Colossians 1:19–23 Just give me Jesus!

Just give me Jesus! 

You can have all this world just give me Jesus!! 

He came with shouts of peace. Peace to the people on earth.

“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life”. Romans 5:10

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” Ephesians 2:14

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his" Hebrews 4:9-10.

What is this rest believers have been called to? Rest in Christ, through whose sacrificial death and resurrection our sins are forgiven and we are made new. We can find Sabbath when we believe every good work necessary for our salvation has been accomplished by Christ.

You see, grounded I have both resources and assets to give… Listening ear. Empathy. Calm demeanor. Shout out to a friend. Words of consolation and compassion. Light to spill.

Now we’re talking. And I love Henri Nouwen’s invitation, “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless.” SabbathMoments 

Colossians 1:19–23

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. The New King James Version 

All the fullness to dwell in Him refers to God being fully present in Christ. Consequently, Christ is sufficient for the Colossians’ salvation.

The Gospel of John describes Christ as the tabernacle or the dwelling of God—an allusion that demonstrates the continuity between God’s presence among the Israelites and His presence in the person of Christ. The Greek word used here, apokatallassō, refers to the act of restoring a relationship to harmony. The purpose of Christ’s death on the cross was to bring all things created by Christ and for Christ into harmonious relationship. 

The Colossians cannot claim responsibility for their status before God; no human tradition or rule made them holy. Rather, Christ’s work of reconciliation brought them into relationship with God, making them holy. Since believers belong to God, they bear His image, which enables them to live out God’s command to holiness. 

Paul seems to be acknowledging that the Colossians are at a crossroads. He charges them to continue trusting in Christ and living out the gospel message. However, they must refuse to observe the rules and traditions of false teachings, which threaten to lead them in a different direction. They must remember that faith in Christ is not simply a way of entering God’s kingdom—it is the way of life within the kingdom. 

Faith Refers to living in union with Christ and sharing in Christ’s resurrection. Faithlife Study Bible

The opponents of Paul, and later the Greek Gnostics, seem to have used this word as a technical term for the sphere between heaven and earth where a hierarchy of angels lived. The Gnostics viewed Christ as one of many spirits existing in this hierarchy between God and all people. 

However, Paul used the term fullness to refer to the complete embodiment of God. Christ is the only Intercessor for human beings and fully embodies all of God’s nature. No other intermediary, whether person or group, is able to stand in our place before the Father. Only Jesus can do this. 

He has reconciled shows the significance of Christ’s work on the Cross. It does not mean that all people will be saved, since many passages clearly say that unbelievers will suffer eternal separation from God. The work of Christ will overthrow the damage effected by the Fall and change all of creation from a position of enmity to a relationship of peace and friendship.

We who were once enemies of God and alienated by our own wicked works will one day be presented as above reproach on account of Christ’s death for us. 

The perseverance of the Colossians was proof of the reconciling work of Christ on their behalf. Paul uses “Every creature under heaven” as an exaggeration to illustrate the rapid spread of the gospel. The apostles are said to have turned the world upside down, even though their ministry up to that point had been limited to a small portion of the eastern Mediterranean region. The NKJV Study Bible

God showed his justice in requiring full satisfaction. This mode of redeeming mankind by the death of Christ was most suitable. Here is presented to our view the method of being reconciled. And that, notwithstanding the hatred of sin on God’s part, it pleased God to reconcile fallen man to himself. If convinced that we were enemies in our minds by wicked works, and that we are now reconciled to God by the sacrifice and death of Christ in our nature, we shall not attempt to explain away, nor yet think fully to comprehend these mysteries; but we shall see the glory of this plan of redemption, and rejoice in the hope set before us. 

If this be so, that God’s love is so great to us, what shall we do now for God? Be frequent in prayer, and abound in holy duties; and live no more to yourselves, but to Christ. Christ died for us. But wherefore? That we should still live in sin? No; but that we should die to sin, and live henceforth not to ourselves, but to Him. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,

Ephesians 2:16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Romans 1:16-17 Faith alone saves!

Faith plus nothing! 

Faith in the salvation gift of God, in the birth, death and resurrection of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ!

Galatians 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

God is available to help us at any time. He is our Protector and Provider, and He longs to help us navigate problems that seem insurmountable. Our initial response to trouble is often to stress, panic, strategize or toil, but God tells us to "be still" and know He is God (Psalm 46:10). And one of the best ways to still our hearts is by praising God in prayer. He is a refuge where we can rest, regardless of the chaos around us. He is able to accomplish more than we ever could. And in our weakness, His unmatched power is perfected (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). First5 

One of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius is “Finding God in All Things”. Yes indeed.
In both prayers, and in the broken and fragile places.
In the serendipitous, and in the blunders.
In the loved one, and in the outcast.
As St. Benedict was led to write (in The Rule), "Let everyone that comes be received as Christ." 

To me this sounds like savoring and connection is pretty good soil for cultivating compassion. SabbathMoments 

Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” The New King James Version

Not ashamed expresses a high degree of confidence in the gospel. Paul is confident that the hope he has placed in the gospel message will not be disappointed. The Greek word used here, dynamis, often refers to miraculous works. Here, it refers to God’s ability to deliver His people from sin and future judgment. 

God’s power also relates to the power of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word used here, sōtēria, refers to deliverance from the final judgment. It also might refer to deliverance from sin and the results of sin: death and alienation from God. 

Paul uses references to both Jews and Greeks (or Gentiles) to encompass all of humanity. 

Although the gospel message applies to all people, Paul describes it as being directed first toward the Jew because God gave the Jews the covenants and promises to which the gospel refers. The priority of the Jews in God’s plan of salvation also anticipates the discussion of Israel’s future role. 

The righteousness of God is one of the key phrases in Romans and Paul’s other letters. It could refer to righteousness that comes from God—that is, the righteous status or right standing that God grants to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. Alternatively, it may refer to God’s own righteousness and His saving work. 

It’s also possible to combine these possibilities: Righteousness is an attribute of God that is manifested in His provision of salvation. As a result, those who believe are granted righteous status before God, who is himself righteous. God reveals His righteousness in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

This good news about Jesus Christ—the gospel message—also might be the way that the righteousness of God is made known. 

Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 to support his position that righteousness before God is only by faith. Faith in God sustains a righteous person through hardship. This same faith in God—which relies on God’s promises for deliverance—is applicable to salvation. 

Faith refers both to a life of trust in God and to the eternal life which God grants believers. Faithlife Study Bible

The New Testament speaks of salvation in the past tense, the present tense, and the future tense. 

In the past, the believer has been saved from the penalty of sin. In the present, the believer is being saved from the power of sin. In the future, the believer will be saved from the very presence of sin.

From faith to faith means faith is at the beginning of the salvation process, and it is the goal as well. When a person first exercises faith in Christ, that person is saved from the penalty of sin and declared righteous. As the believer lives by faith, God continues to save him or her from the power of sin to live righteously. The NKJV Study Bible

Habakkuk 2:4 

“Behold the proud,

His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.

Acts 3:26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

Luke 12:1–3 Hypocrisy

Beware of the hidden agenda that mask itself in hypocrisy. Jesus had the most to say about the religious right in the Jewish judicial system.

All things hidden are exposed in the light of God’s truth.

Mark 8:15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

By entering our world to become human like us, by overcoming sin through becoming sin for us, Jesus restored the relationship that God intended for us to have with Him. Jesus is now seated "at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him" (1 Peter 3:22). In other words, God has "put all things under his feet" (Psalm 8:6). All that was intended by God in the creation of humanity was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

This same Jesus who rules from the heavens wants to be an integral part of our lives because He values us. Thinking of that reality overwhelms my heart and gives me peace. First5 

“Ultimately, we have just one moral duty,” Etty Hillesum wrote. “To reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world.”

Thank you Etty. And let us remember, Etty did not write that sentence from a dispassionate distance. Speaking of a world tilting, Etty was a young Jewish woman who lived in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation and who died in Auschwitz, one of the millions of victims of the Holocaust. We didn’t know about her meticulous diary until decades after her death. From the day when Dutch Jews were ordered to wear a yellow star, up to the day she boarded a cattle car bound for Poland, Etty consecrated herself to the wholehearted task of bearing witness to the inviolable power of love. To honor the sacred present with sensitivity to human suffering and gratitude for beauty in the everyday. SabbathMoments 

Luke 12:1–3

12 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. The New King James Version

The Greek word used here refers to fermented dough that was mixed in with new dough and used as a rising agent. The small amount used in baking would permeate the entire batch of new dough. Leaven serves as an apt metaphor to describe the widespread effects of the Pharisees’ hypocritical teachings and actions.

Jesus seems to be referring to the Pharisees’ hidden sins, which will be exposed at the final judgment. Faithlife Study Bible

Leaven here represents the presence of corruption. Unleavened bread is what the Jews ate at Passover. The corruption in view here is hypocrisy. Practicing hypocrisy is senseless because eventually all deeds—both good and evil—will be exposed. All secrets will be revealed by God. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 10:26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

We are reconciled in Christ!

We are reconciled in Christ! Washed clean from sin in the Blood of the Lamb of God. 

He is above all, in all, and is the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the Word of God made flesh and He dwelt among us. All praise and honor is due Him. He did not leave us alone and without guidance, the Father sent Holy Spirit to indwell us and direct us into His perfect will for our life.

John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Ephesians 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

How can we know God so we might adore Him and put life in its proper perspective? We can go to God's Word. We can open our Bibles and read the words men like David wrote thousands of years ago. These declarations of Truth can become our declarations as well.

We can also pray to our "God and King" (Psalm 145:1). We can bow to the One who is "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Psalm 145:8). We can declare He is still the God of "mighty acts" (Psalm 145:4), "wondrous works" (Psalm 145:5) and "awesome deeds" (Psalm 145:6). We can lift not only our eyes but also our voices to the Lord, who is faithful and kind, hears our cries, opens His hand toward us, and promises to draw near (Psalm 145:13;  Psalm 145:19;  Psalm 145:16-18). FIRST5

Beauty and gladness are alive and well. Sanctuary is alive and well. Empathy and compassion are alive and well. Ministry is alive and well. Spontaneous gestures of kindness are alive and well. Sabbath Moments

Colossians 1:6–18

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. The New King James Version

Paul proclaims the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ, who was present and active in the creation of the universe and who remains active in sustaining and reconciling all things. Whether Paul himself wrote this hymn is debated; he could have borrowed material used in early Christian worship. Regardless of authorship, the hymn is a central component of the letter, providing the basis for Paul’s key points about the sufficiency of Christ and the futility of false teachings. Because God’s fullness dwells in Christ, He is all that believers need. Faithlife Study Bible

Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians is a model for us. As soon as he heard of the new faith of the Colossians, he began interceding with God for them, asking Him to give them knowledge, wisdom, strength, and joy. He prayed that the new believers at Colosse would grow into Christian maturity so that they might walk before God, pleasing Him and producing good works.

The Colossians’ faith was grounded in the nature and work of Jesus Christ. Love flows from faith and proves the genuineness of one’s faith. The Colossians’ sacrificial love for all the saints proved their true belief in Christ. Hope refers to the result of faith, the treasure laid up … in heaven where our faith will find its fulfillment in the presence of Christ.

 

Paul’s chief concern is that the Colossians might have full knowledge of God’s will. The desire to serve God will be in vain without a proper understanding of the One we want to serve. Thus Paul prays that the Colossians might be filled with full knowledge that encompasses all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Wisdom is the practical outworking of knowledge, and that knowledge cannot be separated from the spiritual understanding that comes through the discernment given by the Holy Spirit. The NKJV Study Bible