Daily Writing

Friday, 17 March 2017

…which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; Colossians 1:6

Paul now refers to “the truth of the gospel” from the previous verse with the word “which.” It is this message, as he says, “which has come to you.” The gospel is that which established their faith (see Romans 10:17) as Paul noted in verse 4, and which has laid up the hope for them as he noted in verse 5.

Next, he uses hyperbole by saying that this same gospel message which has come to them has also come “in all the world [kosmos].” It is important to understand that he is using hyperbole because replacement theology wrongly uses this verse to show that Jesus’ words of Matthew 24:14[ouikoumene: world]. are fulfilled in Paul’s words of this verse. Such is not the case. Paul uses a different word for “world” than Jesus does. It is true that he uses the same word as Jesus in other verses (such as Romans 10:18) [oikoumene: world], but the context indicates there that he is not speaking of the gospel itself having gone out to the entire world. The context of his words in Romans is based on an Old Testament reference concerning the general revelation of God to the whole world. From there, Israel is rebuked for rejecting His special revelation, meaning the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Further, Paul uses the same word and in the same way in Romans 1:8 by saying –

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world [kosmos].”

It is clear that Paul is using hyperbole there to show that the faith of those in Rome seems to shout out to all the world. Rome was the center of the Roman Empire, and therefore the faith of those in Rome extended out in a unique way. Clearly not all in the Roman Empire, much less the entire inhabited world, had heard of the faith of those in Rome.

It is an inappropriate stretch to take Jesus’ words of the gospel going out to the entire world and then to apply them in an absolute way to what occurred in the first century. However, concerning the gospel which had come to those in Colossae, he next says that it “is bringing forth fruit.” Fruit is the result of something else. The gospel had been preached, and there was a result because of it. People were coming to Christ, they were being obedient to the message, and they were continuing to share the message with others. These things are evident from Paul’s coming words.

However, he is writing the letter now to correct misconceptions or misrepresentations of Christ which were already coming about. He is writing to ensure that the fruit which is brought forth will be good fruit. This is why he continues with, “as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.” They had heard the message, they had received the grace of God, and it was received “in truth.” In order to ensure that this same message would continue on unstained by bad doctrine, or even heresy, he will continue with the words of this letter.

Life application: Context always needs to be considered when looking at statements which use the same terminology in the Bible. It is true that the use of identical words often is intended to show a pattern, or the fulfillment of something else, but the surrounding context cannot be tossed out in order to make unfounded conclusions. Always consider what the writer’s reference is before making a final determination about how his words are intended to be taken.

Lord God, Your word is big, and it is often complicated. Help us to read it carefully, and to always consider the context of what is being said. Without following this most basic guideline, we sure can get misdirected down unnecessary paths which have nothing to do with what You intend for us to see. Give us wisdom in this, as it is our desire to stick to Your intent for us as we read and study this marvelous gift which You have given to us. Amen.

Thursday, 16 March 2017

…because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, Colossians 1:5

Paul’s words now are a continuation of the previous verses. Taken together, the intent becomes much more evident –

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴ since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; ⁵ because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel…”

They had given thanks for the faith of those in Colosse in Christ Jesus, and in their love for the saints. Now explaining that further, he says, “because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.” The faith in Christ Jesus is what gives them this hope and which resulted in their love for all the saints. This sentiment then is comparable to what he says to those in Thessalonica –

“…remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3

The three tenets of faith, hope, and love work together and complement one another. Hope is the object which is to be attained. In this case, Paul notes that the object is our heavenly home which awaits us. Because of this hope, faith and love grow in us. It is as if the hope is a fire which kindles the resulting faith and love. This is how it should be with all believers. We have a hope, and therefore we should exercise faith in Christ Jesus and love towards others.

The hope which lies ahead is then explained by Paul with the words, “of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” His words, “the truth of the gospel” are in the emphatic position. As Charles Ellicott notes, “It refers to the gospel, not chiefly as a message of graciousness and mercy, but rather as a revelation of eternal truths, itself changeless as the truth it reveals.”

The gospel was and is God’s plan for the salvation of man. In receiving the gospel, we are granted a heavenly hope; a return to Eden and God’s paradise which was lost so long ago. But with our return, we will have something more than Adam had. We will have the understanding that God has done everything needed to grant us access, and to keep us in His presence for all eternity. We will be able to appreciate what was unknown to Adam because of the conscience we possess, having acquired the knowledge of good and evil. Thus, we will always be able to look with awe and wonder at the majesty of Christ’s work for us.

Life application: We may think of what Adam had as the epitome of all that we could ever wish for, but we will have even more. When we are in our heavenly dwelling, we will have the appreciation for all of what God was willing to do for us in order to bring us back to Himself. We will have Jesus, radiant in splendor and majesty, to see and to worship for all eternity. Today, take time to thank God for Jesus Christ – our hope of eternity in God’s presence.

Lord God Almighty, what Adam had and lost is only a portion of what lies ahead for Your redeemed. We will have an understanding of what You were willing to do in order to bring man back to Yourself. We will carry with us the knowledge that You would even send Your own Son to die so that we might live. And so for all the ages of ages we will praise You because of the Lamb who was slain, and yet who lives forever. We will be in the presence of Christ Jesus our Lord! Amen.

Wednesday, 15 March 2017

…since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; Colossians 1:4

It is claimed from this verse that Paul had not been to Colossae before writing this epistle because of the words, “…since we heard of your faith.” There is nothing to suggest that he had not been there, and such words are not intended to mean that. In fact, he uses the same term in writing to the Ephesians that he uses here. And there is no doubt that he was the founder of the church at Ephesus –

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints…” Ephesians 1:15

He is merely writing now about the faith that they held at the present time. They had faith in the past, and he is thanking God for the faith which still continues to the present. And this faith is “in Christ Jesus.” It is a saving faith, and an enduring faith. They not only heard the gospel and received it unto salvation, but they also continued in that faith, walking in it unto rewards.

And even more, he says that they (meaning he and Timothy of verse 1) were thankful for their “love for all the saints.” The joy of the saints is that their love extends beyond just faith in Christ Jesus, but it extends to all who are in Christ Jesus. It is the bond of unity which is hoped for in the Christian walk, but one which too often breaks down into division, as is seen in his other epistles. At this point, such divisions were not a part of their walk in Christ and in their fellowship with other believers.

In his words ahead, Paul will give sound advice in order to avoid such future divisions. He will warn against heresies, and he will exhort those in Colossae in how to properly conduct their walk. If his words are adhered to, many troubling pitfalls will be avoided, both for the Colossians and for those of us who are willing to receive them.

Life application: How willing are we to spend time in the word each day in order to be sound in our theology and faithful in our walk? Let us endeavor to read the word, and to study in order to show ourselves approved. Great rewards lie ahead for those who are willing to look to the eternal, and not just to the here and now.

Heavenly Father, the longer we live, the shorter we realize that our lives truly are. The brevity of our days is a sobering wake-up call to use our time now wisely, and to adhere to what You have instructed us in Your precious word. Help us to be wise and discerning about the few moments we have been granted in this earthly walk. Help us to be pleasing in Your sight through the study and application of Your superior word to our lives. Amen.

Tuesday, 14 March 2017

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Colossians 1:3

This is a greeting which, even if slightly amended for the occasion, is common to Paul’s letters. In some letters, the stress is on the thanks, in others is it on the prayers. However, when he wrote his letter to the Galatians, he noticeably skipped over such a general sentiment. He had greater concerns with them that he had to deal with.

Here he notes that he and Timothy “give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” His prayers are lifted to God, who is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. As always, this in no way diminishes the deity of Christ, but rather highlights it. There is the human Jesus, and there is the Christ of God. He is the Lord Jesus Christ who issues from God the Father. It is to God the Father that their thanks are directed at this point. The reason for this specific wording will be realized as he continues on with the epistle. It is a letter which highlights the deity of Christ in a most unique way.

In their thanks, he then notes that they are “praying always for you.” Paul’s idea of “praying without ceasing,” which he penned to those in Thessalonica, is evident in words such as these to the Colossians. Whenever the thought of one of his beloved churches came to mind, he and Timothy would utter forth a prayer to God on its behalf. When they talked about one of the churches, they would probably issue forth a quick prayer of both thanks and petition for it. To them, praying was certainly a normal extension of their regular lives and conversations.

Life application: God already knows the end from the beginning. His plan is also complete in His mind. Despite this, we should not have a fatalistic view of life where we ignore prayers. Instead, God figures our prayers into the plan, just as our free-will calling on Jesus is figured into the plan. If we don’t receive Jesus, we will not be saved. Likewise, prayers that are not uttered are not heard. God’s foreknowledge of all things outside of time factors in our actions within the stream of time. Pray!

Heavenly Father, one of the beautiful things You have granted to us is the opportunity to pray. When we open our hearts to You, You hear and respond according to Your grace and mercy. And because we have Jesus as our Mediator between our prayers and Your ears, we can know that those prayers which are offered through Him are acceptable to You. And so, as we offer them to You in His name, hear and respond according to Your wisdom. Thank You that our prayers are heard because of Him. Amen.

Monday, 13 March 2017

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:2

Paul states that the letter is written specifically “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, who are in Colosse.” They are then the initial recipients of this majestic letter of doctrine, and they are to be blessed with having been the first to read the subject matter which Paul deemed necessary to put into writing for the instruction and edification of those in the church.

However, the intent of Paul’s letter is certainly not that it would only be read by the Colossians and then secreted away. Rather, the anticipation is that it would be circulated among the churches, having copies made and having sessions where the content could be repeated and analyzed. This is certain, because the letter was copied and analyzed until the time it was finally incorporated into the final canon of Scripture.

This letter became well known enough to be considered for inclusion in the Bible, and its contents made it rightly selected for that same purpose. Each step of the process was guided by the Holy Spirit to ensure that we have the sure and perfect word of God to refer to.

After his words of verse 1 and the initial words of this verse, Paul now gives the standard greeting which is found in most of his epistles, “Grace to you and peace…”

Grace is unmerited favor; it cannot be earned. This was the common greeting among the Greek people. Peace, however, was and still is the common greeting among the Hebrew people. In their language, the word is shalom. This is more than a greeting for calm or quiet, but is a state of wholeness and completion in all ways. Paul unites the two terms just as the church is being united between Jew and Gentile during his time. This grace precedes the peace because only after receiving the grace of God can a person experience the peace of God.

Paul extends this wonderful blessing to them “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It is a greeting from the eternal God – both the unseen Father and His Son who reveals the Father to us. Rather than being an argument against the divinity of Jesus Christ, it is an argument for it. He is tying the two in as one – Jesus being a member of the Godhead. He is not making some type of great division, but a harmonious blending of the two.

Throughout Paul’s letters, as with the entire Bible, the deity of Jesus Christ is a concept and a precept which is on evident display. It is the very heart of what God has done for the reconciliation of the people of the world. As a side note, some translations leave off “and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Which is the true original is hard to say. Scholars argue over this, but either way, Christ Jesus is on prominent display throughout the book. His deity is so evident in the book of Colossians that only a person with a presupposition that He cannot be God could find any other interpretation of who He is.

Life application: In order to understand God, one must know Jesus Christ, and one cannot understand Jesus Christ unless he knows his Bible. Know your Bible.

Lord God Almighty, how grateful we are that we can fellowship with You personally. We can read Your word, discover Christ Jesus, and know who You are. We can have personal talks with you as we pray in a quiet place or on a hectic city street. And we can feel Your presence as we attend church and fellowship with others, praising You and giving thanks to You for Your wonderful care of us. Thank You for allowing us to fellowship with You, O God, in such intimate ways – all because of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.