Colossians
By Johnny Angel
Imagine a world where everybody seems to have their own idea about
God and how to worship Him. They feel that their way is just as good
as everyone elses. They say that all roads lead to heaven. Okay, so
it's not so hard to imagine. In fact, it's a reality. That is the view that
most Christians encounter when they step out into the real world.
People claim that following Buddha, or the Hindu gods, or Allah, or
some "prophet" who is now dead is the way to go.
Colossians is all about a world like this. The church at Colosse was
facing great persecution because their town was a "philosophical"
place where all the latest ideas were always being discussed. On
group known as the gnostics claimed that Jesus was only God living in
a human body at certain points in His life. They claimed that He wasn't
a form of God as a child and that he wasn't the Son of God when He
died on the cross. That of course would take away the whole point of
Him dying for our sins. Others claimed that Jesus was just a good man
or a good teacher. Basically, it was just like today. So Paul wrote this
letter to Colossians to help them out.
My studies have revealed that Paul did not found the church at
Colosse. A Christian named Epaphras (Colossians 1:7) founded the
church and later told Paul about the struggles the church faced.
I do not mean for this study of Colossians to be an intellectual
commentary like the ones already available at Christian bookstores. I
am currently taking a philosophy course that is required for my degree,
and it will greatly help me to study Paul's advice found in Colossians.
Also, God has just revealed that there are passages in this letter that
greatly apply to some life lessons that I've learned lately. I pray that
God can speak through me words of encouragement and strengthen
us all.
Colossians 1:[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and
Timotheus our brother, [2] To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ
which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] We give thanks to God and the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, [4] Since we
heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all
the saints, [5] For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof
ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; [6] Which is
come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth
also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in
truth: [7] As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is
for you a faithful minister of Christ; [8] Who also declared unto us your
love in the Spirit. [9] For this cause we also, since the day we heard it,
do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with
the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10]
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in
every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11]
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all
patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; [12] Giving thanks unto the
Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of
the saints in light: [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of
darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14]
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness
of sins (KJV)
In these verses, Paul basically says what's up? I've heard you love the
Lord and you place your hope in Him. I know that you have been
forgiven of your sins and try to live for Jesus. I know that we are all
family, and I want to encourage you. I am praying for you.
Verses 9-14 are an important lesson in prayer. Churches that pray
constantly grow. But remember that prayer is simply talking with God.
It is sharing what's on your mind, asking God questions, trying to learn
something about God, thanking God, asking Him to help you, asking
Him to help others, and letting Him speak back to you through the Bible
and the events in your life. It is important for us to pray for others to
understand God's will, to understand more about God, to please God,
to bear good fruit, to know God personally, to be strengthened by God,
to learn patience, to stay filled with Christian joy, and to be thankful.
Verse 9 mentions knowing God's will. I have been struggling with
knowing God's will for most of my life. During the past six months, it has
gotten very intense. I have worried about it. Worrying the way that I
have is sin. But the more I have sought the kingdom of God (Matthew
6:33), the more God has revealed to me. Trusting God from the
beginning instead of worrying like I have will help you to know what
God wants you to do. God is not a monster waiting to zap you when
you blow it. Finding his will is not like looking for buried treasure or
walking on eggshells. It mostly involves seeking Him daily by reading
the Bible, writing down spiritual insights that you have, and talking to
other Christians. When God tells you to do something like teach, sing,
write, or whatever, be content doing the assignment He gives you. If
you try to do everything, you will get stressed out like I did. I have
found that I can be much more effective doing precisely what God
wants me to instead of trying to be on every committee and involved in
every project at church and BSU.
The Greek word for strengthened in verse 11 means to make strong, to
confirm, to enable. It is related to a series of words that are root words
for dynamite. When God strengthens us, He strengthens us with
power greater than that of dynamite!