Colossians The Supremacy of Christ, trickery of mankind.

December 12th, Colossians

       These Epistles are the well-thought-out condensed papers that my Theology Prof was looking for in college. So much clarity in so few words it becomes impossible to write out a devotion that covers much. There are a few themes worth noting…
       The supremacy of Christ:   By Him, through Him, and for Him were all things made. 1:19-20 " For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross." Peace through death…peace comes at great cost, the grizzly death of the greatest of all. Let there be peace on earth and the realization that it begins with the sacrifice of Jesus.

       True or false?: 2:6 is an encouragement to walk with this same Christ who is Lord of all. Being rooted and built up in Him. Established and overwhelmed with thanksgiving. There is a warning that that people will take you captive with clever sounding arguments and empty human traditions that will hijack this development of faith. We don't ask enough questions of the things that are brought our way. Is God's word the source from which we are taught? Do we know when a fine argument is just a load of garbage.

       Disqualified? A puffed up, sensuous mind that doesn't "hold fast" to Jesus(the Head) is a place people find themselves. Again, being a thinker who is able to evaluate the truth through being familiar with God is an absolute essential piece to staying on the right track. The text goes on to say "These have an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion, asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Our traditions won't help with our indulgence problems. Loving and honoring my Lord certainly will.

       Focused on things above: 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth." This is followed in verses 3:12-17 with an inspiring list of what it looks like for us to live out this surrender to Jesus as the body of Christ. 3:16 "Let the word of God dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."