians. This guiding attitude will govern our actions such that they generally conform to what God expects in our relationships.
Let the peace of God rule in your heart and mind. If you are already a true Christian, then you have the peace there right now. However, you need to relax through studying God's Word, meditating on His promises, and praying so that you can have this peace.
Live every aspect of your life for God's glory and in a way that reflects Jesus Christ.
Other Studies from Colossians
Friday, April 8, 2011
Discipleship Bible Reading Guide: Week 18
Sunday (Day 120): 1 Corinthians 10
Monday (Day 121): 1 Corinthians 11
Tuesday (Day 122): 1 Corinthians 12-13
Wednesday (Day 123): 1 Corinthians 14
Thursday (Day 124): 1 Corinthians 15
Friday (Day 125): 1 Corinthians 16
Saturday (Day 126): 2 Corinthians 1-2
Monday (Day 121): 1 Corinthians 11
Tuesday (Day 122): 1 Corinthians 12-13
Wednesday (Day 123): 1 Corinthians 14
Thursday (Day 124): 1 Corinthians 15
Friday (Day 125): 1 Corinthians 16
Saturday (Day 126): 2 Corinthians 1-2
Discipleship Bible Reading Guide: Week 17
Sunday (Day 113): Mark 16
Monday (Day 114): 1 Corinthians 1
Tuesday (Day 115): 1 Corinthians 2-3
Wednesday (Day 116): 1 Corinthians 4-5
Thursday (Day 117): 1 Corinthians 6
Friday (Day 118): 1 Corinthians 7
Saturday (Day 119): 1 Corinthians 8-9
Monday (Day 114): 1 Corinthians 1
Tuesday (Day 115): 1 Corinthians 2-3
Wednesday (Day 116): 1 Corinthians 4-5
Thursday (Day 117): 1 Corinthians 6
Friday (Day 118): 1 Corinthians 7
Saturday (Day 119): 1 Corinthians 8-9
Discipleship Bible Reading Guide: Week 16
Sunday (Day 106): Mark 9
Monday (Day 107): Mark 10
Tuesday (Day 108): Mark 11
Wednesday (Day 109): Mark 12
Thursday (Day 110): Mark 13
Friday (Day 111): Mark 14
Saturday (Day 112): Mark 15
Monday (Day 107): Mark 10
Tuesday (Day 108): Mark 11
Wednesday (Day 109): Mark 12
Thursday (Day 110): Mark 13
Friday (Day 111): Mark 14
Saturday (Day 112): Mark 15
Discipleship Bible Reading Guide: Week 15
Sunday (Day 99): Mark 2
Monday (Day 100): Mark 3
Tuesday (Day 101): Mark 4
Wednesday (Day 102): Mark 5
Thursday (Day 103): Mark 6
Friday (Day 104): Mark 7
Saturday (Day 105): Mark 8
Monday (Day 100): Mark 3
Tuesday (Day 101): Mark 4
Wednesday (Day 102): Mark 5
Thursday (Day 103): Mark 6
Friday (Day 104): Mark 7
Saturday (Day 105): Mark 8
Monday, April 4, 2011
4/4/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Colossians... The Total Supremacy of Christ, Part 2 (Colossians 3:1-11)
Text: Colossians 3:1-11 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This section represents the third focus in the letter of how Jesus Christ is totally superior in every way to all things. Here Jesus is identified as superior compared to the things of this world system.
The first section of verses (1-4) consists of a logical plea from Paul for the Colossian Christians to not focus on the things of this world but on the eternal things of Heaven. Life on Earth is short, but we have the hope (promise) of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus. Since that is the case, there should be no reason to be preoccupied with worry or get focused on the affairs of this life.
Next, Paul turned his attention to commanding the believers to, quite literally, put to death the parts of their lives listed immediately following. Lustful passions and a general lust in our mind are condemned. I want to focus briefly on the idea here of covetousness. The underlying term (πλεονεξιαν) here is very strong and set off from the rest of the list by an article, transcending our normal understanding of this English word. The idea is that, in desiring things for ourselves, we set ourselves up as deity, deserving of all good things. Notice in verse 7 that Paul assumes that, as Christians, these Colossian readers had stopped doing these sins (see also: verses 9-10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17).
There now follows a list, pictured in the Greek as filthy rags, that the Christians are supposed to stop. Apparently, these are actions that permeated the Colossian church but must be stopped. The first several are pretty straightforward, but I want to take a moment to focus on what is translated here as "filthy language." The Greek word αἰσχρολογιαν occurs only here in the New Testament. When it comes to what words are "naughty words" in the Bible, the two major focuses are that one is not to take God's name in vain or curse another person. Communication is supposed to be pure. However, how does one know what English words in 2011 America are OK and which ones are not? Well, let's look at the purity thing. Basically, your communication is to be above reproach, so if your conscience tells you that it is questionable, you should just avoid it. That being said, I don't think it is good to judge the specific words of others with the criteria of our conscience. For some, saying "shoot" as an interjection or in anger is just short for a widely accepted cuss word; however, others may not see it that way. I would mostly suggest in this area to focus on our own speech and train our children after our convictions but not to be harsh towards others without that specific conviction. Anyway, back to our passage. The term used here is probably the most sound argument against cuss words that do not misuse God's name or not used to curse another person. The term reflects low, filthy language with a connotation of being abusive. Exactly where this line is drawn within different languages, cultures, generations, and situations will vary, but what is constant is that our speech should be pure and above reproach.
Verses 10-11 provide an awesome passage of hope. People throughout history have been born into situations beyond their control. Some are born slaves in abysmal conditions, whereas others are born into royalty. Some were born into the chosen race of Hebrews, but most were not. One of the great things about Christianity is that none of that matters, since all are equally welcome. Furthermore, if one sets their mind on things above as dictated at the start of the chapter, their life situation is seen as temporary. Nothing is hopeless or without escape. You might have to be a slave for 60 years, but that will be insignificant 1,000,000,000,000 years into freedom in Heaven with God.
Application(s):
Focus your mind on the spiritual situation, not the immediate physical one. See things in the light of God and eternity. Take hope in eternity in Heaven!
Cut off the sins mentioned in this passage. I specifically focused on covetous (self-idolizing) and filthy speech, but there were many others listed.
Consider your communication. Is it pure? Is it above reproach? Set your standards high, but be careful not to judge others on matters of conscience.
Other Studies from Colossians
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This section represents the third focus in the letter of how Jesus Christ is totally superior in every way to all things. Here Jesus is identified as superior compared to the things of this world system.
The first section of verses (1-4) consists of a logical plea from Paul for the Colossian Christians to not focus on the things of this world but on the eternal things of Heaven. Life on Earth is short, but we have the hope (promise) of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus. Since that is the case, there should be no reason to be preoccupied with worry or get focused on the affairs of this life.
Next, Paul turned his attention to commanding the believers to, quite literally, put to death the parts of their lives listed immediately following. Lustful passions and a general lust in our mind are condemned. I want to focus briefly on the idea here of covetousness. The underlying term (πλεονεξιαν) here is very strong and set off from the rest of the list by an article, transcending our normal understanding of this English word. The idea is that, in desiring things for ourselves, we set ourselves up as deity, deserving of all good things. Notice in verse 7 that Paul assumes that, as Christians, these Colossian readers had stopped doing these sins (see also: verses 9-10 and 2 Corinthians 5:17).
There now follows a list, pictured in the Greek as filthy rags, that the Christians are supposed to stop. Apparently, these are actions that permeated the Colossian church but must be stopped. The first several are pretty straightforward, but I want to take a moment to focus on what is translated here as "filthy language." The Greek word αἰσχρολογιαν occurs only here in the New Testament. When it comes to what words are "naughty words" in the Bible, the two major focuses are that one is not to take God's name in vain or curse another person. Communication is supposed to be pure. However, how does one know what English words in 2011 America are OK and which ones are not? Well, let's look at the purity thing. Basically, your communication is to be above reproach, so if your conscience tells you that it is questionable, you should just avoid it. That being said, I don't think it is good to judge the specific words of others with the criteria of our conscience. For some, saying "shoot" as an interjection or in anger is just short for a widely accepted cuss word; however, others may not see it that way. I would mostly suggest in this area to focus on our own speech and train our children after our convictions but not to be harsh towards others without that specific conviction. Anyway, back to our passage. The term used here is probably the most sound argument against cuss words that do not misuse God's name or not used to curse another person. The term reflects low, filthy language with a connotation of being abusive. Exactly where this line is drawn within different languages, cultures, generations, and situations will vary, but what is constant is that our speech should be pure and above reproach.
Verses 10-11 provide an awesome passage of hope. People throughout history have been born into situations beyond their control. Some are born slaves in abysmal conditions, whereas others are born into royalty. Some were born into the chosen race of Hebrews, but most were not. One of the great things about Christianity is that none of that matters, since all are equally welcome. Furthermore, if one sets their mind on things above as dictated at the start of the chapter, their life situation is seen as temporary. Nothing is hopeless or without escape. You might have to be a slave for 60 years, but that will be insignificant 1,000,000,000,000 years into freedom in Heaven with God.
Application(s):
Focus your mind on the spiritual situation, not the immediate physical one. See things in the light of God and eternity. Take hope in eternity in Heaven!
Cut off the sins mentioned in this passage. I specifically focused on covetous (self-idolizing) and filthy speech, but there were many others listed.
Consider your communication. Is it pure? Is it above reproach? Set your standards high, but be careful not to judge others on matters of conscience.
Other Studies from Colossians
Sunday, April 3, 2011
April 3, 2011: Week 2 Service- Will anyone come back?
The Grand Opening Service last week was great. There were 157 people there, and we had literally dozens of helpers. This week, it was up to the local team to do the work of the ministry. Oh, and there was a TON of outreach for the Grand Opening Service, and none specifically for this week. The question on our minds was- would anyone be there today?
We would have praised God no matter how many people showed up. Even if it was Pastor V and I alone, we would have praised Him. He knows best. He builds His church. The Lord saw fit to bring 96 souls into the service at North Hills Baptist Church today, and we praise Him for that! The response we have had is actually overwhelming. Again this week, our chair setup was inadequate, and we had to scramble. That is the kind of "problem" I like to have though. The spiritual response beyond attendance has been great too, though. There are literally dozens of families that have either requested to have a personal/family Bible study, had someone make a profession of faith that needs to be followed up on, or have expressed interest in actively serving in our church.
Today, we had 1 couple we met at the service last week come an hour early to help with setup. We were already 90% done, but what a blessing to see people that excited about serving! Then, after the service, they and 2 other families from last week stayed behind to help take down. Again, what a blessing!
God is doing great things already here in Round Rock, Texas. If you are praying for us, here are some specific items to pray for:
We would have praised God no matter how many people showed up. Even if it was Pastor V and I alone, we would have praised Him. He knows best. He builds His church. The Lord saw fit to bring 96 souls into the service at North Hills Baptist Church today, and we praise Him for that! The response we have had is actually overwhelming. Again this week, our chair setup was inadequate, and we had to scramble. That is the kind of "problem" I like to have though. The spiritual response beyond attendance has been great too, though. There are literally dozens of families that have either requested to have a personal/family Bible study, had someone make a profession of faith that needs to be followed up on, or have expressed interest in actively serving in our church.
Today, we had 1 couple we met at the service last week come an hour early to help with setup. We were already 90% done, but what a blessing to see people that excited about serving! Then, after the service, they and 2 other families from last week stayed behind to help take down. Again, what a blessing!
God is doing great things already here in Round Rock, Texas. If you are praying for us, here are some specific items to pray for:
- The Pastoral staff. We have a LOT of follow-up to do with people in this infant church. Pray for strength to endure, wisdom as we counsel, and God to raise up an abundance of helpers.
- Those who have come alongside us already to help. What a praise!
- Those who are ripe for the Gospel. They have heard it, and some have made professions of faith. Some want to take part in an evangelistic Bible study. These are people who need follow-up, so pray specifically for the condition of the souls of these people. I would say there are roughly 20-25 people in this category.
- Those who are saved and considering joining with us. There are quite a few people excited about being here. We are planning for exponential growth, taking the willingness of those in our church to work through an evangelistic Bible study with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. There has to be some screening (actually saved themselves, serious sin problems, etc.) and a lot of discipleship, so pray for both wisdom in the Pastoral staff and servants to continue coming forward. There are probably 20-30 of those in this category also.
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