This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:23
23 Which things [hostis] have [echo] indeed [men] a shew [esti] [logos] of wisdom [sophia] in [en] will worship, [ethelothreskeia] and [kai] humility, [tapeinophrosune] and [kai] neglecting [apheidia] of the body; [soma] not [ou] in [en] any [tis] honour [time] to [pros] the satisfying [plesmone] of the flesh. [sarx] KJV-Interlinear
23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. NASB
There are two components to your life in this world. You have a carnal component and a spiritual component.
The carnal deals with the fleshy aspects, the physical aspects of your life, and are primarily intended to satisfy the sin nature side of your life. Anything done in the sphere of the sin nature is a total waste of time and effort, and is broadly categorized as evil.
The spiritual side of your life deals primarily with your soul, and anything spiritually related to your soul always overflows over into the physical side of your life. That is a good thing because when good flows through your soul and then into your temporal side of life, its results are good.
All efforts to do God one better, as it were, serve the carnal side of life. There is nothing that man can do to enhance the spiritual life.
Fasting, beating on ones own back, living in poverty, living in seclusion, eating one type of food verses another, wearing a certain color to the exclusion of another, wearing certain clothing, covering ones self completely with certain clothes, using or not using some form of technology, praying at certain times of the day, facing a certain direction when praying, chanting, using exercise to make the body healthy and therefore the soul, and this list can go on and on and on.
All of these things do absolutely nothing for your spiritual life. They are mans efforts to improve mans life, and therefore are supposed to enhance your spiritual relationship with God. And all they do are satisfy some aspect of your sin nature drive.
That is the thrust of this verse and of this chapter. Mans efforts are irrelevant to mans relationship with God. Mans efforts only serve to satisfy mans fleshy (carnal - physical or mental) desires.
And yet, folks will maintain scrupulous observances of things that are of the carnal world, and pursue them with vigor, while at the same time, they will ignore the one single thing which God mandates, which is your daily Bible study.
People will place tremendous piety, and wisdom on their efforts. Professors and guru’s and priests, and politicians, and celebrities, and friends and neighbors, all have their opinions, and they are all intent with sincerity and argument, that allows them to make a ‘show’ of wisdom and knowledge. But, these things, their opinions are words of false prophets. They are nothing more than salesmen, selling the public a bill of goods, intended to elevate themselves in approbation, or profit, or social status, while the public gains nothing.
The pretenders of wisdom gain while the public suffers. And the public suffers only because they lack the doctrinal discernment that can protect them from the false ideas of life. And the public lacks doctrinal discernment, because they voluntarily ignore it.
There are the deceivers and the deceived, and both are equally guilty of failure in their spiritual lives, because their wants, come from the source of their sin nature. Some want the glory, while others want the free ride.
And collectively they will all lose in life.
The world will always be full of opinions and issues and controversies. The world will always have plans and ideas to solve this or that problem. And, as Solomon has stated, there isn’t anything that is being tried now, that hasn’t been tried before, and all of those former efforts have failed. He is referring to all of the best laid plans of humanity. None have ever worked.
There is only one plan which will solve all problems and promote peace and prosperity and happiness for everyone, and that plan is Gods plan. Gods plan for you and everyone, is the spiritual life, approached legitimately through ones daily study, learning, residence in fellowship, and then the repetition of that process, which we call the circle of wisdom, throughout your life.
From mans efforts, comes failure and suffering, and nothing more.
From Gods work, comes freedom, justice, health, prosperity, happiness, all things good, and things get even better from there.
But unfortunately people will not let go of their former priorities, until things get really bad. Carnal folks hold fast to their carnal possessions and beliefs. You need to make sure that you are not a participant of that failed group.
Showing posts with label Colossians 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colossians 2. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Colossians 2:21-22
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:21-22
21 (Touch [haptomai] not; [me] taste [geuomai] not; [mede] handle [thiggano] not; [mede]
22 Which [hos] all [pas] are [esti] to [eis] perish [phthora] with the using; [apochresis]) after [kata] the commandments [entalma] and [kai] doctrines [didaskalia] of men [anthropos]? KJV-Interlinear
21 "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) — in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? NASB
Paul states the ‘do not’s’ in rapid succession to emphasize the enthusiasm of those who used these phrases, in their effort to control the daily habits of people’s lives.
Although Moses had written into the first five books of the Bible, many do not’s, all of these things were teaching aids used to teach principles of doctrine.
We reviewed just a short time ago, the concept of circumcision. This was a mandatory practice, but it taught a spiritual principle. The physical act had nothing to do with the spiritual life, but served as a reminder of the spiritual life.
We often have physical things in our daily lives, which serve to remind us of various principles. And why is that?
Well, recall that the unbeliever as well as the out of fellowship believer, mirror each other. They cannot understand the spiritual concepts unless they are in fellowship. Unbelievers cannot get themselves into fellowship unless they first believe in Christ, and believers who commit sins (as we all do), and do not confess them, are in the same boat of lacking comprehension as the unbelievers are.
Therefore, God utilizes and has utilized, many physical concepts to help as reminders of spiritual matters.
Parables are typical examples of this kind of teaching aid.
God uses temporary things, to teach permanent things. Man uses temporary things to cling to those same temporary things. What becomes of one who eats only fish on Friday’s, or refuses to touch a dead thing, or avoids meats, or certain foods and so forth? Well, nothing comes from their practice.
To eat beef on Thursday, and then avoid beef on Friday, has no meaning whatsoever. What you eat, what you wear, what you drink, what day of the week it is, have no affect on the spiritual life. They are irrelevant. Sunday is no more holy than Wednesday.
Your real objective is to feed on Bible doctrine and live by doctrine, continuously day in and day out, throughout your life. That is the essence of the spiritual life. What you think is what you are.
The objective of the spiritual life is to transform your thinking, not your environment. Your habits, your life style, your life, will all change as a result of how you think.
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Colossians 2:21-22
21 (Touch [haptomai] not; [me] taste [geuomai] not; [mede] handle [thiggano] not; [mede]
22 Which [hos] all [pas] are [esti] to [eis] perish [phthora] with the using; [apochresis]) after [kata] the commandments [entalma] and [kai] doctrines [didaskalia] of men [anthropos]? KJV-Interlinear
21 "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) — in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? NASB
Paul states the ‘do not’s’ in rapid succession to emphasize the enthusiasm of those who used these phrases, in their effort to control the daily habits of people’s lives.
Although Moses had written into the first five books of the Bible, many do not’s, all of these things were teaching aids used to teach principles of doctrine.
We reviewed just a short time ago, the concept of circumcision. This was a mandatory practice, but it taught a spiritual principle. The physical act had nothing to do with the spiritual life, but served as a reminder of the spiritual life.
We often have physical things in our daily lives, which serve to remind us of various principles. And why is that?
Well, recall that the unbeliever as well as the out of fellowship believer, mirror each other. They cannot understand the spiritual concepts unless they are in fellowship. Unbelievers cannot get themselves into fellowship unless they first believe in Christ, and believers who commit sins (as we all do), and do not confess them, are in the same boat of lacking comprehension as the unbelievers are.
Therefore, God utilizes and has utilized, many physical concepts to help as reminders of spiritual matters.
Parables are typical examples of this kind of teaching aid.
God uses temporary things, to teach permanent things. Man uses temporary things to cling to those same temporary things. What becomes of one who eats only fish on Friday’s, or refuses to touch a dead thing, or avoids meats, or certain foods and so forth? Well, nothing comes from their practice.
To eat beef on Thursday, and then avoid beef on Friday, has no meaning whatsoever. What you eat, what you wear, what you drink, what day of the week it is, have no affect on the spiritual life. They are irrelevant. Sunday is no more holy than Wednesday.
Your real objective is to feed on Bible doctrine and live by doctrine, continuously day in and day out, throughout your life. That is the essence of the spiritual life. What you think is what you are.
The objective of the spiritual life is to transform your thinking, not your environment. Your habits, your life style, your life, will all change as a result of how you think.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Colossians 2:20
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:20
20 Wherefore [oun] if [ei] ye be dead [apothnesko] with [sun] Christ [Christos] from [apo] the rudiments [stoicheion] of the world, [kosmos] why, [tis] as though [hos] living [zao] in [en] the world, [kosmos] are ye subject to ordinances, [dogmatizo] KJV-Interlinear
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, NASB
Death is a separation from something. In our study, that something is life.
We can die physically from life, or we can die (separate) spiritually from fellowship (our environment where our spiritual life, functions).
But here, the death we are studying is from the carnal life of unbelief, in favor of a spiritual life.
All death occurs in a brief moment, a split second, as it were.
When you die physically, your soul and spirit exit the physical body, leaving it behind (because it is or was, never a part of your future).
When you commit a sin, then you die or separate, from your fellowship status, instantly.
And in our passage, your carnal unbelieving life terminates immediately when you believe in Christ. In an instant, in a split second, your spiritual death springs into life, and as far as your previous life as an unbeliever goes, you are separated from it, dead from it, forever. You can never go back to your unborn state, from your re-born state.
So, when you believe in Christ, from that moment on, for all of your eternal life, you are dead to your unsaved life. Likewise, if you are separated from your unsaved state, then you are no longer under the laws that regulate that previous state.
Here Paul calls them the ‘elementary principles of the world.’
Elementary principles refer to the basics of ones education as a child.
When you are a child you learn the alphabet and numbers. You learn sounds and words, and addition and subtraction. You learn to read and write. And these things are the earliest beginnings of ones education. And that is how Paul describes the principles presented by world opinion.
In one respect, the views of a child are humorous, but very simple. From no child who is just entering the learning process, can any advanced opinion, be found.
And no matter what you think of world opinion, no matter what opinions you might subscribe to, or have subscribed to, they have been no better than the simple and silliest views of a child.
After all, what is said to a child who has stated something that we know is obviously wrong? ‘Wait until you grow up and then you will understand.’
That is exactly what unbelievers, or spiritually deficient believers possess – the silliness of immaturity (at their very best).
World opinion is silly, and irrelevant with regard to life, truth and especially with salvation and a relationship with God.
World opinion promotes such things as human dignity, human ingenuity, human sincerity, human good, human righteousness, and so forth. World opinion is supported by the Levitical Priesthood, the Mosaic Law and all of its regulations, by religion, by cults, by philosophies that are beyond counting. There are so many philosophies out there, I don’t think you could list them all. World opinion is backed up by government, forms, bureaucracy, and volumes of legislative regulations.
World opinion promotes the idea that man, by mans effort, can advance to the level of the Most High. World opinion promotes the idea that man can write his own destiny, manage for all of his own needs, and eventually achieve his own eternal life.
And of course, that does us all no good until that fountain of youth is discovered. Anyone dying prior to that discovery (which includes all of us), will never benefit from that discovery.
And yet, people in vast majorities, will continue to pursue and follow those old rules, which Christ nailed to the Cross, and no longer have any power, force or effect on life.
And Paul asks the question, ‘Why’? If you have been freed from slavery, then why would you go back to it? If you have been given better food, then why go back to slop? If you have been cleaned up from filth and putrid rot, then why would you jump right back into the decaying slop pit?
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Colossians 2:20
20 Wherefore [oun] if [ei] ye be dead [apothnesko] with [sun] Christ [Christos] from [apo] the rudiments [stoicheion] of the world, [kosmos] why, [tis] as though [hos] living [zao] in [en] the world, [kosmos] are ye subject to ordinances, [dogmatizo] KJV-Interlinear
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, NASB
Death is a separation from something. In our study, that something is life.
We can die physically from life, or we can die (separate) spiritually from fellowship (our environment where our spiritual life, functions).
But here, the death we are studying is from the carnal life of unbelief, in favor of a spiritual life.
All death occurs in a brief moment, a split second, as it were.
When you die physically, your soul and spirit exit the physical body, leaving it behind (because it is or was, never a part of your future).
When you commit a sin, then you die or separate, from your fellowship status, instantly.
And in our passage, your carnal unbelieving life terminates immediately when you believe in Christ. In an instant, in a split second, your spiritual death springs into life, and as far as your previous life as an unbeliever goes, you are separated from it, dead from it, forever. You can never go back to your unborn state, from your re-born state.
So, when you believe in Christ, from that moment on, for all of your eternal life, you are dead to your unsaved life. Likewise, if you are separated from your unsaved state, then you are no longer under the laws that regulate that previous state.
Here Paul calls them the ‘elementary principles of the world.’
Elementary principles refer to the basics of ones education as a child.
When you are a child you learn the alphabet and numbers. You learn sounds and words, and addition and subtraction. You learn to read and write. And these things are the earliest beginnings of ones education. And that is how Paul describes the principles presented by world opinion.
In one respect, the views of a child are humorous, but very simple. From no child who is just entering the learning process, can any advanced opinion, be found.
And no matter what you think of world opinion, no matter what opinions you might subscribe to, or have subscribed to, they have been no better than the simple and silliest views of a child.
After all, what is said to a child who has stated something that we know is obviously wrong? ‘Wait until you grow up and then you will understand.’
That is exactly what unbelievers, or spiritually deficient believers possess – the silliness of immaturity (at their very best).
World opinion is silly, and irrelevant with regard to life, truth and especially with salvation and a relationship with God.
World opinion promotes such things as human dignity, human ingenuity, human sincerity, human good, human righteousness, and so forth. World opinion is supported by the Levitical Priesthood, the Mosaic Law and all of its regulations, by religion, by cults, by philosophies that are beyond counting. There are so many philosophies out there, I don’t think you could list them all. World opinion is backed up by government, forms, bureaucracy, and volumes of legislative regulations.
World opinion promotes the idea that man, by mans effort, can advance to the level of the Most High. World opinion promotes the idea that man can write his own destiny, manage for all of his own needs, and eventually achieve his own eternal life.
And of course, that does us all no good until that fountain of youth is discovered. Anyone dying prior to that discovery (which includes all of us), will never benefit from that discovery.
And yet, people in vast majorities, will continue to pursue and follow those old rules, which Christ nailed to the Cross, and no longer have any power, force or effect on life.
And Paul asks the question, ‘Why’? If you have been freed from slavery, then why would you go back to it? If you have been given better food, then why go back to slop? If you have been cleaned up from filth and putrid rot, then why would you jump right back into the decaying slop pit?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Colossians 2:19
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:19
19 And [kai] not [ou] holding [krateo] the Head, [kephale] from [ek] which [hos] all [pas] the body [soma] by [dia] joints [haphe] and [kai] bands [sundesmos] having nourishment ministered, [epichoregeo] and [kai] knit together, [sumbibazo] increaseth [auxano] with the increase [auxesis] of God. [theos] KJV-Interlinear
19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. NASB
There are two possible masters in existence, Christ, and the world. You can serve only one.
Christ is the single embodiment of all that is true and essential in your life. The world is not.
Christ is the single and sole source of all nourishment, support, and provision for all aspects of ones life. The world is not.
The body, ‘soma,’ is the representation of the ‘completed whole’ of not only ones self being, but also including all of the environment and circumstances that will ever enter into or impact ones life.
The human body is a compilation of many different components, each functioning in their own respective way, for one purpose, and that purpose is to keep the body alive, healthy, and in tack.
Likewise, the body of Christ is the collection of every believer, every word of doctrine, every truth from God, specifically designed to support, maintain, and perpetuate the spiritual stability and prosperity of every believer.
If you choose Christ as the template for living your life, then your success, happiness, security and so forth are assured.
If you choose the world as the template for your life, then failure is your guarantee.
True growth and prosperity comes only from God. Jesus Christ controls history.
False growth and prosperity comes from this world. The world controls nothing.
Even as we sit on the sidelines and watch the unraveling of our own economic policies, through the many czars and grand ideas that seem to be coming out of the woodwork, we do still have one to whom we can look for deliverance from the almost certain disasters that lie ahead.
Jesus Christ controls history, and through Him and Him alone, will the repercussions of the ideas of all of todays world leaders be allowed to send us all into an economic oblivion, or overruled, or delayed, or turned in a different direction, because of a barrage of prayers from believers all over the world.
And while leaders will take the credit for things that seem to go right, or shift the blame for things gone wrong, Jesus Christ is at all times in complete control over every aspect of every element, in every persons life, and more.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:19
19 And [kai] not [ou] holding [krateo] the Head, [kephale] from [ek] which [hos] all [pas] the body [soma] by [dia] joints [haphe] and [kai] bands [sundesmos] having nourishment ministered, [epichoregeo] and [kai] knit together, [sumbibazo] increaseth [auxano] with the increase [auxesis] of God. [theos] KJV-Interlinear
19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. NASB
There are two possible masters in existence, Christ, and the world. You can serve only one.
Christ is the single embodiment of all that is true and essential in your life. The world is not.
Christ is the single and sole source of all nourishment, support, and provision for all aspects of ones life. The world is not.
The body, ‘soma,’ is the representation of the ‘completed whole’ of not only ones self being, but also including all of the environment and circumstances that will ever enter into or impact ones life.
The human body is a compilation of many different components, each functioning in their own respective way, for one purpose, and that purpose is to keep the body alive, healthy, and in tack.
Likewise, the body of Christ is the collection of every believer, every word of doctrine, every truth from God, specifically designed to support, maintain, and perpetuate the spiritual stability and prosperity of every believer.
If you choose Christ as the template for living your life, then your success, happiness, security and so forth are assured.
If you choose the world as the template for your life, then failure is your guarantee.
True growth and prosperity comes only from God. Jesus Christ controls history.
False growth and prosperity comes from this world. The world controls nothing.
Even as we sit on the sidelines and watch the unraveling of our own economic policies, through the many czars and grand ideas that seem to be coming out of the woodwork, we do still have one to whom we can look for deliverance from the almost certain disasters that lie ahead.
Jesus Christ controls history, and through Him and Him alone, will the repercussions of the ideas of all of todays world leaders be allowed to send us all into an economic oblivion, or overruled, or delayed, or turned in a different direction, because of a barrage of prayers from believers all over the world.
And while leaders will take the credit for things that seem to go right, or shift the blame for things gone wrong, Jesus Christ is at all times in complete control over every aspect of every element, in every persons life, and more.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Colossians 2:18
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:18
18 Let [katabrabeuo] no man [medeis] beguile [katabrabeuo] you [humas] of your reward [katabrabeuo] in [en] a voluntary [thelo] humility [tapeinophrosune] and [kai] worshipping [threskeia] of angels, [aggelos] intruding into [embateuo] those things which [hos] he hath [horao] not [me] seen, [horao] vainly [eike] puffed up [phusioo] by [hupo] his [autos] fleshly [sarx] mind, [nous] KJV-Interlinear
18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, NASB
At first glance you might think that this verse is concerned with someone out there, deceiving you or turning you away from doctrine, which of course it does, however, the word for prize, ‘katabrabeuo,’ is a word used for a prize already won.
In those ancient times, competitions were conducted on a regular basis. And the competitions were well known to everyone.
Likewise, the winner was awarded a prize for finishing first in his event. And having won, there was a judge of the event, often times called the ‘brabeus,’ or one who handed out the award already won.
What does this tell us? Well, not everyone who Paul is addressing has advanced to spiritual maturity. However, the prize for spiritual maturity is contingent on advancing to spiritual maturity. So, if we are at risk of losing a prize, then it must have already been awarded.
And if it is possible to lose a prize, then it is because of our failure to advance to maturity. Therefore, your loss is your fault.
God has already made provision for each and every person. You might want to review the ‘Parables’ to reacquaint yourself with some of these principles.
To the victor goes the spoils, and to the loser, nothing. And in fact to the winner, goes all of the potential winnings of the loser, as well. So to the winner, the one who advances to spiritual maturity in all that it represents, goes a phenomenal prize.
Unbelievers lose their prize, obviously. Immature believers lose much or all of their prize, depending on the degree, or lack of it, of their spiritual growth. He receives his own prize, but also a share in all of the lost prizes that everyone else has lost.
We continue the description of the vastness of your potential reward in heaven, which sooner or later should boggle your mind, and then perhaps you will actually get serious about your spiritual life.
Some folks will be hot for doctrine from their emotions, but that soon wears off. Some folks have to be impressed, or have to analyze every little detail of doctrine. They have to have doctrine proved to them, as though they are some kind of prize themselves, that God must want.
Some folks will simply slip off the band wagon and lose interest. After all if Bible study does not result in some form of immediate blessing, then what good is it?
You can only be beguiled, charmed away, lured, enticed, fascinated away into the world, if you are not focused on Bible doctrine.
And those doing the beguiling, are those who possess an extreme and serious view of life, even to the point of demonstrating phenomenal objectivity, even to the point of demonstrating the tenacity of learning that the angels demonstrate. This is not a reference to angel worship, but to imitating angels. The angels look deeply into the things of this world in order to learn, 1 Pet. 1:12.
But as far a these deceptions go, they originate from the carnal mind, from the sin nature, and therefore take facts and draw wrong conclusions. Evolution, is a good example of this type of misdirection of truth. Evolution has become an almost universal truth for society, while creationism has become the object of jokes.
Almost every social issue is a potential trap for luring you away from truth.
The politics, philosophies and theories of the world, all elbow their way to center stage, pushing truth aside. Why? Because the object of evil is to distract you. And the more sincerity and integrity that evil can portray, then the more likely that people will adopt its views.
Without doctrine, without as daily dose of Bible study, then you will become a natural prey, subscriber, and member of those views.
Your only defense and guard against any distraction, is your spiritual life.
In eternity past, God established for you, a prize for eternity. Your prize is contingent on your believing in Christ, on your advancement to spiritual maturity, on your maximizing your spiritual production through living within the spiritual environment which God has designed.
In a competition, the trophy is held up for all to see. It is theirs for the taking, but they have to enter the race, and run it, and finish it, before they can receive the prize.
In life, too many do not bother to enter the race. Too many drop out of the race when they do enter it.
Too many listen to the rhetoric of the world, listen to the propaganda of their disabilities, listen to the enticements of immediate gratification offered, and adopt the excuses and indifferences and prejudices of the world.
Majorities become indignant and that is their arrogance. Minorities become convinced that they lack opportunity, and that is their arrogance. All use their own excuses or attitudes as justification for their approach to life.
And to what end? They gain or pursue some form of worldly prize which is nothing but a shadow, holding on to nothing but emptiness in effect, and losing a vast fortune, a galactic fortune, but never realizing it until it is really too late.
Professors can be convincing. Politicians can be convincing. Priests can be convincing. Celebrities can be convincing. Racists can be convincing. Anyone who advances some sin nature component of your life, something that entices you, can convince you easily, because if you lack doctrine, then you have no defense against their trap. And you walk right in, with your eyes wide open.
And then, you lose.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:18
18 Let [katabrabeuo] no man [medeis] beguile [katabrabeuo] you [humas] of your reward [katabrabeuo] in [en] a voluntary [thelo] humility [tapeinophrosune] and [kai] worshipping [threskeia] of angels, [aggelos] intruding into [embateuo] those things which [hos] he hath [horao] not [me] seen, [horao] vainly [eike] puffed up [phusioo] by [hupo] his [autos] fleshly [sarx] mind, [nous] KJV-Interlinear
18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, NASB
At first glance you might think that this verse is concerned with someone out there, deceiving you or turning you away from doctrine, which of course it does, however, the word for prize, ‘katabrabeuo,’ is a word used for a prize already won.
In those ancient times, competitions were conducted on a regular basis. And the competitions were well known to everyone.
Likewise, the winner was awarded a prize for finishing first in his event. And having won, there was a judge of the event, often times called the ‘brabeus,’ or one who handed out the award already won.
What does this tell us? Well, not everyone who Paul is addressing has advanced to spiritual maturity. However, the prize for spiritual maturity is contingent on advancing to spiritual maturity. So, if we are at risk of losing a prize, then it must have already been awarded.
And if it is possible to lose a prize, then it is because of our failure to advance to maturity. Therefore, your loss is your fault.
God has already made provision for each and every person. You might want to review the ‘Parables’ to reacquaint yourself with some of these principles.
To the victor goes the spoils, and to the loser, nothing. And in fact to the winner, goes all of the potential winnings of the loser, as well. So to the winner, the one who advances to spiritual maturity in all that it represents, goes a phenomenal prize.
Unbelievers lose their prize, obviously. Immature believers lose much or all of their prize, depending on the degree, or lack of it, of their spiritual growth. He receives his own prize, but also a share in all of the lost prizes that everyone else has lost.
We continue the description of the vastness of your potential reward in heaven, which sooner or later should boggle your mind, and then perhaps you will actually get serious about your spiritual life.
Some folks will be hot for doctrine from their emotions, but that soon wears off. Some folks have to be impressed, or have to analyze every little detail of doctrine. They have to have doctrine proved to them, as though they are some kind of prize themselves, that God must want.
Some folks will simply slip off the band wagon and lose interest. After all if Bible study does not result in some form of immediate blessing, then what good is it?
You can only be beguiled, charmed away, lured, enticed, fascinated away into the world, if you are not focused on Bible doctrine.
And those doing the beguiling, are those who possess an extreme and serious view of life, even to the point of demonstrating phenomenal objectivity, even to the point of demonstrating the tenacity of learning that the angels demonstrate. This is not a reference to angel worship, but to imitating angels. The angels look deeply into the things of this world in order to learn, 1 Pet. 1:12.
But as far a these deceptions go, they originate from the carnal mind, from the sin nature, and therefore take facts and draw wrong conclusions. Evolution, is a good example of this type of misdirection of truth. Evolution has become an almost universal truth for society, while creationism has become the object of jokes.
Almost every social issue is a potential trap for luring you away from truth.
The politics, philosophies and theories of the world, all elbow their way to center stage, pushing truth aside. Why? Because the object of evil is to distract you. And the more sincerity and integrity that evil can portray, then the more likely that people will adopt its views.
Without doctrine, without as daily dose of Bible study, then you will become a natural prey, subscriber, and member of those views.
Your only defense and guard against any distraction, is your spiritual life.
In eternity past, God established for you, a prize for eternity. Your prize is contingent on your believing in Christ, on your advancement to spiritual maturity, on your maximizing your spiritual production through living within the spiritual environment which God has designed.
In a competition, the trophy is held up for all to see. It is theirs for the taking, but they have to enter the race, and run it, and finish it, before they can receive the prize.
In life, too many do not bother to enter the race. Too many drop out of the race when they do enter it.
Too many listen to the rhetoric of the world, listen to the propaganda of their disabilities, listen to the enticements of immediate gratification offered, and adopt the excuses and indifferences and prejudices of the world.
Majorities become indignant and that is their arrogance. Minorities become convinced that they lack opportunity, and that is their arrogance. All use their own excuses or attitudes as justification for their approach to life.
And to what end? They gain or pursue some form of worldly prize which is nothing but a shadow, holding on to nothing but emptiness in effect, and losing a vast fortune, a galactic fortune, but never realizing it until it is really too late.
Professors can be convincing. Politicians can be convincing. Priests can be convincing. Celebrities can be convincing. Racists can be convincing. Anyone who advances some sin nature component of your life, something that entices you, can convince you easily, because if you lack doctrine, then you have no defense against their trap. And you walk right in, with your eyes wide open.
And then, you lose.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Colossians 2:17
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:17
17 Which [hos] are [esti] a shadow [skia] of things to come; [mello] but [de] the body [soma] is of Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. NASB
A shadow is something that is undefined, without substance, without the usual sensations obtained by the senses – no texture, no aroma, no depth, no color, no substance and so forth.
The body, here, represents that which has substance, form and color and texture and sound and aroma, etc.
In the last few verses, we have seen that all of the rules and regulations of the Mosaic Law, all of the rules and regulation, the norms and standards of society, all of these things are inefficient and otherwise useless in completing our life existence.
What we lack from birth is salvation, and then after salvation, maturity, and then after maturity, a productive life, and then after productivity, wealth. And all of these things in dimensions so vast, so abundant that we could never measure them all.
Anything of this earth is but a shadow, an empty bodiless emptiness capable of accomplishing nothing.
Christ is the body, the substance, the source of all growth, of all life, of all mechanisms for accomplishing ones completeness in life.
Paul has stated that he was graciously allowed to visit Paradise and Heaven, and he has returned after those visits. He never wrote down anything concerning his visit, but explained that what he saw and heard was so vast and so great, that words were inadequate for communicating them. However, he was prohibited from disclosing those things. So his visit was for his benefit not ours.
John and Daniel saw visions and they in turn wrote what they heard and saw, for our benefit. And this was the same for other prophets and apostles.
So if what we have in this world is shadow only, then what could the reality, the substance of reality be like?
If you have watched something like the History Channel on TV, then you probably have noticed that throughout history, there is a thread of violence resulting from mans arrogance, that flows through history.
With all of the reality of heaven and the afterlife in full view of everyone, then how could humanity have possibly ignored it all in pursuit of their empty efforts? All of those centuries of folks are gone. What did they accomplish for themselves? Nothing!
They are either in Heaven or in Torments, and only now understand the uselessness of their efforts in life. And what of people of today? What has anyone learned from history? What have we learned from Paul and others?
That there is a vast reality out there, beyond which we cannot even begin to imagine, but our access is as near to our possession as our own thoughts. And what does anyone do about it?
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Colossians 2:17
17 Which [hos] are [esti] a shadow [skia] of things to come; [mello] but [de] the body [soma] is of Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. NASB
A shadow is something that is undefined, without substance, without the usual sensations obtained by the senses – no texture, no aroma, no depth, no color, no substance and so forth.
The body, here, represents that which has substance, form and color and texture and sound and aroma, etc.
In the last few verses, we have seen that all of the rules and regulations of the Mosaic Law, all of the rules and regulation, the norms and standards of society, all of these things are inefficient and otherwise useless in completing our life existence.
What we lack from birth is salvation, and then after salvation, maturity, and then after maturity, a productive life, and then after productivity, wealth. And all of these things in dimensions so vast, so abundant that we could never measure them all.
Anything of this earth is but a shadow, an empty bodiless emptiness capable of accomplishing nothing.
Christ is the body, the substance, the source of all growth, of all life, of all mechanisms for accomplishing ones completeness in life.
Paul has stated that he was graciously allowed to visit Paradise and Heaven, and he has returned after those visits. He never wrote down anything concerning his visit, but explained that what he saw and heard was so vast and so great, that words were inadequate for communicating them. However, he was prohibited from disclosing those things. So his visit was for his benefit not ours.
John and Daniel saw visions and they in turn wrote what they heard and saw, for our benefit. And this was the same for other prophets and apostles.
So if what we have in this world is shadow only, then what could the reality, the substance of reality be like?
If you have watched something like the History Channel on TV, then you probably have noticed that throughout history, there is a thread of violence resulting from mans arrogance, that flows through history.
With all of the reality of heaven and the afterlife in full view of everyone, then how could humanity have possibly ignored it all in pursuit of their empty efforts? All of those centuries of folks are gone. What did they accomplish for themselves? Nothing!
They are either in Heaven or in Torments, and only now understand the uselessness of their efforts in life. And what of people of today? What has anyone learned from history? What have we learned from Paul and others?
That there is a vast reality out there, beyond which we cannot even begin to imagine, but our access is as near to our possession as our own thoughts. And what does anyone do about it?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Colossians 2:16
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:16
16 Let [krino] no [me] man [tis] therefore [oun] judge [krino] you [humas] in [en] meat, [brosis] or [e] in [en] drink, [posis] or [e] in [en] respect [meros] of an holyday, [heorte] or [e] of the new moon, [noumenia] or [e] of the sabbath [sabbaton] days: KJV-Interlinear
16 Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day — NASB
Since the Mosaic Law was filled with social laws, with dietary laws, with worship laws, with celebrations and festivals, and sacrifices and such, and since Christ has in effect nailed that contract to the Cross, then all of those things are no longer in force, or effect.
A few years after the writing of this letter, the Roman Legions would once and for all destroy the remaining remnants of the Levitical rituals, by destroying Jerusalem and most everything in and around it.
No person is obligated to live by those written rules, and certainly no person has the right to impose those old rules on others.
Prior to the Cross, all of life was burdened by the slavery to the old rules, simply because the Cross had not yet freed humanity from the burdens imposed by this world.
Once Christ had fulfilled all of the old rules, and once Christ had paid the price demanded by sin and death, and once Christ had risen, thus securing complete freedom from any further death or slavery to the world, then any person who believes in Him is likewise freed from obligation to the arbitrary rules that the world imposes on humanity.
Now the rules we are referring to here are any rules, or social norms by which humanity seeks to replace salvation and/or the spiritual life.
The rules of divine establishment, due process, law and order and so forth, remain in effect since they have nothing to do with salvation or the spiritual life, but have been put in place by God in order to provide an environment of safety and provision and perpetuation of humanity, to offset the jungle laws which try to dominate and subordinate and destroy humanity.
We have now, the completed Bible, which is our spiritual food. All physical foods for the body are irrelevant to ones spiritual life.
We have now, the perpetual moment to moment Sabbath which we call being in fellowship, which is our place of perpetual resident worship. Our temple, church, etc., is inside of our soul and not inside of a building made with physical materials.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:16
16 Let [krino] no [me] man [tis] therefore [oun] judge [krino] you [humas] in [en] meat, [brosis] or [e] in [en] drink, [posis] or [e] in [en] respect [meros] of an holyday, [heorte] or [e] of the new moon, [noumenia] or [e] of the sabbath [sabbaton] days: KJV-Interlinear
16 Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day — NASB
Since the Mosaic Law was filled with social laws, with dietary laws, with worship laws, with celebrations and festivals, and sacrifices and such, and since Christ has in effect nailed that contract to the Cross, then all of those things are no longer in force, or effect.
A few years after the writing of this letter, the Roman Legions would once and for all destroy the remaining remnants of the Levitical rituals, by destroying Jerusalem and most everything in and around it.
No person is obligated to live by those written rules, and certainly no person has the right to impose those old rules on others.
Prior to the Cross, all of life was burdened by the slavery to the old rules, simply because the Cross had not yet freed humanity from the burdens imposed by this world.
Once Christ had fulfilled all of the old rules, and once Christ had paid the price demanded by sin and death, and once Christ had risen, thus securing complete freedom from any further death or slavery to the world, then any person who believes in Him is likewise freed from obligation to the arbitrary rules that the world imposes on humanity.
Now the rules we are referring to here are any rules, or social norms by which humanity seeks to replace salvation and/or the spiritual life.
The rules of divine establishment, due process, law and order and so forth, remain in effect since they have nothing to do with salvation or the spiritual life, but have been put in place by God in order to provide an environment of safety and provision and perpetuation of humanity, to offset the jungle laws which try to dominate and subordinate and destroy humanity.
We have now, the completed Bible, which is our spiritual food. All physical foods for the body are irrelevant to ones spiritual life.
We have now, the perpetual moment to moment Sabbath which we call being in fellowship, which is our place of perpetual resident worship. Our temple, church, etc., is inside of our soul and not inside of a building made with physical materials.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Colossians 2:15
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:15
15 And having spoiled [apekduomai] principalities [arche] and [kai] powers, [exousia] he made a shew of them [deigmatizo] openly [en], [parrhesia] triumphing over [thriambeuo] them [autos] in [en] it. [autos] KJV-Interlinear
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. NASB
Paul had written this letter to the Colossians in the early-mid 60’s A.D. About ten years earlier, in the early 50’s A.D., Paul had written two letters to the Corinthians.
In 2 Cor. 12, Paul related an experience in which he was allowed to visit both Heaven and Paradise. Likewise, in Ephesians 4, Paul related the story of Christ descending down into Hades, and into Paradise specifically, and leading all of the captives contained therein (Old Testament believers), out of Paradise, and up into Heaven.
2 Cor. 12:1-4
12 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know how such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows —
4 was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. NASB
Eph. 4:8-10
8 Therefore it says, "When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men."
9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) NASB
Psa. 68:18
18 Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captive Thy captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Even among the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there. NASB
Here, Paul ties these events together, in the greatest procession, parade ever held in history.
Paul was witness to the empty Paradise, and to the presence of all of the believers, once held in Paradise, now in Heaven.
And here Paul tells us that this procession, totally disarmed Satan, and all evil powers, policies, ideas, etc., that have ever existed.
This is a military word, ‘apekduomai,’ which refers to the total control that a victor possesses over the defeated enemy.
Once the Cross had concluded, once the death and burial (and announcement of victory to those resident in all of Hades) had concluded, once Christ had risen in resurrection, He went down into the bowels of the earth, without any hindrance, objection, or resistance, and retrieved all of the Old Testament believers who had been held captive in Paradise (because of Satan’s objections throughout history), until the events and victory of the Cross had been accomplished.
So, in full public view (from heavens perspective), Christ led the largest, and longest, and most dramatic victory parade in all of history, into Heaven.
In over four-thousand years of history, from Adam to the time of the Cross, there could have easily been several trillions of believers held in Paradise. Combine that with possibly unknown trillions more of angels, the party and celebrations held along the way, and in heaven itself had to have been one beyond imagination.
We probably cannot even begin to imagine the singing and joy and happiness and celebrations that all of those people experienced at that time. Not only was it a phenomenal event in history, but they actually participated in it.
One day, we, who are, and will, and have lived in this dispensation, of the Church Age, will have our parade, when the Rapture occurs. And as with our initial reaction, all knees bent, all heads bowed, they too most likely had that same initial reaction. And then the party began …..
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Colossians 2:15
15 And having spoiled [apekduomai] principalities [arche] and [kai] powers, [exousia] he made a shew of them [deigmatizo] openly [en], [parrhesia] triumphing over [thriambeuo] them [autos] in [en] it. [autos] KJV-Interlinear
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. NASB
Paul had written this letter to the Colossians in the early-mid 60’s A.D. About ten years earlier, in the early 50’s A.D., Paul had written two letters to the Corinthians.
In 2 Cor. 12, Paul related an experience in which he was allowed to visit both Heaven and Paradise. Likewise, in Ephesians 4, Paul related the story of Christ descending down into Hades, and into Paradise specifically, and leading all of the captives contained therein (Old Testament believers), out of Paradise, and up into Heaven.
2 Cor. 12:1-4
12 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know how such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows —
4 was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. NASB
Eph. 4:8-10
8 Therefore it says, "When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men."
9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) NASB
Psa. 68:18
18 Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captive Thy captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Even among the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there. NASB
Here, Paul ties these events together, in the greatest procession, parade ever held in history.
Paul was witness to the empty Paradise, and to the presence of all of the believers, once held in Paradise, now in Heaven.
And here Paul tells us that this procession, totally disarmed Satan, and all evil powers, policies, ideas, etc., that have ever existed.
This is a military word, ‘apekduomai,’ which refers to the total control that a victor possesses over the defeated enemy.
Once the Cross had concluded, once the death and burial (and announcement of victory to those resident in all of Hades) had concluded, once Christ had risen in resurrection, He went down into the bowels of the earth, without any hindrance, objection, or resistance, and retrieved all of the Old Testament believers who had been held captive in Paradise (because of Satan’s objections throughout history), until the events and victory of the Cross had been accomplished.
So, in full public view (from heavens perspective), Christ led the largest, and longest, and most dramatic victory parade in all of history, into Heaven.
In over four-thousand years of history, from Adam to the time of the Cross, there could have easily been several trillions of believers held in Paradise. Combine that with possibly unknown trillions more of angels, the party and celebrations held along the way, and in heaven itself had to have been one beyond imagination.
We probably cannot even begin to imagine the singing and joy and happiness and celebrations that all of those people experienced at that time. Not only was it a phenomenal event in history, but they actually participated in it.
One day, we, who are, and will, and have lived in this dispensation, of the Church Age, will have our parade, when the Rapture occurs. And as with our initial reaction, all knees bent, all heads bowed, they too most likely had that same initial reaction. And then the party began …..
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Colossians 2:14
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:14
14 Blotting out [exaleipho] the handwriting [cheirographon] of ordinances [dogma] that was against [kata] us, [hemon] which [hos] was [en] contrary [hupenantios] to us, [hemin] and [kai] took [airo] it [autos] out of [ek] the way, [mesos] nailing [proseloo] it [autos] to his cross; [stauros] KJV-Interlinear
14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. NASB
In this world there are but two laws. The first is the Law of Grace, in which God makes policy and sustains history and His plan by means of His grace (favor).
And the second law is the Law of Legalism, often times called the Mosaic Law or the Levitical Law, or simply a reference to the laws of society combined with its norms and standards.
There is but one way to get into heaven, and that is through faith in Christ. This is courtesy of the grace of God.
But there are those who believe that they can live the perfect life, obey the Ten Commandments, be good in life, be sincere in life, be basically honest just as long as you do not intentionally bring harm to anyone, be sincere, and that view is bogus and false. Why? Because it is impossible to accomplish.
The Levitical Laws became so vast and numerous, so as to control nearly every aspect of ones life, that they became a huge burden, an impossibility, too complicated to follow, and so much so, that the Priests began writing exceptions to the laws, and then exceptions to the exceptions. They became a legislative regulation nightmare consisting of volumes and volumes of written regulations and ordinances, that even the most proficient expert in them, had difficulty in making interpretations.
In ancient times, when an obligation was fulfilled, the document was nailed to a post, or a knife was run through it in a manner of canceling its authority. This was a public proclamation so that anyone and everyone could see that the obligation was fulfilled and no longer in force.
Today we stamp a document as cancelled, or paid, or satisfied, and record it in a public recording office.
Christ did the same thing with respect to the Mosaic Law.
No one could live the perfect life and therefore be qualified to enter into heaven. Not only is man born spiritually dead, but man cannot even come close to living a perfect life capable of cancelling out his spiritual death. So, humanity is burdened with a tremendous obligation, a sentence as it were, of total and permanent separation from God because of sin.
Jesus Christ came along, was born by means of the seed of the woman (not by the seed of the man – ‘in Adam all have sinned,’ therefore Joseph was left out of the pregnancy process, and thus the virgin pregnancy), and thus Jesus was born without the sin nature.
Jesus went to the Cross a fully honorable man, fulfilling the Law perfectly, and therefore in effect nailed the ‘Law’ document to the Cross, finished, fulfilled, cancelled, completed, void, satisfied, etc., with no further obligation upon anyone ever again.
The Law of Grace, or as we often call it the Law of Christ, is the only currently existing obligation that we are subject to now. And in order to fulfill that obligation, all we need do is ‘believe’ in Christ.
The burden is lifted and gone.
What remains now is Gods grace, which is free.
Or mans arrogance (stubbornness, indifference, self-righteousness, subjectiveness, bias, opinionated, etc.), which is absurd.
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Colossians 2:14
14 Blotting out [exaleipho] the handwriting [cheirographon] of ordinances [dogma] that was against [kata] us, [hemon] which [hos] was [en] contrary [hupenantios] to us, [hemin] and [kai] took [airo] it [autos] out of [ek] the way, [mesos] nailing [proseloo] it [autos] to his cross; [stauros] KJV-Interlinear
14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. NASB
In this world there are but two laws. The first is the Law of Grace, in which God makes policy and sustains history and His plan by means of His grace (favor).
And the second law is the Law of Legalism, often times called the Mosaic Law or the Levitical Law, or simply a reference to the laws of society combined with its norms and standards.
There is but one way to get into heaven, and that is through faith in Christ. This is courtesy of the grace of God.
But there are those who believe that they can live the perfect life, obey the Ten Commandments, be good in life, be sincere in life, be basically honest just as long as you do not intentionally bring harm to anyone, be sincere, and that view is bogus and false. Why? Because it is impossible to accomplish.
The Levitical Laws became so vast and numerous, so as to control nearly every aspect of ones life, that they became a huge burden, an impossibility, too complicated to follow, and so much so, that the Priests began writing exceptions to the laws, and then exceptions to the exceptions. They became a legislative regulation nightmare consisting of volumes and volumes of written regulations and ordinances, that even the most proficient expert in them, had difficulty in making interpretations.
In ancient times, when an obligation was fulfilled, the document was nailed to a post, or a knife was run through it in a manner of canceling its authority. This was a public proclamation so that anyone and everyone could see that the obligation was fulfilled and no longer in force.
Today we stamp a document as cancelled, or paid, or satisfied, and record it in a public recording office.
Christ did the same thing with respect to the Mosaic Law.
No one could live the perfect life and therefore be qualified to enter into heaven. Not only is man born spiritually dead, but man cannot even come close to living a perfect life capable of cancelling out his spiritual death. So, humanity is burdened with a tremendous obligation, a sentence as it were, of total and permanent separation from God because of sin.
Jesus Christ came along, was born by means of the seed of the woman (not by the seed of the man – ‘in Adam all have sinned,’ therefore Joseph was left out of the pregnancy process, and thus the virgin pregnancy), and thus Jesus was born without the sin nature.
Jesus went to the Cross a fully honorable man, fulfilling the Law perfectly, and therefore in effect nailed the ‘Law’ document to the Cross, finished, fulfilled, cancelled, completed, void, satisfied, etc., with no further obligation upon anyone ever again.
The Law of Grace, or as we often call it the Law of Christ, is the only currently existing obligation that we are subject to now. And in order to fulfill that obligation, all we need do is ‘believe’ in Christ.
The burden is lifted and gone.
What remains now is Gods grace, which is free.
Or mans arrogance (stubbornness, indifference, self-righteousness, subjectiveness, bias, opinionated, etc.), which is absurd.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Colossians 2:13
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:13
13 And [kai] you, [humas] being [on] dead [nekros] in [en] your sins [paraptoma] and [kai] the uncircumcision [akrobustia] of your [humon] flesh, [sarx] hath he quickened together [suzoopoieo] with [sun] him, [autos] having forgiven [charizomai] you [humin] all [pas] trespasses; [paraptoma] KJV-Interlinear
13 And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, NASB
Death is a separation from something. Physical death is a separation from physical life. Spiritual death is a separation from God, who is life. Sexual death is a separation from the functioning sexual aspects of ones life. An out of fellowship state is a form of death in that it is a separation from your functioning spiritual or fellowship state.
In every aspect of death, life always exists in some form.
At birth, you are born physically alive, but spiritually dead. This is the first aspect of your life.
When you hear the gospel, and believe in Christ, then you are reborn, or regenerated.
A human spirit, which you did not have before you believed in Christ, is formed in you, by God, and He imputes eternal life into that human spirit. This makes you trichotomous – body (with its biological life), soul (with its human life), and spirit (with its eternal life).
Prior to being saved, prior to believing in Christ, you were only body and soul, as you were originally formed from the day of your birth.
Prior to the moment of your salvation, the moment when you believed in Christ, you were dead because of the sin nature resident inside of you, as well as from the transgressions of your sins, which you pursued habitually, on a daily basis, during your life.
You were also dead because of the uncircumcision state of your life. Remember that circumcision is the symbolism of the cutting away of sin from your life, which cutting away Christ accomplished on the Cross.
The moment you believed in Christ, that act was your spiritual circumcision, wherein through Christ’s work, the sins in your life were forgiven. Forgiven here means to be expunged as though they (your sins prior to your salvation) never ever happened.
To quicken means to reanimate, to bring back to life.
Where you once were spiritually dead, even though physically alive, Christ through His work on the Cross, paid the price for sin, making it possible for you to believe in that which He did, and therefore be brought out of your spiritual death state, into a spiritually alive state.
So, when you are initially saved, from the moment when you initially believed in Christ, all of your sins are forgiven and you begin your new life in fellowship with God.
Note that sins were not forgiven by means of the Cross. The Cross only accomplished the payment of the debt for sin. However, when you believe in Christ, that is a form of acknowledgement of your sins, and the need for salvation, because of your sins, and that acknowledgement allows God to forgive you.
Once you have been saved, then a whole new aspect of your life begins. The moment of your salvation, you are physically alive, spiritually alive and in fellowship. The best of all worlds.
But then given a few minutes or hours, you will commit a sin, which separates you from your functioning spiritual life. You are still physically alive, still spiritually alive, but out of fellowship, and that is when the function of confession begins.
Through confession (of ones sins to God the Father), He again forgives you and restores you back into fellowship. That study may be found in 1 Jn.
This verse does not get into the ‘after’ salvation what, but the moment of salvation activity.
Just as Christ arose from the dead, then through your faith, through that initial moment of your faith, you now possess the promise of a resurrection with Christ.
Salvation is a once in a lifetime event. Once born, you do not have to be born again and again. You were born once physically, and once was enough. You were once born spiritually (when you believed in Christ), and once was sufficient.
You cannot undo your birth. You cannot cancel out your birth. You cannot go back to the moment prior to your birth as though it never occurred. Just ask your momma, and if she doesn’t slap the stupid out of you, then she should. And by the way, once born, you do not have to be born over and over, again and again, in order to live.
Once born, always born. Once born again, always born again. You cannot lose your birth. You cannot lose your spiritual birth.
Once you have believed in Christ, you cannot lose your salvation. It is permanent, and to think otherwise is the quintessence of arrogance, to think that there is something that you could do, that God somehow overlooked.
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Colossians 2:13
13 And [kai] you, [humas] being [on] dead [nekros] in [en] your sins [paraptoma] and [kai] the uncircumcision [akrobustia] of your [humon] flesh, [sarx] hath he quickened together [suzoopoieo] with [sun] him, [autos] having forgiven [charizomai] you [humin] all [pas] trespasses; [paraptoma] KJV-Interlinear
13 And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, NASB
Death is a separation from something. Physical death is a separation from physical life. Spiritual death is a separation from God, who is life. Sexual death is a separation from the functioning sexual aspects of ones life. An out of fellowship state is a form of death in that it is a separation from your functioning spiritual or fellowship state.
In every aspect of death, life always exists in some form.
At birth, you are born physically alive, but spiritually dead. This is the first aspect of your life.
When you hear the gospel, and believe in Christ, then you are reborn, or regenerated.
A human spirit, which you did not have before you believed in Christ, is formed in you, by God, and He imputes eternal life into that human spirit. This makes you trichotomous – body (with its biological life), soul (with its human life), and spirit (with its eternal life).
Prior to being saved, prior to believing in Christ, you were only body and soul, as you were originally formed from the day of your birth.
Prior to the moment of your salvation, the moment when you believed in Christ, you were dead because of the sin nature resident inside of you, as well as from the transgressions of your sins, which you pursued habitually, on a daily basis, during your life.
You were also dead because of the uncircumcision state of your life. Remember that circumcision is the symbolism of the cutting away of sin from your life, which cutting away Christ accomplished on the Cross.
The moment you believed in Christ, that act was your spiritual circumcision, wherein through Christ’s work, the sins in your life were forgiven. Forgiven here means to be expunged as though they (your sins prior to your salvation) never ever happened.
To quicken means to reanimate, to bring back to life.
Where you once were spiritually dead, even though physically alive, Christ through His work on the Cross, paid the price for sin, making it possible for you to believe in that which He did, and therefore be brought out of your spiritual death state, into a spiritually alive state.
So, when you are initially saved, from the moment when you initially believed in Christ, all of your sins are forgiven and you begin your new life in fellowship with God.
Note that sins were not forgiven by means of the Cross. The Cross only accomplished the payment of the debt for sin. However, when you believe in Christ, that is a form of acknowledgement of your sins, and the need for salvation, because of your sins, and that acknowledgement allows God to forgive you.
Once you have been saved, then a whole new aspect of your life begins. The moment of your salvation, you are physically alive, spiritually alive and in fellowship. The best of all worlds.
But then given a few minutes or hours, you will commit a sin, which separates you from your functioning spiritual life. You are still physically alive, still spiritually alive, but out of fellowship, and that is when the function of confession begins.
Through confession (of ones sins to God the Father), He again forgives you and restores you back into fellowship. That study may be found in 1 Jn.
This verse does not get into the ‘after’ salvation what, but the moment of salvation activity.
Just as Christ arose from the dead, then through your faith, through that initial moment of your faith, you now possess the promise of a resurrection with Christ.
Salvation is a once in a lifetime event. Once born, you do not have to be born again and again. You were born once physically, and once was enough. You were once born spiritually (when you believed in Christ), and once was sufficient.
You cannot undo your birth. You cannot cancel out your birth. You cannot go back to the moment prior to your birth as though it never occurred. Just ask your momma, and if she doesn’t slap the stupid out of you, then she should. And by the way, once born, you do not have to be born over and over, again and again, in order to live.
Once born, always born. Once born again, always born again. You cannot lose your birth. You cannot lose your spiritual birth.
Once you have believed in Christ, you cannot lose your salvation. It is permanent, and to think otherwise is the quintessence of arrogance, to think that there is something that you could do, that God somehow overlooked.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Colossians 2:12
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:12
12 Buried with [sunthapto] him [autos] in [en] baptism, [baptisma] wherein [en] [hos] also [kai] ye are risen with [sunegeiro] him through [dia] the faith [pistis] of the operation [energeia] of God, [theos] who [ho] hath raised [egeiro] him [autos] from [ek] the dead. [nekros] KJV-Interlinear
12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. NASB
Continuing the description of our relationship with God, through Christ, we are identified with Christ in His death, through our baptism by faith.
Now, no specific baptism is mentioned here because it is not the type of baptism that is important, but the promise and power of God who executes the baptism.
Baptism is the transformation, beginning, launching of something new in our life. Something which we did not have before.
In life there are many forms of baptism such as full water emersion, sprinkling, surviving through some difficult ordeal, and so forth. All of these things are physical activities. None of them have the power of salvation.
However, baptism is a good teaching aid for describing the spiritual concept of salvation.
There is only one way to be saved and that is through faith in Christ. ‘For by grace are you saved, through faith.’
Baptism, and that means baptism from this world, is an illustration only, of the work of Christ on the Cross as he died to the living world, was buried, and then was raised up from the dead, back to life. Never to die again.
Baptism ties in all three aspects of sin, death, and resurrection. All three of which are the foundation of Christian belief.
We just finished a study of circumcision. That represented the cutting away of something useless, making way for something useful. Likewise, the context continues, with the explanation of baptism, in describing how in faith, we identify with the work of Christ, by believing in who He is and what He accomplished, for us.
And, in our believing that in faith, we are now saved from eternal separation from God and life, that we now possess a future in heaven, that we will one day be resurrected to live forever, and also as far as our current life goes, so that we can live a spiritual life, a functioning spiritual life, advancing to a level of completeness in our life, which God intends for us, and of which is not available anywhere else in this world.
And God even goes further to provide the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which occurred simultaneously with your original faith in Christ, even though you did not feel anything, nor can you. And, this indwelling is often times called the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is Gods seal on the salvation contract He issues with every person who believes in Christ.
So, God raised His own Son from death, and likewise in salvation, God guarantees to us, that He can and will raise us up from death - spiritual death during our life, and physical death whenever it occurs for each one of us.
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Colossians 2:12
12 Buried with [sunthapto] him [autos] in [en] baptism, [baptisma] wherein [en] [hos] also [kai] ye are risen with [sunegeiro] him through [dia] the faith [pistis] of the operation [energeia] of God, [theos] who [ho] hath raised [egeiro] him [autos] from [ek] the dead. [nekros] KJV-Interlinear
12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. NASB
Continuing the description of our relationship with God, through Christ, we are identified with Christ in His death, through our baptism by faith.
Now, no specific baptism is mentioned here because it is not the type of baptism that is important, but the promise and power of God who executes the baptism.
Baptism is the transformation, beginning, launching of something new in our life. Something which we did not have before.
In life there are many forms of baptism such as full water emersion, sprinkling, surviving through some difficult ordeal, and so forth. All of these things are physical activities. None of them have the power of salvation.
However, baptism is a good teaching aid for describing the spiritual concept of salvation.
There is only one way to be saved and that is through faith in Christ. ‘For by grace are you saved, through faith.’
Baptism, and that means baptism from this world, is an illustration only, of the work of Christ on the Cross as he died to the living world, was buried, and then was raised up from the dead, back to life. Never to die again.
Baptism ties in all three aspects of sin, death, and resurrection. All three of which are the foundation of Christian belief.
We just finished a study of circumcision. That represented the cutting away of something useless, making way for something useful. Likewise, the context continues, with the explanation of baptism, in describing how in faith, we identify with the work of Christ, by believing in who He is and what He accomplished, for us.
And, in our believing that in faith, we are now saved from eternal separation from God and life, that we now possess a future in heaven, that we will one day be resurrected to live forever, and also as far as our current life goes, so that we can live a spiritual life, a functioning spiritual life, advancing to a level of completeness in our life, which God intends for us, and of which is not available anywhere else in this world.
And God even goes further to provide the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which occurred simultaneously with your original faith in Christ, even though you did not feel anything, nor can you. And, this indwelling is often times called the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is Gods seal on the salvation contract He issues with every person who believes in Christ.
So, God raised His own Son from death, and likewise in salvation, God guarantees to us, that He can and will raise us up from death - spiritual death during our life, and physical death whenever it occurs for each one of us.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Colossians 2:11
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:11
11 In [en] whom [hos] also [kai] ye are circumcised [peritemno] with the circumcision [peritome] made without hands, [acheiropoietos] in [en] putting off [apekdusis] the body [soma] of the sins [hamartia] of the flesh [sarx] by [en] the circumcision [peritome] of Christ: [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; NASB
Circumcision is a physical surgical act, which represents the spiritual principle of salvation. Introduced in Genesis 17, Abraham was commanded to circumcise himself as well as all of the male members of his group, in order to be a representative sign of the covenant between God and Abraham.
Abrahams name was changed from Abram, just as his physical nature was changed (literally in the circumcision) as well as symbolically for his belief in Gods promise.
Moses was ordered (Ex. 12), to be circumcised as was his son and all of the male members of the nation of Israel because they had lost track of the birth ritual of circumcision, during their four-hundred year enslavement in Egypt.
Zipporah, Moses’ wife, was not pleased with the ritual, and after she circumcised her son, threw the dead cut off skin in Moses’ face, calling him a husband of blood. Which oddly enough is also representative of the work of Christ on the Cross.
Circumcision became associated with the Feast and ordinances of the Passover in Ex. 12, and Ezekiel 44 clearly states that anyone who is not circumcised will not be able to participate in the Passover festivities. Which really means that circumcision is representative of faith in Christ, which further means that without faith, there is no salvation. Therefore, anyone who rejects circumcision, symbolizes an unbeliever. And, anyone who participates in the ritual symbolizes the believer in Christ.
The physical surgical procedure of circumcision is not faith, but only representative of faith. You still have to believe in Christ in order to be saved, regardless of whether you are circumcised or not.
Note, that circumcision is a male surgical procedure, not a female surgical procedure. And even though female circumcision exists, it is nothing more than an attempt to distort the principle of salvation taught in the Bible.
Now, circumcision is the cutting away of the dead skin, which has no useful value, from the male infants’ penis, usually at about eight days of age. This represents the process of doctrine, cutting away the persons unbeliever status (which has no useful value), through faith in Christ. You might be able to find a visual example of the surgical procedure online on You-Tube, which would be a good educational addition to your understanding.
And in so doing makes way for the usefulness of the individual, through spiritual growth. Which growth was not possible prior to salvation.
The circumcision made without hands, is the spiritual circumcision obtained through faith, making it now possible for the believer to advance in their spiritual life, because they have discarded the worthless barrier of unbelief.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:11
11 In [en] whom [hos] also [kai] ye are circumcised [peritemno] with the circumcision [peritome] made without hands, [acheiropoietos] in [en] putting off [apekdusis] the body [soma] of the sins [hamartia] of the flesh [sarx] by [en] the circumcision [peritome] of Christ: [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; NASB
Circumcision is a physical surgical act, which represents the spiritual principle of salvation. Introduced in Genesis 17, Abraham was commanded to circumcise himself as well as all of the male members of his group, in order to be a representative sign of the covenant between God and Abraham.
Abrahams name was changed from Abram, just as his physical nature was changed (literally in the circumcision) as well as symbolically for his belief in Gods promise.
Moses was ordered (Ex. 12), to be circumcised as was his son and all of the male members of the nation of Israel because they had lost track of the birth ritual of circumcision, during their four-hundred year enslavement in Egypt.
Zipporah, Moses’ wife, was not pleased with the ritual, and after she circumcised her son, threw the dead cut off skin in Moses’ face, calling him a husband of blood. Which oddly enough is also representative of the work of Christ on the Cross.
Circumcision became associated with the Feast and ordinances of the Passover in Ex. 12, and Ezekiel 44 clearly states that anyone who is not circumcised will not be able to participate in the Passover festivities. Which really means that circumcision is representative of faith in Christ, which further means that without faith, there is no salvation. Therefore, anyone who rejects circumcision, symbolizes an unbeliever. And, anyone who participates in the ritual symbolizes the believer in Christ.
The physical surgical procedure of circumcision is not faith, but only representative of faith. You still have to believe in Christ in order to be saved, regardless of whether you are circumcised or not.
Note, that circumcision is a male surgical procedure, not a female surgical procedure. And even though female circumcision exists, it is nothing more than an attempt to distort the principle of salvation taught in the Bible.
Now, circumcision is the cutting away of the dead skin, which has no useful value, from the male infants’ penis, usually at about eight days of age. This represents the process of doctrine, cutting away the persons unbeliever status (which has no useful value), through faith in Christ. You might be able to find a visual example of the surgical procedure online on You-Tube, which would be a good educational addition to your understanding.
And in so doing makes way for the usefulness of the individual, through spiritual growth. Which growth was not possible prior to salvation.
The circumcision made without hands, is the spiritual circumcision obtained through faith, making it now possible for the believer to advance in their spiritual life, because they have discarded the worthless barrier of unbelief.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Colossians 2:10
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:10
10 And [kai] ye are [este] complete [pleroo] in [en] him, [autos] which [hos] is [esti] the head [kephale] of all [pas] principality [arche] and [kai] power: [exousia] KJV-Interlinear
10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; NASB
In Christ, which is a reference to the written word of God, for the scriptures are often called the written Christ, and by means of the written scriptures which we study day to day, throughout our lives, we are made complete.
By doctrine we become complete. And that obviously implies that without doctrine we are incomplete.
Christ is the living word. Christ is the ultimate sovereign and power in all of existence. We have been looking, in these last several verses, at the philosophic components that exist in the world, as well as the knitting process which takes us from incompleteness to completeness.
And in all of the world, there is no system of authority or power, no knowledge either academically or experientially, that can compare with, or accomplish, what the Bible is able to do.
In all of the world there are guru’s and academics, and controversies, from abortion to global warming to environmental issues, to almost any topic you can think of. And in all of them, none of them solve anything, because they are designed only to divide and conquer the human mind, distracting everyone from doctrine and getting everyone caught up in whatever the current controversy happens to be.
If you are angry or passionate about any given topic, then you are apt to be ignoring your spiritual life as defined by the scriptures. And no matter what your views are toward the weather or politics, or anything else of this world, none of them will complete your life or your person.
And as we have already seen, the world will try to divide your attention and dismantle your life, as an enemy would take his pleasures and spoils from whatever it is that you have or think you have.
Distraction from doctrine leaves you not only incomplete, but empty of meaning and purpose.
In reality, God started the knitting process of your life by starting with process by giving you life beginning with biological life from your parents, but that is not the complete you.
Then He formed you in the womb, but that is not the complete you.
Then at the moment of your birth, your breathed in the ‘breath of life,’ called ‘neshamah,’ or the spark of life, wherein God imputed your soul and human life into that soul, replacing your life support system from your mother through an umbilical cord, with an independent life support system called human life, at the moment of your birth.
Then you began to load your mind with your learning experiences, and you grew up over the years. This is still not the complete you.
Then God introduced Bible doctrine to you, and that began the process of building your spiritual life, allowing you to advance to spiritual maturity. But still this is not the complete you.
Along the way, during your spiritual growth, you utilize doctrine in your daily life. You become productive in your spiritual life, in the things that you do, through doctrine. This production serves to add to and build up your spiritual muscle, your spiritual strength, your spiritual faith, and accelerate your spiritual advancement to maturity. But still this is not the complete you.
One day, you will be called home by the Lord, separating you from your physical body, discarding it and leaving it behind. And one day, soon thereafter, He will replace that physical body with a permanent resurrection body. And this still is not the complete you.
Then you will stand before the Lord, for your inevitable evaluation at the Judgment Seat of Christ. There you will receive formal notice of your rewards, blessings, promotions, privileges, etc., all based on your spiritual advancement (or lack of it) from this life. But still, that is not the complete you.
Then when human history reaches its end, when the final judgments have been accomplished, when the universe is destroyed and the next new and permanent universe is created and combined with heaven, then you will receive your final award of whatever it is you are going to receive in eternity, and then you will be complete.
The ultimate completion of your life is to advance as far as possible in your spiritual life now, such that your eternal blessings will be maximized, with nothing withheld. And that will all exceed your wildest dreams and imagination. It is beyond your ability to think or imagine.
And that is what is meant here by ‘complete in Christ.’ Advancement to spiritual maturity in this life, thus qualifying you for maximum blessings both now and in eternity.
Nothing in this world can match that.
But everything in this world will do whatever it takes in order to get you upset, or defensive, or antagonistic, or indifferent, or disagreeable, or controversial, and therefore distracted away from your most valuable possession – your spiritual life.
If the world succeeds, then you lose. And, you lose a lot more than you can even begin to imagine.
Life is a serious matter, unfortunately most folks place more importance on the issues of this world (worldly issues or controversies, which mean nothing), than on the issues of their relationship with Christ through doctrine and all of the principles concerning life, contained within the scriptures.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:10
10 And [kai] ye are [este] complete [pleroo] in [en] him, [autos] which [hos] is [esti] the head [kephale] of all [pas] principality [arche] and [kai] power: [exousia] KJV-Interlinear
10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; NASB
In Christ, which is a reference to the written word of God, for the scriptures are often called the written Christ, and by means of the written scriptures which we study day to day, throughout our lives, we are made complete.
By doctrine we become complete. And that obviously implies that without doctrine we are incomplete.
Christ is the living word. Christ is the ultimate sovereign and power in all of existence. We have been looking, in these last several verses, at the philosophic components that exist in the world, as well as the knitting process which takes us from incompleteness to completeness.
And in all of the world, there is no system of authority or power, no knowledge either academically or experientially, that can compare with, or accomplish, what the Bible is able to do.
In all of the world there are guru’s and academics, and controversies, from abortion to global warming to environmental issues, to almost any topic you can think of. And in all of them, none of them solve anything, because they are designed only to divide and conquer the human mind, distracting everyone from doctrine and getting everyone caught up in whatever the current controversy happens to be.
If you are angry or passionate about any given topic, then you are apt to be ignoring your spiritual life as defined by the scriptures. And no matter what your views are toward the weather or politics, or anything else of this world, none of them will complete your life or your person.
And as we have already seen, the world will try to divide your attention and dismantle your life, as an enemy would take his pleasures and spoils from whatever it is that you have or think you have.
Distraction from doctrine leaves you not only incomplete, but empty of meaning and purpose.
In reality, God started the knitting process of your life by starting with process by giving you life beginning with biological life from your parents, but that is not the complete you.
Then He formed you in the womb, but that is not the complete you.
Then at the moment of your birth, your breathed in the ‘breath of life,’ called ‘neshamah,’ or the spark of life, wherein God imputed your soul and human life into that soul, replacing your life support system from your mother through an umbilical cord, with an independent life support system called human life, at the moment of your birth.
Then you began to load your mind with your learning experiences, and you grew up over the years. This is still not the complete you.
Then God introduced Bible doctrine to you, and that began the process of building your spiritual life, allowing you to advance to spiritual maturity. But still this is not the complete you.
Along the way, during your spiritual growth, you utilize doctrine in your daily life. You become productive in your spiritual life, in the things that you do, through doctrine. This production serves to add to and build up your spiritual muscle, your spiritual strength, your spiritual faith, and accelerate your spiritual advancement to maturity. But still this is not the complete you.
One day, you will be called home by the Lord, separating you from your physical body, discarding it and leaving it behind. And one day, soon thereafter, He will replace that physical body with a permanent resurrection body. And this still is not the complete you.
Then you will stand before the Lord, for your inevitable evaluation at the Judgment Seat of Christ. There you will receive formal notice of your rewards, blessings, promotions, privileges, etc., all based on your spiritual advancement (or lack of it) from this life. But still, that is not the complete you.
Then when human history reaches its end, when the final judgments have been accomplished, when the universe is destroyed and the next new and permanent universe is created and combined with heaven, then you will receive your final award of whatever it is you are going to receive in eternity, and then you will be complete.
The ultimate completion of your life is to advance as far as possible in your spiritual life now, such that your eternal blessings will be maximized, with nothing withheld. And that will all exceed your wildest dreams and imagination. It is beyond your ability to think or imagine.
And that is what is meant here by ‘complete in Christ.’ Advancement to spiritual maturity in this life, thus qualifying you for maximum blessings both now and in eternity.
Nothing in this world can match that.
But everything in this world will do whatever it takes in order to get you upset, or defensive, or antagonistic, or indifferent, or disagreeable, or controversial, and therefore distracted away from your most valuable possession – your spiritual life.
If the world succeeds, then you lose. And, you lose a lot more than you can even begin to imagine.
Life is a serious matter, unfortunately most folks place more importance on the issues of this world (worldly issues or controversies, which mean nothing), than on the issues of their relationship with Christ through doctrine and all of the principles concerning life, contained within the scriptures.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Colossians 2:9
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:9
9 For [hoti] in [en] him [autos] dwelleth [katoikeo] all [pas] the fulness [pleroma] of the Godhead [theotes] bodily. [somatikos] KJV-Interlinear
9 For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, NASB
Not to be confused with the term ‘shekhinah,’ the word for dwelleth, ‘katoikeo,’ refers to the total inclusion of the essence of one entity inside another entity which is not a separate entity but one and the same, just in another form. That form being physical rather than spirit.
And so the fullness of God, is all of His essence, became incarnate man.
This does not say that a man was born, and that God simply entered into someone who was already there, but that God Himself became human, and all of the fullness of His existence was included in that person.
They were not separate entities occupying the same body, but one entity, that of God, who manifested Himself as perfect humanity in the person which we know as Jesus Christ.
In all of the philosophies of the world, many aspects of the nature of the incarnate Christ are questioned or even explained away as something that they are not.
In the Old Testament the concept of the ‘shekhinah,’ is a reference to God dwelling or living with His people, and is developed in the stories of God in the clouds, in the mountain, in the Ark of the Covenant, in the Temple and so forth. This concept is culminated in the indwelling of all three members of the Godhead, in each individual Christian, beginning at the Feast of Pentecost, just fifty days following the Passover sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.
Today every believer is indwelled by all three members of the Godhead. An event which did not exist in the Old Testament times. And an event which serves to further seal the believers’ eternal relationship with God. That relationship which was promised to Adam and others, and finalized and made secure and permanent at the Cross.
This indwelling does not interfere with the individuals’ intellect or physical functions in life. Both God and person are separate and unique individuals.
However, Jesus was not a man born, and then entered into by God as though they were separate individuals.
Jesus Christ is the unique person of the universe, both God and man in the same person.
And by the way, Gods indwelling of each believer does not give you any advantage in your spiritual relationship or growth. You still must be positive toward your hearing and learning and application, and obedience to doctrine in order to grow up. You can fail in your spiritual growth just as easily as you can succeed, despite the indwelling of the Godhead.
There are of course many implications of this relationship, which will not become manifest to us until eternity. And those implications can be left with your imagination. For now, your relationship with God is tied to your knowledge and understanding and application of Bible doctrine.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:9
9 For [hoti] in [en] him [autos] dwelleth [katoikeo] all [pas] the fulness [pleroma] of the Godhead [theotes] bodily. [somatikos] KJV-Interlinear
9 For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, NASB
Not to be confused with the term ‘shekhinah,’ the word for dwelleth, ‘katoikeo,’ refers to the total inclusion of the essence of one entity inside another entity which is not a separate entity but one and the same, just in another form. That form being physical rather than spirit.
And so the fullness of God, is all of His essence, became incarnate man.
This does not say that a man was born, and that God simply entered into someone who was already there, but that God Himself became human, and all of the fullness of His existence was included in that person.
They were not separate entities occupying the same body, but one entity, that of God, who manifested Himself as perfect humanity in the person which we know as Jesus Christ.
In all of the philosophies of the world, many aspects of the nature of the incarnate Christ are questioned or even explained away as something that they are not.
In the Old Testament the concept of the ‘shekhinah,’ is a reference to God dwelling or living with His people, and is developed in the stories of God in the clouds, in the mountain, in the Ark of the Covenant, in the Temple and so forth. This concept is culminated in the indwelling of all three members of the Godhead, in each individual Christian, beginning at the Feast of Pentecost, just fifty days following the Passover sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.
Today every believer is indwelled by all three members of the Godhead. An event which did not exist in the Old Testament times. And an event which serves to further seal the believers’ eternal relationship with God. That relationship which was promised to Adam and others, and finalized and made secure and permanent at the Cross.
This indwelling does not interfere with the individuals’ intellect or physical functions in life. Both God and person are separate and unique individuals.
However, Jesus was not a man born, and then entered into by God as though they were separate individuals.
Jesus Christ is the unique person of the universe, both God and man in the same person.
And by the way, Gods indwelling of each believer does not give you any advantage in your spiritual relationship or growth. You still must be positive toward your hearing and learning and application, and obedience to doctrine in order to grow up. You can fail in your spiritual growth just as easily as you can succeed, despite the indwelling of the Godhead.
There are of course many implications of this relationship, which will not become manifest to us until eternity. And those implications can be left with your imagination. For now, your relationship with God is tied to your knowledge and understanding and application of Bible doctrine.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Colossians 2:8
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:8
8 Beware [blepo] lest [me] any man [tis] spoil [esomai] [sulagogeo] you [humas] through [dia] philosophy [philosophia] and [kai] vain [kenos] deceit, [apate] after [kata] the tradition [paradosis] of men, [anthropos] after [kata] the rudiments [stoicheion] of the world, [kosmos] and [kai] not [ou] after [kata] Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
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. NASB
Spoil, ‘esomai,’ is a military word used for the spoils of war, when the enemy takes you captive and steals from you, all that you own. Your possessions lost, include all the tangible things you have, your possessions, but also your self-worth, your dignity, everything that makes you an individual.
Philosophy refers to any system of thought that originates from mans imagination or invention or theory.
Back in Pauls day, the philosophies that were common were the Greek philosophies (secular), the Jewish opinions (Levitical works), and the eastern philosophies (oneness with nature). All three approached life from non-Biblical views.
These philosophies, religions and so forth, and more, which have occurred throughout history even into our present day, have rejected the fundamental principles of Christianity, which is Christ.
Tradition simply refers to the custom or practice or lifestyle which exists when Christianity is excluded from ones life.
Christianity is the pursuit of truth. Truth is the application of facts, correct facts, to reality, in order to have a clear picture of what is real and what is not real.
Everything else, every other philosophy or system of belief, is an exclusion of truth, therefore when truth is excluded, then lies are all that remain. You cannot gain a clear picture of life or reality when you base your views on lies.
Pursuit of truth introduces you to the real you, who you are, why you are, what you are. Truth allows you to understand your worth and purpose in life.
Advancing in ones understanding of truth (which comes by means of learning and applying doctrine to your daily life), gains you access to Gods blessings. Gods blessings become your possessions for all of eternity. Gods blessings are real possessions and permanent possessions.
And, unlike the possessions of this world which are temporary, not real, and not eternal, Gods possessions have intrinsic value. Therefore, when you allow the philosophies of this world, the opinions of this world to temp you away from truth, then you are risking phenomenal wealth.
In a war, the enemy can sweep in and take away all that you own, including your dignity and self respect. An enemy can lower you to the level of a slave or a serving animal. And that is what the world does to you, if you allow it, by means of your indifference or disobedience toward God, Christ, and doctrine.
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Colossians 2:8
8 Beware [blepo] lest [me] any man [tis] spoil [esomai] [sulagogeo] you [humas] through [dia] philosophy [philosophia] and [kai] vain [kenos] deceit, [apate] after [kata] the tradition [paradosis] of men, [anthropos] after [kata] the rudiments [stoicheion] of the world, [kosmos] and [kai] not [ou] after [kata] Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
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. NASB
Spoil, ‘esomai,’ is a military word used for the spoils of war, when the enemy takes you captive and steals from you, all that you own. Your possessions lost, include all the tangible things you have, your possessions, but also your self-worth, your dignity, everything that makes you an individual.
Philosophy refers to any system of thought that originates from mans imagination or invention or theory.
Back in Pauls day, the philosophies that were common were the Greek philosophies (secular), the Jewish opinions (Levitical works), and the eastern philosophies (oneness with nature). All three approached life from non-Biblical views.
These philosophies, religions and so forth, and more, which have occurred throughout history even into our present day, have rejected the fundamental principles of Christianity, which is Christ.
Tradition simply refers to the custom or practice or lifestyle which exists when Christianity is excluded from ones life.
Christianity is the pursuit of truth. Truth is the application of facts, correct facts, to reality, in order to have a clear picture of what is real and what is not real.
Everything else, every other philosophy or system of belief, is an exclusion of truth, therefore when truth is excluded, then lies are all that remain. You cannot gain a clear picture of life or reality when you base your views on lies.
Pursuit of truth introduces you to the real you, who you are, why you are, what you are. Truth allows you to understand your worth and purpose in life.
Advancing in ones understanding of truth (which comes by means of learning and applying doctrine to your daily life), gains you access to Gods blessings. Gods blessings become your possessions for all of eternity. Gods blessings are real possessions and permanent possessions.
And, unlike the possessions of this world which are temporary, not real, and not eternal, Gods possessions have intrinsic value. Therefore, when you allow the philosophies of this world, the opinions of this world to temp you away from truth, then you are risking phenomenal wealth.
In a war, the enemy can sweep in and take away all that you own, including your dignity and self respect. An enemy can lower you to the level of a slave or a serving animal. And that is what the world does to you, if you allow it, by means of your indifference or disobedience toward God, Christ, and doctrine.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Colossians 2:7
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:7
7 Rooted [rhizoo] and [kai] built up [epoikodomeo] in [en] him, [autos] and [kai] stablished [bebaioo] in [en] the faith, [pistis] as [kathos] ye have been taught, [didasko] abounding [perisseuo] therein [en] [autos] with [en] thanksgiving. [eucharistia] KJV-Interlinear
7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. NASB
As you learn doctrine, the principles of spiritual understanding root themselves deep inside of your soul. More doctrine, more application, and more time, all three develop spiritual muscle, which in turn ingrains spiritual knowledge, understanding, and wisdom inside of your soul.
Often times we call this the result of spiritual growth, or spiritual production. This is the creation or fabrication of spiritual resources within your life.
And this is said to be built up in Him, in Christ, who is the living source of Bible doctrine, or truth, which is available to each and every one of us through the written word.
And all of this, gives us faith, or the reliance in life on something that we cannot see or even detect, or measure. We can only believe. And based on faith alone, we look to God for a phenomenal future in heaven, with overwhelming gratitude.
But this overwhelming gratitude is a mirror of the overwhelming provision which God gives to us, or will give to us in eternity.
The word for abounding, ‘perisseuo,’ means super-abound, abundance, excess. And when you match it to eternity, then Gods provision is so vast, that you could never use, or use up, his provision in all of eternity. And that is a lot.
Even in this life, where we seem to be living through an age of narcissism. As people have become so consumed with themselves, with their own desires, with their own ego’s, with their own wants, with their own beliefs, with their own opinions, to the exclusion of anything and anyone else. And, ignoring all of the repercussions.
And yet with all of the worldly things that drive this attitude, which results in absolutely nothing for ones life, there is still the simply written word, the scriptures, with their hidden code, as it were, undiscoverable by any human means, but hold the key to riches and wealth so vast that this universe cannot contain it all.
And people miss it all because of their fixation on their carnal lifestyles and greed, due to their indifference toward truth.
The bulk of the world has been anti-God for generations. The bulk of the world has been in poverty for generations. The bulk of the world pursues religions, not to honor God, but as a means to an end, which is their selfish desires of gratification of sin related pursuits.
Christianity honors God through Christ, and as a result of mindful obedience to His Word, God supplies spiritually mature believers with blessings so vast, you will never be able to measure them all.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:7
7 Rooted [rhizoo] and [kai] built up [epoikodomeo] in [en] him, [autos] and [kai] stablished [bebaioo] in [en] the faith, [pistis] as [kathos] ye have been taught, [didasko] abounding [perisseuo] therein [en] [autos] with [en] thanksgiving. [eucharistia] KJV-Interlinear
7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. NASB
As you learn doctrine, the principles of spiritual understanding root themselves deep inside of your soul. More doctrine, more application, and more time, all three develop spiritual muscle, which in turn ingrains spiritual knowledge, understanding, and wisdom inside of your soul.
Often times we call this the result of spiritual growth, or spiritual production. This is the creation or fabrication of spiritual resources within your life.
And this is said to be built up in Him, in Christ, who is the living source of Bible doctrine, or truth, which is available to each and every one of us through the written word.
And all of this, gives us faith, or the reliance in life on something that we cannot see or even detect, or measure. We can only believe. And based on faith alone, we look to God for a phenomenal future in heaven, with overwhelming gratitude.
But this overwhelming gratitude is a mirror of the overwhelming provision which God gives to us, or will give to us in eternity.
The word for abounding, ‘perisseuo,’ means super-abound, abundance, excess. And when you match it to eternity, then Gods provision is so vast, that you could never use, or use up, his provision in all of eternity. And that is a lot.
Even in this life, where we seem to be living through an age of narcissism. As people have become so consumed with themselves, with their own desires, with their own ego’s, with their own wants, with their own beliefs, with their own opinions, to the exclusion of anything and anyone else. And, ignoring all of the repercussions.
And yet with all of the worldly things that drive this attitude, which results in absolutely nothing for ones life, there is still the simply written word, the scriptures, with their hidden code, as it were, undiscoverable by any human means, but hold the key to riches and wealth so vast that this universe cannot contain it all.
And people miss it all because of their fixation on their carnal lifestyles and greed, due to their indifference toward truth.
The bulk of the world has been anti-God for generations. The bulk of the world has been in poverty for generations. The bulk of the world pursues religions, not to honor God, but as a means to an end, which is their selfish desires of gratification of sin related pursuits.
Christianity honors God through Christ, and as a result of mindful obedience to His Word, God supplies spiritually mature believers with blessings so vast, you will never be able to measure them all.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Colossians 2:6
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:6
6 As [hos] ye have [paralambano] therefore [oun] received [paralambano] Christ [Christos] Jesus [Iesous] the Lord, [kurios] so walk ye [peripateo] in [en] him: [autos] KJV-Interlinear
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, NASB
And so you are to knit together a meaningful and purposeful life together by means of studying the scriptures on a daily basis. Doctrine is the food for the soul and food is consumed over and over, again and again, day after day, throughout your entire life.
Do you know of anyone who can eat only occasionally, or perhaps once in their lifetime, or perhaps never eat during their life? Anyone who does not pursue a decent diet will inevitably end up on their sick or death bed.
And Bible doctrine is the only source of foods for the soul that are healthy and good for you and taste good too. Anything else is bad for you, even poisonous.
And since you are to study and grow up, you are also to live your day to day life as Christ expects you to live it.
The full circle of wisdom includes the learning, the understanding, the believing, and the application of the principles and mandates of doctrine to your daily life. This is called faith with works, in James. The ‘works’ refer to the daily application of doctrine to your life.
No one can simply have the information in their minds and never use it, and then expect good results. That would be unreasonable.
In order to have a spiritually productive life, you must combine what you learn, with your daily life, and be consistent between the two.
And this is generally where most folks mess up in their spiritual lives. They are inconsistent in the spiritual functions of their life.
They do not study regularly. They do not confess their sins to God the Father regularly (a must since you have to be in fellowship before any aspects of your spiritual life will function properly). They do not pray regularly.
They do not apply Gods mandates (daily study, study support, charity support, fundamental honesty, objectivity, etc.), to their life (disobedience in effect in its many, many, many subtle forms). They have unreasonable expectations from life. Rather than utilizing the principles of doctrine to judge and gauge their own life, they have a tendency of judging others, of which judgment they have no right. Hasn’t anyone ever pointed their finger at you and said, ‘You better re-read your Bible!’
In order to have a successful spiritual life, you have to look inside of yourself and apply Gods standards and expectations to your own life. And certainly you have to learn and understand Gods plan for your own life as well as Gods plan for humanity and history in general, and adjust your life to God.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:6
6 As [hos] ye have [paralambano] therefore [oun] received [paralambano] Christ [Christos] Jesus [Iesous] the Lord, [kurios] so walk ye [peripateo] in [en] him: [autos] KJV-Interlinear
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, NASB
And so you are to knit together a meaningful and purposeful life together by means of studying the scriptures on a daily basis. Doctrine is the food for the soul and food is consumed over and over, again and again, day after day, throughout your entire life.
Do you know of anyone who can eat only occasionally, or perhaps once in their lifetime, or perhaps never eat during their life? Anyone who does not pursue a decent diet will inevitably end up on their sick or death bed.
And Bible doctrine is the only source of foods for the soul that are healthy and good for you and taste good too. Anything else is bad for you, even poisonous.
And since you are to study and grow up, you are also to live your day to day life as Christ expects you to live it.
The full circle of wisdom includes the learning, the understanding, the believing, and the application of the principles and mandates of doctrine to your daily life. This is called faith with works, in James. The ‘works’ refer to the daily application of doctrine to your life.
No one can simply have the information in their minds and never use it, and then expect good results. That would be unreasonable.
In order to have a spiritually productive life, you must combine what you learn, with your daily life, and be consistent between the two.
And this is generally where most folks mess up in their spiritual lives. They are inconsistent in the spiritual functions of their life.
They do not study regularly. They do not confess their sins to God the Father regularly (a must since you have to be in fellowship before any aspects of your spiritual life will function properly). They do not pray regularly.
They do not apply Gods mandates (daily study, study support, charity support, fundamental honesty, objectivity, etc.), to their life (disobedience in effect in its many, many, many subtle forms). They have unreasonable expectations from life. Rather than utilizing the principles of doctrine to judge and gauge their own life, they have a tendency of judging others, of which judgment they have no right. Hasn’t anyone ever pointed their finger at you and said, ‘You better re-read your Bible!’
In order to have a successful spiritual life, you have to look inside of yourself and apply Gods standards and expectations to your own life. And certainly you have to learn and understand Gods plan for your own life as well as Gods plan for humanity and history in general, and adjust your life to God.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Colossians 2:5
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:5
5 For [gar] though [ei kai] I be absent [apeimi] in the flesh, [sarx] yet [alla] am I [eimi] with [sun] you [humin] in the spirit, [pneuma] joying [chairo] and [kai] beholding [blepo] your [humon] order, [taxis] and [kai] the stedfastness [stereoma] of your [humon] faith [pistis] in [eis] Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. NASB
You do not have to sit in front of a teacher or instructor, in order to learn. You do not have to have a pastor, or preacher, or instructor in your presence in order to learn spiritual truth.
The Word of God is also called Christ. Jesus Christ is also called the living word. Christ is called the Word, and so forth. When you have the content of the scriptures in you, you also have Christ in you. They are virtually the same, in effect.
Christ is not with us physically. He has not been on this earth walking and talking among humanity for nearly 2000 years. No one, except those who lived in that first Christian generation, has seen Jesus, nor has anyone heard His voice, since then.
And yet through the generations people have studied the word, learned it, written about it and taught it to untold billions.
Sitting in a beautiful cathedral, or church, in a tent, or even in your own home, will make no difference to your learning potential. There is no advantage in your surroundings, with respect to growing up in life. In fact most of your growing up takes place in your everyday life, which is not in a church, but in your home, on the road, at work, etc.
Most of your growing up, in fact all of your growing up, is based on your thought processes, not your environment.
Paul is pleased with the successful spiritual growth and steadfastness of those folks he knew or had heard of, but you also should be pleased when you advance in your spiritual life, when you hear of others advancing in their spiritual lives, when you participate in the advancement of others in their spiritual life, simply because most blessing comes from God to advancing believers.
The more spiritually mature believers there are in the world, the more prosperity there is. Fewer believers advancing means less prosperity, and greater adversity.
The order of ones mind, comes through doctrine in the soul. Doctrine in the soul means more responsibility in ones life. Who you are, where you live, what you do, and how you learn are irrelevant.
With doctrine comes freedom. Freedom brings responsibility. Responsibility brings liberty. Liberty brings opportunity. Opportunity brings success. Success brings prosperity. Prosperity brings wealth. Wealth brings security. Security brings contentment. Contentment brings true happiness.
That is your objective, and it all begins with Bible doctrine. Nothing else in life can produce happiness.
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Colossians 2:5
5 For [gar] though [ei kai] I be absent [apeimi] in the flesh, [sarx] yet [alla] am I [eimi] with [sun] you [humin] in the spirit, [pneuma] joying [chairo] and [kai] beholding [blepo] your [humon] order, [taxis] and [kai] the stedfastness [stereoma] of your [humon] faith [pistis] in [eis] Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. NASB
You do not have to sit in front of a teacher or instructor, in order to learn. You do not have to have a pastor, or preacher, or instructor in your presence in order to learn spiritual truth.
The Word of God is also called Christ. Jesus Christ is also called the living word. Christ is called the Word, and so forth. When you have the content of the scriptures in you, you also have Christ in you. They are virtually the same, in effect.
Christ is not with us physically. He has not been on this earth walking and talking among humanity for nearly 2000 years. No one, except those who lived in that first Christian generation, has seen Jesus, nor has anyone heard His voice, since then.
And yet through the generations people have studied the word, learned it, written about it and taught it to untold billions.
Sitting in a beautiful cathedral, or church, in a tent, or even in your own home, will make no difference to your learning potential. There is no advantage in your surroundings, with respect to growing up in life. In fact most of your growing up takes place in your everyday life, which is not in a church, but in your home, on the road, at work, etc.
Most of your growing up, in fact all of your growing up, is based on your thought processes, not your environment.
Paul is pleased with the successful spiritual growth and steadfastness of those folks he knew or had heard of, but you also should be pleased when you advance in your spiritual life, when you hear of others advancing in their spiritual lives, when you participate in the advancement of others in their spiritual life, simply because most blessing comes from God to advancing believers.
The more spiritually mature believers there are in the world, the more prosperity there is. Fewer believers advancing means less prosperity, and greater adversity.
The order of ones mind, comes through doctrine in the soul. Doctrine in the soul means more responsibility in ones life. Who you are, where you live, what you do, and how you learn are irrelevant.
With doctrine comes freedom. Freedom brings responsibility. Responsibility brings liberty. Liberty brings opportunity. Opportunity brings success. Success brings prosperity. Prosperity brings wealth. Wealth brings security. Security brings contentment. Contentment brings true happiness.
That is your objective, and it all begins with Bible doctrine. Nothing else in life can produce happiness.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Colossians 2:4
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:4
4 And [de] this [touto] I say, [lego] lest [hina me] any man [tis] should beguile [paralogizomai] you [humas] with [en] enticing words. [pithanologia] KJV-Interlinear
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument. NASB
Your primary responsibility in this life, is to God. In that responsibility, God mandates you to be responsible in all aspects of life.
However, there comes into the picture the world with all of its excuses. And remember this for certain. Any argument promoted by the world view, is an excuse and nothing else.
The beguiling aspects of the world encumbers everything from indifference, to plausible arguments which are used to justify whatever it is that you believe, or want to believe, or want to be your truth.
This is the typical excuse for doing whatever it is that you want to do in life, rather than being responsible. You want something and so you justify it with some form of argument. ‘I need it.’ ‘We need it.’ ‘It is for the children.’ And so forth. The argument is entrenched into your mind such that any other priority, any other responsibility is swept aside, even ignored.
Some folks don’t pay their bills, others don’t do their home work for school, others do not attend to their marital responsibilities, and so forth. Society in general dismisses its responsibilities when doctrine is lacking, and the special interests, whether business or unions or cultures, or whatever, make their own interests greater than what may or may not be good for everyone. And they think nothing of the repercussions of their actions. Why is California on the verge of bankruptcy, with all of their wealth? Huge government pension plans, huge government runaway spending programs, huge bureaucracy.
People actually do not believe that there will be any repercussions, at least none that would be their fault. If anything goes wrong, it is obviously someone else's fault.
When Bible doctrine is not real in your soul, then you are open to almost any form of persuasion. You can be fooled easily, because you set yourself up for being fooled easily, so much so, that you don’t care whether or not you are being fooled, while you do not believe that you can be fooled. You simply convince yourself and that is enough.
And who is at fault? ‘Fool me twice …’
And unfortunately, God has to bring the harsh realities into your life by means of devastating disasters, before you will open up your eyes and see your error.
This is bad enough for a single person, or a family to run into hard times, but it is really bad when an entire nation is heading off course down the wrong road.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:4
4 And [de] this [touto] I say, [lego] lest [hina me] any man [tis] should beguile [paralogizomai] you [humas] with [en] enticing words. [pithanologia] KJV-Interlinear
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument. NASB
Your primary responsibility in this life, is to God. In that responsibility, God mandates you to be responsible in all aspects of life.
However, there comes into the picture the world with all of its excuses. And remember this for certain. Any argument promoted by the world view, is an excuse and nothing else.
The beguiling aspects of the world encumbers everything from indifference, to plausible arguments which are used to justify whatever it is that you believe, or want to believe, or want to be your truth.
This is the typical excuse for doing whatever it is that you want to do in life, rather than being responsible. You want something and so you justify it with some form of argument. ‘I need it.’ ‘We need it.’ ‘It is for the children.’ And so forth. The argument is entrenched into your mind such that any other priority, any other responsibility is swept aside, even ignored.
Some folks don’t pay their bills, others don’t do their home work for school, others do not attend to their marital responsibilities, and so forth. Society in general dismisses its responsibilities when doctrine is lacking, and the special interests, whether business or unions or cultures, or whatever, make their own interests greater than what may or may not be good for everyone. And they think nothing of the repercussions of their actions. Why is California on the verge of bankruptcy, with all of their wealth? Huge government pension plans, huge government runaway spending programs, huge bureaucracy.
People actually do not believe that there will be any repercussions, at least none that would be their fault. If anything goes wrong, it is obviously someone else's fault.
When Bible doctrine is not real in your soul, then you are open to almost any form of persuasion. You can be fooled easily, because you set yourself up for being fooled easily, so much so, that you don’t care whether or not you are being fooled, while you do not believe that you can be fooled. You simply convince yourself and that is enough.
And who is at fault? ‘Fool me twice …’
And unfortunately, God has to bring the harsh realities into your life by means of devastating disasters, before you will open up your eyes and see your error.
This is bad enough for a single person, or a family to run into hard times, but it is really bad when an entire nation is heading off course down the wrong road.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Colossians 2:3
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 2:3
3 In [en] whom [hos] are [eisi] hid [apokruphos] all [pas] the treasures [thesauros] of wisdom [sophia] and [kai] knowledge. [gnosis] KJV-Interlinear
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. NASB
Christ was previously mentioned in the last verse, so the phrase, ‘in whom,’ is in reference to Christ specifically, since the rest of this verse refers to the wisdom and knowledge of God, and to God in general, in that Christ is a member of the Godhead, of whom all members possess these attributes.
Hidden is the reference to Christ, in whom these treasures, are maintained.
Christ does not hide doctrine or the blessings that come from doctrine. But Christ does possess them, and they are not accessible, nor discoverable by anyone who does not approach God, Christ, or doctrine, in the proper way.
To approach God apart from Christ, is impossible.
To approach doctrine apart from fellowship, is impossible.
To approach spiritual maturity apart from the spiritual method authorized by God, is impossible.
They are in effect, hidden or inaccessible, when the wrong approaches are used.
Treasures, is a reference to a deposit of wealth. The deposit is similar to one of money deposited into a bank. Only in this case, the deposit is of doctrine and its application, which results in the construction of a spiritual structure within your soul.]
A deposit into a bank comes with interest earnings. An investment into a profitable venture, returns profits, and wages, and dividends.
And as far as doctrine is concerned, these things are returned to the one who possesses the doctrine, but the person also becomes a partner and owner of the wealth deposited.
Wisdom is the full range of understanding and the ability to apply it to life. Knowledge, ‘gnosis,’ is the full range of the details of information which are the building blocks, or components, that lead one to understanding and then to wisdom.
So in effect, Christ is the one and only source, and path to success in life. Anything else, means absolute failure.
You either commit yourself to Christ (the study of doctrine, the application of doctrine, the growth in doctrine, obedience to His mandates, responsibility in life, and termination of ones whining sin nature anecdotes), and through that approach, to success.
Or, you can continue on your merry way, as you are, and to certain failure in life, regardless of what this world does to you or for you.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 2:3
3 In [en] whom [hos] are [eisi] hid [apokruphos] all [pas] the treasures [thesauros] of wisdom [sophia] and [kai] knowledge. [gnosis] KJV-Interlinear
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. NASB
Christ was previously mentioned in the last verse, so the phrase, ‘in whom,’ is in reference to Christ specifically, since the rest of this verse refers to the wisdom and knowledge of God, and to God in general, in that Christ is a member of the Godhead, of whom all members possess these attributes.
Hidden is the reference to Christ, in whom these treasures, are maintained.
Christ does not hide doctrine or the blessings that come from doctrine. But Christ does possess them, and they are not accessible, nor discoverable by anyone who does not approach God, Christ, or doctrine, in the proper way.
To approach God apart from Christ, is impossible.
To approach doctrine apart from fellowship, is impossible.
To approach spiritual maturity apart from the spiritual method authorized by God, is impossible.
They are in effect, hidden or inaccessible, when the wrong approaches are used.
Treasures, is a reference to a deposit of wealth. The deposit is similar to one of money deposited into a bank. Only in this case, the deposit is of doctrine and its application, which results in the construction of a spiritual structure within your soul.]
A deposit into a bank comes with interest earnings. An investment into a profitable venture, returns profits, and wages, and dividends.
And as far as doctrine is concerned, these things are returned to the one who possesses the doctrine, but the person also becomes a partner and owner of the wealth deposited.
Wisdom is the full range of understanding and the ability to apply it to life. Knowledge, ‘gnosis,’ is the full range of the details of information which are the building blocks, or components, that lead one to understanding and then to wisdom.
So in effect, Christ is the one and only source, and path to success in life. Anything else, means absolute failure.
You either commit yourself to Christ (the study of doctrine, the application of doctrine, the growth in doctrine, obedience to His mandates, responsibility in life, and termination of ones whining sin nature anecdotes), and through that approach, to success.
Or, you can continue on your merry way, as you are, and to certain failure in life, regardless of what this world does to you or for you.
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