Returning to the Basics; Colossians 1
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
August 1, 2018
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Introduction:
While imprisoned the first time, Paul penned Ephesians (60AD), Colossians (61AD), Philemon (61AD) and Philippians (62AD). The gospel of Matthew had already circulated along with James' writings for about twenty years. During that time, Paul authored Galatians (49AD).
August 1, 2018 Returning to the Basics Colossians 1 These first imprisonment letters were circulated about the time the Gospel of Luke (58-60AD), the book of Acts (62AD) and Mark's gospel (60AD) came on the scene. Colosse was an ancient trade center located 100 miles east of Ephesus and just a few miles from Laodicea and Hierapolis. Epaphras was the founder of the church and informed Paul of their great love when he visited Paul and sought to minister to him while he was in chains. Already, the cross winds of heresy had made their way into this young church, and Paul's intent was to purify the body and re-align it back to the basic things of the gospel. Paul ministered through this epistle by revelation from the Holy Spirit (something desperately needed in the church today). Ministry by revelation allows vision into the lives of people, while wiping away the subterfuge of façades. Jesus ministered in this fashion (knowing the thoughts of others and seeing their life patterns and sins). Paul had never been to Colosse when he addressed them, but by the Spirit, he literally entered their fellowship with pinpoint accuracy. Men of God, in the past, have ministered this way (calling out error or happenings in people's lives which were privy only to them). Ministry by revelation cancels the need for counseling. (C.G. Bevington was a perfect example.) Greek speculation (2:4, 8-10), Jewish legalism (2:11) and Oriental mysticism (2:18-23) had negatively flavored the Colosse camp and Paul addressed them all. (Circumcision, dietary regulations, ritual observances were part of the system--also the worship of angels as intermediaries coupled with mystical experiences). Paul knew a proper view of Christ was and is the antidote for heresy. Jesus is the fullness; He is all the believer needs. There are no add-ons.
Jesus is all one needs, and Paul spoke to this in his prayer - beginning in 1:9.
Paul established a beachhead against error and deception in twenty-nine verses. It was as if he was saying, "How dare you allow humanistic 'clap-trap' to stand equal to the investment Jesus has in you?" (O' Church, once again this question should be raised in modern congregations.) He then off-loaded a message which encapsulated the basic gospel message!
By ministering through revelation, Paul divided Colossians into two aspects of the Lord Jesus-His place above all things (supremacy, Chapters 1-2) and the believer's response to His Lordship (submission, Chapters 3,4). This newsletter will reflect that dichotomy by exegeting the first section of two chapters in the August and September editions. Colossians 1 Paul addresses this letter to the saints (Holiness Ones) and the faithful (which today might eliminate thousands claiming to be Christian). Characteristic of this group was their faith in Jesus Christ, their "love for all the saints (1:4)" and their "love in the Spirit (1:8)." There is a dimension in the Spirit that calls for a depth of love on a greater level than just fellowship. Love in the Spirit intensifies interaction between the "Christ in you" reaching out to the "Christ in another." In times past, I have called this "the fellowship of the flame." John, the revelator, knew a love for the person of Christ that was consuming and took priority over all other considerations (I, 2, 3 John). Being drawn into another person on a level of interaction attributable only by the means of the Spirit (Billy Sunday and Gypsy Smith; Billy Graham and Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea on an evangelistic team level are examples) is a supernatural love. Missionaries that love a people in a distant land and are consumed with compassion for them are examples. Believers pulled together in a friendship depth that is unexplainable aside from the Spirit are examples as well. Husband and wife who are bonded by a spiritual dimension that surpasses the human aspects are examples. Paul recognized, at the beginning of this epistle, Colosse's salvageable aspects-much like God sees us in ours. Note how he draws from the deep well of their past.
As with many current believers, Colosse needed to return to the bedrock of the "truth of the gospel." They once knew the true gospel, but they allowed other ideologies to take precedence. They once "heard and knew" the grace of God in purity of truth but were now busy with other pursuits. Somebody had to rise up and jerk them back from the brink, lest they lose sight of the simplicity of Christ. (Who will be that "somebody" today?) Paul began with a prayer for them and that prayer encased the ingredients needed to get to the "road back home." Foremost in the prayer was this element:
God's will is definable. He does not hide behind the draperies of evasiveness. When one is so "filled," there comes with it an assurance and peace. (I have seen missionaries and pastors in insufferable situations defend their continuance with, "I know this is God's will for me.") Being filled with the knowledge of the will of God is the credentialed passport to the supernatural. Spiritual wisdom (knowledge of how to apply understanding) and spiritual understanding are power twins. They enable the believer to walk in the power of Christ, by sharing His qualities of wisdom and understanding. These elements usher in the next part of Paul's prayer, which is:
"Fully pleasing" is a state of completeness in one's walk (It is like ever increasing grace, which brings a supernatural fruitfulness and an increase in one's knowledge of God [a state which testifies by producing the "perfect man"]).
Paul's prayer continued with:
The authority of the believer flows from "His glorious power." Paul will soon unveil just how powerful Christ is. Establishment of this "understanding" rests in His ultimate power and authority over all things from creation to His return (all power in heaven and on earth). Understanding the immense power of the Master, reigning over all of life's situations, brings patience and endurance to the heart of the believer regardless of circumstances. Paul, in the following three verses, reviews the glorious station the believer stands in. If believers will rehearse these elements and declare their ownership of these verses, it will change their life.
Next, there appears a big "IF" clause, which challenges all who read it. These afore mentioned elements are predicated on the following verse.
Paul begins with verse 15 to show how far reaching is Jesus' Lordship.
Paul's perspective now must become theirs as well. Colosse church must grasp these truths in order to understand why Paul abides chains. The scope of his ministry reflected these tenets and kept him on track and will do the same for the church.
Let every body of believers hear this message! May the Spirit move in the hearts of the pastors, church leaders, gatekeepers and upon all church evangelists, prophets and teachers to preach these basic tenets of Colossians 1. May they join Paul in declaring,"we also labor, striving according to His working which works in us mightily." Remember, it is one thing to be a Bible believing church and another to be a church like the one described in the Book of Acts. Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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Last modified: 02/07/2019