There are two areas I would like to examine and present to you today. One being "What Christ has done for us" and second, "What Christians should do." In our society today it seems to me that there is a large and expanding gap between these two topics. It is in my opinion that the importance of what Christ did for has become watered down and lowered on the scale of importance to the Christians life. Many of our church's today don't preach or teach on the blood of Christ anymore. They instead take up social issues and follow along with the trend of what is popular for the time. This in turn affects how the "Christian" lives out there life in the world they are in. I want to look at one small portion of God's Word that speaks directly to these two topics. In actuality, they are related and cannot be separated. The scriptures I use are kept in context, so with that in mind let's take a look at these two topics and tie them together as they are intended.
The scripture references that are listed can be seen by clicking on the reference, this should bring up the scripture from an internet application. If it does not work then open your bibles and read from there, which I believe is best, this way you can make notes, underline, etc.. So let's begin.
What Christ Has Done. An important statement that we must become very familiar with if we are to live out our lives not only following Him, but in becoming an example of Christ as He intended us to be. Colossians 1:1-2:23 gives us the account of What Christ Has Done, Colossians 3:1-4:18 describes What Christians Should Do.
Before we get into the scriptures we need to gain an understanding of the purpose of this letter that was written to the Christians in Colosse. Colossian Christians became like a team without a coach, they had no specific plan or direction. Many false doctrines had slowly infiltrated the church in Colosse. The problem was "syncretism," combining ideas from other philosophies and religions (such as paganism, strains of Judaism, and Greek thought) with Christian truth. This became known later as "Gnosticism," emphasizing special knowledge (gnosis in Greek) and denying Christ as God and Savior. To fight against this devious way of thinking Paul stressed Christ's deity, his connection with the Father, and his sacrificial death on the cross for sin. (information from the New Living Testament, historical notes).
Paul lays out his letter to the Colossian Christians by emphasizing what Christ done for them and then goes on to explain what they as Christians or believer's in Christ should do. We will pick up our study in Col. 1:9-23. We see first of all that Paul as in many of his letters to the other church's mentions that he "has been praying for them" ever since he had first heard about them. Paul wants them to know that he "specifically ask God to give them complete knowledge of his will and to give them spiritual wisdom and understanding." Paul is saying in verse 10 that by having these two elements in their thinking and understanding they will be able to "live always with honor and please the Lord, and their lives will produce every kind of good fruit." Paul goes on to say that by having this in their lives "they will grow as they learn to know God better and better." Now Paul begins to share the purpose for his letter and that is to show the Colossian Christians that as they are "strengthened with God's glorious power they will have the endurance and patience" they need. They will also be "filled with joy, always thanking God the Father." This will enable them to "share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light." Now we begin to see what Christ did for those who put their trust in Him. We find here that those who trust Him will share in the inheritance of His people who are living in the light of who Christ is. What is that inheritance? What we inherit is immeasurable, but most important is that we become one of God's children by adoption. When a child is adopted, that child inherits from the new parents everything that a biological child would inherit. There is no difference between an adopted child and a biological child in Gods view, so first of all we are considered a child of God with all the rights and privilege's that are offered from the Father. Then we also inherit the righteousness of Christ himself. He took on our sin and destroyed them on the cross, forgave us for our sins and clothed us in His righteousness. We inherit eternal life and our transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Gods Son. There is much more to this but to explain it all would take several lessons. I encourage you to research this subject by itself and see that there is nothing to lose by following Christ and everything to lose by rejecting Him.
In Colossians 1:15-20 Paul tells us that "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God." In other words whatever we see in Christ is what His Father is like. I don't believe Paul was referring to the physical appearance of Christ, but to the very nature of God. We see that Christ is "supreme over all creation." It was through Christ that God created everything. This includes the "heavenly realms and on earth." Christ made the things we can see and those things that we cannot see, Col. 1:16. To many people do not believe that there are unseen realms or heavenly places. They think that all there is is what they can see for themselves. Paul tells us in these scriptures that there are such places and they were created by Christ. He plainly states that there are "thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world." This was "created by Him and for Him" In verse 19-20 we find that God the Father in all His fullness was "Pleased to live in Christ." This gives us the answer as to how Christ can be God and human at the same time. By this we learn again that God's grace was lived out in Christ and God the Father knew full well that His only begotten Son would pay the price by sacrificing His human body for the sins of the world. It was by this action that "God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross" In verse's 21-22 Paul tells us that this includes you and me. He continues on by pointing out that we were once far from God living in our sin and we were the "enemies of God, separated from Him by our evil thoughts and actions." This is what Christ has done, He (God) came to this earth, lived among us in human form obeying the law. "He reconciled us to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault." Paul makes this one truth known to Christian's wherever they may be; "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. When you came to Christ, you were circumcised, but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision, the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead."
Paul has been laying out the facts of what Christ did for all of us. He is showing the Christian's at Colosse that by allowing all these false teachings into there midst that they were being deceived as to what Christ did for them. Paul was setting the record straight as to who Christ is and what Christ done for us. In verse 27 of chapter 2 Paul explains to the Christians in Colosse that the message of the good news was kept secret for centuries but now through Christ the message was no longer secret, "For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory." Col. 2:20 brings us to the essence of Christ's victory on the cross and why he had to take such a cruel road for us. "You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!"
In this next section we will see what Paul was telling the Colosse Christian's concerning "What they should do." Col. 1:23 gives us a good indication of where Paul is going with these instruction's to these Christian's. He is telling them that they "must continue to believe this truth and stand firm in it. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News."
Paul has established what Christ did for us in this letter, but he does not end it there. Paul goes on describing "What Christians Should Do" now that they have received Christ. Paul explains true Christian behavior is putting on the new nature by accepting Christ and regarding the earthly nature as dead. We change our moral and ethical behavior by letting Christ live within us, so that He can shape us into what we should be. Paul explains that setting our sights on the realities of heaven means striving to put heaven's priorities into daily practice. "For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. We are to concentrate on the eternal rather than the temporal. Philippians 4:7 and Colossians 3:15 gives us more insight on Christ's rule in our hearts and minds. What we find in these scripture's is that we cannot accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and continue to hang onto the worlds way of thinking. That old nature that Christ crucified is gone and to go back to that is like a dog returning its vomit. "Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and peace." Receiving Christ as Lord of our life means that He is now in control, but, He only controls those who want to be controlled, He does not force His will on us. Let's take a look now at what the scriptures are saying not only to the Christian's in Colosse, but to us in this day.
Like the Colossians, many today are doing the same as the Christians that lived in Colosse. A subtle and devastating attack has been taking place in our church's. Instead of placing our priorities on the eternal, or on heavenly realities as a priority, many members of our church's have allowed the philosophies and religions (such as paganism, strains of Judaism, and Greek thought, etc.) to enter into their way of thinking combining worldly knowledge to dictate over the truth of the Good News of Christ. Many have replaced popular religious thought to cast a shadow over the cross of Christ, and many other's have allowed the direction of society to determine what is right and wrong resulting in the replacement of the Word of GOD with new age thinking. Paul told the Colossians that they will have to follow after Christ and the truth of the Gospel if they want to have an influence on those around them. Col. 1:23 makes that very clear, saying we "must continue to believe this truth and stand firm in it." Then Col. 3:1-4 reminds us to "think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God." If we stand firm in the things of heaven, and remain faithful to Christ by continuing to trust Him, Paul says we will share in His glory. Paul continues to tell the Colossians to "put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you." Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world." According to the scriptures we all have been a part of these evil desires. The scriptures will not pull any punches to let you off easy, and that is why so many don't want to hear them, it makes them not only uncomfortable but shows them that they are guilty. "You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him." Once we have made the decision to follow Christ we are to put off the old nature, it was crucified. Although non of us are perfect, YET, we are not to go crawling back to our old ways just because the WORLD says it's okay now, things are changed, you don't have to give up all the pleasures the world offers because we are under grace now. The world says it's okay to do whatever you want, you are already forgiven. Paul was warning the Colossians to return to the truth of Gods Word, don't stray from that. He says, "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him." "Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us." So now we begin to see just what we as Christians are to be doing. It's not always a matter of doing things, it's more about living as Christ lived. We are to get rid of those things that cast a shadow on the nature of Christ and water down what He came to do for us. Yes, we do live under grace and yes we are forgiven of our sin, but that does not mean we are to allow the world's influence to determine what kind of life we are to live. It does not mean that even though society says it's okay to cuss like a sailor doesn't mean we as Christians are to follow that example. When God's Word says something is sin it does not change with the changing of societies or the world's way of thinking. God told us that HE is God, HE does not change. "He is the same yesterday, today and forever." That means what God calls sin is still sin no matter what everyone else thinks. For those who claim to be followers of Christ must live out their lives according to the example that Christ left us with. We are not to allow the philosophies of the world or the twisted thinking of religions to sway our stand for the truth of the Gospel. Following Christ and claiming to be a Christian is not to be taken lightly. We are required to make some changes as the Holy Spirit of God points out those areas that are not pleasing to God. Christ has already done for us what the law could not do, He set us free to live out our lives here on this earth as an example of God's GRACE and LOVE that He has for all of His creation.
The rest of the letter to the Colossians lays out some guidelines for us to all follow Col. 3:16-4:18. Many of the things Paul talks about in the remainder of his letter are things that teach us to be submissive to Christ. " And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts." It would be good for us all to take to heart what Paul was pointing out concerning the influence the world can have on us if we are not guarded as to what we allow ourselves to listen to. Christ is the head of His church, so we have a great leader. We are not like that team that does not have a leader and therefore has no direction. Our direction is a heavenly one so let us keep our minds clear of those things that would cause us to stray off the course that God has put us on. We live in a very dangerous and ever changing time so we must be guarded even more so of the truth that lies within us. As the day approach's for Christ to return for His Bride(those who believe and trust Him), let us all set an example that is clear and refreshing to a world that is bound for death. The world whether it will admit it or not is searching and longing for a Savior, they don't want what they already have because it's not working. They want what we have and the only way the world will be attracted to it is if we let our light shine brightly from the hill top so the world can see it.
If you are struggling with sin in your life and want to be free, as a Christian turn back to your first love and let Christ show you what you must do to make some changes. Your bondage has been broken and you have already been set free so rid yourself of the sin that is holding you back from serving Christ to the fullest. If you have never known Christ as your Savior and you want to be free from the bondage you are in, then I invite you to turn to Christ right now by turning your thinking in His direction. You cannot be free from your bondage by turning to some well known philosophy or a religion that makes laws and regulations for you to follow. The only way you can be free from your bondage is to put your trust in God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The way you do that is to talk to Him, you do this through prayer. Christ said this about Himself concerning how one gets back into relationship with the heavenly Father and to be allowed in His kingdom, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." There is no other way for you to be forgiven except through Jesus Christ, Gods only begotten Son. You cannot be good enough, no religion can get you to heaven, no amount of good deeds will save you and no amount of money can buy your way back into the good graces of God. So go with Christ and tell God you are a sinner and want to be free from bondage. A simple prayer can be like this and if you pray this prayer and mean it in your heart you will be saved and free from bondage; Dear Heavenly Father, I believe in your Son Jesus Christ and I put my trust in Him. Please forgive me of all my sins. I accept your Son as my Lord and Savior, come into my heart and free me from my sinful nature. Thank you Heavenly Father for hearing my prayer, help me to become what you want me to be and help me to do your will for my life. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen.
Now that you have prayed this prayer, seek out a bible believing Christian and tell them what you have done. This affirms that you have meant what you have prayed. Find yourself a Holy Bible and begin reading in the book of John. Continue talking to Jesus daily and let Him be your courage and encouragement.
Christians, don't let the world's way of thinking sway you from the truth, if you are confused and struggling then get your bible out and start reading. Tell Christ your struggles and ask Him to guide you back into His truth. Make your stand with Christ by remaining in His Word and living out His truth. Be an example to others in such a way that those around you will see Christ in you. Let love be your guide and motivator. Live in peace by accepting others where they are at in their life journey. If you encounter someone who differs with you, love them anyway and pray for them. Share the Good News with the lost when given the opportunity.
Let me summarize "what Christ has done" and "what Christians should do."
What Christ has done; Makes us a child of God; provides an inheritance; clothed us in HIs righteousness; transfers us from kingdom of darkness to kingdom of Gods Son; Became a visible image of the invisible God; Came to be a sacrifice for payment of our sins; Reconciled everything to God; makes us holy and blameless before God; circumcised our sinful nature; raised us to new life; made riches and glory available to gentiles; Christ lives in us, broke bondage to the law.
What Christians should do; put on new nature, consider earthly nature as dead; change moral and ethical behavior; put heaven's priorities into practice; concentrate on eternal rather than temporal; let go of world's way of thinking; allow Christ to be in control of your life; follow after Christ and maintain truth of the gospel; put to death sinful, earthly things lurking within you having nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires; get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, and dirty language; don't lie to each other; be renewed and get to know your creator and become like Him; don't be greedy; clothe yourself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and peace.
I hope this has helped you to see how the world can be destructive to your belief in Christ and the Gospel if we are not guarded against the tactics of the enemy. I hope you have seen that we as Christians have a great responsibility to set an example for the world as to who Christ truly is and what He came to do.
May God bless you all while on this earth and may the Lord of heaven touch your heart today and bless you continually.
