"I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ." - Colossians 2:4-5 ESV
The unique word today is 'firmness' (stereōma - Strong's G4733). It is the noun form of 'to strengthen' (stereoō - Strong's G4732) which is only used 3x's in the scriptures.
Firmness is a good translation of the word. It speaks of the end result of something that has received strength until it became firm or tight.
The context is interesting because the firmness is there because of the constant flow of strength being supplied. A balloon full of air has order and firmness because of the pressure of the air but the firmness of the balloon depends on that air being there.
Paul knows that the Gospel and the Spirit are keeping this Church in order. He is speaking of a corporate dynamic and not an individual one. The writer is with the assembly in spirit.
He is feeding them doctrine. The letter is meant to make sure that their connection to Christ is strong so that the flow of strength and order that truth produces will continue.
He is a visionary.
Perhaps when a child leaves home for the first time to go to school the parents have this same idea. They aren't with the child but they are connected and in communication. Perhaps they send money or talk on the phone. The parents have a vision for the child's safety and progress.
Perhap we feel the same way about the missionary team(s) we support. We want to see them strengthened and ordered and going forward.
We love them.
{This is where my study breaks down into tearful intercession with God.}
Paul loves them. In His suffering he has connected with Christ and there has been a mingling overflow. He has gotten a glimpse of the care that God has for these people and now Paul cares.
"I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ." - Colossians 2:4-5 ESV
Paul hears that wolves are among the flock but he is far away in prison connected only by the spirit and doctrine. A man brings a letter to Church he loves from far away and he wants them to have everything that they need. It was his care package to them that had a variety or different things and covered as many bases as possible.
I don't want to look at a person or a Church and say, 'It is strong' and put it on some pedestal. No. That person has received a flow of strength and they need that flow to continue. Prayer and active edification are part of that process.
If you have Pastor pray for that man. Edify him. The flow of his strength doesn't come from you but that flow needs to keep happening in order for that man to remain firm. The horizontal and the vertical are both part of that. Sometimes we rely heavily on one or the other but both are vital. Hopefully he has a strong vertical but like Paul we want to see a firmness in the future that is like the firmness we see now.
Believers are like gloves. The hand inside gives them strength. God plans to fill us and all His assemblies with strength and truth is central to that dynamic.
Lies undermine a structure until it finally gives way and a sinkhole forms. If we build on the Rock that will never happen. His stability and order becomes ours.
--
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Beguiling Speech - Colossians - Part 43
Today's word is pithanologia (Strong's G4086) which is translated 'beguiling speech' or in the this translation 'plausible arguments'...
"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." - Colossians 2:1-4 ESV
We have all heard theology where people use many scriptures and have convincing arguments but what is being said simply isn't true or is based on a false premise but contains nuggets of truth.
God gives us elements here that can help us discern truth. This teacher loves souls. There is an interest in the growth of the hearer. They are centered in on Christ and His work.
All the mysteries of assurance, understanding and knowledge center around Jesus.
There are teachers who center around science, philosophy, family, morality, history and end times prophecy. They say fascinating things but Jesus is a footnote if He is even mentioned at all. Those folks will gain thousands of followers because what they say resonates with mankind's desire to better themselves but unless there is transformation and evangelism it is all a big distraction.
Don't get me wrong... If the Gospel is preached I'm sure God is using those folks in some ways. They have some affect on culture but what people really need is transformation and illumination. They need assurance and an impartation of God's life.
I'll take a simple man who just lets the Bible speak over an intellectual giant who reads things into the Bible any day.
I plan to read this passage again and again today...
"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." - Colossians 2:1-4 ESV
I don't want a theology of plausible arguments. I want Jesus and Him alone.
Maybe there are concepts that are woven into our thinking from past associations or a pre-salvation thought life that have remained in our thinking but they just aren't true. We don't need to ever be introspective but if those things are there I want this scripture to wash us so that the line of thinking that isn't firmly on the foundation of Christ will be exposed and dealt with. Those things 'make sense' but they rob us of joy and assurance. They are incompatible with wisdom from above.
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." - James 3:17-18 ESV
Wash us God. We want to see a harvest of righteousness. We want to see Jesus.
--
"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." - Colossians 2:1-4 ESV
We have all heard theology where people use many scriptures and have convincing arguments but what is being said simply isn't true or is based on a false premise but contains nuggets of truth.
God gives us elements here that can help us discern truth. This teacher loves souls. There is an interest in the growth of the hearer. They are centered in on Christ and His work.
All the mysteries of assurance, understanding and knowledge center around Jesus.
There are teachers who center around science, philosophy, family, morality, history and end times prophecy. They say fascinating things but Jesus is a footnote if He is even mentioned at all. Those folks will gain thousands of followers because what they say resonates with mankind's desire to better themselves but unless there is transformation and evangelism it is all a big distraction.
Don't get me wrong... If the Gospel is preached I'm sure God is using those folks in some ways. They have some affect on culture but what people really need is transformation and illumination. They need assurance and an impartation of God's life.
I'll take a simple man who just lets the Bible speak over an intellectual giant who reads things into the Bible any day.
I plan to read this passage again and again today...
"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." - Colossians 2:1-4 ESV
I don't want a theology of plausible arguments. I want Jesus and Him alone.
Maybe there are concepts that are woven into our thinking from past associations or a pre-salvation thought life that have remained in our thinking but they just aren't true. We don't need to ever be introspective but if those things are there I want this scripture to wash us so that the line of thinking that isn't firmly on the foundation of Christ will be exposed and dealt with. Those things 'make sense' but they rob us of joy and assurance. They are incompatible with wisdom from above.
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." - James 3:17-18 ESV
Wash us God. We want to see a harvest of righteousness. We want to see Jesus.
--
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Intermingling - Colossians - Part 42
I think many people have little empathy for others because they have never felt the pain another person has felt. Once you feel the pain you begin to understand. I think that is part of why hurting people hurt others. They want to be understood on an organic level.
"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church," - Colossians 1:24 ESV
Today's word is 'complete / fill up / top off' (antanaplēroō - Strong's G466)
I like 'top off' for this word. I think the pain the writer felt helped him connect with Christ in empathy. It bridged the gap. Like overflow from a dam the water reached a level where it flows into the water on the other side and intermingled with it.
Some people are hard to get to know. There is no place of true intermingling.
I think young men experiment with relationships with women to get sex and young women experiment with sex to get a relationship. The problem is that intermingling on that level does not necessarily produce intimacy. Feeling what another person feels and thinking what a person thinks is the basis of a real relationship. Men often don't want to commit because they are afraid to feel. Their biology prevents it. The testosterone wash that floods the brain in the womb and then at puberty makes them emotionally retarded in comparison to a woman but it also makes him detached enough to do what has to be done in emotionally charged situations.
One of the things I have grown to appreciate about confrontational evangelism is the rejection. That may sound masochistic to some and let me tell you I hated it at first. Who doesn't want to be loved? Then I saw that if I was in tune with God the people weren't rejecting me. They were rejecting Christ in me and that created a true shared experience with my Savior. I became sad for Him and not myself. I also rejoiced for Him and not myself when people responded. I was feeling what He feels and He Is feeling what I feel.
The natural man avoids pain and exposure. Deep down it is guilty and does not want the light to reveal it's deeds, thoughts and emotions.
"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." - John 3:19-20 ESV
Jesus hung naked and exposed on a cross but He wasn't ashamed. He is not ashamed of you either. He desires intimacy. He isn't a fair weather friend who is just looking for laughs. He knows you. He has experienced your pain already. The question is... will you think and feel with Him. That is the heart of discipleship... walking with God and having shared experiences.
--
"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church," - Colossians 1:24 ESV
Today's word is 'complete / fill up / top off' (antanaplēroō - Strong's G466)
I like 'top off' for this word. I think the pain the writer felt helped him connect with Christ in empathy. It bridged the gap. Like overflow from a dam the water reached a level where it flows into the water on the other side and intermingled with it.
Some people are hard to get to know. There is no place of true intermingling.
I think young men experiment with relationships with women to get sex and young women experiment with sex to get a relationship. The problem is that intermingling on that level does not necessarily produce intimacy. Feeling what another person feels and thinking what a person thinks is the basis of a real relationship. Men often don't want to commit because they are afraid to feel. Their biology prevents it. The testosterone wash that floods the brain in the womb and then at puberty makes them emotionally retarded in comparison to a woman but it also makes him detached enough to do what has to be done in emotionally charged situations.
One of the things I have grown to appreciate about confrontational evangelism is the rejection. That may sound masochistic to some and let me tell you I hated it at first. Who doesn't want to be loved? Then I saw that if I was in tune with God the people weren't rejecting me. They were rejecting Christ in me and that created a true shared experience with my Savior. I became sad for Him and not myself. I also rejoiced for Him and not myself when people responded. I was feeling what He feels and He Is feeling what I feel.
The natural man avoids pain and exposure. Deep down it is guilty and does not want the light to reveal it's deeds, thoughts and emotions.
"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." - John 3:19-20 ESV
Jesus hung naked and exposed on a cross but He wasn't ashamed. He is not ashamed of you either. He desires intimacy. He isn't a fair weather friend who is just looking for laughs. He knows you. He has experienced your pain already. The question is... will you think and feel with Him. That is the heart of discipleship... walking with God and having shared experiences.
--
Monday, November 14, 2016
Shifty Souls - Colossians - Part 41
The unique word today is 'shift' (metakineō - Strong's G3334)
"...if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." - Colossians 1:23 ESV
On outreach this weekend we spoke to a man who though he was an 'old soul' and claimed that we were 'new souls' who just didn't know that humanity lives again and again until 'we get it right.' When we asked Him about Jesus we found out he grew up Catholic and saw Jesus as an example. Then we gave Him this verse.
"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." - Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV
This man had either never really put his hope in Christ or he had shifted away from the hope of the Gospel.
I plead with this man in the middle of the flea market and said with love in my voice, 'You think you have wisdom to give others and many chances to live again and again but you don't. If you die tonight you aren't coming back as a chipmunk or a squirrel. You are going to die and face God having never received the gift of salvation. Please consider Jesus. He Is not just an example. He was born once. He died once and He Is coming back.'
He then shifted the conversation and said, 'What about all the people in China.' my team mate began to answer but I brought it back to Christ and said, 'Forget those people for a moment... this is you, me and God right here and right now. God wants to give you a gift. They are none of your business. You are running up a tree to escape reality.'
I tried to stay with the squirrel theme. {smile}
This man was shifting back and forth. He thought when he died that he would shift into another body and spend another life shifting and making incremental progress. He is wrong and I would have done him no service by humoring him.
We locked eyes. I gave him the Gospel clearly. I trust God to use it in this man's life. He was older and didn't seem like someone who would change his mind easily. His fiction fits his lifestyle. But if God could save me (or you) He can save anyone.
"...if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..." - Colossians 1:23a ESV
We have hope when we don't shift away from what Jesus has done. We have integrity when we return and plant ourselves at Jesus' feet.
My flesh is shifty. It wants to live and justify itself but our spirit (if we have been made alive by trusting in Jesus) is not shifty.
God fill us with Your Spirit so we can live as spiritual people today. Then we will be firm, stable and steadfast. Our hope is not in our progress. Our hope is in what You have accomplished at the cross. Please bless our day and our week. We ask this in Jesus' precious Name.
--
"...if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." - Colossians 1:23 ESV
On outreach this weekend we spoke to a man who though he was an 'old soul' and claimed that we were 'new souls' who just didn't know that humanity lives again and again until 'we get it right.' When we asked Him about Jesus we found out he grew up Catholic and saw Jesus as an example. Then we gave Him this verse.
"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." - Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV
This man had either never really put his hope in Christ or he had shifted away from the hope of the Gospel.
I plead with this man in the middle of the flea market and said with love in my voice, 'You think you have wisdom to give others and many chances to live again and again but you don't. If you die tonight you aren't coming back as a chipmunk or a squirrel. You are going to die and face God having never received the gift of salvation. Please consider Jesus. He Is not just an example. He was born once. He died once and He Is coming back.'
He then shifted the conversation and said, 'What about all the people in China.' my team mate began to answer but I brought it back to Christ and said, 'Forget those people for a moment... this is you, me and God right here and right now. God wants to give you a gift. They are none of your business. You are running up a tree to escape reality.'
I tried to stay with the squirrel theme. {smile}
This man was shifting back and forth. He thought when he died that he would shift into another body and spend another life shifting and making incremental progress. He is wrong and I would have done him no service by humoring him.
We locked eyes. I gave him the Gospel clearly. I trust God to use it in this man's life. He was older and didn't seem like someone who would change his mind easily. His fiction fits his lifestyle. But if God could save me (or you) He can save anyone.
"...if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..." - Colossians 1:23a ESV
We have hope when we don't shift away from what Jesus has done. We have integrity when we return and plant ourselves at Jesus' feet.
My flesh is shifty. It wants to live and justify itself but our spirit (if we have been made alive by trusting in Jesus) is not shifty.
God fill us with Your Spirit so we can live as spiritual people today. Then we will be firm, stable and steadfast. Our hope is not in our progress. Our hope is in what You have accomplished at the cross. Please bless our day and our week. We ask this in Jesus' precious Name.
--
Friday, November 11, 2016
Having Made Peace - Colossians - Part 40
Today is Veteran's Day here in the United States. It is interesting that our study brings us to this passage.
"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 his cross." - Colossians 1:19-20 ESV
Jesus came to Earth and entered a warzone.
Having made peace (eirēnopoieō - Strong's G1517) is the unique word in this passage and it comes from the Greek word (eirēnē - Strong's G1515) which is used 92x and is often translated peace and once as rest and another time as quiet.
Jesus made peace and quiet through the blood of His cross.
What a powerful statement.
He gave His life to make peace and peace has been made. A treaty has been signed. It is a new covenant.
"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." - Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV
Men and women are prone to make war. I have seen it over the last few weeks. People war to take but they also have wars of words over what is right. War always has casualties.
Jesus came to make peace. He has made peace with Heaven.
"Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?' " - John 18:10-11 ESV
As disciples we enter the battle with the sword of human warfare in its sheath.
Go ahead and hate me. I will love you because Christ has loved me. I fight against evil not flesh and blood. I want peace with all men.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12 ESV
Thank You God. You are at peace with us. Make us peacemakers.
Thank You God for our veterans they served and went to war so that we could have peace. We honor them today. Peace is a precious thing.
--
"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 his cross." - Colossians 1:19-20 ESV
Jesus came to Earth and entered a warzone.
Having made peace (eirēnopoieō - Strong's G1517) is the unique word in this passage and it comes from the Greek word (eirēnē - Strong's G1515) which is used 92x and is often translated peace and once as rest and another time as quiet.
Jesus made peace and quiet through the blood of His cross.
What a powerful statement.
He gave His life to make peace and peace has been made. A treaty has been signed. It is a new covenant.
"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." - Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV
Men and women are prone to make war. I have seen it over the last few weeks. People war to take but they also have wars of words over what is right. War always has casualties.
Jesus came to make peace. He has made peace with Heaven.
"Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?' " - John 18:10-11 ESV
As disciples we enter the battle with the sword of human warfare in its sheath.
Go ahead and hate me. I will love you because Christ has loved me. I fight against evil not flesh and blood. I want peace with all men.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12 ESV
Thank You God. You are at peace with us. Make us peacemakers.
Thank You God for our veterans they served and went to war so that we could have peace. We honor them today. Peace is a precious thing.
--
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Prayer That Has Energy
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." - James 5:16b-17 KJV
The ESV translates this passage this way.
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth." - James 5:16-17 ESV
Fervent prayer is prayer with energy (energeō - Strong's G1754). Where does that energy come from? Is it emotional?
I have seen people 'pray hard' in a desperate way for things that haven't happened.
I find the example given here about Elijah very interesting. He prayed it wouldn't rain. That doesn't seem like a prayer that is helping someone. In fact, it is inconveniencing a lot of people. Droughts like that are devastating. God was closing off the faucet of logistical grace using Elijah's prayer.
"Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit." - James 5:18 ESV
Then He opened the faucet again using one man's prayer life.
I think there are times when all my prayers of, 'Bless this one and bless that one' have really just been carnal and have had no energy.
FYI. No one is sending positive energy toward anyone else. That whole economy is just bunk and wishful thinking. We are dealing with kingdoms and intelligent power structures. According to the Bible the universe is a creation of God and not some karmic power grid that can be tapped into and used as a courier service for warm fluffy starlight.
Witholding rain was exactly what God wanted to do for that time. That is what would build capacity. That is what would break the cycles of natural strength. God answered a man's prayer because that man had God's mind on a subject.
I don't know about you but I want to have an effective prayer life. How about this prayer.
'God, Please don't bless that person until they have a hunger to receive from You.'
Sounds harsh doesn't it? Maybe it is just the kind of unsentimental prayer that God will truly answer. Then the day will come for the shower of blessing and all the dust and grime that has built up will be washed away and replaced with freshness.
God please remove our moral 'niceness' and fill us with Your love. Make us salt and light. We don't want to be people of friendly phrases. We want to be people who have depth and true effectiveness. Only You can do this. We pray You will soften the hardened heart and give a backbone to those among us who are friendly but spineless.
Thank You God.
--
The ESV translates this passage this way.
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth." - James 5:16-17 ESV
Fervent prayer is prayer with energy (energeō - Strong's G1754). Where does that energy come from? Is it emotional?
I have seen people 'pray hard' in a desperate way for things that haven't happened.
I find the example given here about Elijah very interesting. He prayed it wouldn't rain. That doesn't seem like a prayer that is helping someone. In fact, it is inconveniencing a lot of people. Droughts like that are devastating. God was closing off the faucet of logistical grace using Elijah's prayer.
"Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit." - James 5:18 ESV
Then He opened the faucet again using one man's prayer life.
I think there are times when all my prayers of, 'Bless this one and bless that one' have really just been carnal and have had no energy.
FYI. No one is sending positive energy toward anyone else. That whole economy is just bunk and wishful thinking. We are dealing with kingdoms and intelligent power structures. According to the Bible the universe is a creation of God and not some karmic power grid that can be tapped into and used as a courier service for warm fluffy starlight.
Witholding rain was exactly what God wanted to do for that time. That is what would build capacity. That is what would break the cycles of natural strength. God answered a man's prayer because that man had God's mind on a subject.
I don't know about you but I want to have an effective prayer life. How about this prayer.
'God, Please don't bless that person until they have a hunger to receive from You.'
Sounds harsh doesn't it? Maybe it is just the kind of unsentimental prayer that God will truly answer. Then the day will come for the shower of blessing and all the dust and grime that has built up will be washed away and replaced with freshness.
God please remove our moral 'niceness' and fill us with Your love. Make us salt and light. We don't want to be people of friendly phrases. We want to be people who have depth and true effectiveness. Only You can do this. We pray You will soften the hardened heart and give a backbone to those among us who are friendly but spineless.
Thank You God.
--
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Preeminence - Colossians - Part 39
"And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell," - Colossians 1:18-19 ESV
The Hapax Legomena (uniquely used word) in verse 18 is (pre-eminent - prōteuō - Strong's G4409). The NAS translates this word 'to have first place' and it is a concept we all understand. He was first. He Is first and we will go into the future with Jesus being first.
In one sense when we sin we enter into territory He has never traveled into as a transgressor. Faithlessness is a state Jesus has never been in.
At the same time...
"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" - Psalm 139:7-8 ESV
Jesus has traveled into the Earth and visited the grave. He hung on a cross long before you and I were born and experienced the separation and punishment for our sins before we even committed them.
I like that this passage is the one in line to speak about today. We just had our presidential election in the United States and now that the votes are in there is a group that has won and is thanking God for the victory and there is one that has lost and must be wondering how they can go forward. Still... The Messiah is number one. He was first and He Is first. Human governments come in and go out like the tide but Jesus Is Lord.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Romans 8:37 ESV
That is a true statement that will always be true. Jesus has already crossed the finish line and we have crossed it with Him.
--
The Hapax Legomena (uniquely used word) in verse 18 is (pre-eminent - prōteuō - Strong's G4409). The NAS translates this word 'to have first place' and it is a concept we all understand. He was first. He Is first and we will go into the future with Jesus being first.
In one sense when we sin we enter into territory He has never traveled into as a transgressor. Faithlessness is a state Jesus has never been in.
At the same time...
"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" - Psalm 139:7-8 ESV
Jesus has traveled into the Earth and visited the grave. He hung on a cross long before you and I were born and experienced the separation and punishment for our sins before we even committed them.
I like that this passage is the one in line to speak about today. We just had our presidential election in the United States and now that the votes are in there is a group that has won and is thanking God for the victory and there is one that has lost and must be wondering how they can go forward. Still... The Messiah is number one. He was first and He Is first. Human governments come in and go out like the tide but Jesus Is Lord.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Romans 8:37 ESV
That is a true statement that will always be true. Jesus has already crossed the finish line and we have crossed it with Him.
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