Colossians

Studies of Paul’s letter the the church at Colossi

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Deceived by Fine Sounding Arguments – Colossians 2:2-4

My goal 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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.  Colossians 2:2-4 NIV Wisdom and knowledge.  I love learning, especially about the world we live in and the one who created it.  I find physics books to be fascinating, which is not to say I understand them well. …

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In Jesus Name – Colossians 3:17

“In Jesus Name” is a common expression in Christian circles, usually applied to our prayers and is frequently the closing phrase of those prayers.  But there is another way that this expression is used in the New Testament that is not talked about nearly as much. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17 NIV Here it deals with how I live my life, my words and actions.  Everything I do or say should be done or said …

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Continue in your Faith – Colossians 1:22-23

Once saved, always saved!  I grew up hearing this repeated over and over, like a mantra.  The problem is that it’s deceiving.  Most people I hear using the phrase are referring to salvation as being something that happened at some point in the past, an event that makes ones eternity secure regardless what might happen later.  And it gives peace to those who love a believer who has turned from the truth.  But no matter how sincere and real a persons commitment to God was in the past, salvation is not a single point in time event. 22 But now …

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The Futility of Legalism – Colossians 2:20-23

It is common in some circles to have a set of rules that are used to regulate conduct and ensure that you are worthy.  Many churches, and even more individual Christians use the 10 Commandments, or other selected portions of the Old Testament Law as the basis for their “Code of Conduct”, usually updating them a bit to handle more modern sins that need to be avoided. Most often these codes seem to take the form of “don’t do this”, “or this”, “or this other thing”.  But do these legalistic codes actually accomplish anything? 20 Since you died with Christ …

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The Cross: A Look From the Other Side – Colossians 2:13-15

I have been reading through Colossians and, as frequently happens, a passage jumped out at me and captured my interest. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. – Colossians 2:13-15 NIV We see Jesus crucifixion clearly …

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New Year Resolutions – Colossians 3:9-10

The old man represents a year that is worn out with all of the struggles of life while the young child is new and fresh and ready to face all that the new year will bring. I find this image fits well with Paul’s admonition to believers in Colossians 3:5-14.