My brother, good Thursday morning! Greetings and blessings to you in the Precious Name of Our Lord Jesus!
Read Colossians 2:6 – 15.
Not much is really known about the early church at Colossae, as this smaller city is not mentioned in the Book of Acts. It is generally thought that this predominantly Gentile and culturally diverse church was established by Epaphras, who heard the Gospel when Paul was preaching in Ephesus, located about 100 miles west of Colossae.
The Colossians, much like some of the other early churches, were having to contend with outside (cultural and religious) influences with the potential to taint the simple purity of the Gospel; therefore, Paul wrote this letter to ensure these new Believers were fully anchored in the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
As you read today’s selected verses, take note of how The Holy Spirit, working through Paul, reveals the majesty and power and preexistence and divinity of Christ – and by presenting His true nature, the Colossians are delivered from any corruption. Brothers, given the times in which we live, we would do well to learn this lesson – let us make sure we are regularly and methodically pursuing a more intimate knowledge of Jesus for ourselves!
In our passage, the Spirit exhorts each of us, as Believers, to:
– walk in Jesus
– be rooted in Him
– be built up in Him
– be established in the faith
– abound in the faith
– be complete in Christ
In contrast with the wonderful revelation of Our Lord, today’s reading also contains this very direct warning from the Spirit (vv 8) – “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”. What wise counsel for each of us living today!
Finally, let us be encouraged today by receiving this amazing declaration (vv 13-14):
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
Thank You, Jesus, for the cross. Thank You for forgiving me and for removing everything that was contrary to me. Thank You for making me alive together with You – forever! Amen!