Verse-by-Verse Study
For Those Who he Never Met
Colossians 2:1 [In prayer] I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2:2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and (1) united [knit together] in love, so that they may have the (2) full riches of complete understanding [full assurance], in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. NIV
2:1 For I want you to know what a great conflict, I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh. 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, (1) being knit together in love, and attaining to (2) all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both Father and of Christ. 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. NKJV
2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, (1) having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the (2) full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. NAS
Contending or Great Conflict in Prayer
This is Paul’s reference to his purposeful, consistent, and determined prayer goals. Paul’s prayer was not like the Rosery, certain phrases repeated by memory. His prayers for Christians at Colossae and those in Laodicea, had intensity. Later Paul says, “Devote yourselves to prayer” (Col 4:2). This kind of prayer Paul modeled for the church.
Paul’s team had the same approach to prayer, as he recorded: “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Col 4:12).
Jesus said, “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt 11:12). In the highly symbolic language Jesus tells the secret of earnest prayer. It is fervent. It is persistent and constant. Jesus prayed in the same manner, “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly” or fervently (Lk 22:44).
Jesus told a parable of the unjust judge saying, “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” The NKJV says, “pray at all times and not lose heart.” Jesus continues saying, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?” (Lk 18:1-7). The answer is NO. Jesus says, “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly” (Lk 18:8), meaning their urgent prayers will be answered.
Fortunately for us, we can listen in to Paul’s persistent prayer and use the same words and expressions in our prayers. Ask God to give us more time for prayer, with similar content that Paul used in his prayers.
Two of our favorite prayers of Paul are found in Ephesians 1:15-18 and 3:14-21. It is good to use Paul’s prayers as subject matter for our own prayers.
Encouraged in Heart
The heart of the Colossians knows something they understand deep inside them. They have been blessed by God, their hearers are encouraged. They are not fearful, but they “stand firm in the Lord” (Phil 4:1). They have personally tasted the Lord and know “that He is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Ps 100:5).
Encouraged and Strengthened in Heart
Perhaps they had gone through some difficult times and Paul wished them to “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Ps 31:24). To repeat in prayer during hard times, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps 42:5,11).
“United in Love” NIV
The Greek word sumbibazó we think is better translated as knit together in love, as in NKJV, KJV, ESV, Berean Study, NAS, and NET Bibles. The New Living Translation says, “knit together by strong ties of love.” To be “knit together,” is like knitting a tear in a large cloth, to be united again.
Paul is fearful that the congregation had unresolved conflicts. With earnest prayer for them, he wants love to knit together any breaks in the congregation. Any separation that has occurred. The idea is that love will find a way when disagreements cannot be resolved. Where there is division in the church, the congregation by love looks to be restored.
Often the Spirit has given the gift of hospitality to certain women. They have a womanly way of approaching people that are at odds with many others. By their smiles, and their irresistible kindness they are skilled in bringing people together. When all others have failed.
Two Women, Co-workers of Paul, to be of the Same Mind
Paul writes with passion, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil 4:2,3).
Paul asked his trusted friend, to help these two good women to settle their disagreements. To stop arguing with each other. To find a way to knit them back together in love, with love for each other. To restore peace to the entire congregation.
So, You May Have Hidden Treasures
This is a conditional statement. If a congregation stays knitted together in love, then and only then, can they discover the hidden riches found in Christ. These riches are hidden from those who have never learned to love.
As the Apostle John says, “This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another…anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer as eternal life residing in him” (1 John 3:11, 14-15). Neither will they be able to discover the hidden riches in Christ.
If a congregation is divided. If families have unresolved disagreements with another family. Then, the whole congregation, will never be “fully mature in Christ” (Col 1:28). They will not fully understand the mystery of God. This mystery is only shown to those who “love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves, has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).
Complete Understanding, Full Assurance
The Greek word is plérophoria: meaning “full assurance, complete certainty, full conviction.” It stands for confident assurance. So “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” (Heb 10:22).
Full assurance is when we know and love God, when our trust in Him is over the top and running over. “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps 23).
This God given assurance is known by our spirits that this is true. Our hearts know it is true, and our minds agree with this fact. By “the Holy Spirit and deep conviction” (1 Thess 1:5). Our hearts, our minds, our emotions, our intellect, and our inner spirit—testifies that God loves me. Only due to the grace of God, I have full forgiveness of my sins. And I know this is true.
This is something that God has revealed to you personally, that you cannot fully explain. How God lives in you (1 John 3:24), influences you and warms your heart toward Him—is a mystery.
There is no formula to explain it, it is all by the mysterious actions of God and His Spirit. For “The [Holy] Spirit himself testifies with our [human] spirit that we are God’s children… For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Rom 8:16,14).
You know this is true, just because you know it is a “mystery in which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). This understanding is not verbally possible to explain, only the heart knows. Our human spirit and heart tell us it is true.
This experience gives you full assurance (NKJV) and opens all God’s hidden sources and treasure of wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom is a gift from God leading us to make better decisions in every area of our lives. From our diet, our relationships, our family and spouse, our sleep, our choice of entertainment and better use of our free time. Wisdom from God is more precious than almost anything else this world offers.
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!”
Rom 11:33
“We continually ask God to fill you with the
knowledge of his will through all the wisdom
and understanding that the Spirit gives.”
Col 1:9
Colossians 2:4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 2:5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined [orderly] you are and how firm [steadfast] your faith in Christ is.
2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. NKJV
I Tell You This
Paul in the previous verses told us about his “goal” for this fellowship. He wanted them to be “united in love” (2:2) which would create an atmosphere for them to have “full assurance” and share, together all the “wisdom and knowledge” (2:3) of God. Together they are not as likely to be deceived by false teachings.
What Delighted the Evangelist Paul?
This congregation was firm, stable, steadfast, firm and disciplined in their faith in Jesus Christ. They stood side by side, in a solid stand, with unwavering confidence, through their faith in Christ. They faced together a world of universal pagan ideologies. Which revered immorality, loose morals, revenge, violence the world over, with Roman pride that believed that all things Roman was the best.
Throughout the ages, many have had to stand alone against governments that hated their faith. This congregation stood together, loving one another, against their society that would seek to discourage and destroy their faith.
So often when a revival takes place, or evangelist speaks at the church, after they leave, they lose most of their converts. Six months later, only a few may remain.
Paul’s prayer that this group would be given “wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9), was a major factor in the solid will organized congregation.
A well-ordered congregation will seek out the lost members. Educate the youth and new members. But best of all they were able to bring people together. Shoulder to shoulder, in love, “united in love” (Col 2:2). Altogether possessing “love in the Spirit” (Col 1:8).
“I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order
and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” (2:5)
English Standard Version
“I am glad as I see the resolute firmness with which
you stand together in your faith in Christ.” (2:5)
Good News Translation
“I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and looking at your arrangement
and the solidness of your faith unto Christ.” (2:5)
Literal Emphasis Translation
They were “strengthened with all power” from God, to give them “great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). They were not bonded by a creed, a ceremony, a suit and tie, a music or worship style—but by “the true message of the gospel” (Col 1:3).
It is amazing how fast a church can fall apart with a worship style change. We know of churches that are so proud, they only sing with a piano and organ, with old hymns. Some congregations will not use any instruments at all, making it as important as faith in Christ.
Many are proud to hold on to their man-made traditions. They make these conditions almost a requirement to be part of their fellowship. Those who want praise songs with drums are not welcome. To them music style is part of the Gospel, although they cannot produce one reference from Jesus or his apostles to support this claim.
We know of churches that believe that their pastor should only be in a suit and tie, or it is disrespectful to God. Although, God has not specified worship clothing style, as it is probable that Paul’s dress style may not be acceptable today. When dress style is made part of what pleases God divisions will occur. Because they are not standing on the revealed will of God, just their customs.
Fine Sounding Deceptive Arguments
This congregation was a model church. They were “united in love” (Col 2:2). They were united in their faith in Christ. This was a major safeguard against “deceptive philosophy” (2:8) teachings.
Congregations that are not united in love, of one another and of God, are more vulnerable to embrace deceptive teachings as new light or truth. They are more susceptible to listening to false prophets and individuals that cover their misleading teachings, with their education and recommendations.
Their words and logical conclusions sound very persuasive. Soon they have a following that is used to give them more credibility.
When Paul met with the Elders of Ephesus, for the last time, he warned them saying, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men [believers] will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30). They substitute new teachings that are in error, which are not in the Gospels to develop a network of followers.
Jesus warned the disciples that after he leaves, they should “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, [pretending] but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matt 7:15).
John the Apostle says false teachers “went out from us” (1 John 2:29). Also, John declares, “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us” (1 John 4:6), that is the Apostles.
False teachers have the appearance of Christians. They look and act like Christians. They hold the Bible or place a cross on their clothes. They may claim to be trained at a Seminary in theology.
But they have altered the way of salvation. They have substituted new teachings, which are not in the Gospels at all. The Colossian congregation was “rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith in Christ” (Col 2;7), making them less likely to follow false teachers. Because together they could “Test all things” and were able to “hold fast what is good” (1 Thess 5:21). They could together “find out what pleases the Lord” (Eph 5:10).
Colossians 2:6 So then, (1) just as you received [by your faith] Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him [walk in him], 2:7 (2) rooted and built up in him, (3) strengthened in the faith [in Christ] as you were taught, and (4) overflowing with thankfulness. NIV
2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in [with] Him, 2:7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. NKJV
The Text: Three Metaphors
Rooted, the Greek verb is rhizoó, means “to be stable, grounded and settled.”
Build-up, the Greek verb is epoikodomeó, means to finish the building from the foundation that was laid.
Strengthened in the faith, the Greek verb is bebaioó, means, “to confirm, establish, secure, to make solid, and firm.” So as not to be moved.
I have set the Lord always before me; Because
He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Ps 16:8 NKJV
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation.
He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory.
The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Ps 62:5-7 NKJV
A View on How to Grow a Model Church
How to set the stage for public teaching of the gospels. What elements should we have in the forefront of every public worship service?
Walk in Him
The NIV says we are to continue to live our lives in him, while the Greek text reads, just “walk in him”. The New American Standard renders the text accurately, “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” Just trust him, no matter what.
What does this mean? It means as you walk around in home and office, you are not alone. You are aware of His presence. You talk to the Lord about anything, even small things. You confess any sin from your conscience and Scriptures that reveal God’s will. Daily you go forward by faith alone. But faith will never leave you alone.
When walking with God, He is always with us, yet He is always out ahead of us. When Jesus met Nathanael he said, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit. How do you know me? Nathanael, asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’” (John 1:48). Be assured, God knows even the location of our prayers to Him. As Jesus noted the sincerity of Nathanael in his prayers, God recognizes and responds to your earnest prayer.
God is so far ahead of us in his planning and care, the time and distance is unimaginable. Paul declares, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world” (Eph 1:4). God’s planning on our behalf goes back to a time before there was time. God is always in advance of us and has given us the “hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” (Titus 1:2).
The point is, once you come to know and accept Him in your life, it is hard very hard, probably impossible to lose God. When life knocks you down, remember this: God has provided provision and guidance for you, and things in our life never take Him by surprise.
Walk With Him
To walk with God, means to consult in prayer with every decision that we daily make. Just short prayers, sometimes just a whisper in the mind, for guidance and direction. Walking with God is one of the great pleasures we have in life. Daily keeping the prayer line open to all things relative in your life, good or troublesome. As the results of this daily walk, we will have so many answered prayers that we must make a long list of them.
It is hard to love someone from a distance, walking with God—Is us coming near to Him. But remember if you are coming near to God, He came near to you first. “We love [God] because He first loved us [me]” (1 John 4:19).
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8 NKJV). This is a reliable promise that will never ever fail. Try it for yourself.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him in trouble.
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.
Ps 91:15,16 NKV
John writes to his fellowship, “This is how we know [are sure, with no doubt] that we belong to the truth [to Him] and how we set our hearts at rest [feel at ease, quiet] in his presence” (1 John 3:19).
Take this promise, claim it, hold on to it. Review it all day long. Do not let troublesome circumstances cause you to feel you have no right to be at rest in God and His Son Jesus Christ.
Rest in God, now, today, tonight, tomorrow expect you can, and you will rest in God. In his presence, his smile, his love, his care for you and those you love. His faithfulness gives you assurance that He is with you and for you.
Rest, in peace, with all your heart, close your eyes sleep there tonight, Wake up in the morning with no doubt or feeling that God has deserted you, forgotten you, left you alone or has separated himself from you finding you unacceptable due to your sins, your forgetfulness, your faults, your doubts, or your troubles. Rest in his presence, feel that this is a secure and safe place, even as the storms of life blow across your pathway.
Rest in your mind, in your heart, with your soul, denying your feelings that may tell you the opposite. Rest right inside the presence of God, walk by faith alone, in His Word alone. Hold out and upward your hands for God to fill them with His gift of love, assurance, and support for you. Do it now! Tell the Lord you want light in your life, not darkness.
Remember the troublesome events in your life are not hard for God to manage. We cannot solve problems by worrying, or by mental rehearsal of troubling events.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Matt 11:28
Rooted in Him
To be rooted is to be very stable and firm. We saw a picture of a title wave that swept over an island and the only thing standing, was the Palm trees. They looked like they were weathered, but they were still alive. We have read that some people have been saved in storms by holding on to the palm tree.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon,
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
Ps 92:11-13
What are we to be rooted in, certainly not just sand. In the Ephesians Paul prayed that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love” (Eph 3:17).
Notice that Love is not itself the root, it is love of and for Christ, which is deeply rooted, in us. It is not at all like the Beatles song which is just romantic in surface: “Love, love, love all you need is love.”
Love cannot grow deep, with any bitterness. This is a chief reason why many congregations are devoid of the Spirit, there is hatred, animosity, class divisions by education, family exclusiveness or racial divisions that create separation from the mainstream, in and among them.
Love cannot grow deep, when the church leaders do not often express their personal love of God. The congregation will be held together by social means and doctrinal convictions. Not by love for each other that springs from love of God and love from God. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).
Build Up In Him
Rooted in love provides a solid foundation to build a large structure. Building up takes place overtime. Daily learning and growing in the knowledge of God. Peter says, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Pet 1:2).
Building up—Is in good fellowship and fellowship with other strong believers.
Building up—Is in good Biblical Sermons.
Building up—Is in found in group Bible Studies.
Building up—Is found in personal Bible study, mostly the New Testament and the Psalms
Building up—Is found in belonging to a prayer group.
Building up—Is found in listening or singing with sacred music.
Building up—Is found in much time for prayer. Pray for everything possible.
Building up—In Him is Christocentric, growing over years higher, deeper, and surer.
Building up—Is praying for stronger faith and trust. Watch your faith grow.
As You Were Taught
Paul is telling the Colossian believers to remember the lessons he taught them. To not forget them. A strong church will give emphasis on what Paul taught, in Colossians, Ephesians, Romans, and Galatians. All his letters to the churches should be given constant review and application.
We have asked long term believers, since their childhood, if they remember anything in the books of Colossians or Ephesians. Nearly all of them cannot remember one specific text.
We have asked believers if they could tell us what Justification by Faith is, as taught in nearly ten chapters by Paul. They cannot. Can you?
This is a common weakness of the Western Church, they have Bibles. But they do not know Scriptures. Some congregations are so focused on the Old Testament, which is good, but leads to neglect of the most important ideas of Scriptures. Because “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:2) are hidden in Christ.
Some congregations teach that the Gospel is given to make us rich. Such never was the example of Jesus or his Apostles.
Some congregations are so focused on speaking in tongues, they think this is central, most essential aspect of the gospel. It is not, as we all know. Just read Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Romans, or Galatians. Count the number of times Paul commands us to speak in tongues as evidence of the Spirit. Or the gospel of John and his three letters. There is not one time.
The neglect of the letters of Paul, Peter and John will result in a weak foundation. It is reason why there are so many conflicts between members, divorces, and loss of youth in these churches.
Overflowing With Thankfulness
One of the good and beneficial side effects of serious study of Scriptures is praise and thankfulness. It will flow from our lips without even trying to think of something to be thankful for. We will be thankful for the Spirit that God has sent to live in us. Thankful for Christ, his love and his promises made real to us.
A church with no or little public thankfulness is generally not rooted in Christ, at all.
But please take note, thankfulness is not so much self-centered. We do not see Paul, Peter or John detail events in their lives or ministry that they are boastfully thankful. They fail to talk much about themselves or bring attention to the ways God has blessed. John, in his three letters, could have listed all the miracles that attended his life, but he did not even mention one. Beware of a thankful testimony that is mostly self-centered, so others can see what great things they have done.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matt 6:1).
Thankfulness and praise should be gospel centered, directed to God. Sure, there is a place to mention what God has done for you, for which you are so thankful. Especially in private and family prayer, we can recall all the good things that God has provided, with gratefulness and praise.
In public thankfulness, God will give us the right balance that will enable us to honor Him, not ourselves. We should follow Paul’s example in Colossians, taking note on how little honor, he gives himself, and how much more praise to God and His Son. If anyone had reason to boast, it was the Apostle Paul, we can never know all the miracle stories that accompanied his ministry—but alas they were of no importance in comparison to praiseworthiness to be given to God alone.
When Paul was defending himself from false teachers that claimed to have authority above Paul. He defended his calling from God, in the third person. “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows… but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses” (2 Cor 12:2,5).
Colossians 2:8 See to it [beware] that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition [their societies and customs] and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. NIV [Note: The words “Spiritual forces,” was added to the text by NIV]
2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty [worthless] deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. NKJV
2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. NAS
See To It: Beware
The primary Greek verb for beware means to “behold, beware, perceive.” In English it means to be alert to a danger. It carries the idea that we should look carefully at something to identify it correctly. Paul wants us to be cautious about the claims of human philosophy and the cultural traditions of society, which may lead you away from “faith in Christ Jesus” (Col 1:4).
This is the same word that Jesus used, “beware of false prophets” (Matt 7:15) and “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matt 6:16). Their deceptive teachings and philosophies that sound very plausible.
Takes You Captive
In Greek it means to carry someone off as plunder. Paul is not talking about human trafficking, but the “true message of the gospel” (Col 1:5). To be led away from Scriptures, and believe in the world’s invitation, its approach to human happiness and peace. There are thousands of books in different languages, by very learned individuals, which claim the ability to guide your life. But they are devoid of Scriptures, “the way of truth” (2 Pet 2:2). Oftentimes their words are quoted next to Scriptures as having great authority, although the author has no faith in God, at all.
It is God that has and will “rescue us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Col 1:13). It is not by popular authors or preachers that we are rescued from darkness.
Thankfully, God has not left our faith to depend on human sources. God takes it upon Himself and His Son, to secure our rescue.
Hollow or Empty Deceptive Philosophy
In the Greek it means to be empty. Meaning what is promised, they cannot give. Because it is not “in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus” (Eph 4:21).
There are millions of seminars and movies, YouTube videos, which teach one how to live happy and productive lives, solve internal and emotional conflicts, with no reference to God. They present many good thoughts, some spiritually helpful. But be cautious that they don’t steal your mind, your faith, your earnest prayers, from trust in the deliverance that only God can provide.
Buddhism is an example, they teach cultivating inner calmness, by training the mind with mindfulness, meditation, and compassion, focusing on acceptance of the present moment.
Although their practices can be helpful, What their followers receive is not, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).
Only the “Peace of God,” the peace that comes alone from a Divine Source, can guard and protect our minds from self-hatred and obsessions that seize our minds.
From the frustrations that come from disappointment in love, family, business, or marriage. From the petty jealousies that plague our waking thoughts.
From the obsessions that demand attention, which are are unwholesome and unproductive.
From buzzing bees inside our heads that fill us with anxiety and fear that is mostly imaginary.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.
Ps 4:8
The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Ps 29:11
In God:
Lovingkindness and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Ps 85:10
May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
1 Pet 1:2
What various counseling techniques claim to give us peace, they cannot deliver. This is the reason why, sometimes, mind-altering drugs are prescribed for self-control and inner peace within oneself.
Taken Captive by Popular Philosophy
Today there are many who teach a way of life they claim will bring fulfillment and meaning. While they ignore or deny the influences of faith in God and the real joy that comes from “love in the Spirit” (Col 1:8) and “joy in the Lord” (Isa 58:14) and “joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 1:6)
They want you to accept popular philosophies, promoted by highly educated men and women. While they reject the “wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9). Which alone can connect us to “the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (Rom 11:33).
Philosophy in Paul’s Time
It is possible that Paul was making a reference to Plato and Greek philosophers, which was so popular in Greek Roman culture. Pagan gods were regarded as a deity. They would pray to a god hoping that they would be shown favor and given success. Their gods did not love them, often they were indifferent to them. There was very detailed accounts of each Roman and Greek god, what they stood for and what one could gain from their worship.
Greek mythology is account of the life of their gods giving to the worshiper hope for a favor. Strange as it may to a Christian, the Greek gods were not moral examples, they display all the flaws of both men and women.
Modern Philosophy
We have a whole wing of medicine that sees no therapeutic value in the knowledge of “the God of love and peace” (2 Cor 13:11) revealed to us through His Son, and ministered personally inside us by the Spirit. “For God is love, whoever lives in [God’s’] love, lives in God and God in them…and we know it by the Spirit, He gives us.” (1 John 4:16; 3:24). Modern therapy offers counseling, that often prescribe drugs as a remedy for mental trouble.
It is not possible for even a Christian therapist to impart the Spirit of God into a troubled patient. The Spirit is like “the wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
The sweet influence of the Spirit can’t be controlled or directed like the wind; it must be received from God alone.
A therapist cannot prescribe “the Spirit of God” (1 John 4:2). They cannot promise that their counseling will result in a sudden love for God and others through the medium of the Spirit. Because the Spirit is like the natural wind that no one can order to stop or come.
The Christian therapist can tell from their experience what it is like to have, to know, to realize the blessedness of having “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
A Christian therapist knows they cannot impart the sweet indwelling of God’s gracious, peaceful, gentle, loving Spirit. The genuine Spirit that makes a temple home inside us. But they can talk about their experience, in humble ways, not making themselves an example. Then urge them to look to Christ, personally. They can tell their patients, “those who seek me [will] find me” (Prov 8:17). Tell them to claim God’s promise, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer 29:13).
“This is what the Lord says to Israel:
“Seek me and live”
Amos 5:4
“Come near to God and he will
come near to you”
James 4:8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find.
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds.
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened”
Matt 7:7,8
We Cannot Understate the Importance of Personally Calling Out to God
Tell God you want to know Him, to receive of Him favor, grace, most of all you want to experience “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). And forgiveness, sweet sense of costly mistakes are really forgiven. You will know it. God will make it plain to you and you just know you are forgiven.
Always bear in mind that God will “reward those who earnestly seek him” (Heb 11:6). This is the starting point of real change in your life. It will become new and your fears will be quieted by an outside power, that you will know is from God Himself, for peace will come over you.
Only when we are “in Christ” can we be “brought to fullness” of life. Not only here on earth, but in the hereafter. In Christ we have “the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” (Titus 1:2). Modern secular philosophy believes they have the answers for better human behavior, and they do have helpful advice in many areas. There are two things that they cannot offer, the grace and forgiveness of god or eternal life beyond the grave. Neither can they offer what God has promised.
You [God] will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Isa 26:3,4 NLT
Human Traditions
This refers to tradition as passed on from one generation to the next. The Civil War in the United States is an example of the imbedded culture that held people of color to be inferior. Their culture permitted slavery, even under harsh conditions and severe punishments. These customs were passed down from one generation to another. Not till after about 640,000 deaths was that cultural idea of slavery abolished.
There are thousands of different cultures that have traditions, some are harmless. While some traditions promote a way of life that runs contrary to the gospel account. There are many examples in history where governments have created customs that encourage hatred of Jewish people, Christians, or another ethnic group.
Basic or Fundamental Principles of the World
Christianity is not a philosophy created through human minds or government legislation.
It is not a knowledge of abstract principles, but a personal knowledge of faith and love of God in Christ. Teachers that are highly praised in the world, most often will deny faith in God as of any importance. “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24), they do not know.
They will teach human wisdom as truth and believers stand to lose when they listen to men and women with Ph.D.’s but are unfamiliar with “joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). They do not know about how it is possible for “God’s love” to be “poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5).
Who can know this, except those who have experienced it! But you reader, you can know it for yourself.
2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. NAS
Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 2:10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power [ruler] and authority [religious and civil]. NIV
2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 2:10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power NKJV
2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 2:10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority. NAS
The Text
The NIV says “in Christ you have been brought to fullness” is their interpretation of the Greek text. Which literally reads “you are in Him complete.”
The Berean Literal Bible says, “You are complete in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
The King James Version says, “Ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”
The Greek text just simply says: “fullness” of the “deity” “bodily.”
The Greek word of fullness is pléróma: “Fullness, completion or full.”
The Greek word for deity is theotés: deity, which is a state of being a god, this Greek word was just used once, in this verse, in the NT. In Greek culture this word was used with other variations, referred to a pagan god that was in a state, or a condition of being God. This word should not be translated as “Godhead.”
The Greek word for bodily is sómatikós: Bodily or physical. Meaning that Jesus had an exalted physical body, because God the Father dwelled in him in all his fullness.
You are Complete In Him (NKJV)
The NKJV says that God dwells in all His fullness of the Godhead bodily. The translators were trying to show there is unified nature between God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. The context of this section of verses does not discuss the Holy Spirit. In the first chapter Paul made two references to the Spirit in Colossians 1:8,9 and does not reference the Spirit until “songs from the Spirit” in 3:19.
Thus, the word “godhead” is not in keeping with the context of this passage, which has already told us that the Father God is present in his Son, even as the Son of Man. Furthermore, there is no Greek word for Godhead, it has been coined by some translators. The word has a strange sound leaving many confused as whether out of one head comes three separate heads? Thus, it better to translate this passage just as Paul wrote it down in the Greek.
The Greek text just simply says, “fullness of the deity bodily.”
The Greek word of fullness is pléróma: “Fullness, completion or full.”
The Greek word for deity is theotés: deity, which is a state of being a god, this Greek word was just used once, in this verse, in the NT. In Greek culture this word was used with other variations, referred to a pagan god that was in a state, or a condition of being God.
The Greek word for bodily is sómatikós: Bodily or physical. Meaning that Jesus had an exalted physical body, because God the Father dwelled in him in all his fullness.
The Greek word pléroó meaning to be Complete carries the idea of being filled up or made full, as the NIV says fullness. In that you have been given fullness of life in union with Christ. In this union there is no other needed source. No other required extra power or information before you are made complete in Christ. For he “fills everything in every way” (Eph 1:23).
These two verses refer to the above content, about being deceived by philosophies of the world and its cultures. We do not need the “traditions of men” to be added to Scriptures. As if we need to add to Christ, secular authorities, to complete our spiritual understanding and give us additional practices.
In Paul’s first prayer in Colossians he says, “We continually ask God to fill you [pléroó] with the knowledge of His will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives [to us]” (Col 1:9). Being brought to fullness, we are given access to wisdom, understanding that the Holy Spirit constantly, presently in real time, imparts to us. Often without our notice.
For “my God will meet [will supply, pléroó] all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). Fullness in Christ attends to our “daily bread” (Matt 6:11) as well as needed wisdom in the many tasks that we are assigned to do in life.
Since in Christ, all of God was present in his human form, in his words and life. His absolute universe creative power was hidden from human sight. It was not visible when the crowds wanted to crucify him. However, to the believer in Christ, his fullness is made available, on His command, for our needs. For our Spiritual growth.
Take a minute to thank the Lord of Glory, for all with which you are blessed. For all your abundance, in every way!
His authority over all demons and Satanic forces always results in their complete defeat and soon their ultimate destruction. As prophesied, for “the devil…was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur” (Rev 20:10).
In Him You have Been Made Complete (NAS)
There is nothing that can separate us from God, because in Him we are brought to fullness. As Paul has affirmed to us, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom 8:34,35).
Our completeness in Christ stands for His defense of us. He holds us tight by His completeness with his Father. Thus, both from the Father and His Son we can say: "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.” (Ps 3:3). The old King James Version says, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Ps 56:2-4
Apostle John’s Teaching on Being Made Complete in Christ
1 John 2:5 But if anyone obeys his [Christ] word, love for God is truly made complete ‘in them’ [plural]. This is how we know we are in him [Jesus Christ]: 2:6 Whoever claims to live [abide] in him must live [walk] as Jesus did [walked]. NIV
The Shocking Truth
If the faith of a Christian has not resulted in love for God, their faith if very immature. We may hold on too many doctrines, such as water baptism, tithing, prophecy of the second coming or various interpretations of last day events. They mean nothing at all—if the love of God is not evident in our lives.
The Greek word for complete in the NIV is means: “To complete, to perfect, to accomplish, to bring to an end.” It carries the idea of spiritually growing to reach a goal, to be mature. What is this goal? The Love of God is to be made complete in us, we are to “live in Him and He in us” made evident by much love for God. To make this possible “He has given us of His Spirit” (1 John 4:13).
The Love of God is the most potent, powerful influence we can possess in our life. Because God’s love dwells, abides, in us it has a holy influence that transforms us. Thus, it can be said, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Pet 1:16), since a holy God dwells in us, lives in us, abides in us, holiness built all around love, is His influence on our lives.
God’s love placed in us is what makes us complete and mature, ready for “the Day of the Lord” (1 Thess 5:2). “God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in them” (1 John 4:16), meaning God’s love is alive, living in us. So much so, that we love to sing praises saying, “How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” (Ps 147:1).
Love is the channel, the cord, the means by which God dwells in us and proof that we are growing believers in God. Belief in God is not theory, not theology, not lessons memorized, not church attendance but love for God welling up inside us.
The love of God alone can influence love for others. God’s love alone can create impulses inside us to do good to others. Thus, we are said to be “keeping his commands” (1 John 2:3). “He [Jesus] has given us this command(ment): Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 John 4:21).
John wants us to know what will give us confidence, give us assurance that we will be welcomed by God into life everlasting. It is God’s love that lives in us and is outwardly seen in loving others is the most important assurance that will be among those that have “been redeemed from the earth” (Rev 14:3).
1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another [always]. 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us. NIV
For love to be made complete brings to view a long-term experience of dwelling with God and He in us. For love to grow, it takes time for the seed of love to become a very fruitful plant with large fruits of the Spirit.
To be “made perfect in Love” (1 John 4:18) is not one step process. It is on-going every day of our lives. We will meet many different situations, that we know we should love someone, but we feel that they do not deserve it. We feel that we should give them back some of the injustice and lies that they have given to us. The thought is satisfying. But, if we are Born of God, we cannot do it, when God is dwelling in us and we have been dwelling in Him. It is just not possible unless we step out and away from the love of God that has filled our hearts. It would break and hurt our hearts if we did just that.
“To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19) The fullness of God is realized by a deeper, truer more profound experience of the love of Christ.
“In Christ YOU have been brought to fulfillment” (2:10)
Surgical Procedure by Christ
Colossians 2:10 In Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the Head over every power and authority.
Colossians 2:11 In him [Christ] you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self-ruled by the flesh [sinful nature] was put off [cut away] when you were circumcised by Christ, NIV
2:11 ‘In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. NKJV
The Text
The NIV adds the words “whole self ruled by,” and the NKJV add the words “the sins of,” to the Greek text. A good literal reading of the text is, “In him [in Christ] also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.” English Standard Version (ESV).
The Illustration of Circumcision
Paul used a well-known, in his day, illustration of circumcision. Which was given to Abraham. It pointed to the children of Abraham, which was the start of Israel. They could only be united in marriage, with a person who follows this custom. This was the means God chose to keep the blood line of Abraham from being lost in all the nations, tribes, and peoples of the earth. So that in every mind, of every person that reads the account of the birth of Jesus, their promised Messiah. They will know for certain that God the “Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 3:14).
Everybody knows for a fact that “the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt 1:1), was the Son of God. Jesus did not just suddenly appear with no history, instead he was promised all throughout the long line of descendants of Abraham. Circumcision was one of the major means that kept alive the blood line of Abraham from which the true Messiah, the Savior of the world, would appear.
Putting off or Cutting Away From Our Body of Flesh
Paul’s words are very brief, leaving us the need to further understand the text.
Paul’s expression of putting off or cutting away means to remove and disarm something. Paul is not talking about our clothes or cutting our hair. The big picture is that something is done to us that we do not see, receive any sensation or feeling. It is a significant change made in us, by the hands of Christ.
Christs removes, cuts away, something from us that we cannot do ourselves. The ancient practice of circumcision was done by human hands. Baptism is done with human hands. But in Paul’s expression, something is done to us, for us, by Christ, that is for the purpose of cutting away the “old self” that finds sin a pleasure and putting on us a “new self” that seeks loyalty to God and worship of His Son (Col 3:9,10). As the results we “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim 2:22).
What Does This Mean?
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:22,23).
This is the best good news for all humanity. God changes us in hundreds of ways. We are created, that is we become a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17). At one time we may have been addicted to movies that are not godly, violent, or very sentimental and shallow. The Spirit brings conviction to us that this is wrong. We respond to prayer and in answer, God removes the desires to sit for hours as formally. God replaces it with stronger desires that does not want to live like this anymore. The desire to not want to follow these movies, to find out what comes next, is stronger than the former desire to their addictive use. God has circumcised your heart, has cut off, removed far from you even the desires to continue your old habit.
Over time, longer or shorter, you cannot see yourself ever going back to your old habits. Your old way of thinking.
Brought to Fullness by Cutting Something Away
This is very reassuring. When lust is demanding satisfaction, when jealousy and envy are destroying melody of pure prayer and praise. When depression has put us into a fog so deep, we cannot see any light giving us reason to hope again or even to live. When physical pain, mental harassment, and addictions to various substances—demand satisfaction.
There is hope. God will stand at your side to relieve you of these issues and give you peace. And bring into your life the ability to love again, with sincerity and emotion. The new you will arise, the old you will weaken and lose its power to seduce you. “The new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Cor 5:17). Jesus speaking in spiritual language proclaimed his mission: “He [God] has sent me [Jesus] to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Lk 4:18).
This is such good news. Both the Father and His Son have promised to set us free from our addictions, our bondage to bad habits, our natural tendency to outburst of anger—To Set Us Free.
We need Christ to cut us away from our bondage. To move us into the “kingdom of light” (Col 1:12), from blindness to sunlight. Most of all, to remove from us what is needed, to give us peace. To find freedom from the bondage of our negative habits that control our every move.
The Process of Removal
When we are struggling against our fallen habits, such as to be angry. Or some other ingrained habit. Take up your privilege to come to an all-powerful God. Call on the name of the Lord. Ask Him to remove this habit from your life.
In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
my cry came before him, into his ear.
Ps 18:6
Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
Ps 30:2
Help will come, sometimes soon or just the next day, hour, or minute. God will give you peace and break the habits of a lifetime. Sometimes God does this all at once, and other times, as He knows what is best, cuts the attachments to habits more every day.
For great is your love toward me,
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.
Ps 86:13
It is our highest honor to ask God, to cut away the things we know to be wrong and put on a new habit, new feelings, newer way to look at things. We can ask in prayer for any spiritual gift that will challenge our demanding sinful nature, who at times, has overpowered us leaving us in despair.
One very important secret: When tempted deep within your desires. Meet it with thanksgiving for everything, the grass you see or the blue sky, before long the strength of the urgent temptation will lessen. Meet it by reading scripture out loud. Meet it with earnest prayer that you want deliverance, or you die. Keep learning Scriptures, the New Testament and Psalms.
Seek earnestly in prayer to not give up in delay of answered prayer. Pray to find a believer that has been born of the Spirit, to pray with you and for you. Meet it in prayer while listening to praise music.
Pray these Psalms:
He [God] rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me…
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
Ps 18:17,19
Guard my life and rescue me,
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
Ps 25:20
Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue,
be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Ps 31:2
Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes.
Ps 69:18
Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need.
Rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
Ps 142:6
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Ps 143:9
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me,
turn your ear to me and save me.
Ps 71:2
Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor.
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink,
deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.
Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.
Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.
Ps 69 (A Messianic Psalm)
I call to You from out of the deep, Oh, Lord most high
Aware of my sin and the distance I keep, From the light, oh, Lord
But there is forgiveness with Thee, And in wonder, I fall on my knees
My soul waits for the Lord
In the hope of His promise
In the hope of His promise
Deliverance will come. My soul waits for the Lord
Through the night ′til the morning
Like a night watchman waiting, For the coming of the dawn
Look to the Lord, all you people in need, For He is kind
He will break the chains of your soul's slavery
For all time, oh, Lord
But there is forgiveness with Thee
And in wonder, I fall on my knees
My Soul Waits (Psalm 130)
Maranatha Music 1971
Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (Col 3:10)
Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:24)
Over all these virtues put on love (Col 3:14)
So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Rom 13:12)
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Eph 6:11)
Brought to Fulfillment In Christ
Colossians 2:11 “In him [in Christ] also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.” English Standard Version
Colossians 2:12 having been [1st] buried with him in baptism, in which you were also [2nd] raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him [Christ] from the dead. NIV
2:12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. NKJV
2:12 You were buried with Him in, your baptism, in which you were also raised with Him, to a new life, though, your, faith in the working of God, as displayed, when He raised Him up from the dead. AMP
First Be Baptized
Before baptism, we have just two things to do. With humility, and with sorrow of repentance, confess our sins to God—then be baptized. As Peter told the crowds of people immediately after Pentecost, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Act 2:38).
After you repented and confessed your sins, God will give you faith to see and know they have been forgiven. Faith is God’s gift to us. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this [faith] is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).
Our Faith thankfully is a gift to us from God. He designed something so simple and effective, with us weaklings in His mind. He did not create a lengthy list of prior requirements.
Furthermore, only through this gift are we able to acknowledge and confess our sins, in the first place. Faith accomplishes many things for our good. By faith alone, faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ, can we receive eternal life.
Baptism, While Under the Water—Leaves Our Sins In the Grave
Use the imagery of the grave. At our baptism, our confessed sins, and whatever else troubles us are removed from us and placed on Christ. While submerged under the water, a symbol of the grave, we leave them there on Christ. We are no longer guilty of these sins. Now justice has been made for my sins, death has been assigned to them. More than forgiven, they are removed from our record—there is no condemnation for me anymore.
For Christ carried all our sins with him to the grave, on our behalf. He has paid the ultimate price for “the wages of [our] sins is death” (Rom 6:23). In his death he paid what we earned by our sins. With one difference, our sins were laid on him, but they were not his sins. Thus, by God’s power and will, and the fact that he had “life in himself” (John 5:26), he rose from the dead. A living symbol of our future rising from our grave, when the “Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him” (Matt 25:31).
Christ Became Alive at the Resurrection
God does the hardest and more important work. He does not leave you in the grave with your sins. Just like Jesus was raised by His Father, so we too are raised, by the working of God. “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Rom 6:4). This is accomplished not by our studied efforts, not by our commitment to a list of rules, not by promise to obey the whole law and do better in the future—but alone by the “all power” (Col 1:11) that belongs to God our Father. If God were not promised, we would not be able to rise from the grave to live a “new life” (Rom 6:4). Although seeing the dead rise is unheard of on earth, soon our future will bring to us a new life that is eternal. This will bring to us physical, mental and spiritual changes that cannot be imagined by our earth-bound sight.
Have you Been Buried, Under the Water, with Christ in Baptism?
Have you Risen with Christ, from under the water, in Baptism?
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that you wish to have all your sins forgiven?
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that in Christ you want to be brought to “fullness” (Col 2:10)
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that you want your faith “rooted and built up” to higher levels? (Col 2:7)
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that you want “your faith, established” and made “firm” so that it cannot be moved “from the hope” inside you of “the gospel” (Col 1:23)
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that you want to be “rescued” from all darkness so that you can “share in the inheritance” God gives to children in “the kingdom of light” (Col 1:12,13).
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that the Spirit will give you daily a “knowledge” of God’s “will.” But more, that the Spirit will also impart to me “wisdom and understanding” (Col 1:9)
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that God can impart to you “love in” from “the Spirit” (Col 1:8). Love for all that is good, right, and lovely.
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that you want to “truly understand God’s grace” in your life (Col 1:6)
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that you want to realize the “hope stored up for you in heaven” that springs from your “faith and love (Col 1:5)
Do you acknowledge to God and His Son, that you want to “love” all God’s people” in ways you have never done it before (Col 1:3).
Have you “set your heart on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1).
Colossians 2:13 [Before risen with Christ] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. NIV
2:13 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 NKJV
First Observation
Notice in the above text, that God makes the first move, he moves first to us, even when we are not looking for Him at all.
The Colossian Believers were Dead in Their Sins, Before They Were Risen with Christ
There is no spiritual life in us before we heard the call of God to place faith in His Son. We did not have “free will” to decide to “set our hearts on things above…not on earthy things” (Col 3:1,2). With no ability to discern the evil of our sins or have power to stop their dominance. We “were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures” (Titus 3:3).
The Colossian were driven by sins pleasures, their abuse, its depravity, its pride, its selfishness, its vanity, its violence, its war-like tendences, its spirit of dominance over others, its false belief systems, its pretended friendships for personal gain, its ability to spread the virus of sinful ways of problem solving. Everywhere they go.
The foolish pleasures of sin are attractive to us, as part of their bodies. Until God cuts it out by the “circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit” (Rom 2:29). Unless God gives us “clean hands and a pure heart” (Ps 24:4). Then we can “draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” (Heb 19:22). God has promised, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone” (Ez 26:36).
Do not be deceived, believers in God, in His Son, in Scriptures—can also become captive to various forms of lust, jealousy, envy and self-righteousness. They could be attending a church that is full of pomp and display, with very little Spirit.
Unless they are born from above, “born of the water and the Spirit” (John 3:5), nothing else matters at all. Those who have this miracle in their hearts, they know it is true. It is with them everywhere they go. They really do love God and His Son. They really do want to follow and keep his commands. They are instantly grieved when they fail to love as they should. Expressions of love and thanksgiving come freely in prayers. They know God “lives in him, and he in them…we know it by the Spirit, He [God] gave us” (1 John 3:24). And God’s Spirit is a living Spirit, and they know it.
God Himself Interrupts Our Restless Life Of Sin
“Because of His [God’s] great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him [himself] in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:4-6).
God is pleased to love us; it is not a burden, difficulty or inconvenience. Paul’s confession was that he lived “by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). In other words, Paul’s faith was made strong by the realization that God loved him.
Jude, the stepbrother of Jesus knew about God’s rich love wrote, “To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance” (Jude 1,2).
We are made alive in Christ, a new alignment. Not alive to sins, no longer indifferent. Alive to know what is evil and to be painfully aware of our former lust, malice, jealousy, or dislike of our neighbors. Now we don’t want to live a life out of harmony with Christ.
God Himself Forgives Our Sins Freely Through His Grace
Being alive first means that your sins are forgiven daily, with no delay when we ask for forgiveness. Now our sins are already paid for, by the free forgiveness and mercy of God
By faith: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mk 2:5
By Grace: “forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Eph 1:7).
Changes Because of the Cross: 2:14 Having canceled [destroyed, erased] the charge of our legal indebtedness [decrees, obligations], which stood against us and condemned us [as guilty]; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle [openly] of them, triumphing over [disarmed] them by the cross.
The Conclusion: 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you [as guilty] by what you eat [food] or drink, or with regard to a religious festival [yearly], a New Moon [monthly] celebration or a Sabbath [plural] day [weekly].
The Results: 2:17 These are [just] a shadow of the things that were to come [better]; the reality [substance], however, is found in Christ [Messiah]. NIV
Changes Because of the Cross: 2:14 having wiped out [removed] the handwriting of requirements [legal decrees] that was against us, which was contrary to us [condemned us]. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
The Conclusion: 2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
Results: 2:17 which are [only] a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. NKJV
At the top. What is a Shadow?
It is an incomplete, very grainy picture, of words and ceremony, telling a story of something that is to come. Something so momentous, so significant that God wishes all men to recognize when He reveals it. When God creates a shadow, he does it in a grand style. With all the flourish, all the color, all the attention to detail, all the attention-grabbing symbols. All for the saving, redeeming of sinful humanity. God does not want a single, person to miss His grandstand in front of all the world.
The many shadows that God has created in Old Testament times, was culminated in the death of His Son on the Cross, his resurrection and the ministry of the Spirit that followed. The keeping of the shadow pen pictures and ceremonies, which pointed to Christ are thus, no longer needed. Why? Because Christ the Messiah, as a person, is far better than just a shadow picture of Him.
They are just reminders of the Messiah to come. Of themselves, they cannot save. They point to the Christ is above all. Now we are to “set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). Not the shadow figures of the Old Covenant, the sanctuary with its yearly, monthly, and daily ceremonies. Everything in the Hebrew services was held together by the Sabbath day.
Changes Because of the Cross
Terms Used In the Text
The NIV says that God has canceled the charge of legal.
The NKJV say that God has wiped out the handwriting.
The Greek Interlinear says: “Having blotted out the against us handwriting in the decrees which was averse to us and has taken it out of the way.”
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says: The “handwriting what one has written with his own hand, specifically, a note of writing in which one acknowledges that money has either been deposited with him or lent to him by another, to be returned at an appointed time”
The expression in the NKJV of handwriting is best understood as a “certificate of debt” (NAS). Also, in the NET Bible it is called “certificate of indebtedness.” Whereas the NIV translates it just as legal, which is an inadequate description.
God had written down laws, in the Books of Moses, for Israel to obey. When they failed to keep them perfectly, they were in debt. Laws cannot forgive mistakes; they only exact punishment. These laws are against us, because we are guilty, thus they condemn us. ‘
It is called a "certificate of debt" because no one could ever pay up the debt owed, as described in the many civil, moral, and ceremonial requirements that were part of every aspect of life in ancient Israel. These many laws demanded obedience. “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Col 1:22).
Now the many demands of the law with its required ceremonies can no longer find fault in us. Christ has disarmed them in our behalf, by faith alone, in Christ Jesus. We are forgiven, not by animal sacrifices, not feast days such as the Passover, but by “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Pet 1:19).
“Handwriting of Requirements that was Against Us” [NKJV]
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says about Colossians 2:14: “Handwriting in decrees which was averse to us.” The Greek word translated in the NKJV “requirements” is dogma, meaning “decree, ordinances, edicts, or regulations.”
The word decree refers to the laws of Moses, written down as a witness to Israel. Just as Israel went into the promised land, Moses reminded them to obey God’s laws. “This is the law Moses set before the Israelites. These are the stipulations, decrees and laws Moses gave them when they came out of Egypt” (Dt 4:44,45). If they did not obey there was a curse, mentioned sixteen times in Deuteronomy.
“However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees, I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you: You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out… (Deut 28:15-19).
Here is the Point
We as sinners, owe a debt to the law, which is called a certificate of debt, which was against us. We owe the Law perfect obedience, for which we cannot pay this debt caused by our sins. No matter how hard we try to obey the law. Just one violation is equal to death. James adds further to our debt, declaring that if one “stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10).
The death of a sacrificial animal, in the sanctuary, was only a shadow of better things to come. “The lamb of God” (John 1:29), is the reality and substance. The shadow of a lamb could not atone for any sin. Only the Lamb of God, the substance that created the shadow, Christ Jesus.
The purpose of the law was to create an awareness of sin, for “through the law we become conscious of our sin” (Rom 3:20). Real forgiveness that could only come from the Messiah.
Not the Law, but death of Christ, reveals the depth of our sins. The law was a shadow of the real means that brings conviction of sins, the cross of Christ.
Everything in the Hebrew Sanctuary service pointed forward to this event. The only One that could remove all our sins. Now looking to Christ, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Eph 1:7).
Nearly all the Book of Hebrews explains this process in detail, in which we just briefly summarize here.
The Cross as a Public Spectacle (2:15)
The account of the Cross of Christ and his resurrection is the most visible, known in every country, every city every village of the world. Of all the Churches of the world the Catholic Church has promoted the story of the cross throughout the past several centuries. Sadly, in some Christian congregations the cross is not prominently displayed.
The life and death of Jesus has disarmed every possible power, authority, civil and religious. It has risen above all flags of the world. Every national, military, or civil power pales in significance of the cross. God has made the cross to triumph, to be a public display, in every corner of the globe.
Religious Festivals
Paul is primarily talking about the Hebrew laws that pertained to worship of God through the Sanctuary service. There were seven annual feast days, where animal sacrifices were required. They included many other laws, such as the unclean laws as in Leviticus 11, that were associated with the Sanctuary service.
Why are these abolished? Because we worship God, not any more in a temple at one location. We do not need animal sacrifices. We do not need to attend the annual feast days around the temple. Because now, we worship God in prayer by faith, wherever we are at. At any location. As Jesus said, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Going to Jerusalem to worship is no longer required.
“Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Heb 4:14-15). The entire priesthood based on the lineage of Aaron is abolished. The entire group of laws that governed Israel were only temporary. As Paul has described them, “The law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” (Gal 3:23-24).
Religious Festivals As a Shadow
The annual “Day of Atonement” (Lev 23:27) was just a shadow, pointing forward to the cross of Christ. There was no reality or substance to the Sanctuary services, at all. It was all ceremonial. It was all symbolic. It was designed for a short period of time. It served its purpose, now it has come to an end. There was a shadow over the land, before the actual event occurred in 31 AD “the light of the world” (John 8:12).
A Shadow is an outline of the object that is in the Sun’s path. All the religious festivals pointed to the cross of Christ, the real substance. The point Paul is making, is there is no need to ever go back and worship God through means of the Hebrew temple with all its yearly festivals.
The weekly Sabbath fit into the annual festivals which centered around farming and the raising of sheep, which was necessary for the function of the Sanctuary. The Festivals were agrarian and farming based and depended on the tithe of animals to operate the temple daily services.
On the weekly Sabbath the farming connection was evident, “you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do” (Deut 5:14).
The Sabbath as a Shadow of Something Greater to Come
First: “Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing” (Gen 2:2).
The last words of Jesus on the cross were “It is finished” (John 19:30). In the prayer of Jesus to His Father he declared, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). This is the same word God at creation said on the 7th day, when “God finished the work, He had been doing” (Gen 2:2).
While Jesus lived, “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34).
Therefore, as nothing more could be added to creation and God finished it in perfection. So likewise, Jesus finished work of atonement and there is nothing more to be added to make the Gospel more complete. The Sabbath or 7th day foreshadowed this greater event.
Second: “Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing” (Gen 2:2).
“Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Heb 7:24,25). The NKJV says that Jesus is “able to save to the uttermost.” The Greek word is pantelés, which means “Complete, perfect, entire or completely and perfectly.”
As God rested from all His work of creating the world, it is a shadow of the rest of Jesus as he completed his work of redemption. As Jesus said, “I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed” (Lk 12:50).
Before sin, there was no flaw in creation. The Sabbath or 7th day foreshadowed another greater creation that could save sinners completely. “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?” (Heb 2:3).
Third: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so, on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Gen 1:1; 2:1-3). The earth was brand new; it was a new creation out of “darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Gen 1:2).
Now God takes us who “were once darkness” (Eph 5:8) and “living in darkness” (Matt 4:16) and creates a new person. By God’s power we are to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24).
The creation of the earth, celebrated on the 7th day, foreshadows another greater creation inside the believer. “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17).
The first creation of Eden shadows another better creation of a new earth to come. “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isa 65:17). The 7th day foreshadows another new earth. And the New Heavens represents the new citizens that will fill the heavens, from the finished atonement as first promised to all born on earth, on the 7th day of creation.
Fourth: “Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so, on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Gen 2:2-3).
Sabbath is rest from physical labor, was a shadow of the rest we can have in Christ, by faith. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28).
“He had provided purification for sins; he sat down at the right hand [rested] of the Majesty in heaven” (Heb 1:3). His work for us was finished. At the Temple Court trial of Jesus he said, “from now on, the Son of Man will be seated [rested] at the right hand of the mighty God” (Lk 22:69).
Fifth: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gen 1:31). Then “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Gen 2:3).
The 7th day foreshadows a new blessing, in his Son’s work of redemption. Saying out loud to the world, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matt 17:5). God is very proud of His Son Jesus Christ and blessed his work. As Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.”
God has promoted His Son, with his personal testimony. “We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son” (1 John 5:9).
Conclusion: Sabbath keeping today, a creation-based custom, has one purpose. To point to the only one that can remove the burdens of our sins and give us forgiveness, rest, and peace. The only one able to create a new life in us. This is what Sabbath keeping is all about, finding rest, redemption, in Christ. It is Christocentric.
As “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Gen 1:2 KJV), on the first day of creation. It was shadow picture of the global work of the Spirit after Pentecost.
Taken Away, Disarmed, by the Cross
Paul describes the total forgiveness we receive by faith in Christ, in the great topic of justification by faith alone. Explained in detail, in Romans and Galatians. There is total freedom from the guilt of sin by faith. Paul concludes, “For we maintain that a person is justified [declared not guilty] by faith apart from the works [demands] of the law… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:9-31; 4; 5).
That which stood against us [hostile] and condemned us [the law]; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Meaning to us, as we confess our sins, which we have been made conscience of by the life and teachings of Christ and his Apostles—we find complete forgiveness. But so much more. We receive God’s Spirit to dwell with us (see Romans 8:1-39).
Justification, which is total forgiveness of sins, is freely given to us by faith. This was impossible for the Hebrew Sanctuary Services to provide. They gave to Israel a shadow of hope of a better day. A real Day of Atonement, now known and fully displayed on the Cross of Christ. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14). No boasting over blood of animals or attendance to annual Sabbath Feast days.
The Laws of Moses Stood Against Us
Jesus canceled, wiped out, removed all the judgments that were demanded before we could be right with God, since it was required to keep the law perfectly.
Peter’s Pentecostal sermon demonstrated that Christ had taken away all the legal debt, which was against us. A debt of death we owed to the law for breaking it even one time, “for the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). For “Christ redeemed us [Gentiles & Jews] from the curse of the law [against sin] by becoming a curse [became accursed] for us [in our stead]” (Gal 3:13).
After Peter’s sermon the people said, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:37-39). Peter did not tell them to keep the laws of Moses first. Nor afterwards be sure to keep all the Sabbath temple services and festivals. Instead repent of your sins and believe in the name of Jesus, and you will be saved. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13).
Required temple obligations and services was an issue in the early church. “Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question” (Act 15:1,2).
Peter settled the issue, once and for all, that temple ceremonies were not to be required on the Gentiles, which today make up nearly every believer in Christ.
“After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us [Hebrew Jews]. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now, then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke [the temple laws] that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (Acts 15:7-11).
This New Testament gospel way of salvation is made possible because Jesus took the lawful judgments of the Law and paid the price at the cross. In the process he removed all the sanctuary based, annual Sabbath day festivals, the Aaronic priesthood and all the animal sacrifices—forever they were to be abolished.
Why Did God give Laws to Moses, only later to Abolish Them?
Some Law were not removed.
The Hebrew Bible taught many moral truths, such as found in the Ten Commandments. Many of these Hebrew laws have become the foundation for a just and free society. These laws have not been removed; they stand for absolute moral truths that Jesus and the Apostles embraced.
The laws of the Old Testament had a godly impact on millions of people. It curtailed evil and wrongdoing. It protected widows, young women from sexual abuse, it forbade incest and many other laws that have become part of the Western Legal Standards of right and wrong. The world would be a place of total violence, with no human rights, were it not the solid foundation, by the just and good laws found in Moses.
These laws provide a social network for support for the poor. Every third year the tithe and offering for the temple was to be used for the poor. Farmers were to permit the poor to glean their fields. There are too many examples for us to list them all. The world is better off because of the influence of these laws.
Here is the important point: These laws separated Israel from all other nations around them that did not value the high moral laws and standards that Israel was given. A true Israelite was different than any other pagan nation around them. “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit’” (John 1:47). The New Living Translation says, “As they approached, Jesus said, ‘Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.’”
Even the ceremonial laws, although no longer required, had a good influence on millions. It provided wonderful family time, for friendships and where courtship could develop. It created a culture of devotion to God, as part of their daily life. It gave them time to hear Scriptures being read and discussed. Time to learn, to grow, to share, to laugh, to love your neighbors and to love God.
All the Sabbath celebrations was a wonderful gift to the Hebrew peoples. Now, instead of a temple at one location, believers can share and grow through the church, at all locations, around the world. The Apostle John has left us his testimony about Jesus, “we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14). Yes, this is true!
Hebrew Law and Temple Ceremonies were Unifying
Jesus did not just appear out of nowhere and declare himself to be the “Savior of the world” (John 4:42). His coming to this earth was long predicted. Long anticipated. The historical significance of a single-family group from Abraham, who was only a generation removed from the story of the flood. Up to today—is so remarkable. So impossible. Where is the Hittite, the Moabite, the Assyrian, or Phoenician?
In the history of Israel, they have known about the coming of the Messiah. It was written and predicted in the Scrolls. The law of Israel kept the hope alive in a united group of people that refused to merge into any of the pagan societies around them. They refused to give up hope, displayed in the ceremonies and festivals that centered around the Hebrew temple.
Now, at the cross, God provided an atonement for sins, from Himself. Not from bulls and goats, which only made them “ceremonially” clean (Heb 9:13). “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12).
Only one man, one person can fit the description of the Messiah. John the Baptist recognized it when he “saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29). This one man must arise from the family of Abraham, the Hebrew people. Nowhere else.
Only one, Jesus of Nazareth, born in a manger, declared by a voice from heaven to be the Son of God—can fit the description of the Messiah.
The Conclusion
Nailing Them to the Cross--Everything that Found Us Guilty
Now there is no need for temple worship with annual feast days. They are forever removed, when Christ left the cross and was carried to the grave and resurrected. They are all in the past tense, left behind. Laws of the priesthood, Sabbath days required to be honored around the temple—are gone. Now we pray and worship God, in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24). without a physical temple, but anywhere, at any place in the world.
The ceremonies that required an animal to sacrifice had limited purpose, of pointing to the Messiah to come. Their intended purpose has been completely fulfilled.
Public Spectacle
The cross triumphs over all civil and religious authorities. The triumph of Jesus in his public ministry, life and resurrection has powerful implications. It raises to a height above, all civil government, in the loyalty, devotion and commitment that Christ generates. Day after day, year after year, century after century. Forever the cross triumphs, as of greater importance than anything else ever recorded in human history.
No More New Moons
Israel had a lunar Calendar, along with other cultures such as Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, Celts, Mayans, and Chinese. Until Julius Caesar introduced a Solor calendar in 45 BC.
Israel provided a time to celebrate the new month. “Blow the trumpets in times of gladness, too, sounding them at your annual festivals and at the beginning of each month. And blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The trumpets will remind your God of his covenant with you. I am the Lord your God” (Num 10:10). There were required sacrifices on the New Moon celebrations (see Num 28:1-15; 1 Chron 23:31).
The covenant has been fulfilled. New Moon festivals are not needed any more. “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins” (Rom 11:26,27). In Christ we start every day, every month, every year—all new. Forgiven, loved by God, adopted as His children and given a lively hope of eternal life. The new Moon celebration shadow, pointed to the cross of Christ. When all things are made new.
Religious Festivals
Ancient Israel observed seven major religious festivals, as described in Leviticus 23. They were tied to their agriculture and their history as a people. They were Passover, Unleavened Bread, First fruits, Pentecost (Weeks), Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. Animal sacrifices were required by every family. The animals that they brought with them was their tithe.
“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again, and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb 10:11,12). Only one, Jesus Christ, can be the true Messiah for the world. As practiced by peoples of faith since the dawn of human history.
Sabbath Days
The Greek reads just plural “Sabbaths.” Since Paul mentioned the Sabbath after New Moons and Religious Festivals. It is easy to apply this reference to the annual festivals, which were each considered as Sabbaths. there was also the Jubilee Sabbath, which occurred every 50 years for the entire year. There was the Sabbath of the land that was to rest, every seventh year, for the entire year.
Paul could also be referring to the practice demanded by the Torah, of offering two unblemished male lambs as burnt offerings on each Sabbath (Numbers 28:9-10). Which is not necessary today.
Paul could have in mind the required attendance at the Hebrew temple in Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Which is impossible today. Instead, we are to be: “Rooted and built up in him [Christ], strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Col 2:7).
Some say that the seventh-day Sabbath rest, which was given on the last day of the creation week (Gen 2:1-3) and enjoined in the Ten Commandments (see Ex 20). They say it has a different foundation than the festival sabbaths. Thus, it should be honored as a sacred rest day.
Some say that the creation Sabbath rest from all work, is a shadow pointing to Christ who invites all to “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Instead of resting on a day, they find rest in Christ every day, by the Spirit. They are re-created by the Water and the Spirit into a “new life” (Acts 5:20), which is focused on Jesus and His “new command I give you: [To] love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34,35).
Paul knew that some believers still held to a Sabbath keeping custom from the Law. Paul writes, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord…Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.” (Rom 14:5,6,13). Let’s give freedom to each person to decide, as they believe the Lord is leading them.
The important thing to always remember, is that the Sabbath’s purpose is found in resting, by faith in the finished work of Christ. Just as God finished his work of creation and rested on the 7th day. The Sabbath’s purpose is to always point to Christ. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2 KJV).
Colossians 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail [a lot to say] about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 2:19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. NIV
2:18 Let no one “cheat you of your reward” [added to text], taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 2:19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. NKJV
2:18 Let no one disqualify you, delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, detailing what he has seen, being puffed up vainly by his mind of the flesh. 2:19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, being supplied and being knit together by the joints and ligaments, increases with the increase of God. Berean Literal Bible
The Text
The NIV is more an accurate translation of the Greek, which correctly says, disqualify you.
The Greek word is katabrabeuó which means “To disqualify, to decide against or to condemn.” This is a very serious conclusion those who practice false humility and or the worship of angels will be condemned by their head, Christ. They will lose all rights to claim their reward of eternal life
The NKJV has added the phrase cheat you of your reward, to show the seriousness of these practices. The NIV has added to the Greek text the expression idle notions, as a way of explaining the text.
The reason why they are rejected, is because they have an unspiritual mind or as the NKJV says more accurately, a fleshly mind. Because “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom 8:8 NET). Meaning they do not have the Spirit of God in their lives. All that they teach claiming to have come direct from their guide, angels, is not from the Spirit.
The First Issue of Concern—Delighting in Humility
The concerning issue of Paul was a movement among some of the believers that practiced delighting in humility. Humility for humility’s sake. Proud humility. To make humility an important goal. To make humility a grand display of one’s own piety for status in the community.
We would not want to say that most of the Colossians were involved in this behavior. Because of Paul’s proud approval of this congregation in the first part of his letter.
But with certainty they knew about this, and Paul did not want to see them influenced by these “false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ” (2 Cor 11:13).
The Greek text says, “delighting in humility.” Which is impossible. To be humble is to be “the very last, and the servant of all” (Mk 9:35), with no desire except to be helpful, to serve and not draw attention to themselves, as deserving all the honor and credit.
To delight in humility is intended to draw attention to one’s humility, as an object of great respect. This is not humility, but pride.
Sadly, the Christian Church in the Middle Ages, sponsored communities of men and women, living in convents, which made a public display of humility. Many had rigorous hours of prayer with required separation from other people and self-abasement. Even at times eating in total silence. Living in isolation and celibacy, denying family and marriage.
False Humility Over Celibacy
To Timothy Paul wrote: “Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. They will prohibit marriage…(1 Tim 4:1-3).
Never ever must the Christian community forbid marriage, as has been to our day the practice of some Christian groups. This is an unnecessary hardship for both men and women. It is against Creation Order. “So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27). The point we should not miss, is that marriage is part of being in the image of God. To require otherwise, is disagreeing with God.
False Humility, False Piety, Over Diet
Paul continues writing to Timothy saying, “They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer” (1 Tim 4:3-5).
In the Middle Ages the Christian community, made up a rule, ordering people to eat fish on Friday and avoid other meats.
Never must a Christian community require a specific diet, as a means to live a holy life. As a witness to the Christian community of living to a higher standard of piety. Because all Old Testament ceremonial food restrictions have been removed. Jesus has publicly declared this: “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them [eating]. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them…” (Mark 7:14,15).
Paul returns to this theme in his most classic of all his letters, to the Romans, “I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself… For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:14,17).
Although believers have an obligation to “cling to what is good” (Rom 12:9). To pursue what is good for their bodies and their health. It must always be personal, individual, informed and educated conclusions. Not ever turned into a required religious practice. Those who have strong views on diet should be tolerant of others who do not see the necessity of following a certain diet presented as a means to honor God. Paul further explains this in the 14th chapter of Romans.
The Second Issue of Concern—Worship of Angels
There was a group of Christians that were not just respecting or adoring to Angels. They were praying, making requests to Angels. The Idea sound reasonable that a heavenly being of such majesty and power could be appealed to answer our prayers.
In New Testament times Angels had a limited role. They supported Jesus after his long fast in the wilderness (Matt 4:11). They gave announcements from God such as to the mother of Jesus (Lk 1:19) and at the tomb they testified to Mary that Jesus had risen (John 20:11-15). We are not to be taught by angels, but we are to “be taught by God” (John 6:54; 1 Thess 4:9). Angels are not our instructors. God has sent the Spirit to be our “Helper, Advocate, and Counselor (See John 14).
But obviously, they were not talking to real Angels as they thought they were. For they believed that the Angels told them many things. Paul says they would go into great detail about what they had seen. However it was all nonsense, they are puffed up with idle notions.
They were puffed up, or arrogant and proud of what they were told by Angels. They were certain that it was the truth. They would counter all who challenged the veracity of their accounts.
Meekness is the chief characteristic of all Spirit filled believers, as Jesus taught us, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt 5:5). They will not be puffed up with their importance, as they might claim, Angels favored them.
The teacher of the gospel is to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4:12). We are to “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21 NKJV). This is an identifying feature of a person teaching the Word.
This is not the behavior of those who worship Angels, what the Angels reportedly told them was nonsense, idle notions, without good reason and for no useful purpose.
Paul explains to us what the attitude of a trustworthy minister is like. He says as, “the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3).
Lost Connection with Christ
Paul places those who practice false humility, as having lost connection with Christ, their head, the one that they should be following. The one that they should be listening to. Paul told the Galatian congregation, “If we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:8). This is very serious advice.
A true leader tries to keep in step with, Christ their leader. Jesus said “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you [stay focused]. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5). Note the promise. If we stay focused on Christ, he promises to be, “I in him.” That is, He will live in us and “make Our home with him” (John 14:23). We are not alone, when we abide in Christ, his words and that of His Fathers and apostles will bring meaning into our lives. Of course, never are we told to listen to Angels and abide in them.
The counter is also true, to follow anyone who asks us to keep their instructions as necessary before the plain truths of Scripture. Their followers will be left alone, without Christ dwelling in them.
A false religious leader wishes others to keep in step with him or her, first. Then they promise they will be in step with Christ. Beware of any leader that proposes ideas that are not founded on Christ teaching or His apostles, even if they claim to have been told by an Angel from heaven.
Colossians 2:20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world [not listening to Christ], do you submit to its rules: 2:21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? [negative rules for no purpose] 2:22 These [many] rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use [no eternal value], are based on merely human commands and teachings. 2:23 Such [demanding] regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom [look harmless], with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value [worthless] in restraining sensual indulgence [works of the flesh]. NIV
2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 2:21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 2:22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. NKJV
Theme: Died With Christ
Paul opens this section returning to the theme of “having been buried with him in baptism” (Col 2:12). This is the meaning of died with Christ. This makes available, to us, the many benefits that come from the cross of Christ. For in the cross of Christ is the gospel and the “power of God” (1 Cor 1:18) unto salvation. It brings complete forgiveness of our sins, ushers us into the Fathers arms of love, “with grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:16) and provides for us the ministry of the Spirit.
Theme: Deceptive Philosophy
First, Paul returns to the theme he talked about earlier in this chapter. “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Col 2:8 NAS). That is the many philosophies coming from the world, which deceive us. They draw our minds, our reason, our spiritual understanding to society's ideals, which are not in harmony with the Gospel.
Second, In this section Paul changes his emphasis from deceptions coming from the world to deceptions coming from within the church. Within the fellowship of believers, which can require harsh rules for spiritual growth. They demand certain practices to be right with God and the wider Christian community. The social and community pressures to conform can become very strong. In the end, it separates us from “the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel” (Col 1:5).
Elements of the World
The NIV reads, “elemental spiritual forces.” They have added the words “spiritual” and the word “forces.” This phrase has been better translated and understood, as “principles, fundamentals or elements of the world.”
It means an “orderly in arrangement” of things. The way the world, its government, its political power, its social customs, which do not come from God. They are man-made rules, commands, teachings, and regulations stating how things should be done. They are given in a matter-of-fact manner. This is seen in some religious communities and governments the command a certain style of dress or head scarves. Which they declare are pleasing to God and demand it from women and men.
The world has its customs; it’s way of doing things. It’s way to answer conflict with war and bloodshed. It’s way of abuse of women and underprivileged. It’s way of favoring the rich and famous. It’s way of excessive praise to the very talented. It’s way of eating unhealthy diets. It’s way of cheating, lying, and advancing oneself at the expense of others. It’s way of using government corruption to steal from the masses. It’s way of idolization of money, power, and material things. It’s way…always it’s way. These rules will, in the end will perish.
A believer has new ways where they learn to “Follow the way of love” (1 Cor 14:1) and “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal 5:25). To “turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Ps 34:14). To “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Tim 6:11). All religious demands that the leadership issues as correct behavior, when not explicitly stated in Scriptures, should be given in mildness, giving room for individuals to decide for themselves.
The basic principles of the world are not Scripture based but instead they are created by human commands, and human teachings. They do not defer to Scriptures as their authority.
Some human teachings come from founding members of a church or their prophets. They assert their commands, as if all they teach is the exact will of God for all.
Human Teaching, Commands, Rules, Regulations
There have been in history many religious groups that have claimed to teach “the way of the Lord" (Acts 18:25), the way of holiness. But their way is just human rules, not founded on the truth in Christ Jesus. They have no power of restraining sensual indulgence, which will lead to holiness, for “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14).
First Example: The Shakers that started in America in 1774 required many, even very minor rules to be observed with absolute perfection. A core requirement was celibacy, even for married individuals. They claimed to create heaven on earth. All these rules amounted to nothing of value at all.
Second Example: Some congregations require tithe paying, as part of being a member in good standing. They teach that tithe is demanded by the Lord and must be given only to church governing bodies. Some even make it a requirement along with baptism. Whereas the New Testament church never collected tithe or even required it. A congregation can request tithe but never require it or it would be just a human command.
Paul sets the standard for church collections, saying, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). The only offering the New Testament church collected was for the poor. When Paul received “the right hand of fellowship” from James, Peter, and John. They ask him to take up and offering for “the poor” (Gal 2:9-10). Not for themselves or for the church headquarters.
Giving as we are blessed by God, giving to those in need, in response to God’s grace in our lives, has a good effect on our souls. Giving out of obligation does not have the same good effect, as on the giver or the organization that receives it.
The very early church when they “shared everything they had” in common. They brought their possessions; the disciples did not keep the money as their salary or build large real estate holdings. Instead, “there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:32-25).
Third Example: Some congregations teach that the evidence that one is Spirit filled is speaking in tongues.
Paul does not place speaking in tongues as a primary focus within Christian worship. “Tongues, then” Paul wrote, “are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers” (1 Cor 14:22). They are for public evangelism, to testify to unbelievers the truth that Jesus is the Savior of the world. The unbeliever would be so impressed when “each one heard their own language being spoken” (Acts 2:6).
Just consider, does Paul ask us to speak in tongues in Colossians? In Ephesians? In Romans? In Galatians, in 1 & 2 Thessalonians or 1& 2 Timothy, Titus or Philippians? Or does Peter in his two letters, or John in the Gospel of John or his three letters? Or Matthew or Luke? Or the brothers of Jesus, James, and Jude? No, they do not mention speaking in tongues even once. If it was an essential doctrine of the church, if it was the definitive sign of being anointed by the Spirit, they would have declared it repeatedly. Not leaving us in doubt of its extreme importance in walking in the way of the Lord in truth.
Self-Made Religion with Harsh Treatment of their Bodies
It was common in the monasteries of the Middle Ages to whip oneself. Martin Luther (1483-1586), while a priest before he knew of justification by faith, practiced self-flagellation and extreme fasting to help him to live a holy life. It was their belief that actions hard on the body would enable them to overcome evil thoughts and desires. There were many nonsensical, just commands, do not handle, taste, or touch. Which we call a long list of rules, some very oppressive or demanding, that which make no sense.
The Benedictine Rule was written in 530-540 AD, structured life around vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, demanding communal living and silence. No one could own personal possessions. Punishment could be severe for disobedience and faults. They required absolute submission to superiors and compliance to all the community rules. They required eight daily prayer services throughout the day.
St. Anthony of Egypt (d. 356) is considered the father of monasticism, having spent 80 years as a hermit sitting on top of a pillar.
Does all the self-flagellation and self-denial lead to restraint of sensual thoughts? No, it could not, because it was mostly just human commands, that cannot offer assurance of salvation,
Written by: Brothers & Sisters in Scripture Fellowship
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