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A large portion of the first two chapters of Colossians, give us Paul’s arguments against those who simply don’t recognize the supremacy and preeminence of Christ Jesus. We studied that He is preeminent in creation, in redemption and in His church. Contrary to those who don’t find the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross sufficient as full payment for their sins and ultimate salvation, we recognize that He paid the ultimate price on our behalf. Our good works are a result of Christ living in us (Eph. 2:10), but can never add to the sacrifice that He made for us on the cross (Eph. 2:8). The teachers who were misleading the Colossians wanted them to return to the very elements of dead superstition and religion from which they had been delivered (Col. 2:8). Well, nothing ever really changes. These false teachers, with their endless enticing words, still abound in one guise or another. Text: Colossians 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Paul stressed the absolute Deity of the Lord Jesus. He stressed that Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Co. 1:15; Heb. 1:3) in whom all the fullness of the godhead dwells bodily and that we are complete in Him (Col. 2:9-13). We were buried with Him in water baptism, which is the circumcision of Christ and rose to walk in a newness of life (Col. 2:12; Ro. 6:4). When we began our new life in Him, we were translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13). These two kingdoms are diametrically opposed to each other. Jesus said that we can’t serve two masters (Mt. 6:24). The kingdom of darkness is always trying to entice us: to satisfy the base desires of our flesh, to have this world’s riches and to be noticed in this world. The requirements for entrance into the kingdom of God are: to be born again of His Spirit (Jn. 3:5), to become as a little child and to totally deny self and follow Jesus (Lu. (9:23, 18:17). Text: Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Jesus is sitting at the place of power and authority on the throne of God (Col. 3:1; Rev. 3:21). The things that He gives us are: continual fellowship and intimacy with Him. We are seated in heavenly places with Him (Eph. 2:6) and we reign with Him as kings and priest in His kingdom (Rev. 1:6, 5:10). We have freedom from the effects of sin that is killing a large portion of the earth’s population, such as drugs and AIDS. It is easy to be mislead by the mass media preachers who would have us set our eyes on the material things of this world as our God given entitlements. They emphasize the Old Testament promises to Israel of riches, if they obeyed God. In the Old Testament, riches were the seal of God‘s approval. In the New Testament the proof of discipleship is forsaking all to follow Jesus. Jesus promised in Luke 12:31 that If we sought His kingdom first, the necessities of life would be provided for us. The context of this chapter shows that “All these things” refers to food, clothing and shelter and by extension the necessities of life. Jesus wasn’t guaranteeing us a Cadillac and a mansion on the hilltop. It’s sad to note that many Christians who had been caught up with the current health and wealth gospel have been severely hurt by the current economic recession. Many economies of the world , including the U.S. are severely under water, and we may soon learn what it means to trust Almighty God, rather than the almighty dollar. Text: Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. As the old song says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” However, while we’re passing through our concern for the world should simply be to preach the gospel to all who will hear (Mk. 16:16; Mt. 28:18; Ac. 8:4) and to be the hand of God extended to all who are oppressed and suffering (Lu. 4:18). Our message is Christ and Him crucified, nothing else (1Cor. 2:2). If we preach without mentioning the cross, have we really preached at all? Jesus died so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (Jn. 3:16-17). God help us to take the focus off of ourselves and have a renewed vision for a lost and dying world. We don’t want to be classed with the church at Laodicea who was rich and increased with goods, but who had lost their first love and were doomed to be spewed out of God‘s mouth, except they repent (Re. 3:17). Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 1John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Text: Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. We recognize that our citizenship is in heaven (Php. 3:20). We know that the very elements of this world are going to burn up with fervent heat and that we wait for a new heaven and earth where God’s righteousness prevails (2Pet. 3:9-13) and where we will live eternally with Jesus. Seventy or eighty years of discipleship on this earth is nothing compared to spending eternity with our Master. Song: Jesus the Son of God written by Bis. G.T. Haywood "Instead of complaining at his lot, a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are. Instead of greedily desiring something more than the supply of his present need, he rejoices that God still cares for him. Such an one is "content" with such as he has." - A.W. Pink Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
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