Twenty minutes instead of ten this time! Not so bad as the 3x overshoot of the last 10 min estimate, but still 10 min is quite low for getting through four chapters.
This is quite an interesting letter of Paul's. It is one of only two letters written to a church that he had not yet visited - the other one being Romans. In this case though, Paul is writing in response to heresies in the church. Apparently Epaphrus founded the church at Colosse after being saved during Paul's ministry in Ephesus, and he went back to his home town - working in both Colosse and Laodicea (a nearby city). The heresy that Paul is combating is Gnosticism (see link for more info). To combat this, Paul reminds them of who they are in Christ, Who Christ is, and teaches a proper understanding of the flesh and spirit.
Beginning with thanksgiving to God, Paul encourages the believers with the testimony that he has heard of them via Epaphrus. We are seeing a repeated theme of thanksgiving for the work of God throughout Paul's letters - it reminds me of the importance of praising God for his work, seen in the world around us.
He then begins in a wonderful monologue about the deity of Christ, dwelling in flesh and dying in the fleshly body. This stands in direct contrast to the Gnostic idea that since God (spirit) is good and flesh is evil, then God could not have become man.
Paul goes on to speak of his ministry through Christ, and the yearning he has to see the Colossians and Laodiceans. His yearning that they may be assured in the truth and work together in love - so that no one can deceive them. Note he calls the deceptions plausible arguments - we are not just confronted by the ridiculous, but by things that sound right on the surface and hide ugly heresies.
Now Paul leads into an appropriate understanding of the flesh and spirit of a Christian. He reminds them that the new walk as a Christian is a result of dying to the flesh and discarding human traditions as worthless. Human regulations are of now use in subduing the flesh - only the work of Christ can do that! In the same way, the worship of spirits (angles or otherwise), obsessing about visions, and prideful boasting are indications that a person is not walking with Christ as Head.
A Christian walk does not mean renouncing all bodily things, though! As we have put off an old self, we put on a new self, living with heavenly motives and goals in a community on earth - and Paul proceeds to give characteristics of this community.
Concluding, he exhorts them to pray, including a prayer request for himself as they pray. There is an interesting last point he makes: "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious,seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
The outsiders are obviously non-believers, possibly referring especially to the heretics preaching these Gnostic ideas. Salt was used as a preservative and flavouring - indicating our words should not be bland, but lively, and should have substance that can stop heresy from corrupting things - answering these things, not ignoring them and allowing them to spread.
The letter finishes with the usual greetings - note how Paul exemplifies the love that he talks about when he speaks of other believers, and his concern for keeping them informed.
Christ, our Redeemer, our Creator, seated on the right hand of God, we praise You. You came amongst us, willing to take on flesh and die for our sakes, that we might be redeemed and live in You. Lord, we praise You for the work that goes on around us, and indeed also for that which we cannot see! You are at work in many people's lives, we see Your encouragement, Your conviction, and Your redemption at play. We praise You for the boldness You give to preachers of the gospel, and we ask for grace to show boldness for proclaiming Your truth to others also. Lord I need You every day, to walk in the light of Your Word, to live out the new life You have granted me. I pray for myself and those around me that we would grow in knowledge and assurance of You. We need You every hour - You are our gracious Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment