We will consider the thoughts in these verses for two days. There is so much meat in them! Read the passage slowly and carefully. I suggest again, if possible, read them out loud to help keep your mind focused on the thoughts. Remember to look for descriptors of Jesus and instructions to disciples as you read. When finished ... come back.
Paul addresses two of the most fundamental theological principles of the Christian faith in these verses - the question of salvation (the reestablishment of relationship with God) and the question of sanctification (becoming holy - living out the life of God in this space and time). Evidently there were those in Colosse that were trying to complicate the matters ... and Paul writes passionately to counter the false teaching.
Today, we will consider what he says about the salvation issue. It seems clear that the false teachers wanted these Christians to add to the sufficiency of Christ. Jesus really wasn't quite enough. There were other things needed as well. They were presenting the argument that to truly be in relationship with God, to be fully saved one must have certain things. Look at verse 8. Certain human philosophies had to be added to the simple message of the "good news". And of course, only the truly intellectual had the capacity to grasp it. Too bad ... that would leave me out! Also in verse 8 Paul references "basic principles of this world". Some of the commentators think that this refers to a system of astrology. You had to understand the moon and the stars and their movement. Sound current? We mentioned earlier that the Gnostics had an extensive list of intermediaries between man and God - Jesus was one, but only one. Also the Jews of the day had an elaborate system of angels. So Paul makes it clear that Jesus is supreme over all of the "powers and authorities" (vs. 10 & 15) ... that in Jesus was the fullness of God (v. 9)
It seems to me that these Christians were trying to complicate the salvation issue ... make it harder ... moving more toward some sort of elitism. And how we need to guard ourselves against doing the very same thing! We can take the simple message of Jesus - the good news - and begin to complicate it with human philosophy and tradition. That leads to the very dangerous position that to trust in Jesus' perfectly finished work on our behalf is somehow not enough. You have to do things a certain way ... you have to worship with a particular form ... you have to belong to a certain group ... and on we go adding things. Paul would address us as passionately and as sternly about the sufficiency of Jesus Christ as he did these Colossian Christians! In Him alone is salvation ... placing my faith in the work He did on the cross ... placing my trust in Him alone. Have you done that? If no - why not? If yes - do you need to recommit to that beautifully simple "gospel"? Do you need to release other people (maybe some in your own family) from your "added on" things? Do you need to release yourself?
I love the image that Paul paints about Jesus being the fullness of Diety in bodily form. As you close your study today ... and before you go to prayer ... reflect in awe on verse 10 ...
"... and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head ..."
Lord, help me know more completely the "fullness" that I have in You. Forgive my bouts of self-pity when I wallow in my own ineptitude and insecurities. I believe ... I trust ... help me in the places of unbelief and lack of trust. I am yours ...
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