Scripture

Christ is the visible image of the invisible Guard. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.

Observation

Jesus Christ is not just a man. He is God. He is the One who shows us visibly what the invisible God looks like.

God created everything through Christ – the heavenly realms as well as on earth. He made the things we can see and the spiritual things we cannot see.

Christ was before all things and He holds all things together. He is the head of the church, supreme over all who rise from the dead. Through Him, God reconciled the world to Himself.

Application

When we look at Jesus described so accurately in the gospels, we see the Father. He only did what He saw the Father doing and only said what He heard the Father saying.

All humans were made in the image of God, but this was spoilt by sin, obliterated by evil. So when we see Jesus, we see the possibility of what our own lives might look like if we learn to walk in humble obedience to God.

This is what it means to follow Jesus, to walk in His paths. We imitate him one day at a time by the grace of the Holy Spirit. He purifies us, convicting of sin and teaching us the ways of holiness.

Gradually that tarnished image of God becomes clean and shiny again.

Prayer

Father, thank you for setting me on the ways of Jesus. Please help me to be faithful to you each and every day. Amen.

Scripture

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins

Observation

The Colossians learnt about the good news from Epaphras, Paul’s beloved co-worker. Paul continues to pray for them asking God to give them knowledge, wisdom, and understanding

The christians of Colossae will grow as they learn to know God better. Paul prays also that they will be strengthened by God’s glorious power.

God has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness, and transferred us into the Kingdom of Jesus, who purchased our freedom.

Application

Before I was saved, I did not know that I belonged to a kingdom, much less the kingdom of darkness. I thought I was free, a sovereign citizen who could determine my own destiny. When I came to know Jesus, I realised that what I had thought was freedom was actually bondage. I had been a slave to my sin and didn’t know it.

So I was once in a kingdom subject to a king who sought my destruction. I now pledge allegiance to a King who loves me so much He laid down His life for my freedom.

As I reflect on this, it makes me think of the Lord of the Rings, where the battle for men’s souls is depicted in an epic story.

Every born again christian has been rescued by Christ from the flames of hell and lifted up to the place of glory.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for all that you’ve done for me and in me. Please help me to serve you in every part of life. Amen.

Scripture

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first believed and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

Observation

Paul says he always prays for the Colossians and gives thanks to the Lord for them. He has heard of their faith and their love for all God’s people.

The same Good News that came to them is going out all over the world and changing lives just as it did for the Colossians from the day they first believed.

Application

The Good News, the gospel of Jesus Christ, is going global Paul says. All over the world, even beyond the Roman Empire, the gospel was preached and was bearing fruit in the form of changed lives.

Sin is universal and God’s solution to sin is also universal. Any person, regardless of race, sex, age, or previous activities can be saved and accepted into God’s kingdom.

When people enter into salvation, God changes them and the gospel bears fruit. God changes us radically from the inside out. Our hearts are transformed by God’s love and everything changes.

Sometimes people try to change from the outside by going to church and doing the things that christians do, This does not work. The gospel has to take root in our hearts and then God cleanses us from sin and even the desire to sin.

How amazing is that!

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the changes that you are bringing to my life because the gospel has taken root in my heart. Amen.

Scripture

From Paul chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

Observation

This is obviously just an introductory greeting at the beginning of a letter.

Paul, an apostle of Christ is writing to “God’s holy people” or the saints of the city of Colossae. He describes them as faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.

He prays for them the double blessing of grace and peace.

Application

Paul was aware that he was chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

In human terms, Paul was not really suitable to be an apostle of Christ. He had a history of persecuting Christians.

This is typical of God. He chooses those whose past should disqualify them for ministry and He calls them, appoints them, and overlooks their past failings.

In recent years, the ministry of apostle is being rediscovered by the church.

An apostle is not just a denominational leader, but someone who exercises loving authority over ministers of the Gospel. True apostles are trans-denominational, because they’ve been chosen by God not by men and not by an institution.

Although it is trendy in the church, at the moment, to call yourself an apostle, this office must never be self-appointed.

Because it is Christ who appoints apostles, no man, can appoint them and no man can stop them.

Apostles carry an innate ability to serve others as a spiritual father. This gift cannot be bestowed or faked, educated or trained for.

The ministry of apostleship is worked out in relationships, both with Christ and with the church.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for appointing, apostles in your church. Grant us all the grace to distinguish between true and false apostles.Amen.

Scripture

And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”

Observation

The letter concludes with personal greetings.

Paul is sending to Tychicus and Onesimus with the letter to give reports on what the Lord is doing.

Aristarchus and Mark send greetings, along with Justus. Epaphras and Luke also send greetings.

Paul tells the church to encourage Archippus to be sure to carry out the ministry that the Lord had given him.

Application

We don’t know who this Archippus was or what the ministry was that God had called him to do. But Paul thought it was important enough to mention.

I often wonder how many people get an idea about ministry, perhaps a conviction, but they failed to follow through. I know of some people who would definitely called by the Lord to be pastors,but they chose to say”No” to God. Perhaps others have been called to be missionaries, or to be evangelists, or simply to oversee the church’s children’s ministry, and they fail to say “Yes”.

Some people feel overwhelmed by the idea of serving the Lord. They might feel unworthy or unable. But God knows our limitations, and He equips us for the tasks to which He calls us.

Some people lead very complicated lives and struggle with drugs, alcohol, and juggling children from multiple relationships. Life can be messy, but again God uses all of this.

Whatever reason there is for avoiding doing the ministry, we need to remember that God is bigger.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the knowledge that you can enable me and equip me for the tasks you are calling me to do. Amen

Scripture

Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity.

Observation

Masters must be fair to their slaves, remembering that they also have a master in heaven.

We must devote ourselves to prayer with an attentive mind and a thankful heart. Paul also seeks prayer for opportunities to speak about Christ.

We are to live wisely in the world, making the most of every opportunity. Our conversation should be gracious so that we can influence others for Christ.

Application

To live wisely among unbelievers means that we live in God’s ways all the time. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom .

When we live according to God’s ways, then our lives are prosperous in the sense that we are fulfilled and successful at life.

When people see Christians who enjoy their lives, no matter how ordinary they are, then they take notice. A life lived joyfully and with purpose is a sign of hope for our unsaved friends and neighbours.

We should make the most of every opportunity. This means that when we have an opportunity to speak for Jesus that is natural, we should take it. It does not mean that every conversation is hijacked for preaching purposes.

We show that we care and the opportunities emerge naturally to point people to Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to live wisely in all that I do. Please let me be a faithful witness for you. Amen

Scripture

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Observation

We must let the message of Christ fill every part of our lives. We should sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Everything we say and do should be done as representatives of Christ.

Wives must submit to their husbands. Husbands must love their wives. Children should obey their parents, and slaves obey their masters.

Application

Our whole life should be lived as representatives of Christ. I need to live with that awareness in my mind and heart that people see me as a picture of what a Christian is, and therefore of what Jesus is.

Some people referred Christians as the “Fifth Gospel.” Since most people never read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, then my life is the only gospel that they will ever see .

Part of this is cultivating an attitude of thanksgiving. If I walk through the day with the joy that comes from a thankful heart, then those around me will recognise that my faith is real and that Christ is real.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to live up to this high calling of being a representative of Christ in all that I say and do. Amen.

Scripture

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and be like him.

Observation

We must put to death the sinful nature that works within us. We must have nothing to do with sexual impurity, greed, anger, lies and so on.

We must put on the new nature and let God renew us. God chose us to be His holy people, so we must clothe ourselves with the attitudes that are from Him. We must let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts

Application

God raises us to life in Christ. But then this gift of grace has to be activated in our lives. We have to put on the new nature.

God doesn’t force us to love our Christian brothers and sisters. That would not be love at all. He does give us love for others, and he encourages us to walk in that love.

He does not make us totally perfect. But he does give us the grace to turn away from sin and to overcome temptation. The choice then is up to us to live righteously or according to the ways of our old nature.

Every time we choose the new nature, a roar of praise is heard in heaven. And every time we choose God’s way, it becomes easier the next time we are tempted.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for the knowledge that you are at work in me. Please help me to put on the new nature, to draw closer to you, and to be more like you. Amen