December 5 - Colossians 1-4
The great thing about the Christian life is that it is not complicated. Yes, there are several things we need to know and several things we need to do to be successful in the Christian life. However, look at it this way. What other worthwhile endeavor do you know that can be fully explained in four short chapters? I believe that this short letter of Colossians spells out everything we need to know to live the Christian life. It might take a while for us to digest it and to apply it, but it is all there. When I think of how people write books of hundreds of pages to explain much less comprehensive subjects, I am amazed at how God has designed the Christian life. I pray that we will let this all sink into our hearts today as we read this book.
Paul begins in chapter 1 by praising the believers at Colossae for their faith, love, and hope. Those three things are the basis for our life in Christ. Each one needs to be present and growing, so he includes a prayer that can be prayed for ourselves or for others, so that we can ask God for His blessings in our growth in Christ. (1:9-12) Then, there is a glorious description of Christ. He is the God-Man, our Savior, and the Lord of the universe. He is the one we trust for all of life. He is in every believer. (1:27) The Christian life is growing in Christ.
In chapter 2 there is the admonition to stick with Jesus. Live each day by grace through faith, as you received Him in the beginning. (2:6) This is so important because many people get off track by trying to live by works or legalism. Paul warns against all of the false "isms" here. The Christian life is not regulations. It is a relationship with Christ. (2:20-23) Do you live a life of rules or a life in loving relationship with Christ? The rules will not be a problem if you are walking with Christ each day. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments. It is the natural result of a love relationship.
Then, chapter 3 explains the whole situation. We are new creatures in Christ, so we must set our minds on the spiritual things from above. (3:2) This will cause us to put off the sinful things we did before we became a Christian. (3:5) It will lead us to put off the wrong attitudes and actions of the flesh, too. (3:8,9) Then we put on the new person Christ has designed us to become. (3:10) The character of Christ will be built into our lives, and it will change all of our relationships with other people. That is the Christian life, isn't it? It is growing in Christ, so that it effects everything we think and do.
Paul concludes with another admonition to prayer and redeeming the time in chapter 4. We must realize that time is precious. Prayer is one of the most important things we can do with our time, because we need to be in constant contact with God through Christ. This will give us the wisdom and the power to live the Christian life minute by minute all day and every day. Therefore, we must not waste time. That is where Satan gets in. However, if we are so focused on the things of the Lord in these ways, Satan has no place to enter our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Thessalonians 1-5.
Paul begins in chapter 1 by praising the believers at Colossae for their faith, love, and hope. Those three things are the basis for our life in Christ. Each one needs to be present and growing, so he includes a prayer that can be prayed for ourselves or for others, so that we can ask God for His blessings in our growth in Christ. (1:9-12) Then, there is a glorious description of Christ. He is the God-Man, our Savior, and the Lord of the universe. He is the one we trust for all of life. He is in every believer. (1:27) The Christian life is growing in Christ.
In chapter 2 there is the admonition to stick with Jesus. Live each day by grace through faith, as you received Him in the beginning. (2:6) This is so important because many people get off track by trying to live by works or legalism. Paul warns against all of the false "isms" here. The Christian life is not regulations. It is a relationship with Christ. (2:20-23) Do you live a life of rules or a life in loving relationship with Christ? The rules will not be a problem if you are walking with Christ each day. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments. It is the natural result of a love relationship.
Then, chapter 3 explains the whole situation. We are new creatures in Christ, so we must set our minds on the spiritual things from above. (3:2) This will cause us to put off the sinful things we did before we became a Christian. (3:5) It will lead us to put off the wrong attitudes and actions of the flesh, too. (3:8,9) Then we put on the new person Christ has designed us to become. (3:10) The character of Christ will be built into our lives, and it will change all of our relationships with other people. That is the Christian life, isn't it? It is growing in Christ, so that it effects everything we think and do.
Paul concludes with another admonition to prayer and redeeming the time in chapter 4. We must realize that time is precious. Prayer is one of the most important things we can do with our time, because we need to be in constant contact with God through Christ. This will give us the wisdom and the power to live the Christian life minute by minute all day and every day. Therefore, we must not waste time. That is where Satan gets in. However, if we are so focused on the things of the Lord in these ways, Satan has no place to enter our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Thessalonians 1-5.