Colossians 2:1-15

2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Even though I can't see missionaries or the other members of the Body, I hope that I keep them in the forefront of my mind. Let God bless them and their families. May He use them in a mighty way.

2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
How magnificent, how wonderful it would be if our churches were sewn together in love. Unity is key. I want to understand God. I want the assurance that will bring--the peace that will bring. I already have peace from knowing Him, but I long to know Him deeper.

2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Christ has all the the value. I want to treat Him like he does.

2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
There is no "higher truth" than knowing Christ and the fullness of his Resurrection. Done. Over. This truth, He, is the most profound, central core of what life really is.

2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
It comforts me to think I am part of an organization, a collection, a group of souls linked together for the highest purpose. And that one day, I will meet them, and we all will be perfect and worship God forever.

2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
"Walk in him." Every-Day-Obedience. It's not easy. It's actually really difficult. But it is worth it. Every second  of serving Christ and others is the fulfillment of life itself. 

2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Oh my gosh!!! God totally meant for me to read these verses today!! It's Thanksgiving break!! I have deep, deep roots in Chirst as does my family. That brings me joy. I have a heritage. I am full of gratitude.

2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Our guard must be up. Christ is not only our destination, but also our compass.

2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
He is these things because He, himself, is the ultimate being/power of the universe.

2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
This verse speaks so much to me that I cannot begin to even formulate my thoughts with words. "I am complete in Him." Not my dad, family, mom, girlfriend, grades, achievement, power, recognition, righteousness--only Jesus makes me whole.

2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
We are a DIFFERENT people. Set apart.

2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
A transformation has occurred. My old man is dead. My new man has risen. And you better look out forces of evil cause he is a BEAST.

2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
"Forgiven you of ALL trespasses." I am clean, righteous, holy, lovely, white, pure, spotless, beautiful, blameless, like Christ. Praise be to God. My thankfulness is as deep as the ocean floor.

2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
If you bring up my past, I'll point you to where it is now. The cross: the final symbol of hope to all creation.

2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
A show. Bring me to the show. The open procession of the winner. Jesus has won. Good has prevailed over evil. The curtain opens to show a performance that is over. Jesus Christ with arms wrapped around me and all whom I love and Satan, sinfulness, pride, evil, lust all face down dead.


Praise and worship be to Him, the just and wise king, Son of God, King Jesus.

Colossians 1:21-29

1:21

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 

The fact that our works--what we do--separates us from God is key. I've recently had a lot of contact with people that believe if what they do does not hurt themselves or others it's not a sin. This is an elusive concept because it takes faith. The laws at work in the spiritual world are real. We should pay them more attention.

1:22

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 

Why did Christ die? Why did He suffer? So we could be blameless.

1:23

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 

~IF~ this word lets us know there is that ever-present chance that we can slip away from God. We have to be grounded. How can I better ground myself? It seems like it would be a long thought process change that comes from seeing prayers answered and seeing how real God can be. I want my roots to grow deep.

1:24

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 

1:25

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 

1:26

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 

This is kindof exciting.

1:27

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

Christ-in-us. Do I fully understand that? The unity of the perfect, all-powerful, righteous master of the universe and me? It reminds me of when God went into covenant with Abraham and Sarah. The idea of my identity--my thoughts, character, actions--and God's merging is...awe-inspiring. I want to take on the nature of God almighty. Moreover, this unification is the hope. IS the hope.

1:28

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 

This speaks to me in a way  that describes each member of a church. No man is left behind. This is a community effort. A support system of friends. This has been a major learning experience for me while I am at college. The Church is meant to function as a collective unit. It is SO much stronger that way. It's because God intended us to live, fight, and grow alongside each other. Truth.

1:29

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Paul says he is working to help this fulfillment of his dream of the collectively prospering church. Real leadership. And once again, the sign of a genuine leader/man of God. He gives credit to the One who deserves all credit: Jesus.