Col 4 SPREADING THE GOSPEL
Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
Col 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful: Paul mentioned prayer in regards to preaching the Gospel. He told the Colossians to devote themselves—to make prayer a priority. To be watchful of their surrounding circumstances, yet be thankful for both, good and bad 1 Th 5:17,18. There is much power in prayer for God has designed it that way. We are His ambassadors 2 Co 5:20 therefore He is more than willing to open doors for our successful execution of the Gospel.
Application: Our focus should be on spreading the Gospel, proclaiming it clearly, and being wise, in the way we act toward others, not placing a stumbling block in their coming to know Christ. Our words should be comforting and we should use gentleness when answering opposing views Col 4:4,5,6.
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Col 3 DYING TO SELF
Monday, January 24, 2022.
Col 3:3
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God: just as Adam died spiritually to the Holy Spirit when he sinned, we must die spiritually to self-rule to allow the Holy Spirit back on the throne of our hearts. When we do, our lives are then hidden in the invisible body of Christ, His church.
Application: Christ is our life Col 3:4a, for apart from Him, we can do nothing Jn 15:5. His promise is when He returns, we, who belong to Him, will be with Him in glory Col 3:4b.
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Col 2 THE CIRCUMCISED HEART
Sunday, January 23, 2022.
Col 2:11
In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ: circumcision in the Old Testament was an outward sign that one belonged to God. The sexual organ was to be used to procreate God’s creation, the most loving act between a husband and his wife. To cut off the foreskin was a picture of cutting off self-love motives, where this act would be performed to gratify one’s flesh with any woman, not the spouse as God had intended.
Application: Paul related this ordinance to the New Covenant, a spiritual circumcision of the heart. Its spiritual meaning was the cutting away of one’s fleshly desires, so the body would be in subjection to pleasing and loving God, rather than self Dt 30:6. Paul used the illustration of baptism, the visualization of death to self-rule, rising out of the waters in dependency of Christ, to live with His pure unconditional love for others.
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Col 1 JESUS IS HONORED
Saturday, January 22, 2022.
Col 1:16
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him: Jesus is the master craftsman, the builder of all things, on earth and in heaven. He not only created man, but the angels and all celestial beings. God the Father was the architect and through Jesus created all that there is. He did this so that Jesus would have the supremacy Col 1:18.
Application: John stated that anyone who denied the Son, would also not have the Father 1 Jn 2:23. On the other hand, Jesus will turn the kingdom back to the Father after all enemies have been defeated 1 Co 15:24. What a wonderful love relationship within the Trinity, one which God desires us to experience with one another and with Him Lk 10:27.
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