King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Chapters: The Books Of Colossians & Philemon
Message: The Will of God is Christ
Hello My Friend,
My husband, praise God, after a year of being out of work starts his new job tomorrow and to celebrate he trades his motorcycle in for a new one so that I can go on rides with him, but says that I cannot unless I buy a pair of jeans. He thinks that I have this fear of being struck down if I wear a pair of pants, but does not understand that I have never liked wearing pants, except jeans once in a while. The reason why I bring this up is because of the chapters for today, we are reminded that those who accept Christ as their Saviour are not under any kind of ordinance, but whatever we do needs to be done with Christ in mind.
[Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.]
In other words, stop worrying about what man thinks about you and what they expect of you, just do what pleases God, which He will teach you through the Holy Spirit as you grow in Christ, and everything else will fall into place. The Book of Colossians was written by Paul in approximately 64 AD. The epistle (letter) was written to the church of Colosse, who were instructed to share it with other churches. The purpose of the letter was to address doctrinal issues within the church. What we are to learn is that we are complete in Christ, who is the Head of the Church, God in the flesh, created all things, and all things are created for Him, [Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:]
Paul spent the last two years of his life as a prisoner in Rome, when he wrote these letters, he did so with the anticipation that he would get out of there and visit with these towns that had learned of their faith in Christ. When Paul got word of the Colossians and their faith in Christ he was ecstatic.
[Colossians 1:1-6 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:]
[the saints and faithful brethren in Christ] While all who accept Christ as their Saviour are saints, meaning consecrated and sanctified through their faith in Him, there are some who are faithful to Christ that become His ministers, [John 17:18-19 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.]
God’s will is truly an incredible thing to be in, and we do not have to be perfect to be in the will of God, we just have to be willing, and faithful, and then let Him direct us. Sometimes it is hard to know if we are in the will of God because that includes affliction and chastening, but we can call those growing pains.
[Colossians 1:9-12 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:]
[desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will] I never thought to pray for someone to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and think it is something I need to be praying for everyone. We should all desire to be in the will of God because it really is better to suffer in the will of God than suffer for something we should not be doing, [1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.]
[patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;] Did you notice that part of being in the will of God includes having patience and long suffering with joyfulness? I do not know about you, but I do not always find joy in the afflictions that I am facing, especially if they start to linger, but am reminded of all the things God has gotten me through. Nevertheless, there is some comfort in knowing that even if you are not in the will of God that Jesus still redeemed you, forgiven your sins, and delivered from the power of darkness.
[Colossians 1:13-18 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by 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 might have the preeminence.]
[that in all things he might have the preeminence.] [Preeminence; Precedence; priority of place; superiority in rank or dignity. Superiority of power or influence.] In other words, everything and everyone in this world has a purpose and we are nothing without Christ. God, wants first place in our lives, and He is going to use us one way or another so we might as well seek to be used a vessels of honor rather than dishonor, [2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.]
You see, those whom have been redeemed by the blood of Christ are God’s children, He is our Father and treats us like any decent earthly parent would, with love, nurturing, instruction, and discipline. We need to be attached to Christ in order to be one of His children, otherwise, we have no communication with God whatever, and are alienated from Him. Paul, goes on to remind us of how we have peace with God.
[Colossians 1:20-24 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. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 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:]
[If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled,] I always say that there is nothing that can take away ones salvation unless they believed in vain, [1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.]
Those whom have sincerely accepted Christ as their Saviour cannot be moved from their faith because they are one with Him, but that does not mean that they cannot get caught up in sin. When we do receive Christ as our Saviour and begin to live by His example, the Holy Spirit guides us away from people, places, and things that would take us out of His will. Paul, warns them and all of us to be aware of anyone who could ruin their testimony.
[Colossians 2:4-9 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.]
[beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.] Much of the Colossians doctrine had come from the people in Laodicea. He cautions them against devices which lead to their falling away from grace such as Judaizing teachers, carnal wisdom, human inventions, and traditions being brought in, as these were not consistent with the full assurance of the Gospel of Christ. By our seeing how the world deals with things through their eyes and our increasing knowledge of God, we are able to discern the truth from the lies, [Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.]
[in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.] Most religions are not about the truth of the Gospel, they are about tradition and submission to their will, not God’s. Regardless if we are unfaithful saints or faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, we are complete in Christ, which Paul goes on to explain.
[Colossians 2:10-14 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;]
[circumcised with the circumcision made without hands,] Circumcision, is not something that anyone likes to talk about because we all know what that entails, and to be honest I do not know why God made it a commandment since the only one who would know would be God and the wife of course. Then again, we are to work out our own salvation with God and that is truly something that only He would know as well. However, I do understand the concept, it was a way for those who worshiped God to be distinguished from those who did not, those who accept Him have removed the invisible foreskin around their heart, and this goes all the way back to the Law, [Deuteronomy 10:16-17 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:]
These people were vainly worshiping angels, believing themselves to be unworthy to speak directly to God, and that they were their intercessor to God. The worst thing was that it was out of a pretend humility that they worshiped angels, as to not daringly plead immediately to God.
[Colossians 2:16-19 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.]
[beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels,] [Beguile; To trick; to deceive;] What Paul is saying here is that we do not worship angels as though they are God and have great powers as God as doing so would make them equal to Christ, which they are not, [Hebrews 1:4-6 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.]
Angels are God’s messengers and follow His orders, so while we are not to worship them we do need to have respect for them. While we are definitely not under the Law anymore, we ought to be living our lives in a way that does reflects Jesus. Why? We were dead to our sins, and now alive in Christ. If we are going to live by ordinances the only one to live by is God’s, which Paul goes on to explain.
[Colossians 3:1-6 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:]
[For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh] While all who receive Christ as their Saviour are saved by grace and not subject to any ordinance that does not mean that God changed His stance on sin, it is still something He despises and if we choose to willingly live in sin then the consequence is all on us.
[Colossians 3:12-17 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.]
[whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,] This is what it all comes down to, [Colossians 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.]
Since we are the body of Christ, and He is the Head of us, what better form of gratitude can we give then to live our lives in the newness that He made us. By the way, man means mankind, so God is talking about men, women, and children that are belong to Jesus, and we need to love one another as the brothers and sisters in Christ that we are. Of course, we are not always going to get along with each other, but that is where the love of Jesus comes in. We are all the same, even Jesus said that we He is not above us concerning this.
[Colossians 4:1-3,6,16-17 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. 2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.]
[that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.] Are you able to give anyone an answer as to why Christ lives in you? Our own testimony is all that is needed. Onesimus, was a slave of Philemon’s who had robbed him and fled to Rome where he met Paul and became a convert, [Colossians 4:8-9 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.]
The Book of Philemon was written to a convert named Philemon around 64 AD, who lived in Colosse and it was written to seek help for a runaway slave named Onesimus. What we are to learn from it is that Christian principles must be applied to social relationships as well as personal, [Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.]
Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with this letter, it was a testimony on his faith and how he greatly improved since walking with Christ, [Philemon 1:1-6 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.]
[may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing] Life is so precious, so fast, and so hard sometimes, did it ever occur to anyone who are so judgmental of those who have fallen from grace that that is their judgment? Some will learn, and repent of their sin and go on to be great testimonies, and Onesimus was one of them.
[Philemon 1:10-11,15-20 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.]
[but above a servant, a brother beloved,] Let me tell you, when life happens, it tends to put God on the back burner, and we lose sight of what Christ did for us. Do you realize the state you were in before you knew Christ as your Saviour? Before we got saved we were unprofitable, servants to the world, and imprisoned in our sin. Jesus set us free when we received Him as our Saviour, we are no longer unprofitable servants, but brothers and sisters united and joint heirs with Christ, [Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Colossians 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:21-22 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.]
Today’s Prayer: God, In the midst of all my struggles, failures, and doubts, I remain confident that You will complete the work You began in me. You accepted me as I was, and since then You lovingly began reshaping my life into an image of Your Son. Not only are You continuing the good work You began, but You are perfecting those things that weaken my faith and testimony. I thank You that You will fulfill Your purpose in me, no matter what people believe, I thank You for Your grace that abounds so much, I thank You for using me to serve You, and I thank You for keeping me faithful. Lord, lead me and guide me, teach me, and show me Your will for me, let me not get caught up in ordinances to please man, rather live to please You, and fill me with Your wisdom so that I can be ready to answer those who are trying to discourage me. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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