Toxic humility - Colossians 2:18

"Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind." (Colossians 2:18) 

Paul is not speaking of someone who can actually defraud you of your prize, but he is using what appears to be a sports metaphor. He seems to be referring to an umpire who can declare someone disqualified from the race and, ultimately, from the prize for not competing according to the rules. The English Standard Version of the Bible translates it this way, "Let no one disqualify you." (Colossians 2:18 ESV) and the God's Word Bible translates it as, "Let no one... tell you that you don't deserve a prize." (Colossians 2:18 God's Word)

In life there will never be any shortage of people wanting to judge us and to point out to us that we are doing it wrong, which usually means we are not doing it their way. Some, in their own delusion, may mean well, but their judgment is a snare that can rob us of all that God has for us. God has come to set us free yet, if we submit to such and to their judgment, we will once again find ourselves in bondage. When it comes to things like food, drink, festivals, observances, and the like, we must never allow other to become our judges for only one is our judge, Jesus Christ. Paul says of those who desire to be judges, "Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:4) Jesus is our judge, there is no need for another.

As for the rest of the verse, it is unclear to whom Paul is speaking; to the one being defrauded or to the one defrauding. Darby translates this verse as if Paul is speaking to the defrauder, "doing his own will in humility and worship of angels, entering into things which he has not seen." (Colossians 2:18 Darby) while the Message Bible assumes Paul is speaking to the defraudee, "ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions." (Colossians 2:18 The Message) Regardless of which interpretation you choose, the message is the same; there will always be those who choose their own brand of religion and, by it, seek to judge you and compel you to become like them. To them we must not yield lets our religion too become defiled and deluded with mixture.

One of the things Paul specifically warns us about in regard to such men and women who would seek to judge us is a dependence upon self-abasing humility. It seems to me that some religious sects are so dedicated to impressing upon people their lowly and unworthy state that they never allow them to rise above their former selves to experience the newness of life they have in Christ. I have been in churches where, each and every Sunday, the participants are taught to say, "I am not worthy but only say the word and I will be made worthy." Each week they are forced to confess their unworthiness, their disqualifications for the prize, when in reality Christ has already made them worthy! I have also been in some churches where, each week, there is a call for those in attendance to recommit their lives to Jesus or to "get right" with Jesus. Each week they are told they are sinners and that they are not living right and that they need to "come clean" and get right with God. However, Jesus has already cleansed us and bestowed upon us the righteousness of Christ. Such judgement would try to convince us that we are, or have been, disqualified for the prize while the truth is that, we have already been "made... accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:6 NKJV)

Paul says of true humility that, "you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think." (Romans 12:3) This also means that we ought not to think more lowly of ourselves then we ought. True humility is knowing who we are, accepting who we are, and living who we are. It's not trying to be someone else or trying to project ourselves as someone else. We will never become that new creation in Christ until we realize that we already are that new creation in Christ. Let us stop listening to those who would tell us that we are unworthy, disqualified, or too damaged to receive this new life in Christ. Instead, let us start living this new life that we have already been given; to be the new men and women we have been recreated in Christ to be. Let our freedom, newness, and abundance be the judge of those who would seek to judge us in return.

David Robison

Shadow religion - Colossians 2:16-17

"Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day —  things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ." (Colossians 2:16-17)

There are some believers who feel it is their purpose in life to examine and judge other believers. Their goal is to test each believer against what they believe is the standard of Christian behavior (which is most often their own standard of behavior) and to pronounce judgment on those who deviate. It is not hard to know these people as they are very willing to make themselves known as they judge you against their version of right and wrong. There are also entire sects of Christianity that have perfected this judgement into an art form. They are more committed to the conformity of others to their religious system then they are of true Christ-likeness. They willing accept adherents regardless of their commitment to holiness while excluding those who do not adopt their religions system yet who consistently shine forth the image and nature of Christ.

In Paul's day, the chief offenders were those of the Jewish religion who constantly sought to restore Christians back to the law of Moses. However, it would no be long until Christians perpetrated the same judgment against other Christians in an attempt to secure conformity. In 190 AD Victor, the Bishop of Rome, sought to excommunicate all the eastern churches because they did not observe Easter on the same day as he did and the western churches. Fortunately, Irenaeus rebuked him, "Irenaeus, though agreeing with him on the disputed point itself, rebuked him very emphatically as a troubler of the peace of the church, and declared himself against a forced uniformity in such unessential matters." (Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Section 50, Germs of the Papacy) In his defense of the Easter churches, Irenaeus noted that even Polycarp, the disciple of John, honored Easter on their set day. Far be it for the church to excommunicate one as pious as the beloved Polycarp.

Today, many people take to Facebook in a preemptive strike against those who might disagree with their choices saying, "Don't judge me!' But this is not what Paul is saying, There will always be people who will judge us, but we do not have to let their judgment control us. Paul's admonition has less to do with preventing the judgment of others as it does with not receiving the judgment of others. There are some things that simply do no matter in our walk with the Lord, such as, food, drink, festivals, observances, an holy days, even Sundays. Yes, people will always be trying to judge us according to these things, but who cares? We have been set free from these worries so why even listen to those who still try to judge us by them?

To those of the world, these things make since. They have the feel of natural religion. However, they are only the shadow of what is true religion. These people serve the shadow rather than the reality that is casting the shadow. The Greek word translated here as "substance" can also mean "body." What Paul is saying is that, those things they are so concerned about are only shadows. However, the one casting the shadow is Christ. If we serve Christ then we no longer have to worry about the shadows, but if we serve the shadows then we will never come to know Christ. Let us look up to see the body, to see Christ, and not worry about those who would judge us for doing so.

David Robison

A Victory Procession - Colossians 2:15

"When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." (Colossians 2:15)

This verse has always been a bit difficult for me to understand and to parse. Partly because I am not fluent in Greek and partly because I am not fluent in the history of the times. Paul speaks of Jesus disarming the rulers and authorities, those same rulers and authorities he previously said that Jesus had become the head and ruler over (Colossians 2:10). However, it is unclear if Jesus disarmed himself of those who claimed power and authority over Him or if He disarmed those of their power and authority. The Bible in Basic English translates this verse assuming the former. "Having made himself free from the rule of authorities and powers, he put them openly to shame, glorying over them in it." (Colossians 2:15 BBE) Either way, it is clear that Jesus was both victorious over them (no longer under their rule and authority) and that they were defeated by Him (no longer retaining their power and authority over Him). Jesus has both defeated and dethroned them.

It is also unclear exactly what Paul was saying was the source of the power that overthrew the rulers and authorizes in defeat. Some translators interpret Paul as saying Jesus and other as saying "it" meaning the Cross. The New International Version of the Bible takes the later interpretation. "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:15 NIV) However, either way, the cross was just a piece of wood, devoid of any real power and ability. It was the obedience of Jesus to suffer death upon the cross for us and to overcome death by raising from the dead that was the true power behind His victory over all rule and authority and even sin itself. Which ever reading Paul meant, it amounts to the same thing, Jesus death on the cross brought about great victory and defeated His and our enemies in the spiritual realm.

The idea of a public show of one's captives in victory is foreign to us. Yes, we see news footage of wars being fought and won (and lost) but we are not accustom to seeing victory parades that include the procession of those who were conquered. It would be as if, at the end of World War II, we brought all our German captives back to the USA and paraded them in front of our victorious troupes. This was, however, common in the Roman empire of Jesus' day. The Greek word Paul uses for "disarmed" can also be translated as to "strip naked" which was how Roman captives defeated in war were paraded before their troupes for all of Rome to see and disdain. The Message Bible captures this image as it translates this verse. "He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets." (Colossians 2:15 Message)

The Roman Victory march, known as a Triumph, was the highest honor that could be shown a conquering Roman general. In fact, many generals, before going to war, would first make sure that their victory would be honored with a Triumph before agreeing to go forth in war. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes a Triumph procession in the following way. "The magistrates and members of the Senate came first in the processions followed by musicians, the sacrificial animals, the spoils of war, and the captured prisoners in chains. Riding in a chariot festooned with laurel, the victorious general (triumphator) wore the royal purple and gold tunic and toga, holding a laurel branch in his right hand and an ivory sceptre in his left. A slave held a golden crown over the general’s head while repeatedly reminding him in the midst of his glory that he was a mortal man. The general’s soldiers marched last, singing whatever they liked, which included ribaldry and scandal against their commander, probably as a way to avert the evil eye from him. On reaching the Capitoline temple the general presented his laurel, along with thank-offerings, to the image of Jupiter. The prisoners were usually slain, and the ceremony concluded with a feast for the magistrates and Senate." (Encyclopedia Britannica)

This is a picture of the victory that Jesus won over all rulers and authorities as He triumphed over them by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. It was quite a show! It also reminds us of the victory He has conferred upon us. Not a secret victory, but a bold, boastful, and public victory. Why then should we still live like we are defeated? Let us never forget our deliver's Triumph; let us always live in the reality of what He did and the victory that is now ours.

David Robison

Blotting out dogmas - Colossians 2:13-14

"When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14)

Our death is two fold. It is not just that we have sinned but that we are sinners. It is not just that we do sinful things but that sinfulness is within us. The Old Testament provided for forgiveness, for the blood of bulls and goats was sufficient for that, but it could not change the fact that we were sinners. This would require a much greater sacrifice. The writer of Hebrews says, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:13-14)

Many people seek forgiveness but Jesus came to provide us so much more. He came not only to forgive us but to also wash away our sins. After Paul was forgiven by Jesus on the way to Damascus, Ananias said to him, "Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name." (Acts 22:16) Paul had been forgiven, but now was the time those sins to be washed away and for him to begin his Christian walk. 

It is in baptism that we are united with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection and it is in baptism that our old man is crucified, washed away, and replaced with newness of life. Over the years I have meet many Christians who have been forgiven but who still live with their past sins hanging around them like an old dead albatross. They are forgiven but all they can see are their sins and the things they have done. They are unable to receive what is ahead of them because they are constantly reminded of their past. They need to have their sins washed away so they too can being their new Christian walk. They need the waters of baptism; to be crucified, buried, and raised to newness of life.

As part of His efforts at making us free, Jesus removed the one thing that condemned us and that stood between us and our reconciled relationship with God, that being the Law! The Law is contained in a series of decrees, whose Greek word is the same word from which we get our word dogma. The law states what we must and must not do to be found righteous and by which to approach God. If we do these things, then we do well, if not, however, then the sentence is death.

However, Jesus came to remove the dogma of law, not by canceling it, but by performing it. Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17) Jesus came to fulfill the law that we might no longer live by its standard. He has now called us to live by a new standard; not one of dogma but of love. We no longer need to be worried about obeying or offending the dogma of the law, we simply need to live by love and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, without the law there remains nothing by which to condemn us, We have been given freedom with nothing left to reimprison us but ourselves. The old way of living has been canceled out by the cross and a new way has been inaugurated for us through Jesus' flesh. Let us not fail to find and live that new life.

David Robison

Circumcision - Colossians 2:11-12

"and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:11-12)

As part of the process of making us complete in Christ, we need to be recreated in Christ; we need to be changed from our former nature into a nature that is made after the image of Christ. Paul refers to this process as circumcision; not physical circumcision but spiritual circumcision.

The practice of circumcision is very ancient and served as a mark of the covenant made between God and Abraham and the children of Israel. "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised." (Genesis 17:10) Circumcision was a physical mark in the flesh in the removal of a piece of flesh often associated with our lusts and passions. However, while it stood as a sign of God's covenant with Israel, God always desired more. God desired a circumcision that was internal not external. Even before the children of Israel ever entered the Promise Land, God commanded them, "So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer." (Deuteronomy 10:16) And God promised that if they would obey Him then He would "circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live." (Deuteronomy 30:6)

God desires not the circumcision of our flesh but the circumcision of our heart; an inward circumcision that only He can perform within us. Paul writes clearly on this matter when he said, "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God." (Romans 2:28-29) This is a circumcision made without hands and in a place that no one can see. However, it's mark is evident to God and to all who truly examine our lives. It is an indelible mark that we are His and that our life has been changed by His hands.

This circumcision, this putting off of the flesh, happens when we are baptized. In baptism we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection; not figuratively but actually. Baptism is not an outward sign of an inward grace, it is an inward grace. In baptism our old man, our body of sin, is put to death and buried in a watery grave so that, as we rise from baptism, we also rise to newness of life. Paul teaches us concerning baptism, "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin." (Romans 6:4-7)

What makes baptism effective, what allows the performance of the circumcision of our heart, is not our obedience but our faith; faith in the working of God. Obedience appeals to the praise of men while faith appeals to the praise of God. Our faith rests not in ourselves but in the power of God that was sufficient to raise Jesus from the dead. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, surely He can also raise us to newness of life. Jesus came to make us complete and completion lays just ahead of us, but we must first pass through the waters of baptism, being circumcised in our heart, that we might receive and walk in newness of life.

David Robison

Made complete - Colossians 2:9-10

"For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10)

Paul tells us something very important about the person of Jesus Christ. All of God was in Jesus as He lived and walked among us. In some undefined way and mode, there was a commingling of the human and the divine in Jesus. Jesus certainly had a human body. Even after His resurrection He demonstrated to His disciples that He was very much still human. "While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them." (Luke 24:41-43) Yet, while His body was human, what filled Him was divine. All of God abided within the confines of His human flesh. Jesus was not simply a man with a divine message like one of the prophets. Jesus was not a man merely possessed of influenced by the divine such as one of His disciples in  whom abides the Holy Spirit. Jesus was both fully human and fully divine making Him unique among all mankind, As such, being unique, He has now come to have first place in everything; being the head of all rulers and authorities; over all who are first and who have power to exercise over others.

In Jesus, the deity dwells complete and in Him we too are complete. The idea of the Greek word for "complete" means to be crammed full with nothing lacking and no room for any more. In Christ there is no lack, He already possess all we could ever need and want. When we are in Jesus, all our needs are provided by Him; by Him in whom the fullness dwells.

The path to being in Christ, as Paul will explain in the next few verses, is a path for which Jesus has already paid the price for us. It is a path that is initiated by Christ, sustained by Christ, and perfected by Christ. It is a path where Jesus is "the author and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12:2) However, it is also a path that we must choose. We may choose to live in want or we may choose to live in abundance. We may choose to live in the world with its wanting philosophies and elementary principals of morality or we may choose to live in the divine with its truth and light. However, to choose to live in Christ will necessitate change in our lives; changes we must be willing to embrace. We cannot continue to live in the world and expect to receive the fullness of Christ and His Kingdom. We are all called to choose and the choice we are asked to make centers around Jesus. Will we choose for Him or choose for ourselves and the world. That is the choice we must make. Once choice leads to life abundant and the other to eternal death. What choice will you choose today?

David Robison

Taken captive - Colossians 2:8

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

Just as in Paul's day, today there are many who start out well only to end up as the prisoner of someone else's thoughts, teachings, and ideas. For the first century church, the leading competitors for the hearts and minds of men were the Jews, who sought to restore the believers back to obedience to their traditions and the Law of Moses,. There was also the various Gnostic heresies, who proclaimed a higher knowledge than the Apostles and deeper revelation into the number and realms of the Gods. In my youth, one of the main challenges of new believers was a liberal education that sought to elevate philosophy about religions faith and knowledge. Today, we face new challenges stemming from other forms of spiritualism and new interest in old religions like Mohammedanism (the Muslim religion). All these forces are seeking to take us captive unto themselves and to lead us away from Christ and His teaching. The Greek word used here for "captive" means to be taken as one's spoil or prize. We are the prize that people people and religions are fighting over. However, in this fight, we get to choose who's captive we will be.

It is important to note that what is of concern here are not ideas and teachings, but those peddling those ideas and teachings. Paul warns us not of ideas that might take us captive but of those who would use ideas to take us captive unto themselves. Ideas don't ensnare people, people ensnare people! In this contest, those who seek to lead us astray will use two appeals against us. First is philosophy. The Greek word for "philosophy" is a concatenation of two Greek words. The first is philos which means brotherly love, from which we get Philadelphia being the city of brotherly love. The second word is sophos which means wise or wisdom. Philosophy is the love of wisdom, and certainly there is nothing wrong with that. However, Philosophy can only assent to the extent of our mind while the Gospel descends from God's mind. Philosophy is good but never perfect. We must love wisdom but, better still, we should always defer to the mind of Christ over the mind of philosophy. God's word is true and it teaches what wisdom cannot attain. This is evident in that, "the world through its wisdom did not come to know God." (1 Corinthians 1:21) We need God's wisdom for life, not just our own.

The second appeal that men will make in an attempt to dissuade us from Christ is out right error. There are those who will teach what is false in an attempt to cheat us out of the blessing of a life lived for Christ. How can we defend ourselves against them unless we know and believe the message of Christ. Many believers are deluded because of their lack of knowledge of both the history of God among men and the message He is seeking to communicate to them. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He fought back with knowledge, "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4) We must know God and His word if we are to remain steadfast in our faith.

In making their appeal, they will draw evidence from two sources: tradition and creation. Tradition and creation are valuable teachers and give us many similes and lessons we can learn. However, we are called to be people born from above and we must learn those lessons above all others. Why learn how to live below while our home awaits us in heaven? Why learn how to be carnal people of the Earth when we have been made new as spiritual people of Heaven? This Earth serves our natural life but our eternal life is in Heaven with God. One day, this Earth and its traditions will pass away and there will be a new Heavens and a new Earth which will be our new home. Then, what good will those things be to us in which we once depended? Life is too short to be trapped in empty and worthless traditions and life is too valuable to leave it to the beggarly teachings of this world and this creation. Let us learn to live by higher truth, a greater teaching, and a more perfect example. Let us not be cheated!

David Robison

Now walk - Colossians 2:6-7

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude." (Colossians 2:6-7)

Christianity is more than a decision. It is more than a conversion that takes place at a single point and time in your life. Being born again is more than something you do and then move on. If all that has happened to you is that you have been saved, then you have yet to even begin your new life in Christ. Christianity is a process that begins at our conversion and continues throughout our entire life (an possibly even into the life to come).

Paul uses both the metaphor of a plant and a building to describe our Christian experience. As plants we are as seeds planted in Christ. He is our beginning and the soil from which we draw our nourishment. As we grow up, our roots extend down and entangle the soil we are planted in. Our lives extend further and further into Christ and He becomes more essential to everything we do, In the end, though we flower for all to see, He has become our all-in-all; the one who sustains us, nourishes us, stabilizes us, and keeps us from being washed away by the rain.

As a building, Christ is both our foundation and our corner stone. He is the foundation upon which we build. Our lives will only be as fruitful as the quality of the foundation we maintain. A tall building cannot be built upon a weak foundation and, if we hope to build a great life, we too need a strong and secure foundation. This foundation is no other than the person of Jesus Christ. However, He is also our corner stone; the stone from which all other stones are judged. The trueness of our life is measured by our relationship to the corner stone. One's life may look straight and true, but when compared with the sure corner stone of Jesus, our departures and deviations become clear. We must not judge ourselves by the world around us but only by the sure life of Christ.

The primary instrument for growing us from seed to plant and from foundation to a high-rise building is instruction. Paul places a high priority on teaching for it is what instructs us how to live and guides us as we grow. However, instruction must be more than mere information, it requires our devotion and obedience to reap its benefits in our lives. If we head Christ's instruction we will grow in assurance of our faith and always abound in thankfulness to God and gratitude towards one another.

So here is Paul's point; seeing you have received Christ, keep walking in Him! Some people wait for life to come to them, others engage it. I have known some who have grown weary in their walk with the Lord and have sat down, waiting for the blessings of the Kingdom to come to them. However, often the blessings are found as we walk along the way. It is written that, "And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 35:10) The Hebrew word for "find" can also be translated as "over-take." Most often the gladness and joy we seek must be overtaken as we walk along the path. God has joy and other blessings for us if we will just continue to walk until we overtake them along the way. What do you seek in life? Keep walking with Jesus and you will find all the good you seek.

David Robison

Full assurance - Colossians 2:1-4

"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument." (Colossians 2:1-4)

Paul speaks of the struggle he has on behalf of those believers that lived beyond his reach. The Greek word for "struggle" means to be lead forth to an assembly, such as a contest or competition. Paul's struggle was not something that came to him but something that the Spirit of God within him drew him to. Paul was drawn into the battle for the lives of believers everywhere. Paul freely entered into the contest for souls; that they would come to know Jesus and remain faithful to Him throughout their lives. This was the daily battle that Paul waged in the Spirit.

Paul's battle on their behalf was for four specific things. First that they would be encouraged. The Greek word for "encouragement" comes from two root words that literally mean to "call near." Paul's heart was that the people would find encouragement as they were drawn near to each other and to the Lord. Just as we cannot survive without the Lord, neither can we survive without the brethren. When we live alone we are left to our own devices and the constant barrage of the enemy. However, when we live together in community we have brotherhood and the encouragement of the saints.

Secondly, Paul seeks that they would find unity in love. Later, Paul will command them, "Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." (Colossians 3:14) Unity is not found in doctrine or tradition but is the byproduct of love. There are many who have tried to achieve unity by proposing compromise on doctrinal issues. However, without love, no real unity will ever be achieved through these means. We must return to loving each other as Christ has loved us. Only then will we find true unity. Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

Thirdly, Paul seeks the fullness of life that comes from full assurance of faith. This does not mean that we no longer have doubts, but it does mean that we are fully assured as to who has all the answers. I may doubt my present circumstances and whether or not I am walking in the will of God, but I have full assurance as to the one knows all things and cares for me even when I don't care for myself. This full assurance give me confidence, peace, and boldness as I go throughout my life. A person who lacks such assurance is constantly looking for answers; constantly seeking for what is right in front of them. Much of Paul's teaching ministry was directed at educating mankind's understanding that they too might have full assurance.

Lastly, Paul's desire was that all would grow into a full knowledge of God. The knowledge of God is something we grow in as we walk with God. It is also in the knowledge of God that all knowledge, wisdom, and understanding is opened up to us, for in Him are the answers to all of life's mysteries. Having come to God, there is no one else we must go to to find answers. In Paul's day there were many who were going around saying they knew the way and they alone had special knowledge and understanding. They insisted that you come to them to gain wisdom and knowledge. However, all we need is God. Paul's struggle for encouragement, unity, assurance, and growth was so that we may not be deluded by those seeking to draw us away after themselves. There is no need to be deluded any further. Therefore let us continue to grow closer to God and to live in love with one another.

David Robison.

I labor - Colossians 1:28-29

"We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." (Colossians 1:28-29)

Paul had a three part ministry and each part was executed in step-wise order. First he proclaimed Christ. He preached about who Jesus was, what He came to do, and what His message was towards us. Paul's goal was to reveal the mystery that was Christ so that we could all come to know and all could understand what God had accomplished in and through Jesus Christ. The knowledge and understanding of Jesus is the first step in believing and receiving Jesus; the first step in beginning our new life in Him.

Secondly, Paul admonished all mankind. Admonishment is a warning. Paul was warning his hearers about what awaits them if they should fail to recognize, believe, and receive Jesus. Paul warned them about the rewards and punishments of a life lived for self verses a life lived for God. Paul warned them of the eternal consequences their decision regarding Jesus would bring. After hearing the proclamation of Jesus, we are brought to a point of decision. Will we believe or will we reject Him. One decision leading to life and the other decision to physical and spiritual death.

Thirdly, Paul taught those who had received Christ how to live a life that was holy and worthy of God. The Greek word for "teach" is a prolonged form of a word that means "to learn;" the key here is the idea of "prolonged." This kind of teaching is more than the transfer of knowledge, it is the training of one in the way they should live. It is a learning that requires our obedience and practice in the things it teaches. It is not enough to hear the message of Christ, we must also put it into practice. It is a teaching that can take a lifetime to master.

This was the purpose for which Paul labored; to proclaim, admonish, and teach everyone so that he might be able to present them to Christ having been made perfect and complete. Paul labored for the lives of others. His ministry was not for his own aggrandizement, but for the betterment of others. Paul did not worry about how his work might reflect upon himself but how that work would be reflected in others. His goal was to make others complete and to make them ready for whatever God might desire of them in their lives. Paul also labored for God. Paul understood that his work in others was so that he might present them to God. Paul was not trying to build his own ministry or church (of which he did not have one) but rather to increase the family of  God; to see more sons and daughters brought into God's family. Paul understood that, in the end, all things belong to God, even himself.

Paul worked in partnership with God. God provided the strength and Paul provided the labor. It is foolhardy to labor where God's grace has not provided the strength to sustain us. It is also irresponsible to not labor where God has called us and provided strength and grace for us. However, when we find the intersection of these two: God's strength and our labor, then much will be accomplished for the Kingdom of God. For each of us that might be a different place, bur for all of us there still remains something for us to labor for in the Kingdom of God.

David Robison