Colossians 1:12-20

¹²Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Paul always keeps God first. Always gives Him glory. I want to be like that. "Saints in light" what a group to be associated with. What inheritance is he talking about? Surely the blessings of God and eternal life. Only sons and daughters get the inheritance. This makes me feel at peace.

 ¹³Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Delivered. That sticks out to me. Where would I be without the Lord on my side? Like really. Where would I be? I envision it now, and it is not a pretty sight.

 ¹⁴In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins

This may be one of the best verses in the entire book. Redemption. I don't want this word to become meaningless Christian jargon. I have been bought back because of the price paid by this blood. His very essence.

 ¹⁵Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Christ represents God to us. God knew us humans needed some physical evidence so He humored us.

 ¹⁶For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Created by Him, for Him. This is God's preeminence. Not His being 1st on the list, but Him being the centerpiece around which EVERYTHING else revolves. What does the mean for my life? Is HE the focal point?

 ¹⁷And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

This practically makes me weep. I feel like the core soul of the fabric of my presence in the universe is linked to God. He is the invisible fiber holding everything together by His might.

 ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Doctrine alert! This should shape the way church authority is delegated.

 ¹⁹For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Doctrine alert! Jesus=God. Nothing more, nothing less.

 ²⁰And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Wow. My words can't articulate what this means to me. He bridged the gap. He brought peace to once was chaos. He restored the broken. He reached out to me and picked me up when I was down. The almighty saved the ugly, unrighteous, sinner--me--when I did not deserve it. How beautiful is the cross. In all the repugnance of the gore and shame and mockery, battery and bruises and blood, the tears thorns nails ripping through the wrist-veins, it still did what I could never do. It satisfied the sacrifice that I could not give, would not want to give. 'The ancient magic was pacified' -C.S. Lewis. Lion, Witch,...

He died for me.

Colossians 1:1-1

^{I've decided to do a verse-by-verse study of the book of Colossians. I was recommended to do so by an old mentor of mine that I've known personally for around 6 years. I want to not only intake the word of God but also digest it.}

¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

 ²To 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.

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

 ⁴Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

 ⁵For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

 ⁶Which 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:

 ⁷As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

 ⁸Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

 ⁹For 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;
 ¹⁰That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
 ¹¹Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
¹²Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

In the first couple of verses, we see an attitude that Paul displays towards the Corinthians. I believe that by studying how he treats other Christians can see what true tact, wisdom, and spiritual maturity should look like from our leaders in Christ and from ourselves. First, I notice that we refers to them as brothers. I find personal comfort that we, the body of Christ, are connected in such a close fraternity. He makes them feel like they're important in verse 3; how crucial is it that we make the people under our leadership feel important. I like how he celebrates their conversion in verse 4 and how he has his eyes on the final prize in verse 5. Verse 6 is big. It is interesting to me that he adds a little sliver of accountability to what he says. He mentions fruit. How much fruit am I demonstrating in my life? I know that healthy fruits cause for the reproduction of the organism. I need to pray for more open doors to witness and to have the spiritual sensitivity to know when and how to witness. Verse 7 attributes to the all-too-often underplayed pillar of disciplineship in the church world. Wow my denomination is lacking in that. I wonder what I can to do either encourage leaders to view this in a new perspective or if I can try to discipline someone personally. In verse 9, I see something else that is SO vital in the church world: community. There is a reason why we go to church and don't just pray and worship at home. I believe it is for that uplifting of each other. God designed it that way. We all know a two-fold cord is not easily broken. Imagine what a church in complete unified community would be capable of accomplishing. Verse 10 is where it really gets good. I pray that I am walking worthy to be called a son of the Most High God. I hope that my words, my actions, my attitudes reflect well on His image. I hope my life is attracting people to the gospel and not repelling them. More fruit is mentioned; that must be important. It is an indicator of spiritual healthy I believe: fruit of the Spirit and sinners saved. Next point, he says that he hopes they are increasing in the knowledge of God. This is "anti-stagnant" to me; I want to continually be learning more about the Jesus I love so much.  Lastly, Paul gives thanks to the Father and talks about an inheritance that we can be looking forward to. This is really an uplifting opening part of a letter. It makes me excited to continue reading. I love zeal when it comes to serving God. It seems so appropriate. 

Riding the Fence

Today in Sunday school, an interesting point was brought up. Mr.Sullivan highlighted a contrast between how the church world once saw things and how it does now. He used a metaphor of a fence with the "world" being on the left side of it; the "world" represents living life without Christ, disregarding his commandments, and all-around not exemplifying His character. Mr.Sullivan remembered a time when he was younger and how church members would build their houses as far as possible from the left side, and consequently, from the fence. He spoke on how today's church members enjoy to have their houses planted right along the edge of the fence with a big "bay window" overlooking the world.

What a powerful metaphor this is. It made me do some major introspection. Not that I'm doing something wrong or living in sin, but what about the mainstream music I listen to? What about the movies I watch with cussing in them? Do I think the Savior who suffered and died to make me pure and holy like Him approves? Where is the line exactly drawn? I earnestly believe that if we love Christ like we say we do, then we will run from that fence. I know that the love of Christ compels me to hate sin. I want the same sensitivity of all things spiritual to permeate my mind, habits, thoughts, and actions daily.

James 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee.
Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.