Daily Writing

Friday, 19 May 2017

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Paul now gives a greeting rather similar to 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” He is a bit more specific in this exhortation, changing “eat or drink” to “word or deed,” and adding in that all should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The words “whatever you do” is really all-inclusive. Anything in our regular walk of life, and anything in our spiritual life as well, is to be brought into harmony with our dedication to the Lord. To expand on that, he adds “in word or deed.” When we speak and when we act, we are to direct those things properly and in a manner worthy of “the name of the Lord Jesus.” He is to be the focus of our eyes, the direction of our thoughts, the utterance of our lips, and the reason for our deeds.

And in addition to these things, we are to give “thanks to God the Father.” The theme of being thankful has literally permeated this epistle. As he closes each section of exhortations, he has added, and will continue to add, a note concerning this (see Colossians 1:12, 2:7, 3:15, and 4:2). If we have words to utter, we are alive to utter them. If we have deeds to do, we have strength to do them. Each of these things comes from God who created us and sustains us. Because of this, thanks should never be left from our lips and lives.

But Paul goes a step further than just telling us to be grateful to God the Father. We are to do it “through Him,” meaning Jesus. Jesus is the focal point of God’s attention toward His people, and He is to be the focal point of our attention as we return thanks to God. Without Jesus, we would be lost forever, but because of Him, we have a sure hope of an eternal dwelling. There, Christ will radiate out the glory of God for all eternity.

Life application: Let us think on this verse often, and then put it into action. It is so very easy to get misdirected by the world in which we live. But if we just hold fast to Christ in all we do, and give thanks to God the Father through Him, we will be useful, pleasing vessels for God’s use.

Heavenly Father, You have fashioned us as jars of clay, ready to be filled. We can be filled with useless, corrupt contents, or we can be filled with Your Spirit – alive and vibrant. Help us to live out our lives properly, being filled with You, and doing all things in the name of the Lord Jesus. To Your glory we pray this. Amen.

Thursday, 18 May 2017

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

Paul uses the rare term “word of Christ” (this is the only time it is seen) in this verse rather than the more common “word of God.” In Philippians 2:16, he calls it the “word of life.” The word of God is the word of Christ, and the word of Christ is the word of life. Each time the word is given a descriptor in this manner, it helps us to more rightly understand the immense importance of this marvelous gift we have been given. It is a word of intimate fellowship with our Creator, and it is a word from which life is produced, if we are willing to properly apply it to our own lives. Thus it is the doctrine of Christ which Paul is speaking of. His word is our doctrine.

Paul admonishes those at Colossae (and thus us!) to let this marvelous word of Christ dwell in us “richly.” The word gives the idea of abundance. As it is an adverb, it means that the word of Christ should dwell in us abundantly. It shouldn’t just be a passing part of our lives, but one which overflows from us at all times. In understanding this, he then adds on a descriptive thought indicating that not only should the word dwell in us richly, but that it should be “in all wisdom.”

A question arises in these words though. Is “wisdom” described by “teaching and admonishing” which follow after it, or is it connected to the word “teaching?” Both are possible –

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching, and admonishing…

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing…

It is hard to be dogmatic, and the ambiguity may mean that it was intentional. One is wise when they teach and admonish, but one who has the word of Christ in an abundant manner will naturally desire to teach wisdom and to admonish others. Either way, the instruction and admonishment is to be “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”

Psalms are words which come directly from the Word of God (which is the word of Christ). They have been accumulated and are included in the Old Testament. As Paul cites them as profitable for instruction, then they are a useful tool for all of God’s people at all times, and are not to be ignored in our daily lives.

Hymns would be songs which include Scripture in them, teaching theological truths about God. They are intended to lead us to a firm foundation in knowing and understanding His wonderful works.

Spiritual songs would then be songs which are written about a relationship with God, but not necessarily relying on Scripture. They direct hearts and minds to God based on the emotion of the composer’s personal feelings about his relationship with his Creator.

Paul instructs his readers that they are to engage in these things while “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” The Greek has an article before “grace.” Thus it literally says, “in the grace.” Because of this, it is limited to the grace of God. As believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, this is what Paul is referring to. We are to rely on the Spirit and together with Him sing in our hearts to the Lord. Based on the construction of the Greek, it therefore correctly reads, “…in the grace, singing in your hearts to the Lord.” We are to actively live in the grace of God, and we are to express that state with singing in our hearts to the Lord because of it.

Life application: One cannot fulfill the exhortations of this verse unless they fill themselves with the word of God. We are to read it, meditate on it, speak it, share it, and rejoice in it. Let us never tire of filling ourselves with this most marvelous treasure which has been given to us by our glorious Creator.

Heavenly Father, fill us with the desire to know Your word more and more each day. Help us not to fall away from it, but to allow it to dwell in us richly. In doing so, it will then overflow from us and come to the ears of those around us. And who knows which person will need the tender words of a psalm or a hymn at that moment? And even more, if nobody is around us, we still are surrounded by You. May our hearts overflow with songs from our hearts to You because of the grace which abides in us and which was bestowed upon us by You. Surely You are worthy of the songs of our hearts at all times. Amen.

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Paul had just implored his reader to “put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Now, in addition to that, he says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” In Philippians 4:7, he told the congregation that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” In order to have the peace of God, it is necessary to have a knowledge of what Christ has done, and of what He promises for us because of what He has done. When we possess that knowledge, we can then let it rule in our hearts.

The word Paul uses for “rule” is used just this once in Scripture. It means “to be an umpire,” or “to arbitrate.” We are to let the peace of God be the umpire of our actions. But again, we can only do this if we have a knowledge of what God has done, is doing, and will do for us.

Through reading and understanding Scripture, we can see the ultimate end which is promised to us. In this, if we can just keep our eyes on what we know lies ahead because of Christ, we should be able to obtain and live in this peace. The saints at Paul’s time only had the Old Testament Scriptures. Today we have the whole counsel of God. In reading the words of the Bible, and in holding fast to what is recorded there about what lies ahead for the redeemed, we truly can possess the peace of God, even in times of the greatest trials and struggles imaginable.

With this knowledge, and the peace that comes along with it, we can comfort one another. We can reassure those who are downtrodden, and we can remind them of the glory which lies ahead. It is to this peace of God, ruling in our hearts, that Paul says we “were called in one body.” We are called to possess a knowledge of the word, and then to share it with others. Paul’s noting of the “one body” is reminding us of the words of verse 11 where he cast aside all external distinctions and said that we are all of Christ equally. There should be no division in this one body because of these supposed differences.

In this state of knowledge and harmony with other believers, we are to “be thankful.” Knowing the good end which is promised for us, and knowing that we are not below any other believers, but that we possess the same promised blessings as they do, we are to rejoice and give thanks to God. Paul will next expand on this as he shares the means of accomplishing these things.

Life application: Christ has overcome the world. He has also promised that we who are in Him will also overcome the world. Truly then, why should we be overly despondent about what happens in this life. It is natural to mourn when sadness comes, but in our times of sadness, or other negative emotions, we should not let them get the best of us. Instead, we should be uplifted in Christ at all times because of the surety we possess.

Lord God, we who have trusted in Christ Jesus possess the greatest surety of all. He defeated death, having come out of the grave in fulfillment of Scripture. Now, we are promised the same good end. We too shall overcome death and be raised to eternal life in a setting which we were originally intended to enjoy. Knowing this, how can we walk around mourning about life’s troubles? Let us rejoice and be glad in the glory that lies ahead! Amen.

Tuesday, 16 May 2017

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:14

In the previous two verses, Paul has given a list of things which the believer is exhorted to do in order to be sound, well rounded Christians who accurately reflect the characteristics and traits of Christ. Now he places those things under one larger umbrella by stating, “But above all.” The words here give the idea of a garment which covers everything else and encloses it. Over all of the things he has said, we are to “put on love.” Love is the external, covering garment of all of the other things we are to wear (or “put on” as he said in verse 12).

The reason for covering all of the other exhortations with love is because it is, as he says, “the bond of perfection.” Love is what ties together all of the other virtues he has mentioned. The word translated as “perfection” carries the idea of a collective which results from a combination of other things. When kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, and the other virtues which Paul exhorts us to possess are tied together with love, then a perfection of the whole is the result.

Life application: If someone is kind to another person, but is kind in an unloving way, the kindness of the deed is lost. The same is true with any such otherwise noble trait. When love is lacking, there is a deficiency in it. Let us remember to be loving in all we do, letting it surround us as a garment of perfection.

Lord God, You word asks us to clothe ourselves as if in a garment of love. In doing this, then all of the other things we do will be done well. If we do a kind deed without love, then what we have done will be quickly forgotten. But when we are kind with a loving attitude attached to the deed, it will be received for what it truly is. When You sent Christ Jesus into the world, He came with a garment of love which surrounded Him. Help us to emulate our Lord, and help us to be pleasing to You in this manner. Amen.

Monday, 15 May 2017

…bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:13

This verse, which is a continuation of the thought from the previous verse, begins with, “bearing with one another.” The word indicates a purposeful endeavoring in our attitude. We should have an earnest desire to exert ourselves in love in order to “secure a thing not lightly obtained” (Albert Barnes). People can wear us out with their own pet peeves, insecurities, jealousies, and the like. In our walk, we should be willing to bear such things in love rather than breaking down and shooting forth darts of anger.

He then says, “forgiving one another.” Forgiveness is something we are exhorted to do because without forgiveness there is no harmony. And without harmony, a wall of division is built up which normally will affect more than just the two who are in disagreement. Small divisions which are left to fester can divide entire churches. Therefore, when someone offends another, and when the offender requests forgiveness for their offense, the offended is to grant that forgiveness. This will be built upon with the rest of the words of the verse.

Next Paul says, “…if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” God forgave us in Christ – completely and wholly – having canceled our debt through His sacrifices. There were no strings attached. The forgiveness is complete, it is eternal, and it was based upon a simple request for forgiveness of having offended God. This then is the standard. Our forgiveness is to resemble that which God has provided to us. It is to be complete and completely forgiven. When we are asked to provide it, we are to give it.

Having said that, this needs to explained further. Far too often, this verse, among several others, are taken to unintended extremes because people do not think through what is being said. Eventually, someone will offend someone else, and then those around him will say, “You must forgive that person.” This is true, but only if the offender requests it. Forgiveness is not unconditional in Christ, and it would, therefore, be a greater standard than God expects of Himself to say that we must forgive everyone all the time.

To say that forgiveness in Christ is unconditional would lead to the theology of universalism – everyone goes to heaven, and nobody goes to hell. This is absurd, and the Bible never teaches it. God’s condition for forgiveness is faith in the cross of Christ, receiving that for the lost soul – “Lord God, I am sorry for my sins. I ask that I be forgiven through the shed blood of Christ.” Whether those words are specifically stated or not, they are implied in what the cross of Christ signifies. All people, and all sins, are potentially forgiven in Christ. When we ask for that forgiveness, it is actually granted.

Some other examples of verses which are misused concerning forgiveness are –

1) Jesus on the cross said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). People will say, Jesus forgave them so you must too. First, Jesus didn’t forgive them, He asked the Father to. Secondly, the sin was unintentional (they know not what they do). Third, after Jesus’ ascension, Peter explained what occurred and said to these same people that they must repent or be destroyed and cut off – he even called them a “wicked generation.” Their destruction occurred 40 years later when Israel was destroyed and the Jews were dispersed, just as Jesus predicted. Forgiveness didn’t come for the nation who rejected Christ.

2) “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15. This is taken entirely out of context as a stand-alone verse. The surrounding verses are about asking for forgiveness first. When we do, He does. And we are to do likewise when someone repents toward us.

3) “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3,4). In this verse, forgiveness clearly is based on repentance.

4) In a comparable passage, in Matthew 18:35 people tend to only quote the forgiveness part – “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” However, the entire parable is based on one getting on one’s knees and first asking forgiveness.

5) “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” (John 20:23). Pretty clear here. Though speaking to the apostles, Jesus’ apostolic followers could retain the sins of others and they were not forgiven.

6) When we say the Lord’s Prayer – “…forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” we are acknowledging God as our forgiver and we are asking for that forgiveness. It, therefore, would logically be the same with those who “trespass against us.”

Life application: Context matters for proper doctrine, and doctrine matters for proper theology. Keep things in context.

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that when others come to us and ask for forgiveness, we are to forgive them for what they have done. Our petty offenses are nothing in comparison to what we have been forgiven by You. When we asked for forgiveness in Christ, You freely and abundantly provided it. In Christ, all are potentially forgiven, and when we ask for it, we are actually forgiven. What a display of love! Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.