Tag: Church

The Church’s Walk

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV): 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

EXPLAIN

In this letter, Paul emphasized that all of life, especially for the believer, is about Christ. Christ is the image of invisible God. Christ existed before all things. Christ created all things. In Christ, the universe operates; without him, it would disintegrate. Christ is the head of the Church. Through Christ, God reconciles sinners to Himself. The mystery of the gospel… is Christ.

In these two verses, Paul then applied what he had so far set up concerning the preeminence of Christ, saying: Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

The Christian walk, or life, is to be lived in Christ. As Jesus taught his disciples, He is the vine and we are the branches; our spiritual life is found in Christ (John 15:1-5). If we are severed from Christ, we will die spiritually (John 15:6). No, we cannot be accidentally or maliciously severed from Christ by some other actor. But sin does separate us from him. If we make a practice of willful sin, we demonstrate that we do not truly belong to God (1 John 3:4-10).

This letter, obviously, was written to the church in Colossae, not one or two individuals in that city. Therefore, it should not surprise us that the you of Colossians 2:6 is plural, indicating “you all” not any specific “you”.

Again, it is obvious that the Church of God is made up of individuals who must individually live faithfully for Christ. At the same time, it is worth considering the fact that Paul wrote this admonition to the church in general, not just to the individual.

The point simply is that while we individually are responsible to walk or live in Christ, we also walk in Christ in community.

Paul wrote this letter to address false teaching that sought to infiltrate the community of Christ. The church as a community needed to both reject this false doctrine and to embrace the life in Christ to which God has called us.

Paul gave three word pictures describing how we walk or live in Christ. Each of these word pictures have an individualistic element, but they also have a corporate application.

How does the Church then walk, or live, in Christ?

1. The Church grows deep in Christ

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV): 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted

The Greek word for rooted is errizomenoi, the root of which is rhizoo meaning “to cause to take root; to plant, fix firmly, establish; rooted” (A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament).

The reader’s mind is quickly taken to the root system of a well established tree that is often as large and expansive underground as the branches and limbs above.

The psalmist pictured such a person well in Psalm 1:3–4 (ESV): 3  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4  The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Not all trees are equal. Palm trees often have a very shallow and limited root system, and are easily knocked over by a storm. During our time in the Caribbean, I saw palm trees uprooted with a root system maybe 6-8 feet in diameter and 3-4 feet deep. Oak trees, on the other hand, have an extensive root system. In our backyard, we have an old tree with gnarly roots that extend some distance away from its trunk. What makes a good root system for a tree may not make for the best pathway in one’s yard!

Both the psalmist and Paul pictured the follower of God like a deeply rooted tree, flourishing with the nourishment provided in Christ, bursting with the fruit of the Spirit.

2. The Church grows up in Christ

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV): 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him

The Greek for built is epoikoodomeo and means “to build upon, to erect a superstructure” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament). Thus, the imagery here is of a building being constructed, bricks laid upon bricks to create a massive, secure house.

This imagery reminds us of the same word picture Peter employed in his first epistle:

1 Peter 2:4–6 (ESV): 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

It is crucial that we remember who builds the Church. In Matthew 16 Jesus quizzed the Twelve on who they believed him to be. Peter answered with that great affirmation: Matthew 16:16 (ESV): “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In response, Jesus said, Matthew 16:17–18 (ESV):

“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Christ will build His Church! Now in Colossians 2:7, Paul admonishes the believers to be built up in Christ. “Built”, as well as “rooted” and “established” are verb forms that denote action that happens rather than action that one must do. We do not build ourselves up in Christ; rather, we are built up as we walk in Christ.

Yet it is essential that we must walk or live in Christ – individually and corporately. When we review Jesus’ letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, we find that his commendation or condemnation of the various churches all depended on this: the churches’ life in Christ.

Consider the first two churches as examples. The love of Ephesus Church for Christ had been abandoned, despite their good works, and so they were about to lose their status of “church”. Smyrna Church was suffering but Christ challenged them to be faithful unto death and he would give them the crown of life.

As we walk in Christ, he builds us as part of His great Church. It has been said that if you start a church, you may end up with a church, but if you make disciples who make disciples, you will always end up with a church.

Our job is to make disciples who make disciples – to help people walk in Christ. If we do so, the church will be built in Christ!

3. The Church grows strong in Christ.

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV): 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith,

The Greek word that is rendered established is bebaioo and means to “cause to believe, establish a belief”, “verify, cause something to be known as certain”, or “increase in inner strength, implying greater firmness of character.” (Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament))

Paul pictured the Church walking in Christ as strong and settled in their faith, not easily moved by winds of various doctrines or the waves of changing times. Rather, the church that lives in Christ is anchored in its faith.

Another scripture that pictures the Church established in Christ is Ephesians 4:11–16 (ESV) which says:

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

I think it is important to pair this scripture in Ephesians with Colossians 2:6-7 because, while these verses necessarily speak to the individual Christian’s need to be walk in Christ in order to be established in his or her faith, Paul was writing to the church as a group, urging them together to walk in Christ in order to be established in their faith..

Ephesians 4 thus illuminates the role of apostles/prophets/evangelists/pastors/teachers in equipping the believers to do the work of ministry which builds up the body of Christ, resulting in unity and a maturity that is characterized by an established, immovable faith.

As the Church walks in Christ, we all grow strong and become mature spiritually. The close community and fellowship strengthens each one of us. As Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) says: 17  Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

APPLY

Individualism is often championed by our faith today, whether intentionally or not.

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back, no turning back

Though none go with me still I will follow

Though none go with me still I will follow

Though none go with me still I will follow

No turning back, no turning back.”

The sentiment in this chorus is powerful and needed. We must love Jesus above all others and be willing to leave all to follow him. However, this individualist determination must not unnecessarily isolate us or exclude us from our family of faith who have chosen to follow Jesus also. While we must be determined to follow Jesus even if none go with us, the reality is that there are many who have chosen to go with us!

Thus, our scripture in Colossians is a powerful reminder of how the Church grows together. We should commit to grow in Christ with a local fellowship. Together, we can grow strong and faster.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Church, as well as my local church. Thank you for working in us to make us grow. Help us to be faithful to walk in you. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Christ Above All

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 1:15–20 (ESV):

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

EXPLAIN

In the Old Testament, a key truth was that no one could see God and live. At Mt. Sinai where God’s presence came near, the Israelites were warned not even to touch the mountain or they would die. Moses, who enjoyed God’s presence more closely than any other Old Testament hero, was only allowed to see God’s glory fading, after God passed him by. And then, Moses was so affected that his face literally shone from being in the presence of God.

Along with this key truth was the principle and command that no images should be made to picture God. The Israelites came under severe discipline for worshipping the two golden calves, which Aaron presented as the gods who brought them up from Egypt. In other words, Aaron tried to keep the Israelites from totally abandoning Yahweh during Moses’ absence by proclaiming physical objects as the image of God. God was not amused.

One of the amazing, even startling, realizations about who Jesus, the Son of God, is that he is the image of invisible God (Ephesians 4:15)! For the Jews, no doubt this concept may have been troubling in that for centuries they had been taught not to make an image of God, and that they could not see God and survive. These objections, of course, would be in addition to other objections such as who Jesus’ father was, where Jesus came from and more. An objection that must still be handled even today is the question of how Jesus can be fully God and fully man.

Accepting this wonderful truth and reality, however, results in a religion like no other. When we realize that God came to humanity by taking on flesh, it astounds us. We are astounded by the lengths to which God would go to demonstrate his love to us, and we are amazed that God could take on so much of humanity without tarnishing his holiness.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

All that God is, Jesus is. Jesus is not a lesser form of God. Even though he is the Son of God, he is not inferior to the Father. Yes, we believe in a Trinitarian view of God – that God is Three in One – three Persons in one Godhead. Yet we must also be careful not to compartmentalize our understanding of God such that the activity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are somehow separated in our minds. In Genesis 1:26 (ESV), we read

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.

All members of the Trinity were active in the creation of the world. Pre-incarnate Christ created our universe! Isn’t it mind-boggling that the Creator of the world would be born a human baby and placed into a cattle trough? During his ministry on earth, Christ Jesus sought to glorify the Father, but he freely acknowledged that the Father would glorify him. In our text, Paul emphasized the preeminence of Christ to combat those who were teaching rules and regulations and their mysterious knowledge as essential to salvation. Jesus is God; we can rest assured in this assertion, for it is fact.

Paul’s assertion that Christ created the world makes sense, when we remember the Trinitarian implications of Genesis 1:26. But the following truth of Colossians 1:17 is still startling.

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

First, we must emphasize that Christ is eternal – he has no beginning and no end. He did not begin to exist when he was conceived in Mary’s womb. Second, and more startling is the concept that if Christ did not exist, this world would fall apart at the seams. If Christ did not actively assert power to keep this world intact, our universe would spiral into chaos. Thus, the creative power of God, and especially of the Son, is seen not only in the moment of Creation, but also the maintenance of the world.

Genesis 1:1–2 (ESV): 1 In the beginning, … 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.

Paul’s words in Colossians 1:17 suggests that without Christ’s ongoing creative powers, the world would return to that chaos.

Returning to verse 16, Paul wrote: all things were created through him and for him. The purpose of Creation is found in Christ – in pleasing Christ, in fulfilling Christ’s purpose, in glorifying Christ.

This thought is explained more in verse 18:

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

The church is that great assembly of called out people, called to be holy in the midst of an unholy world, called to share the good news to a world full of desperation. But this verse contains an important reminder: the purpose of the church is NOT the church; the church of the church is to glorify Christ and fulfill his purposes. Jesus is the head of the church, not any person, local church, or group of local churches. While we should be part of a local church, which may be part of an association of churches, our loyalty should always be to Christ. We look to Him for our direction for life and ministry. We find satisfaction in accomplishing His objectives. We glorify Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords.

To do this is only right and logical,

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

Jesus is fully God and fully human. Jesus is not some lesser God than the Father. Rather, in Jesus the Father is fully manifested. This does not mean that Jesus and the Father are the same; Jesus is not the Father. But Jesus is fully God. Our Trinitarian concept of God is not fully explainable to the human mind, but the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three different Persons, yet one God.

The important application for Paul’s thought here is that Jesus is fully God; therefore, He is worthy of our praise and obedience. In the Old Testament, we read of King Saul and his son Jonathan who both commanded armies for Israel. But Saul was king. And while Jonathan’s solo charge up the cliff against the Philistines was the right thing to do and necessary to break the awful stalemate and malaise of the war, Jonathan’s subservient role was displayed later as he came under judgment for disobeying the king’s orders (even though those orders were foolish). In contrast, the Christian does not need to worry that by following Christ’s example, he will be led away from the Father’s will. Jesus assured his disciples, John 10:30 (ESV): “I and the Father are one.”

Even more specifically, Paul asserted Jesus is fully God in order to explain Christ’s ministry of reconciliation.

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

As has often been pictured in methods of sharing the Good News, Jesus is our bridge to God. Our sin created a chasm over which we could not cross to the Father, but by Jesus’ incarnation, suffering, death, and resurrection, there is a Way – the only Way – back to God.

APPLY

We stated this earlier, and the point is plainly obvious from the text, but the point of our passage is that Christ must be, should be, and would be preeminent in our lives and church. Anything that would usurp Jesus’ authority or our attention from serving Him and giving Him glory is an imposter.

This is a potent warning in our celebrity culture today. So often, we go to church or serve or worship because of the pastor, a worship leader, a comfortable setting or something else. How ridiculous is this! Any honor and glory we might receive in service to King Jesus comes only because of the grace of God! How dare we usurp his praise and authority?!

In the past few years, a shocking number of high-profile – and even lesser known – leaders in various churches have fallen from grace, have been exposed for hypocrisy and more. Can we connect these tumbles from grace to an unhealthy, even idolatrous, preoccupation of people – and God’s refusal to allow man to have the preeminence over Christ’s Church?

Whether this conclusion is warranted or not, it is wisdom – and only right – that we acknowledge Christ is Lord of His Church, as well as the rightful Ruler of the Universe. We must resist the worldly way of exalting people, denominations (or even organizational affiliations), local churches, … or anything in competition to Christ.

He only is Lord!

How do we keep Christ preeminent in our church and our lives?

  1. We worship only to glorify Christ, not to celebrate others, be with friends, make connections, etc.
  2. We seek God’s direction for our lives and our church’s ministry, rather than merely making decisions on what we think is best.
  3. We recognize Christ’s creative and sustaining power and seek to fulfill our role in His purposes as the Body of Christ, the Church of God.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may I make Christ preeminent in my day, my family, my worship, and my Christ. May I follow His leading and serve as a visible extension of Christ in my world. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Image by Germán R from Pixabay

A Prayer for the Church

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 1:9–12 (ESV): 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

EXPLAIN

Pastor Epaphras had brought greetings form Colossae Church to Apostle Paul. This faithful minister had told Paul all about this church’s love in the Holy Spirit. The purpose of Epaphras’ visit was also to gain Paul’s advice concerning a certain personality in the church that had arisen, teaching the people doctrines and practices that were unbiblical. It has been noted that Paul’s prayers at the beginning of his letters typically highlight his concerns for his readers. And so this prayer shows Paul’s great desire for this wonderful church.

APPLY

Paul states that from the day he heard of their love in the Spirit until the time in which he wrote this letter, he had not failed to pray for the believers. We cannot know how long that time period was, but it would seem that Paul did not write this letter immediately, opting instead to spend a good season of prayer for the church first.

Paul’s practice provides us a great example of how to respond to problems and needs in the church. Instead of rushing to “fix” issues, we should spend time in prayer – much time in prayer – asking God for his wisdom and intervention in the situation.

Furthermore, Paul’s dedication to prayer speaks volumes to us. He did not cease to pray for the church. Are we as committed to prayer as Paul was? Do we merely say a good prayer for a need and then move on? Or do we continue to wrestle with God in prayer, seeking his grace and favor? Do we pray “through” on issues, gaining assurance from the Holy Spirit that God will answer our prayers? Or do we merely pray a hopeful prayer, asking for God’s blessing?

The method of Paul’s prayer is important to notice and worthy of our imitation, but we should also spend some time examining the content of Paul’s prayer and incorporate it into our prayers for ourselves, our local church, and the Church universal.

There are three big prayer requests Paul makes of God. First, Paul asked in Colossians 1:9 (ESV): that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. As followers of Christ, it might seem obvious that we should seek to know and understand God’s will. Yet we should not dismiss this prayer request quickly.

Even in Christians, especially those who are less mature spiritually or not entirely sanctified, we may see a mindset that revolves about pleasing Self. As Paul will later write in Colossians 3, we must actively choose to seek things that are above (Colossians 3:1-4), putting to death what is earthly in us, the old Self (Colossians 3:5-11), and put on the new Self, the new life that Christ has created for us (Colossians 3:12-17).

We must know God’s will! But we need this knowledge to be coupled with spiritual wisdom and understanding. Probably all of us have seen how knowledge in the wrong hands can cause great trouble.

This might not be the best illustration, but take, for example, a five year old with the knowledge to drive a car. Such a child at the wheel could be quite dangerous, because five year olds typically don’t have the wisdom and understanding that is necessary to drive an automobile!

We need knowledge of God’s will, coupled with spiritual wisdom and understanding to know how to apply that knowledge and act upon it.

We are reminded of Paul’s challenge in Romans 12 (ESV), to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Not only must we have knowledge of God and his Word, but we must have understanding and wisdom to apply it. As our minds are renewed by the Word of God, we can better understand God’s will and live by it.

It is only then that we will be prepared to live holy in a unholy world. Only then can we have the tools we need to navigate the thorny decisions of life where black and white are smudged and the way ahead seems unclear.

Paul’s first prayer request for the church flowed into his second: 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God Colossians 1:10 (ESV).

Sometimes, it seems like we have substituted a greater knowledge about God for a life more closely lived according to God’s plan. We go to church to learn more about God (and I love to learn more about God, please don’t misunderstand!). The problem comes when the means is confused for the ends. God’s desire for us to know more of him is so that we can live worthy of him, not so we can merely know more about him! Does our increasing and continuing knowledge of God result in application?

Consider the promise implied by this prayer request! We can live in a manner worthy of the Lord fully pleasing to him! Think about it! We were once dead in trespasses and sins. Our sin separated us from God. We had no hope in this world. Nothing we could do might bridge the divide between us and God. All our righteousnesses were as filthy rags in God’s sight! But now, redeemed by the Lamb’s blood, filled with the knowledge of God’s will, we can actually live in such a way that meets God’s approval!?

Notice also the results of living a pleasing life to God. First, we [bear] fruit in every good work. We understand, of course, that while our good works cannot gain us salvation, God’s intention and expectation is that we do good works as his followers. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) tells us: 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Now, Colossians 1:10 assures us that these good works will bear fruit. We recognize, of course, that like any effort in life, we may not see that fruit immediately. The salesman may make a hundred calls to make one sale. The athlete exercises for days and weeks to shave a few seconds of his mile run. The point is, as we live pleasingly before Jesus in the center of God’s will, our efforts to conform more closely to God and our attempts to minister and bless others will pay off. There will be great results!

As I picture the faithful servants of Jesus’ parables of the Talents and the Minas, I wonder how many setbacks those servants had as they invested the master’s money. Yet in the end, they had multiplied the principal!

A second result of living pleasing before God is that we [increase] in the knowledge of God. This seems to reflect that law that those who are faithful in whatever study, task, exercise or enterprise they have before them will increase in their understanding of that field. In both of those parables mentioned above, the master rewarded the faithful servants by entrusting them with more responsibility. Furthermore, the unworthy servant’s money was given to the one who had gained ten talents or ten minas. In Matthew 25:29 (ESV) Jesus said: 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. In Luke 19’s story, the bystanders argued with the master, saying the servant had ten minas. The master’s response was: Luke 19:26 (ESV): 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. The colloquial saying comes to mind: “Use it or you’ll lose it!”

This increase in our knowledge of God seems to be a practical knowledge, or a knowledge that comes through practice. In whatever field or sport you may pursue, you can learn much by studying textbooks, interviewing those who have had success in that field and more. But there is a knowledge that one gains only by through practice and a growing mastery of the subject area. You may know the various elements of the Lord’s model prayer, understand the conditions of prayer, and know all the promises of prayer. But there is an understanding of prayer that only comes by actually praying and struggling in prayer.

Paul prayed that Colossae Church would walk worthy of the Lord, bearing increasing fruit and increasing in this practical knowledge of God.

Paul’s second prayer request, like the first, flowed into his third request: Colossians 1:11–12 (ESV): 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

The unregenerate person is dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), but also powerless to change, powerless to save ourselves. Instead, Ephesians 2:3 (ESV) pictures us as captives of our flesh: 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) adamantly states we cannot save ourselves from sin: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

It is in Romans 7 that Paul best explains powerlessness due to our carnal nature, however.

Romans 7:15–19 (ESV): 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Later in this Colossians, Paul wrote that in Christ, we have died to the old life of sin and have been raised to new life in Christ. Therefore, we must, as Colossians 3:2 (ESV), says: 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Indeed, Paul exhorted in Colossians 3:5 (ESV): 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Instead, we must, as Colossians 3:12–13 (ESV) says, 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

On our own, through our own strength, we cannot put off the old life and take on the new, even as born-again believers. Rather, we must be strengthened with power by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians mirrors many of the same concerns and desires for God’s people that are seen in Colossians. In Ephesians 3, Paul expressed his prayer for those believers, asking

Ephesians 3:16–19 (ESV): 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Simply put, this is a prayer for entire sanctification, that second experience of grace in the believer’s life when, having already been born again by the Spirit and having the abiding presence of the Spirit, one is cleansed of carnality or inbred sin, and filled fully by God.

As Paul wrote in Romans, the carnal nature is so powerful that we cannot master it by ourselves. That power is broken by regeneration, or what we typically call “being saved”. But our hope and our promise is that not only may the power of carnality be broken, but that it may be done away with. Romans 6:6 (ESV): 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

It is this cleansing of inbred sin and filling of the Holy Spirit that answers the dilemma of James – a double-minded man unstable in all his ways (James 1:8), the tongue that cannot be tamed (James 3:1-12), the earthly, unspiritual, demonic wisdom that creates quarrels and fights among the brethren, the passions at war within (James 3:13-4:6). But our hope is not merely than our hands can be cleansed, but that our double-minded hearts may be punished (James 4:8). This cleansing and filling gives us the power to tame our tongue, not because we have control over it so much as the Holy Spirit has control. This cleansing and filling enables us to be steadfast through trials and tribulations, resulting in “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” – not because we are so righteous or good, but because we have been filled and are controlled by the Holy Spirit.

The cleansing and filling comes in an instant, but the living out of this holy life is ongoing. We are still very human and prone to mistakes, especially if we neglect the renewing of our minds by the word (Romans 12:2) and begin to be conformed back to the world’s standards instead of continuing to be transformed into Christ’s image.

And so Paul did not cease to pray for Colossae Church that they might be Colossians 1:11–12 (ESV): strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

As we have noted above, the strengthening that comes through the Spirit’s filling gives us power to endure and to be patient. But notice the emphasis of Paul in this conclusion of his prayer: 11 …patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father…. The Christian life is not meant to be a grim, rigorous exercise devoid of laughter, happiness and joy. Rather, God’s abiding presence in us and promises for us give us hope and joy beyond our circumstances.

In this world of sin, suffering, and death, people respond to difficulty and tragedy in various ways. Some soldier through, admirably choosing to maintain a positive attitude that will not cave to one’s circumstances. There is much to be said for this fighting spirit. Truly, we should encourage a mindset that refuses to be cowed by difficulty. Yet, divorced from the hope we have in Christ, such an attitude is ultimately lacking, for such hope may enable the person to cope better in this life, but does not offer much purpose beyond, except for the legacy one leaves.

A much worse response to trial and tribulation is a defeatist surrender to one’s circumstances. This reaction may be defended as realistic and reasonable, but is uninspiring and unworthy of imitation. Such a person may curl into the fetus position, crying woe and unwilling to face the world. This reaction is ultimately selfish, drawing everyone’s attention to the unfair situation the individual is in, sucking the energy and attention of well meaning caregivers who, despite their best efforts, can never do enough to change this person’s fatalistic perspective on life.

The Christian understanding of trials and suffering is both positive and realistic. Our hope is based on a biblical worldview which God created a perfect world that has been marred and deformed by sin. Pain, suffering, and death are ever-present in this world of sin.

Romans 8:22–23 (ESV): 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Christ’s death and resurrection not only purchased our redemption from sin but promises us life beyond this life. In Christ, we are made new creations. 2 Corinthians 5:16–17 (ESV): 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Though we physically will perish some day, our spirits will live eternally. And then in great culmination of history, 1 Corinthians 15:49, 51-52 (ESV):

49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. … 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

This is our hope as followers of Jesus that grounds us in reality but gives us a supremely positive outlook on life! This world of sin, pain, suffering, and death is not end. One day we will enter eternity to live in the presence of almighty God in an existence without sin, without pain or death, with joy, peace, hope, and love.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for Paul’s prayer for Colossae Church. As he prayed for those believers, I now pray for my local church, myself, and even the Church worldwide. May you fill us with knowledge of your will with complete spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we can walk worthy of you, pleasing you in how we live, speak, think, and act, bearing spiritual fruit and increasing in our knowledge of you, so that we might be strengthened with power as your Holy Spirit cleanses and fully abides within us, giving us the endurance and patience to live faithfully till you welcome us into eternity. For this hope and promise, we give you thanks! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Boast of Faithfulness

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Thessalonians 1:4 (ESV): 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

EXPLAIN

Paul was extremely complimentary of the church of Thessalonica, in both of his letters to them. In previous verse Paul gave thanks to God for their abundantly growing faith and increasing love. Paul reiterates their great faith in this verse.

In his previous letter, 1 Thessalonians, Paul commended them for the triad of faith, hope, and love. While he directly speaks of faith and love in verses 3-4 of 2 Thessalonians, the following verses speak of the believer’s hope in contrast to the coming judgment of God upon the world.

APPLY

What is the boast of our churches? Some boast great edifices. Some boast of financial security. Some may boast of their influence in the community. Some may boast of dynamic worship teams, great preaching, powerful community. These boasts are wonderful, but are they what God would boast about of us?

Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote in this part of God’s revealed Word a boast of a church that was faithful in the midst of persecution, trouble, suffering, and heartache.

May God help us, both as individual followers of Jesus and as the community of God, to be known for faithful love and service to our King of kings!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live and serve you faithfully, through easy times and difficult, giving you honor and glory in how I speak, think, feel, and act. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tis a glorious church

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HIGHLIGHT

1 John 1:7 (ESV): 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

EXPLAIN

John stated that the purpose of this letter was to proclaim what he had seen and heard when he was with Jesus so that his readers might have fellowship with them and with the Father and Son.

He then continued with this theme of fellowship, making it a truth statement. If we say we have fellowship with God but walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

In this chapter then we see God’s desire for fellowship, both with us (our relationship restored with him) and also for us (the community of Church).

APPLY

In the western world individualism is very much part of our culture. Yet the coronavirus pandemic and the attempts by governments to stop it seem to have awaken us to our need for fellowship with one another.

Hopefully, our expressed desire for fellowship is not merely to worship in the building we refer to as “church”, but to enjoy the fellowship of the local Church – loving, serving, and doing life together with other followers of Jesus.

I remember my first job as a teenager. I did not work Sundays, but I often worked Wednesday evenings and could not attend our church’s prayer meeting. It seemed such a long time between Sundays. I missed the fellowship of my church dearly.

Yet I fear today that we may not value that connection with brothers and sisters in Christ like we once did.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us with the need and desire for fellowship. Thank you for executing your great plan of redemption whereby we might be restored in fellowship with you, but also enjoy fellowship with your children. Help us to value the fellowship of the Church. May we each live, laugh, and love a local group of brothers and sisters in Christ together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.