Tag: Life

With Him in Glory

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Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. 

‘When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.’ This is the 1st New Testament prophecy in Colossians (3:4,) and is still unfulfilled. When is not stated, but the fact of it is (John 14:1-3; 1Thess. 4:16). This refers to the rapture.

‘Our life’ – Eternal life is in Jesus Christ (John 17:2-3; Rom. 5:10; 1Jn. 5:11-13).

‘Appear’ [Greek: phaneroo] to make visibly manifest. Translated “make manifest” (3:4; 1:26; John 1:31; 3:21; 9:3; Rom. 16:26; 1Cor. 4:5; 2Cor. 2:14; 4:10-11; 5:11; 11:6; Eph. 5:13; 2Tim. 1:10; Heb. 9:8; 1Jn. 2:19; Rev. 15:4); “manifest” (Mark 4:22; John 17:6; Rom. 3:21; Tit. 1:3; 1Jn. 1:2; 3:5, 8; 4:9); “manifest forth” (John 2:11); “declare manifestly” (2Cor. 3:3); “be manifest” (1Tim. 3:16; 1Pet. 1:20); “show one’s self” (John 21:1, 14); and “appear” (Mark 16:12, 14; 2Cor. 5:10; 7:12; Col. 3:4; Heb. 9:26; 1Pet. 5:4; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:2; Rev. 3:18). Here it means to make Himself visibly manifest to those whom He translates or causes to meet Him in the air (John 14:1-3; 1Thess. 4:16-17; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:2). It is in glory that we shall apear with Him. We must first appear with Him in the glory of heaven before we come back with Him in His glory to the earth to reign (John 14:1-3; 1Thess. 2:12; 4:16-17; Eph. 5:27; Jude 1:24). The word “glory” is used of heaven in 1Timothy 3:16 and 2Peter 1:17.

Complete in Him

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Colossians 2:10-11 And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ

‘Complete in him’ –  we need nothing more when we are in Him [in unity] (John 15:1-7). The so-called doctrine of interpenetration, that is, persons entering physical into each other, is false. The Bible does speak of the Corinthians and Philippians being in Paul’s heart (2Cor. 7:3; Php. 1:7); God being in Christ (2Cor. 5:19); Christ being in God (John 14:20); God and Christ being in each other (John 14:10-11); men being in both the Father and the Son (1Jn. 2:24); men being in Christ (2Cor. 5:17); men and the Spirit being in each other (Rom. 8:9); Christ being in men (Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:10); man and Christ being in each other (John 14:20); all creation being in God (Acts 17:28); and satan entering into men (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). However, these passages refer to being in union with, being consecrated to the same end – one in mind, purpose, and life. They do not teach the physical entrance of one being into another. It may be best understood by a man and woman becoming one in life together, being in each other’s plans, life, etc.

‘In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.’ Literally, in Him, you have been circumcised, not by cutting the flesh, but by the circumcision of Christ in putting off the body of sins of the flesh. Christ became circumcised and fulfilled all the Law to become a true mediator between God and man. Now through Him, we are freed from all Mosaic law observance and have been redeemed through the work of Christ on the cross (2:11-17; 1:14, 20-25; 1Pet. 2:24).

Perfect in Christ Jesus

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Colossians 1:26-29 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily. 

‘The mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.’ This mystery is that the Gentiles should be partakers with the Jews in the gospel and be in the same Christian congregations (Eph. 2:14-22; 3:1-7; 1Cor. 12:13), and be partakers of Christ (1:27). Nothing is hidden in the Word of God for all was given to us in writing as revealed by God through the prophets and apostles (Heb. 1:1-2). This was just something not previously explained or understood. God is not a mysterious God as most people believe, He revealed Himself to us through His divine library of 66 that He revealed over 1,800 years to more than 40 authors.

‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ Fourteen facts about Christ: Head of the kingdom (1:13; Rev. 20:1-15). Redeemer (1:14; Matt. 26:28; Gal. 4:5). Image of the invisible God (1:15). Firstborn of every creature (1:16). Creator of all things. An eternal Being (1:17; Mic. 5:2). Upholder of all things (Heb. 1:3). Head of His body of believers (1:18, 24; Eph. 5:1-33). The originator of all things. Firstborn from the dead. The pre-eminent One (1:18-19; 2:9). The fullness of God (1:19; 2:9) and the Mediator between God and man (1:20-22; 2Cor. 5:14-21; 1Tim. 2:4-6). The indweller of saints (1:27; Luke 22:3).

‘Perfect in Christ Jesus’ – Perfect [Greek: teleios] mature; complete. It is used for full growth, as men, and not children, in Christian knowledge – thoroughly instructed and deeply experienced (2Cor. 2:6; 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Jas. 1:4; 3:2; Heb. 5:14; 1Jn. 4:18). This kind of perfection refers to the complete and glorified state we will reach in Christ in the hereafter. We are warned many times in Scripture to be perfect now in this life already which means utter simplicity, sincerity, being free from guile and evil intention toward anyone; having no part lacking in outward life, conduct, and religion. It does not mean sinless perfection or being without any tendencies to evil, for we can still choose to act selfishly or sin.

‘I also labour, striving according to his working.’ To be able to present every man perfect in Christ (1:28), Paul laboured with all his might by the mighty power God has given to him.

The Dispensation of God

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Colossians 1:24-25 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God 

‘Fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake.’ To complete, not the sufferings of Christ for our sins, but that which all believers are called to suffer for Christ’s body and truth (Rom. 8:18; 2Tim. 3:12).

‘Dispensation of God which is given to me for you.’ There are five dispensations named in Scripture: The dispensation or administration of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-9). Dispensation of the gospel (1Cor. 9:17), which is Paul’s administration of the gospel of grace. The dispensation of the grace of God (Eph. 3:2); is the same as the dispensation of the gospel. The dispensation of God (Col. 1:25 – God’s own administration of grace given to Paul; the same as pt. 2). The dispensation of the fullness of times, in which God gathers together all things in heaven and the earth in Christ ridding the earth of all rebellion (Eph. 1:10; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:1-15).

Seven dispensations of man are noted beside the dispensation of angels (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17) and the eternal dispensation of the redeemed and faithful angels (Rev. 21-22; Isa. 66:22-24; 2Pet. 3:13), there are seven dispensations of man between the restoration of the earth from chaos (Gen. 1:3 – 2:25) and the New Heavens and the New Earth: the dispensation of Innocence (Gen. 3:1-24); the dispensation of Conscience (Gen. 4-8); the dispensation of Human Government (Gen. 9-11); the dispensation of Promise (Gen. 12:1- Ex. 12:36); the dispensation of Law (Ex. 12:37 – Matt. 3); the dispensation of Grace (Matt.  3:1 – Rev. 19-21); the dispensation of Divine Government during the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-15).

‘To fulfil the word of God’ – To preach the gospel in all fullness (Rom. 15:29).

Continue in the Faith

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Colossians 1:23 If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister 

‘If you continue …’ One of 1,522 IFs in Scripture and all of them express a condition if one of them does (Deut. 8:19; Ezek. 33:13, 18; John 8:31-36; 15:6, 10, 14; Rom. 8:12-13; 11:23; 1Cor. 3:17; 15:2; Gal. 6:1; 1Thess. 3:8; 2Tim. 2:11-13, 21; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:4-9; 10:26-39; 2Pet. 1:4-10; 2:20-22; 1Jn. 1:7).

‘Continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.’ Four conditions for the blessings of Colossians 1:22: Continue in the faith. Continue grounded in the faith. Continue settled in the faith. Be not moved away from hope.

‘Hope of the gospel’ – The hope of eternal life (Acts 23:6; Rom. 8:21-25; Col. 1:27; Tit. 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 1Pet. 1:5-13).

‘Every creature which is under heaven.’ The gospel is offered to every creature under heaven without restrictions or limitations, but all have not heard of it as yet. The figure of speech, synecdoche: a whole is put for a part, as in Genesis 6:17; 2Samuel 6:5, 15; 1Kings 11:16-17; Daniel 2:37-38; 7:23; Matthew 3:5-6; Luke 2:1-3; Romans 1:8; Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 13:8, 16.

Having Made Peace

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Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

‘Having made peace through the blood of his cross.’ Justification is used for the final settlement between people (Job 11:2; 13:18; 27:5; 32:2; 33:32; Pro. 17:15; Luke 10:29; 16:15); of people clearing God of all wrong (Ps. 51:4; Luke 7:29; Rom. 3:26); and of people justifying themselves of all guilt (Jer. 3:11; Ezek. 16:51-52; Job 9:20; 13:18; 32:2; Luke 16:15). Thus, the meaning is clear – to declare not guilty. The justification of man by God simply means that God washes, sanctifies the believer, and declares him no longer guilty (1Cor. 6:9-11; 2Cor. 5:17-18; Acts 13:38-39). God cannot declare one not guilty before he is cleansed from all sin and made holy by the blood of Christ. Sanctification makes the sinner not guilty; justification declares him not guilty. This alone is the function of the blood of Christ: cleaning from sin which makes us holy. Pleading the blood of Christ over us for protection is unscriptural and wrong for protection from God comes from being reconciled with the Father who is the one we have to “dwell with” and “abide under” as commanded in Psalm 91.

‘To reconcile all things unto himself.’ [Greek: katallasso] change from enmity to friendship, reconcile (Rom. 5:10; 1Cor. 7:11; 2Cor. 5:18-20). God was in Christ, reconciling people to Himself. He does not impute sin to those who have confessed and are reconciled to Him (Rom. 4:7-8). God has committed to the reconciled [us] the word of reconciliation. God has made the reconciled ambassadors for Christ reconciling others by their example (2Cor. 5:20; Rom. 5:10). God made Christ a sin-offering, so that man might become righteous (2Cor. 5:21).

‘I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.’ This will be completed in the Millennium (1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 20:1-15).

The Grace of God in Truth

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Colossians 1:6-8 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bring forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As you also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 

‘Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world.’ Here the gospel is referred to as a traveller making a tour of the whole world. Beginning from Judea it had travelled through Syria and different parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe and had lately visited Colosse. It is also spoken of as bearing fruit all over the world. The gospel is still travelling and bringing forth fruit on the earth. Millions of Bibles in hundreds of languages go into all parts of the earth yearly and the Word of God are available worldwide.

‘The grace of God in truth.’ We can receive this grace from God in truth when we accept Christ and become His followers as described in 1Peter 2:21-23. Then we receive the fullness of grace (John 1:16-17), the fullness of the Holy Spirit anointing upon believers (Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8), the full gifts and fruit of the Spirit (1Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:22-23), and the complete redemptive acts and processes of which the law was a shadow (Heb. 10:1) were all predicted by the prophets. The way into the holiest by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19), the power and authority of every believer to do the works of Christ (John 14:12), and many other truths and experiences were unknown to the prophets.

‘Epaphras’ – mentioned only here (4:12; Phm. 1:23). He was a fellow prisoner of Paul in Rome and a minister of the gospel. He was one of the Colossian believers (4:12).

Be Content

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Philippians 4:10-14 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again; wherein you were also careful, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me. Notwithstanding you have well done, that you did communicate with my affliction. 

‘At the last your care of me has flourished again; wherein you were also careful, but you lacked opportunity.’ For a time, the Philippians ceased to help the apostle, but now their care for him had come to life again. He apologises for their lacking opportunity to help him. Paul was always thankful for the help but he never made any demands upon converts to support him. Here he does not speak of it to receive from them, but to praise them for their help (4:11-19).

‘For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ Ten great lessons to learn: Be content under all circumstances (4:11). How to be abased (4:12); how to abound; in all places; in all things; to be full; to be hungry; to abound; to suffer need; that nothing is impossible through Jesus Christ (4:13; Matt. 17:20; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16). We must be thankful and content in life not striving to live above our means or status (Rom. 12:3).

‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.’ When we have God’s Word in us, through faith and obedience, (Rom. 11:6) we are in unity with Christ (John 15:1-7) and can only then claim to be able to do all things through His, and not our own, strength. All things: Do all things for God’s glory (1Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17, 3:23). Do all things in love (1Cor. 13:4). To do all things without murmurings and disputings (Php. 2:14). Do all things in Jesus’ name (Col. 3:17).

‘Affliction’ [Greek: thlipsis] is not a disease, as usually understood, but tribulation. Not once is it used for physical sickness or illness.

Whatsoever Things

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Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

‘Think on these things’ – Six things to meditate on – all opposite thinking poisons the spirit, soul and body: True things – all that is in harmony with eternal truth in creation and revelation (2Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17). Honest things – all that is grave, decent, honourable, and Christian [Greek: semnos] (1Tim. 3:8, 11; Tit. 2:2). Just things – all that is in harmony with justice and righteousness (Rom. 3:24-31; 8:4; 2Pet. 1:4-10). Pure things – all that is chaste and holy for body and soul (Rom. 12:1-2; 2Cor. 3:16-17; 7:1). Lovely things – all that is pleasing and tends to bless others (2Cor. 13:4-8; Gal. 5:22-23). Things of good report – all that is in harmony with the best public good, virtuous and praiseworthy (Rom. 13:1-10; 2Pet. 1:4-10). We cannot just think whatever we want without consequences because we will be entertaining the enemy (2Cor. 10:3-7) and through our thoughts, we begin the stages of sin (Jas. 1:12-15). We must set our affections (thoughts) on the things above, not on things on the earth (Col. 3:2).

‘Do’ – four things to practice and enjoy: Things learned – Christian practices; things received – Christian blessings; things heard – Christian doctrines; things were seen – Christian miracles.

Thus, not only are Christians supposed to meditate on certain things (4:8), but they are to do certain things. Christianity is very practical. It is not a dead, dry, formal, human religion of rituals, outward form, and show, but a divine, living, vital, dynamic, liberating relationship with God. One without power to deliver men from sin, sickness, poverty, and want, now and hereafter, is not of God (Matt. 7:7-11; 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; 16:17-18; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Heb. 11:1-40; Jas. 1:1-27).

Prayer and Supplication Part 2

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Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

To get answers to our prayers, we have to obey that which is clearly stated in the Word in this regard: Pray to the Father (John 16:23), in the name of Jesus (John 14:12-15), by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26). With a full understanding of your rights and privileges (1Cor. 14:14-15) and in harmony with the Word (John 15:7). In faith, nothing doubting (Jas. 1:6), with praise for the answer (Php. 4:6). Diverting in any way from this will lead to frustrating unanswered prayer. Eighteen reasons are given from Scripture for unanswered prayer: Refusing to listen to the truth (Prov. 28:9). Refusing to humble self (2Chron. 7:14). Forsaking God (2Chron. 15:2). Provoking God (Deut. 3:26). Hardheartedness (Zech. 7:12-13). Lack of charity (Prov. 21:13). Regarding iniquity in the heart (Ps. 66:18). Wrong motives (Jas. 4:3). Dishonour of companion (1Pet. 3:7). Unbelief (Matt. 17:20-21; 21:22). Sin (Jas. 4:1-5; John 9:31; Isa. 59:2). Parading prayer life (Matt. 6:5). Vain repetitions (Matt. 6:7). Unforgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26). Hypocrisy (Luke 18:9-14). Being discouraged (Luke 18:1-8). Worry and anxiety (Php. 4:6). Doubting – double-mindedness – not making up your mind on what you want (Jas. 1:5-8). 

To be continued…