1 John 1:1

Scripture: 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

Observation: That which was from the beginning: Jesus Christ. John is talking about Jesus.

• John heard Jesus
• John saw Jesus with his eyes
• John looked on Jesus
• John touched Jesus with his hands.

Jesus is referred to here as the Word of life. Reminds me of John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Should I Trust My Heart?

Prov. 18:2 "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself."

Prov. 28:26 "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool..."

Gen. 6:5 "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

Jer. 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Prov. 18:1 "Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom."

Prov. 3:7 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”

Rom. 1:22 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”

II Tim. 3:7 “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Prov. 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Matt 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander."

Colossians 4:1-3

Scripture: kjv Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.² Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;³ Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Observations:
In order to *continue* in prayer we have to begin praying in the first place. This is an area I struggle with, I just assume everything happening in my life is Gods will therefore I dont pray as much as I should. I recently heard a message about not being content with things but to wrestle and pray fervently for change. Paul tells us in this passage to pray, watch, be thankful.
Paul asks for prayer and again I find significant what he asked the church at Colossae to pray for, that God would open doors of utterance that they might speak the mystery of Christ. Our prayers are so selfish and feeble. When was the last time we prayed for open doors to speak the mysteries of Christ? What is a *door of utterance*?An opportunities to speak. To speak the mystery of Christ. The Gospel.
For which I am also in bonds...Paul was in prison for the doors of utterance he had already walked through yet here he is again praying for more doors to be opened, not at all discouraged or dissuaded from continuing to preach the same mysterious message that got him in prison. Peace that passes understanding.
Application: We often get in the car and pray that wherever we go God would lead us to a hungry soul. Someone we can help. I dont expect to share the gospel, I hope to share a smile, encouragement, kindness. The one thing I hope to teach my children is that they would not be selfish and obsessed with only their own needs....this prayer is a great reminder of what our objective in this world should be. Praying for doors to be opened that we might share the gospel. God open doors of utterance that we may share the mystery of Christ.
Pray: God give us doors of opportunity to share Jesus, give us boldness to walk through the doors for your glory.

Colossians 3:23-25

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Observations: Love this reminder that whatever we do should be done heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men. That changes everything doesnt it? We have this tendency to do everything for men, to be seen of men, admired by men, approved of men, rewarded by men, paid by men, but the Bible tells us Who we should be working and doing for. Lord Christ. Thats a beautiful way to say Jesus isnt it? Lord Christ. And dont just do for Lord Christ but do it heartily. He is worthy isnt He?
Not unto men. This is a problem every single one of us struggles with, working for men, placing our hope, trust, faith, success, and significance in men. We should do everything as unto the Lord and we can also expect Him to reward us, "the reward of the inheritance" meaning the heavenly glory.
There is a flip side. But he that doeth wrong shall also reap what he has sown, there is no respect of persons.
Application: I fail, my efforts are feeble, Im insignificant, I lack talent, Im not appreciated....all not true. This passage reminds me of 1 Cor 15:58 Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Do it heartily for Jesus, not man. Its not in vain, not insignificant. Even if by mans standards it seems to flop or fail, we have this assurance that when we work as to the Lord and not unto man it isnt in vain. Love this!! Knowing that ye shall receive the reward. What a promise! When the Bible says ye shall, then ye shall. Why? For ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:20-22

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Observations: I feel the weight of the children obey your parents scripture because it is my responsibility to teach my kids to obey. They arent naturally inclined to obey, so I have to teach them. This is a command to them but really more of a responsibility to me, to make sure they do obey. Note that is says in ALL things. Not some or most things but obey your parents in ALL things. No exceptions.
Fathers provoke not your children to anger. When the Bible is specific like this and names a certain thing to watch out for like provoke not your children to anger it must be because fathers have this tendency to make their kids angry...so beware. Watch out for this inclination. Lest they be discouraged. There is a connection between provoking our kids to anger and them being discouraged. Are my kids discouraged? Perhaps we have provoked them to anger.
Servants obey your master. Of course we dont have servants but I think it applies to employee and employer relationships.
Application: God commands our children to obey us in all things. Its important I teach them this command. I also need to not provoke them to anger. Keep a calm peaceful home where we speak softly and consider one another before ourselves. You first, Ill follow.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. I believe this is how we get our children to obey, by establishing and cultivating deep loving relationship with them. Love first, obedience follows. We obey who we love. If they love us they will keep our commands, they will obey. Jesus asked Peter:do you love Me...feed my sheep. See the order? Love then obedience. We can apply that truth to our children...Do you love me, obey. Love first. Relationship. God doesnt want us to do amazing, over the top, miraculous things for Him, He simply wants us to love and obey. Same with my kids, I dont want their performance I want their hearts.
Pray: God this command for my children to obey is more for me than them since it is my job to teach them the Word. Help me to teach by example that we should obey you. Always.

Colossians 3:17

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:17¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Observations: Ive heard people say that Christians *spiritualize everything*, but this scriptures seems to teach us that that is exactly what we are supposed to do. Whatever you do, your words, your actions do *ALL* in the name of Jesus. This is a good test for whether or not we should be doing something since its hard to sin in Jesus name. This includes conduct, where we go and every word we speak. If we cant do it in the name of the Lord Jesus then dont do it at all. Love how Paul refers to Jesus as Lord Jesus, perhaps significant in determining that all we do and say should come under the Lordship of Jesus?

Yet another reminder to give thanks to God. There are several in this book..

1. Colossians 2:7
   abounding therein with thanksgiving
2. Colossians 3:15
   and be ye thankful.
3. Colossians 3:17
   giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
4. Colossians 4:2
   Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Application: Words, deeds, all of it needs to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. When we get up and start our day this should be on our minds. Today, school will be done in Your Name. Dinner, prepared in Your Name. The way I interact with my children all done in Your Name. How I answer the phone and speak to strangers...Your Name. The suffering we endure done in Your Name. The trials and tests all received with gratitude in Your Name. Speech seasoned with grace. Your Name, all of it. Giving thanks...speaking, doing and thanking you continually Lord.

Pray: I guess this little verse should also apply to every prayer we pray. God bury deeply this lesson that all I do be done in Your Name, giving thanks. The hard things, suffering should be done in Your Name with gratitude because if you ordained it then it is indeed good.

Quality Bible Reading

Quantity of daily Bible study isnt near as important as quality. Dont try to choke down large portions, rather meditate and consider carefully small nuggets. Perhaps one verse or just one word, mull it over. Ask God...What does this mean? Daily bread is best when consumed in small portions, ever try to choke down a whole loaf of bread at once? His Word is too rich and full of life to eat quickly.

Savored. Experienced.

For instance. All...small little insignificant word right? Wrong ...in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Ive been meditating on that small 3 letter word for several days now. All. Just one word can change the course of eternity forever, one of His Words.

Living Words.

“Remember that it is not hasty reading, but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.” Thomas Brooks

Plug words or verses into Strongs Concordance . Study the root of a word. So many moms say they cant find time to read much less study but honestly it takes 2 minutes to look up the root meaning of a word. Carry that word with you throughout the day contemplating what God is telling us about Himself.  Meditate. The Word tells us to strive to enter into rest, commit and determine to enter in. Fight for fellowship with Christ. Hes worthy of our deepest most reverent consideration.

“As you read, pause frequently to meditate on the meaning of what you are reading. Absorb the Word into your system by dwelling on it, pondering it, going over it again and again in your mind, considering it from many different angles, until it becomes part of you.” Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Colossians 3:15-16

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Observations: Theres a connection between having the peace of God in our hearts and unity. One body comes from peace in our hearts. Here is yet another reminder to be thankful. Be ye thankful. Let Christs Word dwell in us richly in all wisdom. Earlier in Colossians Paul admonished us to beware of mens wisdom, here he reminds us to let Christs wisdom live in us...how? By His Word. How can we let that Word dwell in us if we dont study and read the Bible? Its important. I have been considering that there is peace and then there is the *peace of God*. There is wisdom, mans wisdom, and then there is Gods wisdom that comes from His word. 2 totally different things. Pauls makes the distinction here. Peace of God, and wisdom from the Word. That Word of Christ also allows us to teach one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Singing to the Lord. Wonder if our music admonishes, and teaches us? Wonder if it places grace in our hearts that we can give to God, and what is the difference between a hymn and a spiritual song? Anybody know?

Application: Let the peace of God *rule* in our hearts. That word rule there is a powerful little word. The Strongs says it is to direct, and control like an umpire. Peace is supposed to be calling the shots in our hearts. Like an umpire determines the game peace should rule our hearts and produce unity amongst believers. I need Gods peace and Gods Wisdom...not worldly peace and worldly wisdom.
Pray:
God let peace rule in my heart!

Colossians 3:14

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Observations:I like the way the ESV renders this verse. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Reminds me of 1 Cor 13:13 The greatest of these is love... Loving Him, allowing Him to love us. Loving others. Its the greatest and second greatest commandment. Love God, love others. Its the requirement for ministering to others. Do you love Him? Love. Put on Love.

It binds everything together in perfect harmony. Reminds me of Pauls statement that by Him all things consist. Makes sense that love binds everything together since God is indeed love. Christs love binds everything together. Amazing. Perfect harmony. Doesnt that sound nice...perfect harmony?

The KJV says charity is the bond of perfectness. Perfectness in the Strong means

1) perfection

a) the state of the more intelligent

b) moral and spiritual perfection

Want to be spiritually perfect, moral and even intelligent? Put on love!

Application: I think I am going to make a coat of love, forgiveness and all the other virtues Paul tells us to put on as a visual reminder. Put it on. Like a coat. Actively take it off the hanger and wear it. Love, keep it around your shoulders and mind so as to have it always as a shield from the world and also as a gift to the world. This love we are to put on. It protects us and serves others.

Pray: There is no way I could understand fully what real love is. The kind of love you extend and exude but please, it is my prayer that you would teach me Lord.

Colossians 3:13

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Observations: I love this slow paced study, gives me a little time to plug some of these words into the Strongs to see what the Lord is speaking to us. These definitions from STRONGS CONCORDANCE

 Forbearing:

1) to hold up

2) to hold one's self erect and firm

3) to sustain, to bear, to endure

Forgiving:

1) to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify

a) to show one's self gracious, kind, benevolent

b) to grant forgiveness, to pardon

c) to give graciously, give freely, bestow

1) to forgive

2) graciously to restore one to another

3) to preserve for one a person in peril

Wow...forgiveness is packed with meaning here isn't it? Not just a simple ok Ill let you slide this time but it includes grace, restoration, complete pardon, protection and benevolence. To agree adn be pleasing. Is that how I forgive? Um no. Sounds alot like how Jesus Christ forgives. He doesn't just give us a pass. He determines to restore and give too doesn't He? Even as Christ forgave thats how we are to forgive. How did Christ forgive? Notice the past tense? Forgave. Hes already forgiven. Forgave. He is the reason for the long packed with meaning definition of Forgiveness. He forgives extravagantly. He abundantly pardons. He forgives when we dont deserve it. Over and over again. He never holds a grudge or brings up past sins, when He forgives He means it. His forgiveness includes restoration and pardon.

 

The word forgive.......includes a give in it. See that? For*give*. We are to give something to the offender. Grace, restoration, gifts, help.

Application: I love this reminder to suffer long, put up with and then ultimately forgive after we forbeared. Doesn't a forbearance, suffering long and putting up with usually then lead to someone needing to be forgiven? Think about it. The ones who stretch us and make us extend grace also tend to be the very ones who need forgiveness, and not just typical worldly conditional forgiveness but a Biblical, spiritual loving forgiveness that restores. Even as Christ forgave us so we are to forgive. This is a command. No option here. He forgave so should we.
Pray:
God let this beautiful deep truth sink deep into my heart. Thank you for forgiving me and restoring me, help me to extend that kind of grace to those who need it.

Colossians 3:12

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Observations: Anytime there is a *therefore* there is a whyfore that preceded, a reason for the therefore. The reason for this therefore is because there arent races or classes in Christ but Christ is all and in all. Christ is significant so we are too. Its not our last name or how much money we have its Who our Father is that makes us of use. We are Gods chosen so put on/be:

• holy
• beloved
• bowels of mercies
• kindness
• humbleness of mind
• meekness
• longsuffering

Application: Humblesness of Mind stuck out to me. I like this little flip here....usually we think to pray against pride, work to not be so proud, but this is a different approach. Put on humbleness of mind, and isnt the mind part right on? Doesnt it all take palce in our minds? If we can just take every thought captive. Every proud thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Put on humbleness of mind. Or that list could read. Be selfless. Be selfless. Be selfless. Be selfless......

Pray:
Humbleness in my mind God. Please help me to not think of myself more highly than I ought. To be swift to hear. Everyone. Even my children. Help me to listen to my 3 year old. Swift to hear. Slow to speak. Humbleness of mind.

Colossians 3:9-11

Scripture: kjvColossians 3:9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Observations: There is that phrase *put off* again. Lie not to one another because you've put off the old man. Be honest. Share your heart and be real with each other. Paul is talking to the church at Colossae, telling them to lie not, dont lie because you've been converted there is no need to hide anymore. Isnt that something? Paul tells us to be honest with each other. There is freedom in living a life that is pleasing to God, we dont have to put on fronts and fake things when we've put off the old man. Confess your faults take down the facade and be real. Why? Because you've put off the old man, and put on the new which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of God. Renewed in the image of God. I could meditate on that for about a lifetime. In the image of our Creator there isnt pedigrees, or races, one class against another. Neither

• Greek
• Jew
• circumcision
• uncircumcision
• Barbarian
• Scythian
• bond
• free

Love this part Christ is all and in all, doesnt matter where you came from or who you are. Christ who is our life. Hes our life. We can share hearts and lives honestly because we are made new in Christ. There is freedom to share with other Christians when we truly surrender our lives to Christ. Holiness is liberating.

Application: I not only need to extend grace to everyone despite appearances I need to extend it to myself. God loves me in spite of my lowliness, my insignificance. His image has renewed me therefore Im not useless.

Pray:
Lord help me put off and on, so that I can live a renewed life that reflects your image. A life that doesnt need to hide from my Christian friends.

Colossians 3:7-8

Scripture: kjvColossians 3:7-8

7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.Observations: 7In the which ye also walked some time....reminds me of such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified.

We used to walk in sin, in our past lives. Before Christ. But now.....Love the But now part... But now put off all these

• anger
• wrath
• malice
• blasphemy
• filthy communication out of your mouth

Again it seems we are to put off. Do something...and here I am working so hard to rest...striving to rest.

Application: Interesting that anger wrath and malice is followed by blasphemy and filthy talk. Wonder if there is significance in the order there. Perhaps anger leads to a foul mouth? I can probably testify personally to that. The first 3 in the list are feeling that perhaps manifest themselves in our words. Blasphemy and filthy communications. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth doth speak. The list does seem to gradually get worse and worse until the anger manifests itself in our speech with filthy talk.

Pray:

Let my heart be free from anger Lord. Search me and rid me of wrath and malice, then my words will be sweet.

Colossians 3:5-6

 

Scripture: kjvColossians 3:5-6
⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

⁶ For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.

Observations:

Going to be perfectly honest here. I dont understand this concept of killing myself. The whole book of Colossians is about yielding and surrendering everything to Christ. He does the work, has already done the work. It is finished. We are told 20 times in 6 different ways to let go of our efforts, our abilities, our desires. Everything. Then here Paul tells us to kill ourselves. Put to death our sin. Sounds like he is saying we have to actively work to die to sin and self yet we know we cant do anything. Christ has to do the work....hmmm.*scratches head*. Okay so maybe we allow ourselves to be crucified with Christ? We allow ourselves to go the cross, we say nevertheless? Is that our part? Is that what Paul means/God is trying to teach me? I know He wants me to understand this....Im praying I will, but for now.....this concept it still developing in my mind. This yield/surrender yet kill your own self concept. lol

These are the things Paul tells us to put to death, things that are

• upon the earth... carnal, fleshly, sinful,
• fornication....any kind of sexual sin
• uncleanness....impurity
• inordinate affection :pathos. Rendered in Romans 1:26, "vile affections;" In 1 Thessalonians 4:5, the word is rendered "lust" - which is its meaning here.
• evil concupiscence...Evil desires; licentious passions;
• covetousness which is idolatry...significant that Paul lists all these base sins and includes covetousness with it. We rarely consider how very covetous we are and in how many areas of our lives this is manifest. We tend to think of material goods but it can also apply to others gifts, talents and abilities....anything that God hasnt given to us.

Seems Paul is telling us to deprive the members of our bodies that are sinful. He list mostly sexual sins, perhaps because they are some of the lowest? Maybe because we all have these base tendencies within us so we can all receive this Word? I guess there isnt a person anywhere in any generation who hasnt been touched by these sins in one way or another. Who doesnt struggle with carnality in their homes and families?  If you dont currently struggle with the kinds of carnality listed can you attest to the fact that these sins have damaged your home somehow at sometime? Have your parent fallen prey to this list? Your children? Yourself? Paul knew just where to put his finger when instructing us to purge the sin from ourselves. What an incredibly relevant and needful Word for our day and age.

Application: I know this Word instructs us to mortify/deprive our sinful natures, yet I cant. I have rely solely on Christ to do it for me. Im quite sure that freedom from these base carnal sins is found in complete surrender to Christ. Abiding. Dwelling. Surrender.

Pray:

Im so glad for the P part of my SOAP because Lord, I dont understand how I can kill myself yet that is what this verse seems to say. I pray for understanding. Again I gotta say I dont think I can mortify my members....reconcile these things in my heart and mind Lord. Kill myself, yet Im already dead because Christ said *It is finished*. 

Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians 3:1-4

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Observations: *If ye be* .......seek those things above. No questions asked....just *If ye be*....then seek. Period. Actively pursue and look for the things of God. Things that are found at the right hand of the throne of God.

The things we are to seek are:

• above
• where Christ sitteth
• on the right hand of God

Set your affections on things above, thats twice in the same sentence Paul tells us to look *above*, not on earthly sensual, carnal, fleshly desires. We are dead. Again this is a statement not a question or a maybe you are or maybe you arent...its not a process time.....Ye are dead, present tense, and our lives are hid with Christ in God. Praise the Lord we *are* dead and hidden in Christ!

 

When Christ who is our life....is such a beautiful statement. Christ is our life. Our breath, our sustenance, our very reason and ability to live....Christ is our life...our whole life, every aspect of it. Reminds me of some of the ALL scriptures in Colossians. Colossians 2:10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power Colossians 3:11 ...Christ is all, and in all.

Christ who is our life! When He appears we will appear with Him in glory....Notice how we'll appear? Again it is with Christ. Whew that is alot of Christ isnt it? Every way you look at it, any way you turn.....its Christ. He did, is doing, and will do all of it. Everything. ALL. Christ alone will be the reason we appear in glory.

Application: *If ye be* risen with Christ stuck out to me...am I risen with Christ? Before the resurrection there has to be a death and burial, a cross. A complete surrender of my own will. A nevertheless. Im not as concerned about my ability to rise as much as I am learning how to die daily and hide myself in Him.

This passage says we are dead, risen and hid....where did and does every one of these things take place??? IN CHRIST! We die with Him, Rise with Him and are Hid in Him. Which is why this verse says...Christ who is our life. ALL.

PRAY: Thank you Lord that I am dead, risen and hid....all in Christ! You really are my life. My ALL. Please teach me how to more fully yield and surrender my will. I need help Lord, with the death burial and hidden part. Crazy that I fully expect you can raise me but struggle to believe I am dead in Christ. Yet you said it. So glad I am not alone in my struggle. Paul too struggled and wrote about this *wretched man* battle.

 

Christ who is our life.

Colossians 2:22-23

Colossians 2:22-23

Scripture: kjv Colossians2:²² Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?²³ Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Observations: Paul is telling the Colossians why Dont touch, Dont taste, Dont handle doesnt work to save. Reasons:

• perish with the using:....these things are temporal and deteriorate with use. Sounds like the more you use rules the more they perish. *Perish with use*. Rules are carnal and dont have super natural power. Rules and religious standards come and go, they perish when used.
• after the commandments and doctrines of men:....reminds me of Mathew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Pharisee.
• indeed a shew of wisdom:Adhering to rules certainly appears to show off mans wisdom. *Shew of Wisdom*.
• will worship: one version calls this self imposed religion. Willing yourself to be holy. Doesnt work.
• humility: false humility. Man made humility. Paul talked about this a few verses up....he mentions those who take delight in false humility.
• neglecting of the body: asceticism, denying the flesh pleasure, or even basic comforts in order to gains Gods favor and mans admiration. Fasting, doing without. May seem spiritual but only the Spirit of Gods is Spirit-ual.
• not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.: I like the way the ESV renders this verse, (because I sure dont understand it in the KJV.) but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. That is very clear to me, hard for my flesh to submit to sometimes but the Word is clear. Rules like dont touch taste or handle have *NO VALUE* in stopping our sin. Denying ourselves doesnt work. Paul made that clear when he mentioned that our circumcision is *made without hands*. And again when he tells us Christ nailed the rules to the cross and made a public spectacle of them....blotted them out, because they are against us, contrary to us. Rules have NO VALUE in stopping the desires of the flesh.

 

Application: When the Bible screams something we should listen...Paul is screaming here...over and over he is saying the same things in several different ways. Rules are futile, they work against us. Religion is contrary to Christ. Christ alone, not only saves but HE is the substance that helps us to cease from sin. Hes enough.

PRAY: After years of trying to adhere to the rules and failing miserably I am so thankful for these verses Lord. They comfort me. My efforts are futile. Rules have *NO VALUE*. Christ has ALL value, ALL power. ALL. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around these concepts....teach me God to yield. Show me how to surrender my every human effort. To let you live fully in my life. Please.

Colossians 2:18-21

Colossians 2:18-21

Scripture: kjv Colossians2:18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Observations: Paul is adding yet more things to the list for the Christians at Colossae to be aware of. Yesterdays verses Paul warned against letting others judge us because we dont put our faith in traditions like meat, drink, new moons, religious holy days, and the sabbath. Today he warns us against letting others beguile us of our reward with voluntary humility. The words beguile, and voluntary humility elude to the fact that these kinds of people are subtle and modest. They come with kindness and a meek approach....reminds me of how innocent Satan seemed in the garden. *Did God say?* *Whats wrong with being wise Eve?* These men dont come in with guns blaring about spiritual things, but are more subtle and seemingly humble. I have often thought that these kinds are of the most dangerous because their tactics arent obvious. I would almost rather my children mix with blatant sinners than kids *who seem kind enough* in the Sunday School, or homeschool co-op. Which is more subtle and believable? The ones who are voluntarily humble, right? Yet Paul tells us to beware and not let these types rob us of our faith in Christ alone.

Worshiping of angels: these men are perhaps super spiritual, they come professing great revelations and deep truths.....intruding into things they havent seen. Proud and carnal.

And here is why all this false teaching abounds....they do not *hold to the Head*. Christ. When we hold to Christ we have/are:

• nourishment ministered
• knit together
• increaseth with God

We are dead with Christ and dead to the rules of the world, why do we think we need to adhere to the rules in the world? Rules about abstaining from this and that.

• touch not
• taste not
• handle not

Paul already let us know that Christ nailed the handwritten ordinances to the Cross, blotted them out because they are against us, contrary to us. Rules are against us!

Application: Paul wants to make sure we dont let these people cheat us out of our reward. What is that reward? Christ! Dont let people cheat you out of Christ. They will try it many different ways. Humility, spirituality, holiness standards, visions of angels. You name it they will try it. My old Pastor used to say if the devil couldnt get you to be a rank sinner he will try to make you go overboard into spiritual realms that are of the enemy...overboard.

PRAY: Balance, Jesus. Please give us balance that pleases and approaches you with true humility. Grant me the ability to bow my heart to Your throne.

 

Colossians 2:16-17

Scripture: kjv Colossians2:¹⁶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holiday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: ¹⁷ Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Observations: Paul is not only telling these Colossians that they shouldn't impose rules on themselves but he wants them to be sure and not be moved by those from the outside who would like to impose rules upon them or make them feel guilt because of the liberty they have in Christ. Let no man judge you.....implies that we shouldnt even go there. Dont put yourselves in situations where you will be judged. Avoid arguments and confrontations. Unity first. Others first. Let no man judge you. Paul knows that there are groups of proud puffed up religious types who like to go on and on about how many standards, rules and convictions they abide by.....Paul says dont let them judge you. Pride is a poor substitute for the power and peace of Christ yet many people opt for it. Then he goes on to list the types of things these people judge for.

• meat
• drink
• holidays
• new moon
• Sabbath

These things are a shadow, a mere shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ. Ill take Christ rather than the shadows that represent Him, thank you very much. Its like this.....would I like my husband to hug and hold me or would I rather try to squeeze and cuddle with his shadow? That is the illustration the Bible is making between rules and Jesus Christ Himself. Not much comparison is it?

 

 I think about Halloween coming up, we dont celebrate but the Word is clear here we are not to judge one another or allow others to judge us concerning these things. Unity first.

Application: I want all of Christ and none of the man made rules and judgements from others. What a wonderful, applicable reminder to us Christians to put our faith in Jesus alone, to not only *not judge* but to refuse along with Paul to *be judged*. Let no man therefore....whyfor? Because Jesus spoiled powers and principalities, He nailed the rules to the cross. Blotted them out because they are against us, contrary to us. Its what the Word says and I believe it!

PRAY: Your clear here Lord, and Im thankful for that. We are not supposed to judge each other for external standards, nor are we to allow ourselves to be judges. The self righteous religious types squirm under this Word here, yet its true. Every word of it. Its so true and important you had Paul write a whole book with this ongoing theme it. Paul says it over and over again....Christ saves. Rules are against us. Dont judge or be judged. Jesus is enough! Amen

Colossians 2:13-15

Scripture: kjv Colossians2:¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;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;¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Observations: We were dead but Christ made us alive! Quickened!

There it is again, the *with Him* phrase.

• buried with Him
• risen with Him
• quickened with Him

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances, makes me think of a long list of legalistic rules written by man. Handwritten Rules. Christ nailed those rules to the cross! I know many churches still preach and practice methods, formulas, checklists of do and donts, but Paul is quite clear here that those things were *against us*, *contrary to us*. Rule-keeping has no value in Christs economy. Christ took rules out of the way and nailed those ordinances to His cross! I like the way this passage says  nailing it to  HIS cross. It was His cross. Personal. He personally nailed those rules to His cross. It is all about Christ any way you look at it!

This is the second time in Colossians Paul talks about powers and principalities. Christ shamed them publicly triumphing over them!

Application: I need nothing but Christ. Christ isnt impressed when we impose rules and regulations on ourselves and each other. I cant get holy enough for Him. God doesnt scrutinize me or my sacrifice. God is for God.The ordinances have been nailed to the Cross. When Christ died on the Cross I died with Him, I rose with Him and I am quickened, alive with Him. Its what the Words says, and I believe it!

PRAY: Thank you Lord for loving me and delivering me from thinking I could sacrifice enough to win you. You won me. You died. You rose. You live. I am *with* You. Its all about You, every step of the way. We are made without hands, kept by You. The rules are against us, contrary to us. Its clear Lord, this Word. You took the ordinances and nailed them to the Cross. Please open the eyes of those who think rule keeping has any power.