After 1 and 2 Chronicles, the next Bible book alphabetically is Colossians. It's only four chapters, so it's a one-day reading.
I love the book of Colossians. When I was getting ready to go to Dallas Seminary, I was enthralled by a couple of passages that deal with our understanding of theology: 1:9 "...asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." Also, 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through holoow and deceptive philosphy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." It was encouraging to me that my hunger for deeper understanding of God's Word could be satisfied.
In previous, more formal studies of Colossians, I was intrigued with what's called "The Colossian Heresy." Scholars believe that the letter was written to refute heretical teaching in Colosse; very likely it was an early form of Gnosticism. Paul doesn't spell out the details of the heresy. Rather, he admonishes the people to not let anyone else's teaching draw them away from the truths they learned from him. To be honest, I didn't really try to recall what I used to know about Gnosticism as I read Colossians today. If you ever have the time and a good commentary, it's interesting and useful to know what other philosophies were competing with early Christianity.
Instead, I was struck by Paul's passion and purpose for his readers: 2:2 "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
I spend a great deal of my time and effort working with teen-age mothers in Young Lives, a part of Young Life. I can hardly think of a clearer description of what I/we try to accomplish with our precious young women than what Paul writes here. He's calling for a complete transformation of a person's life, based on a relationship with Jesus.
What can transform a person? What can make a life-changing difference in the way one views the world? Certainly great life changes and events--joys and tragedies alike--have the potential of causing a change. But I think a transformation is almost always rooted in a personal relationship, or how we relate to another person(s). And that's what Paul wants for his people, for ALL people: that kind of relationship that fundamentally changes one's outlook on life. And Christ can effect a change that deep and life-saving. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up win him, strenghtened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness....having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead." (2:6-7, 12).
But wait -- there's more! Paul's beautiful language describes the transformation then goes on to describe how we should live as transformed people. Chapter 3 in my NIV Bible is subtitled, "Rules for Holy Living." It's remarkably concise, yet it covers what we should abandon: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed (verse 3:5) plus anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language (verse 3:8). Verse 3:12 tells us what we should embrace: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Paul also reminds us of our unity as Christian believers and the preeminence of love in our dealings with one another. He concludes chapter 3 with brief instructions for households--husbands, wives, children, and servants.
The whole book is so gentle, sweet, pastoral and personal, I always feel uplifted when I read it. Now it's your turn: Couldn't you use a little transformation today?
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