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The Book of Colossians part 12 – Week 23 / June 1st
“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk in Him…..”
Colossians 2:6
Paul has exhorted the believers at Colossae to stay true to the Gospel of Jesus. That is, they are to avoid secular humanism, legalism and Gnosticism. We have then noted how he has borne testimony to the excellence of Christ and the all sufficiency of His finished work on the cross. They need nothing more, are complete in Him and should remain vitally connected to Him because He is the head of the Church. Our focus must be upon Jesus at the right-hand of glory since we have been raised up with Him and are already seated with Him in heaven and are thus freed from all demonic power and influence. This took place when we first believed in Him! And, this is why “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” Don’t begin this walk in one way and then seek to go in another. Jesus is enough and we should all seek to know Him better. This was Paul’s heart desire. (Philippians 3:8)
There is a practical outworking of these truths since they bond us to God by His Spirit and this changes our way of living, working and loving. We do all of this within the boundaries of God’s word and so become the people of “the way.” More important still; we involve ourselves fully in the work of God and therefore we seek to extend His kingdom by preaching the Gospel. We do this in relationship with Him and by His power and this in turn means that we become a people of prayer, much prayer.
Paul has now ended his epistle and then, as he normally does, gives his: Concluding Remarks Colossians 4:7-18
We can learn much from these concluding remarks as they let us into the personal journeys of Paul’s associates. We then note the following and as we do try to discern which associate speaks the most to you:
Tychicus V7-8
The beloved brother who comforts and encourages the hearts of God’s people.
Onesimus V9
This also “beloved brother” is faithful though once he was a slave. (Philemon 1) Jesus can change our circumstances and break our bondages.
Aristarchus V10
A soldier for Christ now imprisoned with Paul for preaching the Gospel.
Justus V11
A worker in the Kingdom of God and a comfort to God’s servants. Preachers, Pastors and Ministers also need encouragement and care!
Epaphras V12-13
The one who labors in much prayer with a great zeal and praying that God’s people will find, live in and be complete in the will of God. We desperately need people like this today.
Luke V14
The beloved physician bringing his medical skills to the benefit of the Kingdom of God. We all have remarkable abilities that should be surrendered to the work of God.
The Churches V15-16
We should all belong to a local church for it is there that we are built up and exposed to the faithful reading and preaching of God’s word. (Acts 2:42)
Archippus V17-18
Each one of us has received a special gift (1Peter 4:10) and we should be most careful to employ it faithfully on behalf of God’s work. Fulfill God’s plan for your life!
Malcolm Hedding.
©Malcolm Hedding Ministries
2014Devotional Blog