Colossians 4: 10 - 13 and Acts 13:13; 15: 36 - 41
Paul continues acknowledging the persons that have proven themselves helpful and valuable to him. And we continue to glean lessons for ourselves from the traits that are evident in these co-workers.
Paul calls the name of his fellow prisoner, Aristarcus. We know very little about him. But we do know that he stood by Paul. He was from Macedonia. He was one of the disciples arrested after the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19). He was with Paul when he was being taken to Rome as a prisoner (Acts 27:1 - 2). And here we see him a fellow-prisoner. Aristarchus was a man who was willing to stand by Paul through the toughest times, the hardest circumstances. I think Paul could count on this man to never run away, even when staying proved personally very costly! So I ask myself, with whom am I willing to stand - regardless? What will I stand for even when the personal cost soars high? Are you an "Aristarcus" for someone?
Then there is Mark. We know a little more about this man. You read the confrontation in Acts 13 and 15. Why did Mark leave Paul and Barnabus? We don't know. There is interesting speculation that may or may not apply ... homesick? scared? immature? too hard? ... we don't know. But Paul obviously saw it as abandonment ... and wanted nothing more to do with this man. That has changed ... Paul has forgiven Mark ... and now commends him to the church in Colosse because he has become a vital part of the church and its work. Mark was a close companion of Peter. Peter even refers to him as "my son" (1 Peter 5:13). Mark was the author of the gospel that carries his name, probably gleaning the stories and encounters from Peter himself. So what do I take for myself from this mention of Mark? Forgiveness matters. It is life-blood in the ebb and flow of life. We have all failed at different times and in different circumstances in our lives. So have the people connected to you. Forgiveness matters. Don't hold yourself or someone you care about hostage to a past failure. Forgiveness sets free. Paul models this for us with the man Mark.
Paul mentions 'Jesus who is called Justus'. All we know of this companion is that he was a Jew. That is no small thing! This Jewish man had so embraced faith in Christ as Messiah that he was willing to stand with this prisoner. Truly - one of God's chosen people!
The last companion we will think about today is Epaphras. Epahras was a minister and had been instrumental in the gospel being spread in Colosse. (Look back at Colossians 1:7). Paul confirms to these believers how much Epaphras loves and cares for this church and its neighbors (Laodicea and Hieropolis). In fact he "wrestles in prayer" over them and for them. There is my personal lesson from this man ... for whom do I "wrestle in prayer"? What does it even mean to "wrestle in prayer"? Do you feel that you have done that? Or is your (and my) prayer life much easier than that? I don't have much context to grasp the concept of wrestling. My daughters, when they were small, "wrestled" some with their dad ... but it was all fun and laughter. I had students on wrestling teams in high school. It involved discipline, practice and skill. Maybe that moves us a little closer to the meaning. Instead of "wrestles", the New American Standard Bible translates this idea as "labors earnestly for you in prayer." Now I begin to get a better sense of the concept. I know what labor is - hard work! It is the word used when delivering a baby ... some of you know that kind of labor! And it is not done until it is done. The word "earnestly" is a Greek word that means "to be hot, to burn, to heat oneself". Wow - it screams passion! That's the kind of feeling and intensity that Epaphras had in his prayer and love for these believers ... and he took it to the Father. So I ask myself again ... over whom do I "labor earnestly in prayer"? Put passion in your prayer!! Follow Epaphras' example!
There are a few more personalities in this honor roll of Paul's companions ... we will consider them in our next reading.
July 5, 2009
Colossians: Week 6: Day 1
Colossians 4: 7 - 9 and Philemon
Paul closes this letter with his usual commendations and encouragement to certain individuals. I used to skip verses such as these, thinking that they were just a list of names and no longer relevant to me. How wrong I was! There are riches to mine in verses "such as these".
Consider Tychicus. We don't know much about this man. We have snapshots of him - similar to photos with a name but very little detail - certainly not a life story. You can find his name in Acts 20: 4 - 5; Ephesians 6: 21 - 22; 2 Timothy 4:12; and Titus 3:12 as well as our current Colossians passage. What we learn is that Tychicus was trusted by Paul and worked closely with him. So what is relevant to me? To you? Notice the descriptors that Paul used for Tychicus: dear brother, faithful minister, fellow servant. I have a friend in Houston who commented in a class about "deciding to live her life so that she could be described in ways she wanted to be described at her funeral. " How do you want to be described? Are you living in such a way that your "loved ones" will be able to say such things honestly? These three brief descriptors of Tychicus are beautiful!
dear - something or someone precious
brother - close, blood related
faithful - one that can be trusted
minister - one who works to meet the needs of others
fellow - connected to
servant - one who has responded to the call of God
Let's choose to live today so that these words can be descriptors of us ...
We get to have a bit more of the life story of Onesimus. I find myself with more questions than answers about this man! Why did he run away from his master? Philemon was a believer so I do not think it was an issue of mistreatment. Or was it? Had he heard the Apostle before ... is that why he ran to him for asylum? Why did he not turn to the robber bands which most runaway slaves managed to join? We just don't know. However, what we do know about this man is: 1) he went to Paul; 2) he became a believer in Christ; 3) he had the courage to return to his master, Philemon; 4) he became a vital help to Paul and the church; 5) Paul describes him as faithful and dear, as a brother (not a slave). So what do I take from this? One thing I gain is the knowledge that a person's past does not have to define their future. Do you need to hear that? Are you stuck with knowledge from your past that you assume defines you? Listen to Paul's words from Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." If you carry something from your past that keeps you enslaved ... claim the courage of Onesimus and make whatever amends possible ... and let Christ set you free!
And Philemon? Did he forgive? Did he give freedom to Onesimus? Those are questions for another day!
Paul closes this letter with his usual commendations and encouragement to certain individuals. I used to skip verses such as these, thinking that they were just a list of names and no longer relevant to me. How wrong I was! There are riches to mine in verses "such as these".
Consider Tychicus. We don't know much about this man. We have snapshots of him - similar to photos with a name but very little detail - certainly not a life story. You can find his name in Acts 20: 4 - 5; Ephesians 6: 21 - 22; 2 Timothy 4:12; and Titus 3:12 as well as our current Colossians passage. What we learn is that Tychicus was trusted by Paul and worked closely with him. So what is relevant to me? To you? Notice the descriptors that Paul used for Tychicus: dear brother, faithful minister, fellow servant. I have a friend in Houston who commented in a class about "deciding to live her life so that she could be described in ways she wanted to be described at her funeral. " How do you want to be described? Are you living in such a way that your "loved ones" will be able to say such things honestly? These three brief descriptors of Tychicus are beautiful!
dear - something or someone precious
brother - close, blood related
faithful - one that can be trusted
minister - one who works to meet the needs of others
fellow - connected to
servant - one who has responded to the call of God
Let's choose to live today so that these words can be descriptors of us ...
We get to have a bit more of the life story of Onesimus. I find myself with more questions than answers about this man! Why did he run away from his master? Philemon was a believer so I do not think it was an issue of mistreatment. Or was it? Had he heard the Apostle before ... is that why he ran to him for asylum? Why did he not turn to the robber bands which most runaway slaves managed to join? We just don't know. However, what we do know about this man is: 1) he went to Paul; 2) he became a believer in Christ; 3) he had the courage to return to his master, Philemon; 4) he became a vital help to Paul and the church; 5) Paul describes him as faithful and dear, as a brother (not a slave). So what do I take from this? One thing I gain is the knowledge that a person's past does not have to define their future. Do you need to hear that? Are you stuck with knowledge from your past that you assume defines you? Listen to Paul's words from Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." If you carry something from your past that keeps you enslaved ... claim the courage of Onesimus and make whatever amends possible ... and let Christ set you free!
And Philemon? Did he forgive? Did he give freedom to Onesimus? Those are questions for another day!
July 1, 2009
Colossians: Week 5: Day 3
Colossians 4: 5 - 6
Writing to believers in Colosse, and to us, Paul makes three quick statements about our behaviors. They are so quick to read! They are so profound in their implications and scope.
First, we need to be wise in the way we interact and behave toward non-believers. It is always disturbing to read the reports that give insight into the ways non-believers view Christians. More often than not, the views are far from favorable! In fact, those views can be the catalyst that drives people away from Christ and His church. We MUST NOT carry an air of superiority. We MUST NOT communicate a "better than" attitude. We MUST NOT reflect any attitude other than mirroring our Lord. Read again Philippians 2: 5 - 11. In Barclay's words: "Few people have been argued into Christianity ... On the Christian there is laid the great responsibility, not of talking about Christ, but of showing men Christ, not in words, but in life." How do you reflect Jesus to outsiders? If an outsider were to read any of the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus for the first time, would they recognize Him because they already know you?
Secondly, Paul reminds us to be sure to make the most of every opportunity. That means we are on the lookout for opportunities to work for Christ, to share the good news of Christ, to let not one opportunity slip past us unaccounted for. Have you ever found yourself avoiding such things? Calls for service opportunities are made through your church ... and you walk away? Teachers are needed ... you are gifted and able ... just not willing? A needy soul shows up in your life ... and you ignore that needy one? Takes wisdom ... takes balance ... but the cry for balance in life does not negate Paul's admonition to be ready for any opportunity that God lays down before you.
And last, our talk - our conversations - our tongues. Let ALL of our conversations be full of grace and seasoned with salt. Isn't that a lovely image?! Grace is one of my all time favorite words. Philip Yancey calls it "the last unspoiled word". Oh - that our conversations (with family members, with friends, with acqaintances are work, with those with whom we passionately disagree,) - may our words be gracious. Why is a lovely hostess called 'gracious'? Isn't it because she makes sure that all of her guests feel welcome? They all enjoy the event - food, environment, etc. She is never cold or condescending. She welcomes, she shares. Our conversations are to be filled with grace. Need practice? Practice on your teen children - or perhaps your spouse! Also, our conversations are to be seasoned with salt. Salt adds flavor. Salt preserves. You must make your own applications here. Examine your speech - your converstaions of the past couple of days - have they been gracious? Have they served to preserve and protect? We have much to work on in this arena! I will close our reading today with 2 quotes. You may need your dictionary - I did!
C. F. D. Moule: Paul's instructions here "constitute a warning not to confuse loyal godliness with graceless insipidity."
William Barclay: "The Christian must commend his message with the charm and the wit which were in Jesus Himself. There is too much of Christianity today which stodgily depresses a man, and too little of Christianity today which scintillates with life and charm." (written in 1957)
Colossians: Week 5: Day 2
Colossians 4: 2 - 4
Three little verses ... but verses that echo the heartbeat of Christianity! The subject?
Prayer ............. foundational, necessary, easy/difficult, misunderstood, comforting/disturbing, the anchor in the life of our Lord and in the life of the apostle Paul.
Prayer ............ communion with God, disclosing our own hearts to God, listening for God, aligning our will to the will of God.
And Paul tells these believers to "devote themselves to prayer." The Greek word translated "devote" is the word proskartereo. Listen to the nuances of that word as described in the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon: to adhere to; to be constant to; to be steadfastly attentive to; to give unremitting care to a thing; to persevere and not to faint; to show one's self courageously for; to be in constant readiness; to wait on constantly. Do we get it? Do we grasp the absolute necessity and importance of this? Do we understand that it will take a decision of our wills and a determination of our hearts to stay constant in prayer? As I get a sense of the word that Paul chooses through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit - devote - I begin to grasp that prayer is a decision, a choice, and will require my own determination to maintain. It is not a laundry list of my wants and desires. Nor is it an activity that I will choose to continue as long as I am getting my way. It is uniting my spirit and will with God Himself. I find it interesting that one of the phrases to describe this word, devote, is: to show one's self courageously for. Do you think it takes courage to be faithful in prayer? I can see that. So often our prayers consist of our heart's desires ... very often for good things ... and we do not see a resolution or a fulfillment of the heart's desire. That's when courage to continue kicks in - in hard times, in pleasant times, in dry times, in rich times.
Be watchful ... The New American Standard translation uses "keeping alert". The Greek word here is gragoreuo. It means vigilant, wakeful. This is no sleepy, indolent, tack on at the end of the day kind of thing. It is intentional, deliberate. I wonder if Paul is thinking about the Garden of Gethsemane when the apostles could not stay awake and pray as Jesus had asked them to do. Or perhaps he is thinking of the transfiguration when Jesus is seen in His glory on the mountain accompanied by Moses and Elijah. (Luke 9:28 - 36). Listen to verses 30 - 32:
Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.
Peter, James and John had to wake up to see the Lord's glory! I don't think Paul is condemning folks for falling asleep in prayer on occasion. I think he is reminding them of the necessity for planned times of prayer when you are at your best - fully awake! William Barclay comments, "Often there is in our prayers a kind of listlessness and tiredness. At such a time we should not try to be long in prayer: God will understand the single sentence, when we have to utter it like a child who is too tired to stay awake."
Next, the NASB translates the word, thankful, as - 'with an attitude of thanksgiving.' Our prayer lives, indeed our entire lives, need to be wrapped in the blanket of a thankful attitude. You are God's child ... secure in Him ... safe ... whole ... all because of Him and Jesus' finished work on the cross. Therefore, gratitude pours out. When you are not feeling very thankful, when life hammers in hard ... find something you can verbalize ... something to be grateful for ... something from the hand of God that you can thank Him for. And say it out loud.
Finally, as Paul asks these believers to pray for him, I am touched more by what he does not ask than by what he asks. He is in prison ... and he does not ask them to pray for his release. He does not ask them to pray for a favorable outcome at his trial. He does not ask for a time of ease and peace. It is all about Christ - the work - open doors for the message of Jesus - opportunities to proclaim the "mystery of Christ" (which we have learned is 'Christ in you, the hope of glory!')
I have much to learn about prayer. Mine still tend to be more self-centered than Christ centered, more Gail-focused than Kingdom-focused. So that will be my prayer today ...
Three little verses ... but verses that echo the heartbeat of Christianity! The subject?
Prayer ............. foundational, necessary, easy/difficult, misunderstood, comforting/disturbing, the anchor in the life of our Lord and in the life of the apostle Paul.
Prayer ............ communion with God, disclosing our own hearts to God, listening for God, aligning our will to the will of God.
And Paul tells these believers to "devote themselves to prayer." The Greek word translated "devote" is the word proskartereo. Listen to the nuances of that word as described in the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon: to adhere to; to be constant to; to be steadfastly attentive to; to give unremitting care to a thing; to persevere and not to faint; to show one's self courageously for; to be in constant readiness; to wait on constantly. Do we get it? Do we grasp the absolute necessity and importance of this? Do we understand that it will take a decision of our wills and a determination of our hearts to stay constant in prayer? As I get a sense of the word that Paul chooses through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit - devote - I begin to grasp that prayer is a decision, a choice, and will require my own determination to maintain. It is not a laundry list of my wants and desires. Nor is it an activity that I will choose to continue as long as I am getting my way. It is uniting my spirit and will with God Himself. I find it interesting that one of the phrases to describe this word, devote, is: to show one's self courageously for. Do you think it takes courage to be faithful in prayer? I can see that. So often our prayers consist of our heart's desires ... very often for good things ... and we do not see a resolution or a fulfillment of the heart's desire. That's when courage to continue kicks in - in hard times, in pleasant times, in dry times, in rich times.
Be watchful ... The New American Standard translation uses "keeping alert". The Greek word here is gragoreuo. It means vigilant, wakeful. This is no sleepy, indolent, tack on at the end of the day kind of thing. It is intentional, deliberate. I wonder if Paul is thinking about the Garden of Gethsemane when the apostles could not stay awake and pray as Jesus had asked them to do. Or perhaps he is thinking of the transfiguration when Jesus is seen in His glory on the mountain accompanied by Moses and Elijah. (Luke 9:28 - 36). Listen to verses 30 - 32:
Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.
Peter, James and John had to wake up to see the Lord's glory! I don't think Paul is condemning folks for falling asleep in prayer on occasion. I think he is reminding them of the necessity for planned times of prayer when you are at your best - fully awake! William Barclay comments, "Often there is in our prayers a kind of listlessness and tiredness. At such a time we should not try to be long in prayer: God will understand the single sentence, when we have to utter it like a child who is too tired to stay awake."
Next, the NASB translates the word, thankful, as - 'with an attitude of thanksgiving.' Our prayer lives, indeed our entire lives, need to be wrapped in the blanket of a thankful attitude. You are God's child ... secure in Him ... safe ... whole ... all because of Him and Jesus' finished work on the cross. Therefore, gratitude pours out. When you are not feeling very thankful, when life hammers in hard ... find something you can verbalize ... something to be grateful for ... something from the hand of God that you can thank Him for. And say it out loud.
Finally, as Paul asks these believers to pray for him, I am touched more by what he does not ask than by what he asks. He is in prison ... and he does not ask them to pray for his release. He does not ask them to pray for a favorable outcome at his trial. He does not ask for a time of ease and peace. It is all about Christ - the work - open doors for the message of Jesus - opportunities to proclaim the "mystery of Christ" (which we have learned is 'Christ in you, the hope of glory!')
I have much to learn about prayer. Mine still tend to be more self-centered than Christ centered, more Gail-focused than Kingdom-focused. So that will be my prayer today ...
Lord, help us, strengthen us, give us the courage to be more Christ centered in our prayer. We desire to be strong in prayer - super-heroes even - in the realm of prayer.
Forgive our carelessness with it. Grow us up in You ... and, indeed, teach us to pray.
June 28, 2009
Colossians: Week 5: Day 1
Colossians 3:18 - 4:1
There are two similar principles that form the framework for the verses we will consider today. Read again 3:17 and 3:23-24. Those principles establish the frame, the context, the reason behind the instructions that we find in this passage.
As you reflect on these instructions, always remember the culture that existed when Paul wrote. In the Jewish world at the time, a wife was the possession of her husband. He owned a house, material goods, perhaps flocks and a wife. He could initiate divorce, she could not. In the Greek society, respectable women lived in seclusion. They did not go out on the street alone. They lived in women's apartments and did not even eat meals with their men. They were expected to be chaste in behavior ... the husbands were not. There was no stigma for married men to enter into as many extra-marital liasons as they desired.
Children? There existed in the Roman world Patria Potestas which means the "law of the father's power". The father held all of the power and could do anything he liked with his child - even sell that child into slavery if so desired. He had the legal right to condemn his child to death and to carry out the execution.
And slavery? There is no question of who held the power in that relationship!
Into this scene enters Christianity! I thrill at the dualistic nature of the realtionships as described by Paul. There is responsibility on both sides of the relationship - that is revolutionary! Women, children and slaves - all in relationships in which they held no power, no control, no authority. However, they do hold authority over themselves. I hear Paul saying - wives, submit, not because you are forced to, but because you choose it - as unto the Lord. Children - obey your parent - not because he holds the power of life and death - but because it pleases the Lord . And slaves - work hard, work well - not because your master is watching and you don't want to be punished - but because you work for the Lord, so do your best. Revolutionary!!
Perhaps even more revolutionary is the fact that Paul also addresses the ones with the power, the control, the authority. Husbands - love and be gentle. Fathers - be an encourager, not a control-freak. And masters - provide for your slaves in a fair and right way. Remember that you have a master also - the Lord Himself.
Now for you and I ... would your marriage look any different if you took these instructions to heart? Wives - would your marriage look different if you chose a submissive spirit over things that are "fitting in the Lord"? Paul's words do not condone abuse of any kind - physical or emotional or mental! Remember ... "fitting in the Lord" is the umbrella. Husbands - would your marriage look any different if you truly took your wife's best interest to heart? If you chose love and gentleness?
Children - how would your family dynamics work if you decided to choose obedience (in the things that are pleasing to the Lord) over rebellion? Adult children - how would your family dynamics change if you chose respect and honor (even when parents perhaps were not honorable). Fathers, (parents) - how would your family look if you decided to be your children's strongest encourager, not enabler, but encourager? Encouraging them through the mistakes and failures rather than belittling, ridiculing, and calling them names?
Workers - what if you determined to give your very best - no cutting corners - no working only when watched - but your best? And employers - what if you determined to make sure your "people" received fair treatment - not what you can legally get away with - but what is fair and equitable?
Being a Christ follower requires us to take these instructions seriously. Some in our world (perhaps even in our families and churches) may call us "foolish" if we do - but remember, our Lord is our strength and our shade. It is His peace and His Word that dwell in us to be the "umpire" in these decisions! He gets to call the shots!
As you go about your day today (or tomorrow) ... remember ...
There are two similar principles that form the framework for the verses we will consider today. Read again 3:17 and 3:23-24. Those principles establish the frame, the context, the reason behind the instructions that we find in this passage.
As you reflect on these instructions, always remember the culture that existed when Paul wrote. In the Jewish world at the time, a wife was the possession of her husband. He owned a house, material goods, perhaps flocks and a wife. He could initiate divorce, she could not. In the Greek society, respectable women lived in seclusion. They did not go out on the street alone. They lived in women's apartments and did not even eat meals with their men. They were expected to be chaste in behavior ... the husbands were not. There was no stigma for married men to enter into as many extra-marital liasons as they desired.
Children? There existed in the Roman world Patria Potestas which means the "law of the father's power". The father held all of the power and could do anything he liked with his child - even sell that child into slavery if so desired. He had the legal right to condemn his child to death and to carry out the execution.
And slavery? There is no question of who held the power in that relationship!
Into this scene enters Christianity! I thrill at the dualistic nature of the realtionships as described by Paul. There is responsibility on both sides of the relationship - that is revolutionary! Women, children and slaves - all in relationships in which they held no power, no control, no authority. However, they do hold authority over themselves. I hear Paul saying - wives, submit, not because you are forced to, but because you choose it - as unto the Lord. Children - obey your parent - not because he holds the power of life and death - but because it pleases the Lord . And slaves - work hard, work well - not because your master is watching and you don't want to be punished - but because you work for the Lord, so do your best. Revolutionary!!
Perhaps even more revolutionary is the fact that Paul also addresses the ones with the power, the control, the authority. Husbands - love and be gentle. Fathers - be an encourager, not a control-freak. And masters - provide for your slaves in a fair and right way. Remember that you have a master also - the Lord Himself.
Now for you and I ... would your marriage look any different if you took these instructions to heart? Wives - would your marriage look different if you chose a submissive spirit over things that are "fitting in the Lord"? Paul's words do not condone abuse of any kind - physical or emotional or mental! Remember ... "fitting in the Lord" is the umbrella. Husbands - would your marriage look any different if you truly took your wife's best interest to heart? If you chose love and gentleness?
Children - how would your family dynamics work if you decided to choose obedience (in the things that are pleasing to the Lord) over rebellion? Adult children - how would your family dynamics change if you chose respect and honor (even when parents perhaps were not honorable). Fathers, (parents) - how would your family look if you decided to be your children's strongest encourager, not enabler, but encourager? Encouraging them through the mistakes and failures rather than belittling, ridiculing, and calling them names?
Workers - what if you determined to give your very best - no cutting corners - no working only when watched - but your best? And employers - what if you determined to make sure your "people" received fair treatment - not what you can legally get away with - but what is fair and equitable?
Being a Christ follower requires us to take these instructions seriously. Some in our world (perhaps even in our families and churches) may call us "foolish" if we do - but remember, our Lord is our strength and our shade. It is His peace and His Word that dwell in us to be the "umpire" in these decisions! He gets to call the shots!
As you go about your day today (or tomorrow) ... remember ...
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17
June 25, 2009
Colossians: Week 4: Day 3
Colossians 3: 12 - 17
We have looked into the things that we, as Christ followers, must cut out of our lives. As you reflect on those things, please remember that this is the work of our lifetimes! It begins today - and continues at the dawn of each new day - but it is a lifetime endeavor. I repeat that because I know our tendency to see more of our failures than our successes. Today's reading is a beautiful breath of fresh air because of the positive nature of the instructions. Read slowly ... letting each of these graces fall gently on your spirit.
This list mirrors the fruit of the Spirit that Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul tells us to "clothe ourselves" with them - to "put them on". I am touched by the intentionality of this instruction. Takes practice - but - "just do it"! The Greek word translated here means "to sink into, as into a garment." We have been instructed to "take off" ... and now the instruction is to "put on". Allow me to make a few observations:
1. Paul calls these believers "God's chosen people", "holy", "dearly loved". These have previously been the descriptors of the Jews only. They have been the precious heritage of God's chosen nation, the Jewish nation. It is more than remarkable that Paul uses these same phrases to address a Gentile audience! After the cross ... there is no longer a "most favored nation" status in the kingdom of God.
2. Compassion - the ancient world knew very little mercy. The aged, the infirm, the handicapped, the maimed - they were left to fend for themselves with very little recourse. Barclay says, "It is not too much to say that everything that has been done for the aged, the sick, the weak in body and in mind, the animal, the child, the woman has been done under the inspiration of Christianity." To whom do you need to show mercy? Not judgment, but compassion?
3. Humility - this is a revolutionary concept for the ancient Greek world. I have read that in classical Greek there is no word for humility that does not include some tinge of insignificance, or servility or grovelling. Christian humility is such a different thing! It is based on two realities: a) the recognition of the creatureliness of humanity and b) the recognition that all mankind is created in the image of God. Do you recognize these two realities? How do they act out in your own life?
In verses 15 - 16, translators have chosen to use the word, "let". Let the peace of Christ rule ... let the word of Christ dwell. That little word, let, implies - to allow, to permit. Allow the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts. The word translated, rule, is a word that means to umpire, to decide. Do you hear Paul? When contemplating a response or a decision, the peace of Christ gets to call the shots! It is the word, logos, that is used in verse 16. Christ is the logos of God - the word in flesh. So we are to allow the very person and presence of Christ, through His Spirit, to live in us. We received God's Spirit at our conversion ... but are we allowing that Spirit to "dwell" in us ... to set up "housekeeping" in us - or are we fighting that Spirit every inch of the way? It is only the logos of God, the person of Jesus, that seasons our teaching with godliness and makes it meaningful - that causes our singing to be more than just music - that stirs in us a spirit of thanksgiving in the midst of both good and hard circumstances.
So - Chirst-follower - everything you do today ... everything you think today ... every response you give today ... every interaction you have today, whether friend, family or stranger ... let it be covered and driven by the peace of Christ and the Word of Christ. And in that way - our life today will be a living sacrifice of praise to Jehovah God! May you know that blessing today.
We have looked into the things that we, as Christ followers, must cut out of our lives. As you reflect on those things, please remember that this is the work of our lifetimes! It begins today - and continues at the dawn of each new day - but it is a lifetime endeavor. I repeat that because I know our tendency to see more of our failures than our successes. Today's reading is a beautiful breath of fresh air because of the positive nature of the instructions. Read slowly ... letting each of these graces fall gently on your spirit.
This list mirrors the fruit of the Spirit that Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul tells us to "clothe ourselves" with them - to "put them on". I am touched by the intentionality of this instruction. Takes practice - but - "just do it"! The Greek word translated here means "to sink into, as into a garment." We have been instructed to "take off" ... and now the instruction is to "put on". Allow me to make a few observations:
1. Paul calls these believers "God's chosen people", "holy", "dearly loved". These have previously been the descriptors of the Jews only. They have been the precious heritage of God's chosen nation, the Jewish nation. It is more than remarkable that Paul uses these same phrases to address a Gentile audience! After the cross ... there is no longer a "most favored nation" status in the kingdom of God.
2. Compassion - the ancient world knew very little mercy. The aged, the infirm, the handicapped, the maimed - they were left to fend for themselves with very little recourse. Barclay says, "It is not too much to say that everything that has been done for the aged, the sick, the weak in body and in mind, the animal, the child, the woman has been done under the inspiration of Christianity." To whom do you need to show mercy? Not judgment, but compassion?
3. Humility - this is a revolutionary concept for the ancient Greek world. I have read that in classical Greek there is no word for humility that does not include some tinge of insignificance, or servility or grovelling. Christian humility is such a different thing! It is based on two realities: a) the recognition of the creatureliness of humanity and b) the recognition that all mankind is created in the image of God. Do you recognize these two realities? How do they act out in your own life?
In verses 15 - 16, translators have chosen to use the word, "let". Let the peace of Christ rule ... let the word of Christ dwell. That little word, let, implies - to allow, to permit. Allow the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts. The word translated, rule, is a word that means to umpire, to decide. Do you hear Paul? When contemplating a response or a decision, the peace of Christ gets to call the shots! It is the word, logos, that is used in verse 16. Christ is the logos of God - the word in flesh. So we are to allow the very person and presence of Christ, through His Spirit, to live in us. We received God's Spirit at our conversion ... but are we allowing that Spirit to "dwell" in us ... to set up "housekeeping" in us - or are we fighting that Spirit every inch of the way? It is only the logos of God, the person of Jesus, that seasons our teaching with godliness and makes it meaningful - that causes our singing to be more than just music - that stirs in us a spirit of thanksgiving in the midst of both good and hard circumstances.
So - Chirst-follower - everything you do today ... everything you think today ... every response you give today ... every interaction you have today, whether friend, family or stranger ... let it be covered and driven by the peace of Christ and the Word of Christ. And in that way - our life today will be a living sacrifice of praise to Jehovah God! May you know that blessing today.
June 24, 2009
Colossians: Week 4: Day 2
Colossians 3: 5 - 11
Paul has established so beautifully the reality that when one accepts Christ as Lord and experiences death with Him through baptism, that one now has a new life and is in fact a new person, reborn. Does that reality make a difference in the way a person lives everyday life? Absolutely!! And Paul now gets very specific in describing that change.
There are things we must begin to work to rid ourselves of. And it is work! Write down the list of things that must go. Then identify the ones with which you struggle. That gives us so much to talk to God about today. To wear the name of "Christian" requires the believer to do serious business with some of our natural tendencies. First, we must deal with our tendency to feed our lusts - our desires for "more" of all sorts of things - sexual and material. Jesus Himself talked about the seriousness of this in Matthew 5: 29 - 30. He said,
"If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."
Jesus' words are not literal ... they are to impress upon God-followers the absolute necessity of conforming to the character and person of Christ. It matters how we respond, how we choose to live, how we relate to people and things - it matters because we wear the name "Christian" and we are to march to a different drum than the world. Paul calls our continual lust for "more" - our desire to always be "getting" - idolatry. Strong words.
Secondly, there is this anger business. There are two different words used in verse 8 - anger and rage. Rage indicates an explosion. It is likened to a fire in straw - quick to ignite and blaze, and then quick to subside. The other word, anger, indicates a slow burning, long lasting, simmering anger that refuses to be pacified. Some of us tend toward explosion ... and some of us tend toward simmering. Neither is acceptable for the Christ disciple. So, confess, repent, and keep going ... ever toward a greater surrender to the Spirit that lives in you.
Third, Paul includes several specifics that involve our tongues - the way we talk. The malice and slander of course deal with the way we talk about others. How carefully we must guard our tongues to keep from mirroring our world's delight in malicious talk about others. And we "southerners" have to be careful about our attempt at camouflage by using the words, "Oh, bless his/her heart, she is so ______." Also, we cannot lie to each other (or to ourselves). Our Lord is truth personified ... and we must mirror truthfulness, not deception and manipulation. In addition, there is no place for obscenity and foul language among us. This has become so commonplace that we often don't even recognize it. Ask God to show you when your language takes on an obscene flavor. To move past the negative focus, William Barclay lays out 3 laws for Christian speech. He identifies them as:
1. Christian speech must be KIND
2. Christian speech must be PURE
3. Christian speech must be TRUE
The final thing I want us to notice in this passage is in verse 11. Did you see it? The barriers are down in Christ - the things that divide us in this world. T. K. Abbott summarizes these things so beautifully. He said: "Christianity destroyed the barriers which come from birth and from nationality (Greek or Jew). Christianity destroyed the barriers which come from ceremonial and ritual (circumcised or uncircumcised). Christianity destroyed the barriers between the cultured and the uncultured (barbarian and Scythian). Christianity destroyed the barriers between class and class (slave and free)." The distinctions around which our world clusters and wars are to be irrelevant in Christ's Church! My friends - that is why the world so desperately needs the Church! We must model how you live together in love in the midst of all these differences! And how often we have failed at modeling that. We can see barriers and wars within and among congregations of God's people. This must not be. It is worldly ... not of Christ.
Our assignment? As you run your errands - as you are at work - as you walk into your church - as you see people (all kinds of people) - say to yourself Paul's words in verse 11 ...
Paul has established so beautifully the reality that when one accepts Christ as Lord and experiences death with Him through baptism, that one now has a new life and is in fact a new person, reborn. Does that reality make a difference in the way a person lives everyday life? Absolutely!! And Paul now gets very specific in describing that change.
There are things we must begin to work to rid ourselves of. And it is work! Write down the list of things that must go. Then identify the ones with which you struggle. That gives us so much to talk to God about today. To wear the name of "Christian" requires the believer to do serious business with some of our natural tendencies. First, we must deal with our tendency to feed our lusts - our desires for "more" of all sorts of things - sexual and material. Jesus Himself talked about the seriousness of this in Matthew 5: 29 - 30. He said,
"If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."
Jesus' words are not literal ... they are to impress upon God-followers the absolute necessity of conforming to the character and person of Christ. It matters how we respond, how we choose to live, how we relate to people and things - it matters because we wear the name "Christian" and we are to march to a different drum than the world. Paul calls our continual lust for "more" - our desire to always be "getting" - idolatry. Strong words.
Secondly, there is this anger business. There are two different words used in verse 8 - anger and rage. Rage indicates an explosion. It is likened to a fire in straw - quick to ignite and blaze, and then quick to subside. The other word, anger, indicates a slow burning, long lasting, simmering anger that refuses to be pacified. Some of us tend toward explosion ... and some of us tend toward simmering. Neither is acceptable for the Christ disciple. So, confess, repent, and keep going ... ever toward a greater surrender to the Spirit that lives in you.
Third, Paul includes several specifics that involve our tongues - the way we talk. The malice and slander of course deal with the way we talk about others. How carefully we must guard our tongues to keep from mirroring our world's delight in malicious talk about others. And we "southerners" have to be careful about our attempt at camouflage by using the words, "Oh, bless his/her heart, she is so ______." Also, we cannot lie to each other (or to ourselves). Our Lord is truth personified ... and we must mirror truthfulness, not deception and manipulation. In addition, there is no place for obscenity and foul language among us. This has become so commonplace that we often don't even recognize it. Ask God to show you when your language takes on an obscene flavor. To move past the negative focus, William Barclay lays out 3 laws for Christian speech. He identifies them as:
1. Christian speech must be KIND
2. Christian speech must be PURE
3. Christian speech must be TRUE
The final thing I want us to notice in this passage is in verse 11. Did you see it? The barriers are down in Christ - the things that divide us in this world. T. K. Abbott summarizes these things so beautifully. He said: "Christianity destroyed the barriers which come from birth and from nationality (Greek or Jew). Christianity destroyed the barriers which come from ceremonial and ritual (circumcised or uncircumcised). Christianity destroyed the barriers between the cultured and the uncultured (barbarian and Scythian). Christianity destroyed the barriers between class and class (slave and free)." The distinctions around which our world clusters and wars are to be irrelevant in Christ's Church! My friends - that is why the world so desperately needs the Church! We must model how you live together in love in the midst of all these differences! And how often we have failed at modeling that. We can see barriers and wars within and among congregations of God's people. This must not be. It is worldly ... not of Christ.
Our assignment? As you run your errands - as you are at work - as you walk into your church - as you see people (all kinds of people) - say to yourself Paul's words in verse 11 ...
Christ is all, and is in all
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