The church in Colossee had lost their way, forgetting the place that Christ holds in their life. Paul, while not able to be there in person, sent his word to exhort and encourage them in their faith according to the Kingship of Jesus Christ over all creation. Paul’s message to the church resonates true even…
Read more
At the heart of the problem in the church in Colossae doubted that divinity of Christ to be sufficient for all salvation. Paul, with fondness for the church, sought to bring the church to their fullness of understanding and life in the Gospel, struggle and toil for their sake. Paul had been imprisoned for his zeal for the Gospel and gladly endured the punishment for the sake of the Gospel. Yet, despite the oddly optimistic outlook we cannot overlook the bleak circumstances that Paul endures for the Gospel. Imprisoned, hungry, tired, poor, and in at least one occasion, almost killed, Paul’s suffering came as the direct result of the faith He held in Jesus Christ. As gentiles came to Christ, the theological and philosophical differences they brought would need to be brought into spiritual maturity by those, like Paul who pastor and teach the church and drive them to the fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ.
Paul held a perspective and mission that seemed to defy expectations and contradict the training held by Paul. At numerous occasions, Paul boasted in his education, having experienced world-class, quality training by highly skilled and influential teachers. Gamaliel being the most notable, established himself as a leader and scholar among the Sanhedrin as he interpreted the law with great skill and wisdom. Many sought the attention and mentorship of Gamaliel and Paul received the mentorship, setting him head and shoulders above the rest. Yet, despite the upbringing, God called Paul out of the Judaic sphere to reach the gentiles. Paul’s message and heart for the gentiles with the training of the Sanhedrin gave him a distinct perspective to defend against the Judaizers (who sought to burden the gentiles with the constraints of the Judaic law) and stand firm in the preeminence of Jesus Christ over any nationality or ethnic background. Seeing the faith of Paul and the heart for the Gospel, the apostles extended the right hand of fellowship. Paul understood the heart of the Gospel to extend beyond borders and walls, that the mission of loving and caring for the world to make Jesus Christ known throughout all the world.
At the heart of the problem in the church in Colossae doubted that divinity of Christ to be sufficient for all salvation. Paul, with fondness for the church, sought to bring the church to their fullness of understanding and life in the Gospel, struggle and toil for their sake. Paul had been imprisoned for his zeal for the Gospel and gladly endured the punishment for the sake of the Gospel. Yet, despite the oddly optimistic outlook we cannot overlook the bleak circumstances that Paul endures for the Gospel. Imprisoned, hungry, tired, poor, and in at least one occasion, almost killed, Paul’s suffering came as the direct result of the faith He held in Jesus Christ. As gentiles came to Christ, the theological and philosophical differences they brought would need to be brought into spiritual maturity by those, like Paul who pastor and teach the church and drive them to the fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ.
As Paul continues his letter to the Colossians church, he addresses the issue of those who would seek to disqualify them because they did not say or do specific things. Paul essentially looks at barriers to outsiders joining the church and receiving the grace of God. For those not raised in a particular jewish upbringing, their faith would look different from those who were raised in Jewish homes. Furthermore, as they shifted to a faith in Jesus Christ, they would no longer fit in with the standards of the world and the image the world speaks to be the most important. With Christ is before and above all things, the Christian does not need any additional steps to receive Christ. Paul firmly roots His message in the Gospel that understands Jesus came for the blessing of mankind and for the enjoyment of His presence forever. We are not to indulge ourselves in self-righteousness or fleshly indulgence but we should not cast away the blessing of God for the sake of appearing holier than others, giving off the false image of being a “good Christian.”
Followers of Christ live in a tension between what we once were and we we will one day be. Our former selves, the one that gave in to selfish ambition and the desires of our flesh cannot peacefully consist with our new life being raised with Jesus Christ. We claim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior yet, if we are honest, crave our sins. For some, it may even be that we attempt to conduct ourselves as both under the Lordship of Jesus Christ but living in rebellion to our commitment. Even for mature Christians, we wrestle our sins and struggles. As Paul continues in Colossians 3:1-17, he alludes to the idea of “Progressive Sanctification,” the idea that we continue to grow in perfection and righteousness until we arrive at eternity. Paul exhorts us to seek the things of Christ based on His position at the right hand of God. We are to put to death the old self and come alive to the new self.
Christ rules on the throne of haven as preeminent, the first before all things. For the Christian, we do not coronate Christ as King but merely catch up to and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. One of the joys of theology and studying God comes from the sheer practicality. Paul does not stop at the head knowledge or philosophical but gives the practical application.
Christ rules on the throne of haven as preeminent, the first before all things. For the Christian, we do not coronate Christ as King but merely catch up to and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. One of the joys of theology and studying God comes from the sheer practicality. Paul does not stop at the head knowledge or philosophical but gives the practical application.
At the end of Paul’s letters to the churches, he greets those he writes and the letter to the Colossians church is no exception here. Yet, most of us skip these sections of scripture as merely boiler plate issues and matters only pertaining to the Colossians church. As we read scripture, we must approach it in the understanding that all scripture is God breathed, even the portion we may not fully understand. The final segment of Paul’s letter to the Colossians church continues in the message of the book. As followers of Jesus Christ, we participate in a generational faith that transcends boundaries of age, race, and other forms of division. Christ is preeminent. Jesus comes before all things and everything falls under His divine and righteous purpose.
