My Main Takeaway from Colossians: To focus on riding myself of the things that kill (anger, rage, envy, etc) and let the peace of Christ rule in my heart. To be remember it's a daily choice to be THANKFUL, which is not always easy to do when it's so easy to focus on what you don't have. God wants us to be encouraged in heart and united in love, strengthened in the faith, and overflowing the thankfulness.
Colossians 3:
Verses 1-17: "Rules for Holy Living"
Verse 4 says, "Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will apear with him in glory."
Verse 5 says, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
What are some of the things that bring life and some that bring life?
Life:
"we are to be filled with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (vs. 12)
"let the word of the Christ dwell in you richley." (vs. 16)
"and be thankful" (vs. 15)
"love, which binds them all in perfect unity" (vs. 14)
"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." (vs 17)
Thankfulness is mentioned 3 times in chapters 3 and 4. It must be a reminded command because we need to be reminded of it. We have to actively choose thankfulness. It's a daily choice.
Death:
Anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, coveting. (vs. 8)
Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. (vs. 5)
Proverbs 14:30: "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
It really does. I think sometimes that's how things work with us. They kill us from the inside. We may look great on the outside, but we are rotting away on the inside.
Verses 18-25: "Rules For Christian Living"
Verse 18-21: "Wives submit to you husband, as it is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."Chapter 4:
People don't like the word "submit," but if you replace it with the word "serve" it makes better sense. If your husband is truly loving the wife with Christlike love, then it's easy and natural to submit. These verses say that we are to serve our husbands, like we are serving the Lord, and they are to love us as Jesus loves the church.
There should be a balance. If our husbands ever have to command us to submit, then something is wrong. The balance is off.
Family seems to important to Paul. It was important to him that the Colossians understand what love of a family was supposed to look like. The parents are to be a team, but the husband should still be the head of the family. Children should obey, but with loving direction.Verse 22-25: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord."
Does this verse mean that God supported slavery? In this verse, I see God's compassion for slaves. I don't think God likes slavery, but He still wanted the slaves to serve their masters and "whatever they do, work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
It's a call to be excellent in all we do. "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, becuase you know that you also have a master in heaven." This speaks more of the balance of love and respect, serving each other, advocating for eachother, etc.
Do you have any people in your life who meet a specific spiritual or physical need for you, like Paul has in Chapter 4?
It's great that Paul honors his partners in this chapter. We all have partners, other Christians, that help and encourage of on our journey towards Christ. We all need to remember thank those who helped along the way.
It all comes down to community. God never designed Christianity to be done in isolation. Can you be a Christian without going to church? Sure, but God designed us for community.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am chains." (vs. 2-3)
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