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Colossians
BC Weekly Digest Monday, December 8 1997 In this issue: Colossians 1:20 Colossians 1:21-23 Colossians 1:16 Colossians 1:16 Colossians 1:5 Colossians 1:24-29 Colossians 1:16 Colossians 1:20 The question has been asked: In Col.1:20, it states that "by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven" were reconciled. I was always lead to believe that Christ's sacrifice was to bring us (people) back to God. What does it mean by "things in Heaven" having a need to be reconciled? Is Paul referring to spiritual beings? --- In order to understand a statement such as this we must look at the context in which it is made. These verses are dealing with the reconciliation of MAN to GOD. Man had fallen in the garden of Eden and needed a Savior to bring him back into a close relationship with God, or to reconcile him to God. When Christ died on the cross, he became the "propitiation" or appeasement to God for the sins of every man (Rom 3:25). That included all mankind. It was for those who lived before the cross, as well as for those of us who live after the cross. Therefore, this statement concerning all things being reconciled to God whether in earth or heaven must be an all-inclusive statement. It includes every person who has lived or will live on this earth. Hebrews 2:17 states, "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."(KJV) Christ took on the form of a man in order to die and make reconciliation for the sins of people. To say that His death also applied to spiritual beings would be mere speculation. So, we can conclude that all things in earth and heaven is a statement showing that the only way any person can be reconciled to God, regardless of when he lives on this earth, is by the blood of Christ. Lonnie Woodruff ------------------------------ Colossians 1:21-23 The question has been asked: Is 1 Colossians 1:21-23 used properly to show that a christian who sins, can repent and ask God's forgiveness and be forgiven? Not exactly. While the concept is certainly true, that a christian can sin and alienate himself ( or herself) from God, reconciliation occurs as a result of repentance and asking forgiveness, but the Colossian letter is explaining the reconciliation of all mankind, after being alienated from God by Adams transgression, and then being reconciled to God by the blood of Christ. Romans 5: 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled , we shall be saved by his life. (KJV) This is the first reconciliation, the one spoken of in Colossians 1:21-23. see also Frank Worgan and Roy Davison notes on this passage. Now, to coin a phrase, the forgiveness for sin for christians is a re-reconciliation, shown by the following passages: John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth , more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (KJV). James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (KJV) There is a sometimes forgotten or overlooked condition, however: Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them]. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive , if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive , neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.(KJV) Ed. Crabtree ------------------------------ Colossians 1:16 These questions have been asked: What is meant by thrones, dominions, principalities and powers? What about evil powers? All rulers, kings, governors, presidents, magistrates, and all such agencies of leadership, whether those visible to us among men, or those not seen, who reign in the spiritual or angelic world are included in these terms.But since Christ is the creator of all things and has all power in heaven and on earth, all these powers who do not yet submit to Him will someday recognize His Lordship and will confess Him. Read Matthew 28:18 and Philippians 2:9-11. Evil did not find its origin in God who can do no evil and who tempts no one. No evil existed in the beginning of God's creation. All He created was good. James 1:13-14; Genesis 1:31. Rejection of God's will is the voluntary choice of those who practice rebellion. God never abuses man's free will, but holds man accountable for his choice. Our spiritual warfare is to resist these forces of evil whose destruction is certain. We must exercise our liberty to 'put on' godliness and reject disobedience. Consider: Isaiah 66:4; 2 Peter 2:4-10; ans Ephesians 6:10-16. ------------------------------ Colossians 1:5 The question has been asked: What does phrase 'laid up in the heavens' mean in Colossians 1:5? The 'Authorized Version reads 'laid up in heaven', but whichever rendering we prefer there is no doubt that Paul is referring to the Christian's future in eternity. 1. Think about the word 'hope'. In l Corinthians 15:19, Paul comments, 'If in this life only we have hope we are of all men most miserable'. He thus implies that the believer has a hope which lies outside off this present life. Indeed, that entire chapter constitutes a powerful argument concerning the fact of resurrection from the dead and future life. Later, in the Colossian letter, chapter 1:27, he speaks of 'Christ in you, the hope of glory'; which I take to mean that, in fulfilment of the Lord's own promise to take up residence in the life of the obedient Christian, He Himself is the guarantor of the believer's future. Here the 'hope' is clearly said to be, 'the hope of glory' - a glorious eternal life, with all that this embraces! Remember that Ephesians 1:3 tells us that, in Christ Jesus, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing 'in the heavenlies'. In other words, every spiritual blessing our soul may desire is ours to be enjoyed because we are 'in Christ'. In his letter to Titus, Paul states that this hope is 'the hope of eternal life' (Titus 1:2); and, in the next chapter (2:1), he speaks of 'looking for...that blessed hope'. This is the look of anticipation! 2. So, our great hope is 'laid up'. The word Paul uses is 'apokeimeneen' - a wonderful word which expresses the security and certainty of our hope. It is a hope which is reserved, or kept, for us, and which will be fully realised and experienced in heaven. In the well-loved verses in 2nd Timothy 4; 7-8, Paul declares his own confidence in his eternal future. He tells us that 'a crown of righteousness' has been 'laid up' for him in heaven, and the word he uses for 'laid up' belongs to the same family as that which which is rendered 'laid up' in our Colossian verse. It is the word 'apokeitai', and it conveys the thought of something 'laid away' or 'laid by', or 'laid up', or 'reserved'. I am also delighted with Paul's declaration in 2nd Timothy 1:12, where he declares that God is 'able to guard, or keep' that which he, Paul, has deposited in God's care! That tells me that my future is secure with God! There are many blessings which the Chfistian enjoys here and now! But we thank God that the best is yet to come! Only heaven will reveal the full wonder of our eternal hope! Frank Worgan ------------------------------ Colossians 1:24-29 Colossians 1:24-29 (OPV) 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church, 25 of which I was made a minister, according to the stewardship of God which was given me on your behalf, to fulfil the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His saints, 27 to whom God was pleased to make known, among the Gentiles, the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, 28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; 29 for which I also labor, striving according to His working, which works in me mightily. +++ 1:24 "Now I rejoice in my sufferings" Jesus had said: "Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when [men] shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you" (Mat 5:10-12 ASV). Christians rejoice when they suffer for the name of Christ, not because they 'like' to suffer, but because they understand that they must be willing to share in the reproach of Christ to be able to share in His glory. We are joint-heirs with Christ "if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified with [him]" (Rom 8:17). 1:24 "that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ" Christ's sacrifice on the cross is complete, but His suffering is not yet over because He identifies with the suffering of His saints. What is done even to the 'least' among the brethren of Christ is done to Him (Mat 25:40,45). Paul viewed his own suffering as a supplement to the suffering of Christ. As Christ suffered for the church, so Paul was also willing to suffer for the church. 1:25 "to fulfil the word of God" The rich meaning of this phrase is difficult to convey in translation. Paul's task was to bring the word of God to complete fruition. This means not only that what Paul did was in agreement with the word of God (and thereby an expression of that word) but that he was also participating in the advancement of the word throughout the world and in the hearts of men. 1:26 "the mystery ... revealed to His saints" Paul explains this more fully in the beautiful benediction of praise at the end of Romans. "Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen" (Rom 16:25-27). 1:27 "Christ in you, the hope of glory" The amazing blessing of the Christian faith is that although we were sinners, by the grace of God when we are in Christ and when He is in us, we can share in the divine nature. "Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust" (2 Peter 1:2-4 ASV). 1:28 "that we may present every man perfect in Christ" The only way we can obtain perfection is by being in Christ. 1:29 "His working, which works in me mightily" Although Paul as an inspired Apostle had access to powers of the Spirit which we do not have, we also may be confident that God is always with us and that He will help us to accomplish His purpose with our lives. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 1:16 The question was asked; You stated "No evil existed in the beginning of God's creation."What about the angel Lucifer ( I believe) that turned from God? How could heaven be good with an angel such as this? We must consider only what is revealed in God's word in these complex matters. God is good and everything He created was found good before evil appeared. Read Luke 18:19; Genesis I:31. Scripture does not specifically describe the origin of Satan, but both human and spirit beings are part of the 'all things' created and mentioned in our text, Colossians 1:16. Sometime after creation evil appears with the serpent, Satan, tempting Eve. Paul says in Romans 5:12 that sin entered the human realm through one man, Adam. Yet scripture is not precise about the time of the rebellion of Satan and his followers. But this we can learn about Satan: From the beginning of his activity he was evil, a liar and a murderer (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8). He is man's adversary, tempter and accuser. He is spoken of as "the god of this world", "the evil one", and among others "the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience". 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 3:8. As in the example seen in Job, God has put limits on his activities and his end is certain. He will have no place in the new heaven ( where only righteousness dwells), but will be sent to the place of eternal fire. 2 Peter 2:4; 3:10-13; and Matthew 25:41 In Christ we are victorious over him. Romans 8:37-39; 1 John 2:12-14 J.Lee Roberts ------------------------------ Colossians 1:16 This question was received. "A question was asked about evil and Lucifer was referred to as Satan. My question is: Isn't Lucifer referring to the morning sun or Prince of Tyre?" A careful study of two very complicated chapters, Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 will help. The name Lucifer is used only once in scripture ( in the King James translation of Isaiah 14:12 ), referring to the king of Bablyon. It comes from 'heylel', translated "shining one","Lucifer" or "morning star". Isaiah begins the chapter describing God's judgment on the evil king of Babylon whose pomp and arrogance will lead him to the grave as food for worms (verse 11). Interesting similarities are found in Ezekiel 28 concerning the king ( prince) of Tyre. Complications arise in both readings where language is used that does not seem to apply to mere men. But how can either of these men be Satan? Can we not suggest that their desires, pomp and arrogance are similar to those of Satan? Certainly we can identify characteristics here of the evil one! Could not the comparison be a warning to all? Notice their end is the grave or destruction! J.Lee Roberts