Colossians 1:12

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Colossians 1:12


12 Giving thanks [eucharisteo] unto the Father [pater], which [ho] hath made [hikanoo] us [hemas] meet [hikanoo] to [eis] be partakers [meris] of the inheritance [kleros] of the saints [hagios] in [en] light [phos]: KJV-Interlinear


12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. NASB


Thanks is given to the Father, not to God as a general term, but specifically to the Father, as He is distinguished from the Son and from the Spirit.

It is said in the scriptures that the Father is the author of the divine plan. It is the Father who has sent the Son as a redeemer such that all who believe in Him (the Son) will become joint heirs or inheritors of the kingdom to come, which will belong to the Son.

This is language of accommodation so that we can understand our role in life.

There are two kingdoms in existence. That of light, which is Gods kingdom, and that of darkness, which is Satan’s kingdom. There is no third choice.

God has taken man and formed him from the dust of the earth. You are in effect nothing more than a bag of dust.

God imputed life into that bag of dust, and formed with His power, the many features and abilities and talents which man possesses, within that bag of dust.

No person has any basis for boasting of who or what he or she, is. For one bag of dust cannot say to another bag of dust, ‘My dust is better than your dust.’

None of us formed ourselves. None of us invented ourselves. None of us designed into our genetics, our various talents or looks or intellect. And certainly none of us have the ability to invent history.

And yet God took these bags of dust, formed them into human beings, gave life to each one of us, and set the stage such that we could inherit (jointly), the entire universe and heaven, at some point in the future.

The language is such that God is worthy, God is the one who accomplished this whole agenda, and God is the one who deserves the full credit for everything that is. Not man.

No person can earn or deserve credit of any sort for anything.

Who we are, what we are, what we possess, what our circumstances are, everything about us, comes from God, never from us.

Don’t even be too presumptuous about your accomplishments, because it is God who placed all of the right things in their place, in history, so that you could or can accomplish whatever it is that you accomplish in life. You might want to ponder that one for a bit.

From worthless dust to joint heir of the universe is certainly something to be thankful for, one would think.

Colossians 1:11

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Colossians 1:11


11 Strengthened [dunamoo] with [en] all [pas] might [dunamis], according to [kata] his [autos] glorious [doxa] power [kratos], unto [eis] all [pas] patience [hupomone] and [kai] longsuffering [makrothumia] with [meta] joyfulness [chara]; KJV-Interlinear


11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously NASB


The source of Bible doctrine is truth. The ramifications of truth is power. Therefore, the result of Bible doctrine inculcated within your soul, is spiritual power.

The result of power is command, authority, control, muscle, influence, rule, therefore with spiritual power welded into your soul, you obtain the ultimate self control over your own life, as well as acquiring for yourself, an independence from the constraints of this world.

Does this mean that you can function apart from the world? No. You still have to live in this world and withstand or persevere through certain of its whims.

But with respect to your soul and with respect to your preparation for eternity, the world cannot prevent you from pursuing your spiritual objectives. The world will try as it may, to prevent, to distract, to entice, to get you upset, to make you doubt or question, to do anything that will derail your spiritual progress.

Bible doctrine is the content of the Bible. Bible doctrine is the object upon which you focus your attention.

However, when you hear doctrine, and when you are in fellowship, then the Holy Spirit takes that information and detours it through your human spirit, and then funnels it back into your soul, where it becomes the building material for your spiritual edification within your soul.

God builds up a temple, a fortress, a palace, muscle, a spiritual machine, within you – lean and mean.

When information in general enters into your soul, through your eyes and ears and fingers and nose, and without the agency of the Holy Spirit, then all it really does is rattle around inside your head for a bit, some of it sticks to the grey matter in there, but most of it simply dribbles out of your ears, or any other openings that you might have. This general information is called by the Bible, ‘gnosis’ or knowledge, which is the basis for human wisdom or reason. Most of which is absurd when applied to the various rationalizations of life.

But Bible doctrine that enters into your head, by means of the usual entry points, and when the Holy Spirit is operational within you (when you are in fellowship), then that information is sent through the human spirit and then back into the soul, and resides within your soul as ‘epignosis’ or knowledge which becomes the foundation for wisdom – Gods wisdom.

The ultimate result? Muscle, strength, power, which is based or formulated on Gods power, which is something that is very real, unlike earthly power, which is impotent at best.

The next ultimate result? A relaxed mental attitude, or contentment within life, knowing that your life will only get better, either in this world but especially in the next, and happiness.

Colossians 1:10

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Colossians 1:10


10 That ye [humas] might walk [peripateo] worthy [axios] of the Lord [kurios] unto [eis] all [pas] pleasing [areskeia], being fruitful [karpophoreo] in [en] every [pas] good [agathos] work [ergon], and [kai] increasing [auxano] in [eis] the knowledge [epignosis] of God [theos]; KJV-Interlinear


10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; NASB


The Bible says, ‘Study to show yourself approved (mature).

The road to maturity is through study. The road to maturity is through application of what you learn through your studies.

Your walk in life is your daily activity, the pattern of living that you select for yourself, the way you think, the decisions you make, the things you do, your motivations and drives, all of these and more, make up who you are.

What you think is what you are. Your thinking ultimately drives your life, and that determines your life.

In order to please God, you must think truth. In order to think truth, you have to learn it. In order to make truth your life, you have to apply it to your daily living.

If you are obedient toward God, then you will be obedient to His mandates. That means that you have believed in Christ, that you will confess your sins on a regular basis in order to maintain yourself in fellowship and therefore live under His guidance, that you will pursue a daily study, and that you will learn.

If you study every day, then you learn almost by default. You can’t help but learn. And learning precedes growth.

All of these things together and collectively, make up your spiritual life. And anyone who functions in their spiritual life, is pleasing to God. God blesses truth. God does not bless lies or evil.

Why would you think otherwise? Why would you expect otherwise.

By pursuing Gods plan for your life, your life becomes full and complete, and increases in spiritual resources.

Reading the Bible is not going to make you mature. Satan can read the Bible. But pursuing the method of study as mandated by the Bible, then your time spent in fellowship, under the control of the Holy Spirit, generates spiritual muscle, and therefore strength, and therefore power from within the sphere which God has designed for you.

Your increase in spiritual success, does not come by means of your effort, or luck, or any attribute you may possess, but by means of Gods instruction, which you only have to learn and then apply to your daily life.

Colossians 1:9

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Colossians 1:9


9 For [dia] this cause [touto] we [hemeis] also [kai], since [apo] the [hos] day [hemera] we heard [akouo] it, do [pauo] not [ou] cease [pauo] to pray [proseuchomai] for [huper] you [humon], and [kai] to desire [aiteo] that [hina] ye might be filled [pleroo] with the knowledge [epignosis] of his [autos] will [thelema] in [en] all [pas] wisdom [sophia] and [kai] spiritual [pneumatikos] understanding [sunesis]; KJV-Interlinear


9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, NASB


Every two or four years we hold an election. In that election each party promotes their views for problem solving or for benefits they believe will make life better for everyone. And of course if you vote for them, then they insure to you, that their promises will come true and life will get better.

If you have been around the block a couple of times in this life, then you know better. In every decade, the economy goes up and it goes down, employment goes up and it goes down. And when either party is in power, there are good times and there are bad times.

No party has discovered the fountain of youth or the economic utopia that they all wish for. But try as they may, the tactics for getting reelected never change. The other guy is wrong and I am right. And there is always an endless list of skeletons to prove that point. And it is true for all candidates.

But there is one mechanism that can bring prosperity and security to all, and that mechanism is Bible doctrine.

Unfortunately, most will not believe that, because the world does not believe in a mighty and all powerful God, it chooses to believe in the fairy tale of world opinion, government regulation, and the power of the human will.

After all, we cannot see God, nor even talk to Him and get a verbal response. But we can see and smell and taste and hold the things that we want in life, and it is far easier to believe in what you can see, over that which you cannot.

But Paul knows that the response which has come back to him, with regard to the people of Colossae, is a good response, and that with every person who turns their life to God, that life will gradually get better and better for everyone.

Jesus Christ controls history. History rises and falls based on the response that people have for Christ. When the spiritual state of the world is high, then life is better for everyone. When the spiritual state of the world is low, then things tend to fall apart.

Blessing comes into the world through believers, and especially through growing believers. And Paul indicates this by mentioning that people being saved is good, but after salvation, there is a need to grow up, and that requires an increase in knowledge, in understanding, and finally in wisdom.

The more mature believers that there are in the world, the more blessings there are that come into the world. The fewer believers, then less blessings flow. Certainly you can and should, go out to vote, but prayer and Bible doctrine are a far more potent power. Supporting and promoting the Word of God, in any way possible, yields far better results. Remaining indifferent or inactive yields nothing.

Colossians 1:7

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Colossians 1:7


7 As [kathos] ye [manthano] also [kai] learned [manthano] of [apo] Epaphras [Epaphras] our [hemon] dear [agapetos] fellowservant [sundoulos], who [hos] is [esti] for [huper] you [humon] a faithful [pistos] minister [diakonos] of Christ [Christos];
8 Who [ho] also [kai] declared [deloo] unto us [hemin] your [humon] love [agape] in [en] the Spirit [pneuma]. KJV-Interlinear


7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. NASB


Epaphras means lovely, charming, covered with foam. It is an indication of his personality, which was apparently pleasant and favorable to all. The foam is a reference to excellent beverages, so Epaphras was apparently a very social and sociable person.

Here he is indicated as the one who brought the gospel and doctrine to the Colossians, and has reported the success of the positive response toward the gospel and doctrine in that region.

And here is just a passing thought in this regard. All of these men and women were non-combatants. They were not warriors, not soldiers, not people who raided into an area, defeated it, and forced its inhabitants into submission to their beliefs.

And all of this spreading of the gospel and doctrine occurred during a very trying time in the Roman Empire. The Middle East was awash with rebellion and violence, and still the gospel of Christ spread rapidly like wild fire, but without the fire, so to speak.

And with that point, Paul has told us that the gospel went out all over the world in a similar manner. The gospel went out by means of people who spread the good news, and he, Paul and others heard of their experiences, by means of someone reporting back.

And in similar fashion as Jesus went from place to place, if He was met with positive volition, then He taught, and if He was met with rejection or indifference, then He withdrew.

And so it has always been throughout the ages. Certainly there have been very aggressive missionaries from time to time, but the successful spread of the gospel does not depend on military might, or intimidating tactics. The truth sells its self. And when people are starving for truth, it is consumed ravenously.

Bible doctrine is like a banquet to folks coming in out of the desert. Starving and near death, the aroma, the pleasantries, the sights, the tastes, all and more, combine for a wonderful life saving experience.

In Islam the Sahara is called the Garden of Allah. And we all know that Allah is a myth and a lie. His garden is a lifeless place just as he is.

But the garden of God, is a productive and colorful and wonderful place. And such is life when God is included, correctly in ones experience.

Bible doctrine is life and beauty, and productivity and innovation, and everything that is good and more.

Colossians 1:6

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Colossians 1:6


6 Which [ho] is come [pareimi] unto [eis] you [humas], as [kathos] [kai] it is in [en] all [pas] the world [kosmos]; and [kai] bringeth forth fruit [esti] [karpophoreo], as [kathos] it doth also [kai] in [en] you [humin], since [apo] the [hos] day [hemera] ye heard [akouo] of it, and [kai] knew [epiginosko] the grace [charis] of God [theos] in [en] truth [aletheia]: KJV-Interlinear


6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; NASB


The phrase, ‘which has come to you,’ is representative of a traveler who goes from place to place, making himself known to everyone, everywhere he goes.

And this is the analogy made of the gospel of Christ, by Paul. Since the Cross, some thirty years earlier, the gospel and doctrine, has become known throughout the known world. Not only throughout the Roman empire, but beyond, to all corners of the world.

The means of this accomplishment is not mentioned by Paul, but we do know that there were many men and women who followed Pauls’ ministry and of whom helped in that ministry in many ways. There were many people who participated in the ministries of the Apostles, and many people who were not connected with these folks. All of whom traveled near and far to the corners of the world, and thus the gospel and doctrine was spread in those first few decades following the Cross.

The traveler, doctrine, is not just any traveler. The typical traveler goes to a place, does his business and then returns home. But doctrine goes to a place and then to the next place, and then to the next place, making each destination his home, remaining there forever, and making all places his home, and continues on and on day and night, without rest, forever. This is the traveler, the Word of God.

And to every place that doctrine goes, and this is an important principle, to every place that doctrine goes, there is someone, or many someone’s, who come to believe in Christ, or who begin their spiritual life and spiritual growth toward maturity.

And in your life, there will be those, whom you will never know, that will hear something from you, or who will benefit from your efforts, in some way, and their life will change infinitely, because of you.

Since before you heard the gospel, since before you heard the doctrines of God, God had a plan for your life. And you function in that plan to His glory, when you make the right decisions to advance in your spiritual growth, and therefore allow God to use you, in making the lives of untold numbers of people, whom you will never know, better their lives forever.

Far too often people seek approbation for the moment. They seek the recognition for entertaining you for a short time, and that benefit is short lived, enhancing nothing lasting in your life. Doctrine on the other hand, is not entertaining, nor does it recognize you as an individual, but doctrine has the power to enhance someone's life to beyond the imagination, and forever.

At some point in your life, if you pursue your spiritual life, you will come to the understanding of your role and how you can or will affect the lives of others, forever.

Colossians 1:5

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Colossians 1:5


5 For [dia] the hope [elpis] which [ho] is laid up [apokeimai] for you [humin] in [en] heaven [ouranos], whereof [hos] ye heard before [proakouo] in [en] the word [logos] of the truth [aletheia] of the gospel [euaggelion]; KJV-Interlinear


5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel, NASB


The word, before, ‘proakouo,’ refers to a contrasting view. On the one hand, when before you heard the gospel, your knowledge was limited to that which you knew only from the world. And the world offered no hope.

Hope has three connotations here. First there is the expectation of something. Second, there is the anticipation of something, and then third, there is the confidence of something. All three must have an object with which to focus ones future beliefs.

As for the world, there is no future of any significance or substance, there is not even the slightest of expectations, or anything in reality with which to focus ones attention. Therefore, in that regard, any expectations, any anticipations, any confidence from this world, is based on an imagined idea (love, happiness, success, etc), that lacks substance and therefore will never be.

An example of this is your expectation that one day you will discover how to convert rocks into gold, with the mere thought from your mind. Ridiculous? Of course, but that is exactly what folks do with respect to the world when they keep Bible doctrine out of their life. They are expecting success, love, happiness, or whatever, and they will never come to pass.

And on the other hand, when doctrine is made a significant part of your life, then your expectations, your anticipations, your confidences are based on someone (in this case, Jesus Christ), who is very real, very powerful, and very much in control over every aspect of life.

The world will always promote its agenda. It will promote hustle, connections, networking, organization, human skills, human attributes, human motives, human good intentions, etc. And in fact these will all end up as dead ends, when truth is excluded.

Bible doctrine, on the other hand, promotes your relationship with God, which will continually be attacked and tested, by the world. The world will always promote doubt, questioning, and the world will inundate you with examples of those who disregard God, but who are seemingly successful, or always falling into the good luck of the world. And as you try and try, over and over, you’ll wonder why it is that your life doesn’t seem to reap some of those blessings that others seem to be receiving. And they, are less than deserving, of course.

So, there is the hope of the world, and the hope from within your spiritual life. The world promotes the tangible things of the world, and God promotes the intangible relationship with Himself.

The difference between what you can see, and what you cannot see, is faith. And faith is one of the most difficult attributes to develop in our life. Only time, patience, study and the daily repetition of ones spiritual life, will develop faith to its fullest, and confidence to its maximum, and the benefits from God to beyond their limits.

Colossians 1:4

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Colossians 1:4


4 Since we heard [akouo] of your [humon] faith [pistis] in [en] Christ [Christos] Jesus [Iesous], and [kai] of the love [agape] which [ho] ye have to [eis] all [pas] the saints [hagios], KJV-Interlinear


4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; NASB


Further down in verse 7, Paul mentions that it was Epaphras, who brought him information regarding the folks in Colossae.

No matter who you are or where you are on this planet, information will circulate to you from others, or about you to others, when you are advancing in your spiritual life.

In contrast to the spiritual life, in the jungle of the world, you have to be a criminal, a politician, a celebrity, someone with talent or looks or money, or something that catches the eye of the media, or you have to go after media exposure, or advertise or market yourself, in order to become known.

Sometimes this effort is successful and sometimes it isn’t.

John the Baptist was merely a voice crying out in the wilderness, and still he became the most famous person of his day, if not in all of history. Jesus spoke of him as the greatest person, ever. And yet, John had no advertising agency promoting his activities, and he was out in the desert for only six months.

Jesus Christ controls history. Jesus Christ promotes the plan of the Father. Anything that is compatible with Gods plan, is promoted over and above everything else.

And that includes you, if, repeat, if, you are advancing in your spiritual life. God uses prepared believers. God uses prepared believers to serve His purpose of advancing His plan.

Your role may not be what you expected in life, but no matter. Whatever purpose God intends for you, you can be sure that it is the perfect and best purpose that you can possibly have, with the best possible result for your life now, not to mention your eternal life.

Saints, are not determined by how the world defines saints, but by how God defines them. A saint is one who is holy. And anyone who is in fellowship, is by definition, holy. So, confess your sins and you are a saint.

By merely having believed in Christ, and thus saved, you are set apart, holy, and therefore a saint. Sainthood has nothing whatsoever to do with what you accomplish in life, but it has to do only with the content of your soul.

And Bible doctrine is the key to everything in your life. It is the key to your reputation (from heaven), and to your status in life.

Colossians 1:3

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Colossians 1:3


3 We give thanks [eucharisteo] to God [theos] and [kai] the Father [pater] of our [hemon] Lord [kurios] Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos], praying [proseuchomai] always [pantote] for [peri] you [humon], KJV-Interlinear


3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, NASB


No matter who we are. No matter what our circumstances are. No matter what others think of us, or how others treat us. Our lives depend on God, and on God alone, not anyone, nor anything else, in this world.

You will have your hopes and dreams shattered. You will have your expectations demolished. People will disappoint you. Many of the things you want in life, simply will not come to pass.

For some, life will come relatively easy, or it will seem to be that way. For most people, life will be one long stream of endless days and years of difficulty.

But remember one important thing, unreasonable expectations, from this world, never come true. God is the only truth, and the only reliable hope in all the universe.

All prayer is directed to God the Father, and to nothing and to no one else. Prayers are never directed to Jesus, to Mary, to any saint, to ancestors, to rocks, to animals or birds or fish, to angels, to moons or planets, to the natural elements of nature, to the wind or fire or anything else you can think of.

All prayer is submitted to the Father, in the name of Christ. Jesus Christ is the only person who has executed life in perfection. Jesus Christs’ work is the only work of any value.

Mans work is valueless. Mans efforts in attempting to bypass Christ, is an arrogant attempt to insert mans plan into Gods plan. Man tries to approach God based on his (mans) own effort and design, and that is rejected by God.

Man is imperfect and therefore anything man does, is imperfect, and of the sin nature.

Man has ulterior motives, driven by his sin nature. Man will make rules that favor his convenience and selfish desires. Man will compromise standards, and invent rules as he goes along. God has truth and God is immutable.

Because God is stable and perfect, then His plan will work to our benefit and success, despite mans or evils interference or attempts to steal Gods plan away from Him. Prayer keeps God and Gods plan, in the forefront of your mind always.

Even if you are cheated, lied to, betrayed, taken advantage of, maligned, beaten and so forth, your life does not depend on this world, but on God. This world will go away one day, and your life will continue on in heaven, one day. And when that time comes, then if you have been faithful to your spiritual advance, despite your hardships and disappointments, then your life will be phenomenally blessed, beyond your wildest dreams, forever.

For that, you need to be thankful every moment of every day of your life, which is often extremely difficult to do, but necessary so that the world and evil cannot defeat you, by wearing you down.

Colossians 1:2

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Colossians 1:2


2 To the saints [hagios] and [kai] faithful [pistos] brethren [adelphos] in [en] Christ [Christos] which are at [en] Colosse [Kolossai]: Grace [charis] be unto you [humin], and [kai] peace [eirene], from [apo] God [theos] our [hemon] Father [pater] and [kai] the Lord [kurios] Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos]. KJV-Interlinear


2 to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
NASB

This letter is addressed to believers in Christ. Wishing grace, or Gods favor to be placed upon each individual, and peace, which is the absence of discord, absence of trouble, absence of all the things that typically disrupt ones life. Peace is the state of one who is at rest, contented, at ease with God and therefore with himself.

Faithful, is a reference to those who are objective, trustworthy, and true. This is in reference to the function of their spiritual life.

Saints means holy. Holy means one who has been set apart, or one who has been committed to God, separated out from this world, pure, moral, blameless. This is a reference to those who function within their fellowship sphere.

Acts 17:29
29 ‘Therefore since we are God's offspring, …’

The Father is our creator in concept and within the divine plan which He devised. Christ is the person of the Godhead, who carried out all of the details of the Father’s plan. Christ is also the connection point through which we must go, in order to gain access to the Father.

Jesus Christ is the single element which sets Christianity apart from all other religions, philosophies, cults and so forth.

While all other religions and philosophies seek some higher existence direct to the Father, or to nature, or to technology or whatever, the fundamental principle of Christianity dictates that man acquires no credit for his efforts, and that God receives all of the credit for His work.

All favor, all blessing, comes from God through Christ. All favor, all blessing comes to believers who are functioning in their spiritual life. Everyone else on this planet, receives benefit from Gods blessings because of their association with believers (that is to say, by living on the same planet).

Colossians 1:1

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Colossians 1:1

1 Paul [Paulos], an apostle [apostolos] of Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos] by [dia] the will [thelema] of God [theos], and [kai] Timotheus [Timotheos] our brother [adelphos],    KJV-Interlinear

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,   NASB

I’ll repeat some of the introduction to Paul, that we made in our study of Titus.

Paul identifies himself as the writer of this letter.  Paul was once known by his Hebrew name, Saul.  Paul is his gentile (Roman) name. 

He is commonly referred to as the messenger, the missionary of the gospel and scripture, to the gentiles.

The timeline of Pauls life is not specifically known, but most agree that his conversion to Christianity came in the mid 30’s A.D., perhaps around 35 A.D., when Jesus Himself confronted him while he was traveling along the road.

Prior to his Christian life, Paul was known as Saul, as he pursued the persecution of Christians in the name of good in behalf of the Levitical Priesthood.

Once he came face to face to Christ, Saul’s life changed in a very dramatic way.  And he subsequently became the most prominent writer of the New Testament scriptures, and the one to whom even the other apostles looked to for answers for understanding of the more complex Biblical principles.

Paul has identified himself, elsewhere, as a slave, a voluntary slave as it were, of Christ.  Having placed himself, and his entire life, at Christ’s disposal.

Pauls faith did not come in the flash of light he witnessed along the road, but by the same means as faith comes to every new believer.  He listened and studied, and learned doctrine all over again.  Placing his former views and understandings aside, and during the three years following his conversion to Christianity, Paul studied intensely in a crash course of doctrinal study.

Paul identifies himself as the one (among others) whom Jesus had selected, an Apostle, and he clearly states that this same Jesus, is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior promised by the scriptures.  And that as an Apostle, he was one of several direct witnesses of Jesus, although his witness of Jesus, came long after the Ascension of Christ, while he, Paul, was traveling along the road, and was struck blind by a flash of light.

Far too often people have a tendency to retain their former beliefs and try to incorporate them into their current studies.  This only promotes conflict, and difficulty in learning truth.

Faith comes through believing, and knowledge comes through study, and godliness comes through growth in ones spiritual life.  It was the same for Adam, for Paul, and is the same for you.  They did not have any advantages with God, any more so than you have now.

Every person who has the breath of life in them, has the opportunity to advance in their spiritual life just as far as they want to advance.

There is only one person who can prevent ones advance, and that is ones self.

Paul identifies his purpose, by the ‘will of God.’  For it is of God that we are all here on this earth in the first place.  Were it not for Gods sovereign decision to create each one of us individually, then we would not exist at all.

None of us had any say in our birth, prior to our birth, so we are here with life, courtesy of the grace (favor) of God.  And even though your life may not be a really great one, your destiny has all of the potential of being phenomenal, as well as your current life.  Why?  Because you have in your own little hands, the power and resources to make your life great.  And that power comes to you freely, through Bible doctrine.

All you have to do is get your act together, with respect to your daily study, and with your daily application of Gods mandates, to your life.

Unfortunately most folks won’t do this, but some will.  If you finally decide to get your act together, then you will be in a very small group of folks from all of human history, that advances to spiritual maturity, and all of the greater grace blessings (which most folks will never receive), that go along with it.

‘And Timothy,’ is a member of Pauls closest group of friends, who help him in his ministry.

Timothy means, dear to God.

Colossians Introduction

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Colossians

Introduction

The book of Colossians was addressed to the people living in Colosse, which is east of Ephesus in Asia Minor (Eastern Greece).  It was written by Paul while he was in Rome in the early to mid 60’s A.D.  The theme of this letter is, sufficiency.

This letter was written at the same time as Ephesians and Philemon, and were delivered to their respective destinations by Tychicus and Onesimus.   See the references to this in Ephesians and Philemon respectively.

The Bible never states that Paul ever visited Colosse, but he did visit nearly every major town near there, so one would assume that he went through Colosse at some point during his earlier travels.

Among the errors mentioned in this letter, the dangers of philosophy, ritual observance, and gnosticism are mentioned.  To lean on earthly views, preconceived ideas, beliefs of convenience, and especially those that discount the function of Bible doctrine, is extremely dangerous for ones spiritual life.

Colossians  Outline (New Unger's Bible Dictionary)

 

I.          Introduction                (1:1-12)

 

II.        Doctrinal exposition                (1:13-2:3)       

A. Redemption                                   (1:13-14)        

B. Person of Christ                             (1:15-19)        

C. The work of Christ                         (1:20-23)        

D. The apostle's participation in Christ's program                  (1:24-2:3)

 

III.       Doctrinal polemicism                                      (2:4-3:4)         

A. Against false philosophy                                        (2:4-8)            

B. In behalf of the Person and work of Christ           (2:9-15)          

C. Resulting obligations                                              (2:16-3:4)

 

IV.       Doctrinal practice                                                                                (3:5-4:6)         

A. Practical appropriation of the death and resurrection of Christ                 (3:5-17)          

B. Appropriation of Christ's death and resurrection in domestic life             (3:18-4:1)       

C. Appropriation of the death and resurrection in relation to the world        (4:2-6)

 

V.        Personal matters                                              (4:7-17)          

A. The mission of Tychicus and Onesimus                 (4:7-9)            

B. Salutations from Paul's associates                          (4:10-14)        

C. Paul's own greetings                                               (4:15)  

D. The Laodicean message                                         (4:16-17)

 

VI.       Conclusion                                                      (4:18)

Titus 3:15

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Titus 3:15

15 All [pas] that are with [meta] me [emou] salute [aspazomai] thee [se]. Greet [aspazomai] them that love [phileo] us [hemas] in [en] the faith [pistis]. Grace [charis] be with [meta] you [humon] all [pas]. Amen [amen].    KJV-Interlinear 

15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.   NASB

Paul closes with his greetings from those who are with him, and kind words of affection.

And the very last phrase is the most important.

Grace with you all.

Paul wishes that everyone (those in the faith), will remain consistent in this spiritual life and continue in their advance toward maturity, such that they will qualify as recipients of grace.

Grace is Gods favor.

Favor is Gods action of granting benefits and blessings to those who are committed to the pursuit of His plan for their life – namely their spiritual advance to maturity.  What does that mean for you? 

God is the sovereign of the whole universe and heaven.  That means that God is the wealthiest individual of all that exist.

Wealth is the vast holdings which produce riches.  Riches are the vast possessions that produce prosperity.  Prosperity is the environment which produces security.  Security brings about contentment.  And contentment manifests happiness.

Bible doctrine, through Christ, by means of the Holy Spirit, is your means of accessing that result in your life.

The other day we said that God gives you grace, but God also places obligations on you.

Most folks will invent excuses, rationalizing their way out of their obligations.  But then God does not depend on you to do His business, He simply gives you the opportunity to participate.

If you do not fulfill your responsibilities, someone else will fulfill theirs.  And to whom will the blessings of obedience go?

Yesterday, we saw that there are those who have pressings needs, and that Paul told Titus to fulfill those needs by means of engaging in ‘good deeds.’  And what good deeds are there, that will cause folks to advance in their spiritual life?  The process of Biblical instruction, resulting in spiritual growth.

The bumper stickers say, ‘Imagine a world without war.’  And they should say, ‘Imagine a world without God.’

Without doctrine, there is no favor.  And without favor (grace), there is no life.  You have but one opportunity, which is this current life, to fulfill your spiritual destiny.  Don’t lose it by rationalizing it away.

Titus 3:14

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Titus 3:14

14 And [de] let [manthano] ours [hemeteros] also [kai] learn [manthano] to maintain [proistemi] good [kalos] works [ergon] for [eis] necessary [anagkaios] uses [chreia], that [hina me] they be [o] not [hina me] unfruitful [akarpos].    KJV-Interlinear

14 And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful. NASB

Our people, are those who are Christians, who have engaged themselves in the work of Paul and others, in spreading the gospel, and in the establishment of local churches or study groups, for the purpose of teaching or learning doctrine.

Their work?  To engage in good works.  Works which are spiritually related, for the benefit of others in their spiritual lives.

There was a vast organization, a loosely connected organization as it were, of folks that contributed to the work and effort of Paul.  Most folks simply contributed money.  Others contributed food, or clothing, or a place where those who traveled, could stay.  Still others were organizers, and still others did many other things that we couldn’t possibly list.

You are among them too.  No matter what it is that you do in this life, God has a purpose for you.  And your purpose most likely is a dual purpose.

The first purpose of your life is to function in this temporal world, doing whatever it is that you do on a daily basis.  This temporal role is your logistical role in life that supports your real role, which is your spiritual role.

Your second purpose is of a spiritual nature.  Your spiritual purpose is related to your personal obligation to promote spiritual teaching to others.  This may be a direct effort on your part, or an indirect effort.  For most folks, their effort or contribution is indirect.

And by the way, your situation, whatever it may be, is perfect for facilitating your role in the spiritual life.  You do not have to be a celebrity, or have any special attributes in your make-up.  God will use you just as you are, or God will mold you with doctrine in the way He wants to.

All you have to do is get with your spiritual studies and grow up.  God will direct, but you have to participate as well.  God has issued mandates, and you are to follow them.

What are the pressing needs?  They are the spiritual needs of every individual on this planet.

The clock is ticking for everyone.  Eternity is fast approaching people everyday, and sooner or later, we all will face our exit call from this world.  What then?  Well, everyone has to stand before Jesus, and they will be sent to the left (Torments for unbelievers) or to the right (Heaven for believers). 

Even those who make it into heaven, will have an evaluation, for eternal blessings due to their spiritual growth they acquired in this life.  And when we each stand before Christ, our eternal destiny will be infinitely greater in blessing if we have advanced to maturity.

So, unbelievers have the greatest of needs – heaven verses the eventual Lake of Fire.  Believers have the next greatest of needs, spiritual growth to maturity, which will make the difference between a phenomenally greater eternal life and a so-so eternal life.  Review the Parables of Christ series.

And how is everyone going to get their chance?  Just as you have.  They will either have the gospel or Bible study available for them, if it is supported and promoted, or they won’t, if it is not supported or promoted.

God raises up believers and He uses prepared believers in His plan.  You will either be counted among them, or you won’t.

You will either be among the fruitful, those who function in their spiritual life, or you may be among the unfruitful, those who have a ho-hum, let someone else do it, attitude.

God places no burden on anyone.  God does provide everyone with the means, and then sits back to see if they use it, or find excuses.

And by the way, your spiritual function lasts you all of your life, it is not just a once or twice, or whenever you happen to be in the mood effort.  Discover your role, without playing the procrastination, I don’t know, game, and get your spiritual production going.