Colossians 3 -- What Life Ought to Look Like

There are some chapters in the Bible that just lay it out there -- this is what life ought to look like.  This is how people should treat each other.  You've got Matthew 5, Romans 12, Philippians 2, James 2, and the last few verses in Acts 2.  Colossians 3 is certainly on that list as well.

Imagine a world free from immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed.  A place where nobody is victimized by anger, rage, malice, slander or filthy language.  A society characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness.  Where love is given and received by all.

Where wives and husbands are loving and respectful to each other, and where children are patiently and lovingly taught and disciplined.  Where employers and employees are committed to doing their best for each other, and where the common good is the desired result of all labor.  And all this motivated by a passionate desire to love and serve God out of thankfulness for what He has done for us.

It's guaranteed in eternity, and it's possible now.  This is God's desire for all of us.

Colossians 2 -- Paul's Purpose

I have become a huge believer in prayerfully defining one's purpose in all aspects of life, and while I've read Colossians 2:2 a whole bunch of times over the years, I have never once noticed it.  Paul starts a sentence with "My purpose is that....".  Wow, that's powerful.  We get a look straight into the mind and heart of Paul as he writes to these dearly loved people who are battling the influence of false teachers in their midst.

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ".

Other highlights from this chapter include the reality that in Christ we are alive with Him, raised with Him and completely forgiven.  Also from verse 20-23, Paul's rant against a legalistic heart, basically that an outward willingness to follow rules and adhere to a code that, apart from the internal work of a changed heart, will have no benefit and no sustainability.

Colossians 1 -- Jesus is ALL

There's a whole bunch of great stuff in Colossians chapter 1, but what drew my attention was verses 15-20. Count the number of times we see the word "all".

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over ALL creation.  For by him ALL things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; ALL things were created by him and for him.  He is before ALL things, and in him ALL things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in EVERYTHING (close enough) he might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have ALL his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself ALL things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Jesus is not simply a good man or great teacher/leader.  He is the Son of God, chosen by the Father to redeem a broken creation.  It ALL hinges on Him.

Philippians 4 - Contentedness, peace, and mission

Some of my favorite verses:

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!" (v. 4)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  (v. 6-7)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (v. 12-13)

But in reading through this chapter over and over this past week, I came across something I'm not sure if I've ever noticed before.  Paul is imprisoned in Rome as he writes this letter to the Philippians, and he includes this line, "All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household." (v. 22)

So Paul is in prison, and yet he is sharing Christ with those who are imprisoning him.  And the Spirit of God is moving and working to the point that Paul can send greetings from the fellow believers (or saints) who belong to Caesar's household.  I don't know exactly who those people were, but they were at the least, royal to Rome and holding Paul prisoner.  And yet his mission never stops.  He dies a prisoner, but he makes his last earthly home a place of love and sharing Christ, rather than harboring bitterness toward those who would seem to be his enemies.  Wow.