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Colossians
BC Weekly Digest Monday, February 2 1998 In this issue: Colossians 3:9,10 Colossians 3:10 Colossians 3:12-14 Colossians 3:11 Colossians 3:12,13 Colossians 3:14 Colossians 3:9,10 Colossians 3:9,10 (OPV) 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the One who creates him. === 3:9 "Do not lie to one another" The devil "is a liar, and the father thereof" (John 8:44). The unclean and liars will not enter the heavenly city (Rev 21:27: 22:15). To lie is to give false information with the intention of deceiving. Not only are we to refrain from lying, we are also to speak the truth. Once again, the same idea is presented in Paul's letter to the Ephesians: But ye did not so learn Christ; if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another" (Ephesians 4:20-25 ASV). Lying is always intentional. But it is also possible to say something that is NOT TRUE when you think it is. The command to speak truth requires that we verify what we say to be sure that it is true before we say it. 3:10 "Have put on the new man" "Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [he is] a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new" (2 Cor 5:17 ASV). "For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature" (Gal 6:15). The story is told of a Communist who interrupted a preacher in London's Hyde Park. He shouted: "See that beggar there? Communism could put that old man in a new suit of clothes!" The preacher replied: "And Christ could put a new man in that old suit of clothes." 3:10 "Is being renewed in knowledge" This is an on-going process. In Ephesians Paul used the phrase "renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Eph 4:23). Our renewal involves new knowledge and changing attitudes. 3:10 "According to the image of the One who creates him" We are to become like Christ, not physically, but in knowledge and in thinking, in the spirit of our mind. In Chapter 1, verses 9 and 10, Paul prayed that the Colossians might be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that they might increase in the knowledge of God. In Chapter 2, verse 3, he says all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. He is to be our source of knowledge and our pattern as we too are renewed in knowledge. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 3:10 Being born of the Spirit from above, the new man is changed into the likeness of his creator.This is the very object of all spiritual activity - that we should become more and more godlike. Such a change only occurs as the Father reveals His divine characteristics to us through Christ..To know Jesus is to know the Father, and knowing Him is eternal life John 8:19; 17:3. This is why Paul considers knowing Christ so eternally important Philippians 3:7-11! By that knowledge we become partakers of the divine nature and are changed into His likeness 2 Peter 1:3-8; 2 Corinthians 3:18. Knowing Him, we are to spread this knowledge everywhere 2 Corinthians 2:14,15. J.Lee Roberts ------------------------------ Colossians 3:12-14 Colossians 3:12-14 We can not approach our holy God clothed in the garments of our own righteousness - pictured by the prophet as 'filthy rags' ( Isaiah 64:6). We must discard the practices of the 'old man' and "put on the Lord Jesus Christ"( Romans 13:14). The godlike qualities evidenced in the example of Christ are to be our garments. This process begins with obedient faith as we put Christ on in baptism ( Galatians 3:26,27). As we 'take off' old habits and practices, we are to adorn ourselves in His clothing of righteousness as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our divine model and example - Christ Jesus (2 Peter 3:18). Escaping from the world's corruption and partaking of the divine nature, we grow in His likeness as we add His virtues of godliness ( 2 Peter 1:4-9; Colossians 3:12-14). J.Lee Roberts ------------------------------ Colossians 3:11 Colossians 3:11 (OPV) 11 Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave [and] freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. === 3:11 "Greek and Jew" Because of ignorance, vanity and arrogance, each nation tends to look down on people of other nations. The cross of Christ breaks down national barriers. Two people of whatever race or nation cannot kneel together at the cross without accepting each other. "If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; [doing] nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting the other better than himself" (Phil 2:1-3 ASV). "For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3 ASV). 3:11 "Circumcision and uncircumcision" The Jewish Christians had trouble realizing that the New Covenant, brought by the Messiah, superseded the Old. One of the biggest problems in the early church was the attempt of Jewish false teachers to obligate Christians to keep the Law of Moses, or certain parts of it. Paul plainly states that such differences based on the Old Law are of no significance among followers of Christ. 3:11 "Barbarian" This is someone who speaks a foreign language, often with the connotation of being 'primitive'. The word can be used without a negative connotation, such as in Acts 28:2,4 where it has been translated as 'foreigners' or 'natives'. The quality of one's faith does not depend on the level of cultural attainment. 3:11 "Scythian" There was much prejudice against the Scythians, who lived in what is now southern Russia, because of their reputation as savage and cruel warriors. As with all such stereotypes, however, there were good and bad people among the Scythians as is true of all nationalities. 3:11 "Slave [and] freeman" Even this tremendous difference is social standing is of no meaning among Christians. "For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant" (1 Cor 7:22 ASV). 3:11 "Christ is all, and in all" Christ is our everything, and we are all in Him, so how can such differences be of any importance? Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 3:12,13 Colossians 3:12,13 (OPV) 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness [and] patience; 13 accepting one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against someone; just as the Lord forgave you, you do the same. === 3:12 "God's elect" This widely misunderstood concept has been perverted by some and neglected by others. God's elect (Rom 8:33; Col 3:12; Tit 1:1) are God's specially chosen people, His 'chosen ones'. They are also called "His elect" (Matt 24:31; Mark 13:27; Luke 18:7) and simply "the elect" (Mat 24:24; Mark 13:22; 1 Peter 1:1). Churches are referred to as being 'elect' (1 Peter 5:13; ? 2 John 1:1,13 - might refer to individuals). Christ is the 'elect' (chosen) Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6), and angels are also called 'elect' (1 Tim 5:21). Before birth, Jacob was chosen as the promise bearer rather than Esau "that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth" (Rom 9:11 ASV). This had to do with lineage. Nothing in Scripture indicates, as is wrongly taught by some, that Jacob and Esau's eternal destiny was sealed by God before their birth. Many bearers of the promise (such as the wicked kings in the lineage of David) will be eternally lost because they were unfaithful to God. In the same way, "at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace" (Rom 11:5,7). God has 'chosen' as His people both Jews and Gentiles who accept Jesus as the Christ. Even though the Jews who reject their Messiah are enemies of the gospel, they are still beloved "as touching the election" for the sake of their faithful forefathers (Rom 11:28,29). But their election as physical descendants of Jacob will not save them unless they also have the faith of Abraham. But the door of grace remains open to them if they will repent (Rom 11:23). Our election enables us to be saved. We could never be saved without the grace of God in Christ Jesus. But to our faith we must ADD virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). "Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10 ASV). 3:12 "Holy" Something that is holy has been purified and dedicated to the service of God. Christians are holy in this sense. 3:12 "A heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness [and] patience" Just as we are to "put off" the old man and his evil ways, we are to "put on" the characteristics of the new man, created according to the image of Christ. 3:13 "Accepting one another" We all want to be 'accepted'. As fellow followers of Christ we accept one another even when there are differences of nationality, race, culture or position in society. We even accept one another in spite of our sins and shortcomings, because God has also accepted us. This is not the same as "approving" of sin. We accept each other so we can help each other, just as God helps us. 3:13 "Forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against someone; just as the Lord forgave you, you do the same" Jesus taught us to pray: "And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us" (Luke 11:4 ASV). In His parables, by His example and in many different ways, He taught us to forgive. Roy Davison ------------------------------ Colossians 3:14 Colossians 3:14 (OPV) 14 And over all these things [put on] love which is the bond of perfection. === 3:14 "Over all these things [put on] love" All true virtues are based on love. Jesus said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like [unto it] is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets" (Matt 22:37-40 ASV). "Love suffereth long, [and] is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" (1 Cor 13:4-7 ASV). When emphasizing the importance of faith, hope and love, Paul says that even when considering these important things "the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor 13:13). 3:14 "The bond of perfection" In chapter one Paul says that his goal was to "present every man perfect in Christ" (Col 1:28 OPV). In chapter four he says that Epaphras was praying that the Colossians might "stand complete and fully assured in all the will of God" (Col 4:12). Love is the bond of perfection that ties all other virtues together and makes them complete. Roy Davison