“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Col. 1:15–19).

Why should Christ be first place in our lives? Why should he be first in our churches, our communities, and our nations?

I think we can learn a great deal from this story about Leonardo da Vinci:

Leonardo da Vinci took a friend to criticize his masterpiece of the ‘Last Supper,’ and the remark of the friend was, ‘The most striking thing in the picture is the cup!’ The artist took his brush and wiped out the cup as he said, ‘Nothing in my painting shall attract more attention than the face of my Master!’¹

Because Christ is supreme, nothing else should distract us from him. We must get rid of anything that keeps us from glorifying Christ.

Often in our lives, Christ is marginalized. He often isn’t first: schoolwork, hobbies, or family commonly take first place. In these verses, Paul gives us reasons why Christ should be first in our lives and in the entire world. He talks about how special Christ is and why he must be preeminent—first.

In the church of Colosse, a heresy called Gnosticism had crept into the church and was trying to marginalize Christ. It was a combination of mysticism, Jewish legalism, and Greek philosophy. The heresy taught that Christ could not be God. This belief was based on Greek philosophy which taught the spirit was good and the body was evil, and therefore God could not have become a human because God cannot mix with evil.

It also taught Jesus was an angel and that receiving him was not enough for salvation. One needed new revelation to be saved. That is where the name “Gnostic” comes from. The Greek word gnosko means “to know.” In order to be saved, one needed secret knowledge that only the Gnostics had experienced.

The heresy attacked the very foundation of the gospel because it attacked Jesus. Though Gnosticism is not attacking the church today, the remnants of it are. Jehovah’s Witnesses also do not believe Jesus is God; he is an angel, a created being. There are similar sentiments in Mormonism. Much of liberal Christianity attacks the deity of Christ as well, making him just a religious teacher and declaring he is not the only way to heaven.

We see these same attacks on Christ happening today in the church, only in different coverings. But before we look at the cults and the false teachers, we should also realize there are remnants of this in our hearts. See, if Jesus is God, if he is the only way to salvation, and if we declare his Lordship over our lives, then this is not just a matter of belief; it must be a matter of our daily practice.

If Christ is all these things, then he must be first in our life. He must be our daily meditation, and it should be our daily goal to please him and honor him. In the same way, Paul wrote to declare the preeminence of Christ to those in Colosse being tempted to withhold honor from him. We also must put Christ first, and we must remove anything that draws us away from him or takes his place. Like Leonardo da Vinci, we must take our brush and wipe away anything that detracts from his preeminence in our lives.

In this text, Paul makes the argument that Christ is the preeminent one. He is the supreme one, not only over our lives, but also over the entire world. We will see four reasons why Christ should be exalted in our lives, the church, and the world.

Much of the doctrines presented in this lesson are not new, and they were not new to many in Colosse. However, Paul’s hope was to challenge them to put Christ first by reminder of these truths, and also to correct any wrong doctrine they may have accepted. This is the hope for us as well. Let Christ be exalted in our lives, in the church, and throughout all creation.

Big Question: According to Colossians 1:15–19, what are some reasons why Christ should have first place in our lives, church, society, and in all of creation?

We Should Exalt Christ Because He Is The Revelation Of God

“He is the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15).

Why should Christ be exalted in our lives and throughout all creation? He must be exalted because he is the revelation of God. He reveals God to us. Paul says he is the “image” of the invisible God. The word “image” is eikon in the Greek, which means “an exact representation and revelation,”² and was used of an idol, picture, or statue. It is the word from which we derive our English word “icon,”³ which are religious relics or pictures used in orthodox churches. “It is used in Matthew 22:20 of Caesar’s portrait on a coin, and in Revelation 13:14 of the statue of Antichrist.”⁴

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean to infer about Christ by saying he is the “image” of God?

He seems to mean at least two things:

1. It Is Through Christ That We See And Learn About The Characteristics Of God.

Scripture teaches God is spirit, and therefore, he does not have flesh and blood and cannot be seen. There are times where he has revealed himself in the Bible through theophanies. This means that God took the form of something such as a fiery bush, a cloud, or even a man, to reveal himself to people in tangible, temporary ways. But theophanies did not fully depict God’s person or character.

It has always been the desire of mankind to see God. Moses cried out to God, “Show me your glory.” But because no one could look at the full display of the glory of God and live, God showed Moses only a portion of his glory (Ex. 33).

Therefore, how can man see God?

We can see God through Christ, and we can know him more as we study Christ. Look at what John said: “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known” (John 1:18). Christ made God known.

Jesus said this to his disciples, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9). In Christ, God manifested himself in ways never clearly seen in the Old Testament.

Interpretation Question: In what ways did Christ uniquely demonstrate God the Father when he came to the earth?

• Christ revealed God through his teachings.

Listen to what he said to Philip: “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work” (John 14:10).

When Jesus said God was “doing his work,” he referred to God’s “words” coming through him. Jesus claimed to say only what God said. Listen again to what he said: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me” (John 8:28).

In fact, this is best illustrated by the name John gives Christ. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

When John calls Jesus the “Word,” the name expresses one of the functions or purposes of Jesus. By using the name “Word,” it was meant to convey that Christ is the “expression of God.” He is the communication of God. One of the reasons Christ came was to give the words of God to mankind through his teaching.

When we look at the teachings of Jesus, we see the very words of God. When Jesus taught to love our enemy and pray for them, when he taught hatred as equivalent to murder, and lust as equivalent to adultery, we hear the very words of God. In these words, we find a standard much higher than our own because they come from the Father in heaven.

If we want to know how to live, how to be a good parent, how to be a good spouse, how to be saved, how to make decisions in life, etc., it all comes through God’s Word, and Christ came to reveal these words in a greater way. His teachings are not just seen in the gospels, but in the writings of his apostles in the epistles. These words reveal God.

• Christ revealed God through his person.

Jesus revealed many character traits not fully known about God through his person, and one of them is that God is a servant. Look at what Paul said about Christ: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil. 2:6–7).

The word “nature” used in verses 6 and 7 means “the outward expression of the inward nature.”⁵ Christ did not become God; he always was God. Jesus, the man, was an outward expression of who he always was as God, and it’s the same with his servanthood. God has always been a servant, but in Christ’s incarnation he demonstrated that outwardly. Jesus was the prototype of a servant; not only did he serve God, but he served us. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In the incarnation, Jesus revealed God as a servant. It’s a phenomenal concept we could never understand without Jesus. He bent down and washed the feet of his disciples, something only the slaves did (John 13:1–17). Peter was so shocked he said, “You will never wash my feet.” He found this hard to understand about God.

In fact, Christ taught that he would serve us in the future kingdom. Look at the parable about a master and his servants that he taught his disciples,

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them (Luke 12:35–37).

Here Christ gave a paradoxical story. He shared the scenario of servants faithfully serving their master while he was gone. When the master returned, you might expect a thank you, or simply for the master to go about his business. But not this master. The master dressed himself to serve; the servants sat at the table and the master came and waited on them.

This refers specifically to Christ’s second return when he will reward his faithful servants with crowns, authority, and property on the earth. As a master, he will refresh and serve his servants. We serve a “Servant–God.” This is a phenomenal concept not fully revealed until Christ displayed the “exact representation of God.”

What else does the word “image” say about Christ?

2. Image Also Conveys The Idea Of Representative.

The word “image” was used of Adam in the Garden of Eden since he was made in the “image of God.” God made Adam to represent him to all of creation. He was called to demonstrate this image by ruling over the earth as God ruled over the heavens (cf. Gen 1:26–28). Adam was to represent God by ruling with character and holiness. In a similar way, Scripture calls Christ the “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45). Where Adam failed to represent God as he fell into sin, Christ has not and will not fail God. He is the perfect representative of everything that God is because he is God.

We see Christ represent God specifically in having his authority.

Interpretation Question: How does Christ represent God’s authority?

• Jesus represents God’s authority by granting eternal life to those who come to him.

John 17:2 says, “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.”

God chose Christ to be the channel through whom salvation comes. He has authority to grant salvation.

• Jesus represents God’s authority by being the judge over all the earth.

John 5:22 says, “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” In fact, Scripture teaches that because we are “in Christ,” we will judge the world with him. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 6:3 that believers will even judge angels with Christ. Christ as the image of God is his representative to all the earth. Where Adam failed, Christ came as the perfect representative.

Application Question: What applications can we take from Christ being the “image” of God?

1. Christ is worthy of our worship because he is the “exact representation of God.”
2. Christ is worthy of our imitation because he is the “exact representation of God.”
3. Christ is worthy of our meditation, which is why we study Scripture to better know and experience God. Christ has made the Father known. If we have seen Christ, we have seen the Father.

We Should Exalt Christ Because He Is Supreme Over All Of Creation

“The firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:15–17).

Paul then makes the argument that not only should Christ be exalted because he is the “image of God,” but Christ should be exalted because he is the “firstborn” or supreme over all creation.

This text has been misused by cults and false teachers throughout the history of the church. The Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret the term “firstborn” to teach that Christ was created and therefore is not God. However, not only is this a misunderstanding of the phrase “firstborn,” but it also neglects the context and the rest of Scripture’s teachings on Christ being God and not part of creation.

Interpretation Question: What does the term “firstborn” mean in Scripture and therefore in this context?

The term firstborn can mean one of two things in the Scripture.

1. Firstborn can mean first in birth or first created.

We see it used this way in talking about Jesus’s birth to Mary. Look at what it says: “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

Jesus was the “firstborn” of Mary. He was the first chronologically. Certainly, this term can be used to mean this, but it doesn’t mean first chronologically in the context of Colossians.

What else can it mean?

2. Firstborn can mean first in position, rank, or to be supreme.

The way Paul uses the term “firstborn” means first in rank, the priority, or the supreme one. In Greek and Hebrew culture, the firstborn received the inheritance of the father. The firstborn was the special one in the family. However, just because one was born first chronologically didn’t necessarily mean he was the firstborn. Again, the firstborn meant the one who received the inheritance and who was the highest rank in the family under the father. For instance, we saw this with Jacob and Esau. Esau was the firstborn chronologically, but he lost the right of the firstborn, which went to Jacob.

We see the term “firstborn” used throughout Scripture to demonstrate priority or favor. Look at how God talked about Israel. He said, “Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son’” (Ex. 4:22).

Israel was not the first nation created, but they were God’s special nation. They were called to be a nation of priests to win the world to God. They were the firstborn.

We also see that Christ was predicted to be God’s firstborn among the kings of the earth. Psalm 89:27 says, “I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.”

Was Christ the first king on the earth? Absolutely not. He was, is, and will be the most exalted king on the earth. Right now he sits at the right hand of the Father and one day he will rule on the earth and all nations will submit to him (Ps. 2).

When Paul says “firstborn over all creation,” he is referring to Christ’s supremacy. He is over all creation. In fact, verse 16 says that he was the Creator of creation. “For by him all things were created” (Col. 1:16).

Christ cannot be the first created and the Creator of “all things.” “All things” has to include him if this were true. The context itself contradicts the teaching of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other cults, and so does the rest of Scripture. Scripture clearly teaches Christ’s eternality. John 1:1–3 says,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Christ was there in the beginning and he was God. It was through him that everything was created. Jesus also used language that declared both his divinity and eternality in his teachings. John 8:58 says, “‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’”

By calling himself “I am,” Christ declared to the Jews he was God. This was the same name that God used when introducing himself to the Hebrew people who were in bondage in Egypt (cf. Ex. 3:14). This name (Yahweh in the Old Testament) expressed God’s eternality and independence. Christ cannot be created and still be the Creator. He has always existed and therefore is deserving of honor.

Next, Paul gives reasons why Christ is over creation and why he should be exalted.

Interpretation Question: Why does Paul say that Christ should be exalted over all creation as the firstborn according to Colossians 1:16–17?

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col. 1:16–17).

The word “for” at the beginning of verse 16 connects Paul’s next teachings with the reason Christ is the firstborn—the supreme over creation. Paul gives four reasons why Christ is the firstborn.

1. Christ Is Exalted Over Creation Because He Is The Creator.

We already briefly covered this one. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him.” Paul says that “all things were created” by him.

It should be noted that another part of the heresy propagated by the Gnostics was that Christ was an angel and that angels were to be worshiped. We see something of this in Paul’s rebuke in Chapter 2. Look at what he says:

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions (Col. 2:18).

Some in this community worshipped angels. There was worship of angels going on in this community. They boasted about their experiences with angels in order to draw people into this cult, as well as declaring that Christ was an angel—an emanation from God. But Paul rebuked this. He said Christ is the Creator of angels. “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him.”

Jesus created not only the visible world, but also the invisible world, which includes angels. In fact, when he talks about thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities, he seems to be referring to a ranking of angelic and demonic beings. We see these referred to several times in Ephesians (cf. Eph. 1:21, 3:10, 6:12). Christ created angels and therefore is over them.

In fact, the writer of Hebrews makes this same argument in teaching the Hebrew Christians, who were being tempted to fall back into Judaism. Angels had an exalted position in Judaism, and therefore the author seeks to demonstrate how much better Christ is over them. Look at what he says:

So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’? Or again, ‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son’? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him’ (Heb. 1:4–6).

Christ is superior to angels. God declared that all the angels must worship him and called the messiah his “Son,” which was never said about an angel. Paul, similarly, is making Christ’s standing over angels clear lest these believers be tempted to exalt angels or any other supernatural experience over Christ. Christ is to be exalted over creation.

Application Question: What are some applications we can take from Christ being the Creator of all things?

• Because Christ is the Creator, we should always give him thanks and honor.

Certainly, there is a sense in which all children should honor their fathers and mothers because they gave them birth. We owe our existence to them. How much more should we always give thanks to Christ, the Creator of all things? He did not need to create us, and he certainly did not need to save us after the fall of man. God uses this argument in Malachi 1:6. “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Because he is our Father—our Creator—we should give him honor and glory.

• Because Christ is the Creator, we should seek to fulfill his purposes for our lives.

Every creator creates something for a purpose, and therefore our purpose is found and fulfilled in Christ. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

It would be foolish for man to live his life without knowing and submitting to the will of his Creator. The Creator ultimately knows what’s best. He knows what will fulfill us and in what ways we will be most useful in his service. He created each one of us for specific good works.

Even though this is true, many Christians still hold back the best of their lives. They still cry to God, “I want my will for my life; I want this path,” instead of submitting to God as Christ did. He said, “Thy will be done.” Most prayers seek to get God to change his will rather than to help us know and submit to his will.

Because Christ is the Creator of all things, we must seek to fulfill his will for our lives.

• Because Christ is the Creator, we should seek him for wisdom about everything.

We should seek his help and wisdom in everything including freedom from sin, righteousness, salvation, future plans, education, missions, government, etc. When you want help with something, wouldn’t it always be best to ask the Creator? Listen to what Paul said:

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 (Col. 2:2–3).

In Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. This was especially important for the Colossians to hear as they were tempted to seek this special wisdom from the Gnostic cult. No, in Christ is all the wisdom we need for every situation in life. Listen to this story that one commentator shared:

Some years ago a South American company purchased a fine printing press from a firm in the United States. After it had been shipped and completely assembled, the workmen could not get it to operate properly. The most knowledgeable personnel tried to remedy the difficulty and bring it into proper adjustment, but to no avail. Finally the company wired a message to the manufacturer, asking that the company send a representative immediately to fix it. Sensing the urgency of the request, the U.S. firm chose the person who had designed the press. When he arrived on the scene, the South American officials were skeptical—the young man was obviously wet behind the ears. After some discussion, they sent this cable to the manufacturer: ‘Your man is too young; send a more experienced person.’ The reply came back: ‘He made the machine. He can fix it!’⁶

Because Christ is the Creator, we can go to him for everything. In him is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

What other reasons does Paul give for Christ being the firstborn, the exalted one over us and all of creation?

2. Christ Is Exalted Over Creation Because He Is The Goal Of Creation.

Paul says, “all things were created by him and for him” (Col. 1:16). “For him” can actually be translated “to him.” Everything was created to give glory to Jesus. This is typical even of things we create. If a person makes a piece of art, not only is it made for others, it is meant to give glory to the creator. It shows the creator’s skill, wisdom, and creativity. In a similar way, everything Jesus created was made to bring glory to him.

Listen to what David said about creation: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge” (Ps. 19:1–2).

David said the heavens are preachers. Every day they speak of God and bring glory to him. In the same way, because Christ is God, everything in creation was made for him and to speak of him. It was made to bring him glory. Romans 11:36 says, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

All things were made to give pleasure to God and to bring glory to him. Christ is over creation because he made it and it was made to honor and glorify him. Listen to what Paul says about Christ in Philippians 2:9–11:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ has been exalted to the highest place and given a name above all names so that everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will one day bow to him and exalt him. Man may not submit to Christ now. When the rest of creation obeys and brings glory to God, man turns and points his finger at God and says, “No.” Not only does man say “No,” but sometimes man will go a step further and declare that God doesn’t even exist (cf. Ps. 14:1). However, Paul declares that one day at Christ’s coming “every knee” will bow and call him Lord. Scripture declares Christ is preeminent and that he must be exalted because he is the purpose of all things. All things were created for him and to him.

Why else does Paul say Christ is the firstborn over all creation?

3. Christ Is Exalted Over All Creation Because He Is Eternal.

Paul said one of the reasons Christ is over all creation is because he was “before all things” (v. 17).

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by Christ being “before all things” (v. 17)?

• “Before all things” speaks of Christ’s eternality.

Again, Christ is not a created being. He existed before anything was created. He has eternally existed as part of the God–head. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The prophet Micah predicted that the coming messiah would be eternal. Micah 5:2 (KJV) says,

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Micah predicted that the one to come would be from everlasting. Christ is before all things and therefore is worthy of being exalted. This is what makes Christ transcendent, meaning there is nothing like him. The heavens had a beginning, earth had a beginning, and humanity had a beginning, but not Christ.

He is over creation because he is before creation. He is God and therefore everlasting.

4. Christ Is Exalted Over All Of Creation Because He Is The Sustainer Of Creation.

When Paul says, “in him all things hold together” (v. 17), it is in the perfect tense, which tells us he continues to hold all things together.⁷ If he ceased to hold all things together, everything would fall apart. The writer of Hebrews says something similar: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Heb. 1:3).

Christ holds all things together by the power of his word. In the same way that the world was created through the spoken word (Gen. 1), it is now being sustained by the spoken word. It is Christ’s word that keeps the earth spinning on its axis. It is Christ’s word that keeps it revolving around the sun. It is Christ’s word that keeps the nations of the earth from destroying one another.

Christ is still speaking and working in the earth. Christ is not a clockmaker that makes the clock and allows it to run on its own. Though Christ is the one that has implemented scientific laws like gravity, he is the one who keeps those things running.

He is the battery, the power, and at the same time the power switch. While Israel was in the wilderness and God fed them manna, he said,

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD (Deut. 8:3).

God allowed them to hunger in the wilderness and provided them manna every day from heaven so they would know it was not their strength providing for them, not the sun and the rain, and not the Egyptians. It was always God. It was the words of his mouth. He was their sustainer.

This is something important for us to understand as well. It is not our parents who provide for us; it is not our job that provides; it is not our scholarship, and it is not our relationship with a special someone. Scripture says, “Every good and perfect gift comes from above” (James 1:17). God is the one who sustains and provides us with every good thing. This is why we exalt him. Look at what else Paul says: “And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:25).

Christ is still sustaining every man, even those who hate him. He gives them breath by the power of his word. He gives them bread, job, and family. He gives them life. This is the continual work of Jesus—sustaining the creation by his mighty word. And it is for this reason that we must give him preeminence. He must be exalted in our lives.

Application Question: What are some applications we can take from the fact that Christ is our sustainer?

• The fact that Christ is our sustainer means we should not worry.

Scripture compares us to sheep and God as our shepherd. The Psalmist said, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1). We shouldn’t worry because Christ has always provided for us, and he will continue to do so in the future. He may not always provide in the way we want him to, but he will provide. He is our sustainer.

• The fact that Christ is our sustainer means we should pray to him for our daily bread.

Christ taught in the Lord’s Prayer that we should pray for our “daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). Even though God is the Creator–God and he is above all things, he still cares about our daily needs. He cares for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. How much more will he care for us?             

The fact that he is our sustainer should remind us to pray.

• The fact that Christ is our sustainer means we should always give him thanks.

Christ protects us; he feeds us; he opens doors for jobs; he opens doors for us to serve him with our gifts and talents. He gives us family and friends, life and breath. Even trials come from his gracious hand in order to strengthen us and help us know him more (cf. Rom. 8:28; 5:3–4; James 1:2–4; Eph. 1:11). We should always give him thanks for his sustainment (cf. 1 Thess. 5:18). Thank you, Lord.

We Should Exalt Christ Because He Is The Head Of The Church

“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (Col. 1:18–19).

Another reason Paul calls for Christ to be exalted is because he is the head of the church. The metaphor of the church as the body and Christ as the head is rich. As we look at this metaphor it should cause us as Christians to honor and revere Christ even more.

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by the metaphor of Christ being the head of the church?

1. The Metaphor Of Christ As The Head Of The Church Represents Leadership.

It is the brain, which is part of the head, that directs every part of the body. It is the control center of the body. Similarly, the church must stay dynamically connected to Christ in order to discern his will. A body that no longer listens to the head is a body that has become very sick. When the body is not listening to the head, there is a disease in the body affecting its parts. This is why the church must live in the Word of God; it must live in worship because without this dynamic connection, sickness can enter the body and destroy its functionality or even bring death.

This also is a solemn reminder that the pastor is not the head of the church; the denomination is not the head of the church; the state is not the head of the church. We must always honor Christ before anything else, lest we lose connection with the head.

I think this is why much of the church isn’t really growing, serving God, or reaching the world. They have lost connection to the head. It is from the head that all good things flow.

2. The Metaphor Of Christ As The Head Of The Church Represents Life.

A body without a head is a dead body. There can be no life without the head. In continuing with the metaphor, without being connected to the head there can be no fruit of the Spirit: no joy, peace, self–control, longsuffering, or even salvation. Christ said, “I came that they may have life and life more abundantly” (John 10:10).

We often miss this abundant life from a lack of being attached to the head.

3. The Metaphor Of Christ As The Head Of The Church Represents Mutual Dependence.

This may sound a little heretical because Scripture teaches God’s independence (Acts 17:25), that he needs nothing. However, God chose to partner with mankind to build his kingdom. In the same way that a body can’t function without the head, the head can’t function properly without the body.

In every nation or country where the church is not present, the presence of Christ is not manifest because his body is not there. Christ chose for the church to be the physical manifestation of his presence to a dying world.

Christ chose to eternally knit himself to the church. One of the wonderful truths of the Scripture is that we are now “in Christ.” When a person gets saved, they are baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ. First Corinthians 12:13 says, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

This is not a second work after salvation. This happens at salvation when we are put into the body of Christ and given spiritual gifts to serve her and the world. The metaphor of the body and head represent mutual dependence.

This reminds us of our need to pray, to preach the gospel, and to serve so that Christ may receive glory and honor. Without the church doing its part in the nations of the earth, Christ is not exalted. Also, when the body is disobedient, it brings dishonor to Christ. Therefore as the body, we must be faithful so we may bring honor to the head and not dishonor.

Application Question: In what ways are you seeking to stay dynamically connected to the head? How can you tell when you are not as connected as you should be?

We Should Exalt Christ Because He Is The Firstborn From Among The Dead

“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (Col. 1:18–19).

Another reason that Christ is supreme is because he is the firstborn among the dead. What does that mean?

Interpretation Question: What does the phrase “firstborn of the dead” mean when referring to Christ, and why should this cause man to exalt Christ and give him preeminence?

We saw the phrase “firstborn” before. In this context, it does not mean Christ was the first raised from the dead because he was not. There were many people raised from the dead before Christ, starting with Elijah raising the widow’s child in 1 Kings 17. It seems firstborn from the dead could mean two things here.

1. Firstborn From The Dead Could Mean Christ Is The First Part Of The New Creation.

This is supported by the fact Paul calls him the “beginning” and firstborn among the dead (v. 18). This in one sense could mean the first in time. Yes, the widow’s son was raised from the dead before Christ in 1 Kings, and Lazarus was raised from the dead before Christ in the gospels, but both of these people died again. Christ is the first resurrection of the new creation; he will never die again.

One day each person will have a resurrection, even the ungodly (Rev 20:12–13). But, Christ is the first to be resurrected from the dead and to never die again. One day all believers will have new bodies at the rapture (cf. 1 Thess. 4; 1 Cor. 15). And, figuratively, creation itself will have a resurrection. There will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21) and Christ is the beginning of this.

Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 15 when he calls Christ the “firstfruits.” Let’s look at the passage:

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him (1 Cor. 15:20–23).

The title firstfruits is a farming metaphor. The firstfruits were the chronological first fruit of a harvest. It would help the farmer know what type of harvest to expect. There will one day be a great harvest in the resurrection of the saints and the new heaven and new earth, and Christ is the firstfruits of that.

However, firstborn does not just mean “first in time” in this context.

2. Firstborn From The Dead Also Means He Is The Supreme One Of All The Resurrected.

Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 15:14: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

If Christ had not been raised, then the Christian faith is a hoax and our faith is in vain. The resurrection of Christ is the crux of the Christian faith and therefore this resurrection makes Christ the priority—the supreme one of all those who will be raised.

Application Questions: What applications can we take from Christ as the “firstborn from among the dead” or the firstfruits of the dead (cf. Col. 1:18; 1 Cor. 15:20)?

Since the firstfruits would tell the farmer how great the future harvest would be, we can be sure that the future resurrection shall be glorious because Christ’s resurrection was glorious. Paul compares our future resurrected bodies to a planted seed that brings forth wheat (1 Cor. 15:35). The seed has no glory in comparison to the wheat. In the same way, our bodies are like a seed in comparison to our future bodies.

Christ’s resurrected body could be touched (cf. John 20:27), and he could eat (cf. Lk 24:42-43). It also seems as though he could walk through doors, as he suddenly appeared to his disciples in a closed space after his resurrection (cf. John 20:26). He ascended to heaven in his new body (cf. Acts 1:9). But one of the greatest glories of our new bodies is that they will be without sin and therefore able to inhabit heaven and be with God. This is something to be excited about and look forward to. Christ was the firstfruits—the firstborn—of this great harvest that we await.

Application Question: Do you ever give thought to your resurrected body? Why or why not? What are you most looking forward to about having a resurrected body in the eternal state?

We Should Exalt Christ Because He Is Sufficient

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (Col. 1:19).

In this text, Paul says Christ is worthy of being exalted because he is sufficient. He said that the fullness of God dwells in him, and in verse 20 he adds “and through him to reconcile to himself all things.” Essentially, Paul is saying Christ is sufficient for salvation and we don’t need anything else. Christ is enough because he is fully God.

While pastoring my first church, I also worked at a facility that cared for people with developmental needs. While working there, I started sharing my faith with my boss, who I found out was part of the Baha’i faith. Eventually he asked me to visit a Baha’i meeting to hear about what they believed.

As you may know, the Baha’i faith accepts many of the founders of various religions as prophets of God: Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha, but the final prophet is the founder of their religion. So to them Jesus is not enough.

Similarly, the Colossian heresy accepted Jesus as one of many emanations from God, but he wasn’t enough for salvation. Paul confronted this heresy specifically when he said that in Christ the “fullness” of God dwells. Listen to Kent Hughes’s commentary on the use of the word “fullness” in Paul’s statement:

Paul’s use of the word “fullness” here was an intentional slap at the Gnostics, who used the same word, pleroma, to denote the totality of all the thousands of divine emanations or lesser gods. But Paul said, ‘No way! Jesus is not one of the lesser gods of the fullness. He is the Fullness!’ Colossians 2:9 says it even more explicitly: ‘For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.’ ‘Fullness’ means that the totality of divine power and attributes is in Christ. ‘The whole fullness—the full fullness’—Jesus Christ is the ‘exhaustion of God.’ Moreover, the fullness is said to ‘live in him.’ It is not temporary. It was, and is, there to stay.⁸

The temptations that attacked the church back then are the same today. Christ is a good man, a prophet, an angel; he is anything and everything other than what he said he was. The world says Christ is good but he is not enough; he is not sufficient. Listen to what C.S. Lewis said about the incredulous responses of people to Christ:

I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God. That is one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of thing Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic . . . or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was and is the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. . . . You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.⁹

Christ being Lord God is the only option that is left and reasonable to accept. Nothing else makes any sense. In Christ the fullness of God dwells and he is the only way to the Father. Paul is saying that Christ is sufficient. He is all we need. There is no other revelation or emanation that we are waiting for. Jesus was God himself and he was enough to save us. Therefore, we should exalt him. He must be preeminent!

Application Question: What do you think about C.S. Lewis’s statement about Christ being God as he said, or either being a lunatic, liar, or the devil from hell? Do you think this is a fair assessment? How would you respond to somebody who claimed that Jesus was not God?

Conclusion

Why is Christ the preeminent one? Why should Christ be exalted in our lives and in the entire earth?

1. Christ should be exalted because he is the image of God. He is the revelation of God.

2. Christ should be exalted because he is the firstborn whom God has given all the rights and privileges.

• He is firstborn because he is the creator. He is the creator and therefore can fix creation and fix us.
• He is firstborn because he is the goal of all creation. Everything was meant to give him glory.
• He is firstborn because he is the sustainer of all creation.
• He is firstborn because he is eternal and therefore before creation.

3. Christ should be exalted because he is the head of the church.

4. Christ should be exalted because he is the firstborn from among the dead.

5. Christ should be exalted because he is sufficient for salvation; the fullness of God dwells in him.

Application Question: In what ways is God calling you to apply Christ’s preeminence? What must you do to make him first in your life and keep him first?

Copyright © 2015 Gregory Brown

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¹ Teacher’s Outline and Study Bible – Commentary – Teacher’s Outline and Study Bible – Colossians: The Teacher’s Outline and Study Bible.

² W. W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 2:116.

³ R. K. Hughes, Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ. (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1989), 30.

⁴ J. F. MacArthur Jr., MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Colossians. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 44.

⁵ W. W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 2:75.

⁶ R. K. Hughes, Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ. (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1989), 33.

⁷ R. K. Hughes, Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ. (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1989), 32.

⁸ R. K. Hughes, Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ. (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1989), 36.

⁹ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity. (London: Collins, 1952), 54-56.

“I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 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 tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine–sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col. 2:1–7).

What are the goals that each of us should be struggling for in our own lives and in the church?

Often, when pastors are trained for ministry, they are instructed to develop a philosophy of ministry statement, a vision statement for a church, and other ministry goals and guidelines. It’s the same for people who take leadership classes in school. Having a vision and goals is very important.

This is what Solomon, the wisest man on earth, said: “Without vision people perish” (Prov. 29:18 KJV). Everybody needs goals, especially those who minister in the church.

I heard the story of one child who often got in trouble both in school and youth group. One day during youth group, the youth pastor began to talk about God as the Creator and how he had a wonderful plan for each of the students’ lives. With that he challenged them to begin to pray about God’s plan. The student who normally was a problem kid and was failing many of his classes happened to be there that day. However, this time he was paying attention and took the youth pastor’s challenge to heart by beginning to pray. That following week the student kept having dreams at night, and in his dreams he saw himself as a medical doctor. He came back to youth group that next Sunday and told his youth pastor about his dreams and how he felt that God was calling him to be a doctor. From that point on, the student who was getting in trouble at school and failing classes became a “straight-A student” through junior high, high school, and college. He got into medical school and eventually became a doctor.

The problem with this student was that he had no vision; he had no knowledge of God’s plans for him and for that reason he cast off restraint (Prov. 29:18 NIV). He just did whatever he wanted and it led to destruction and failure.

This is true not only for individuals but also for local churches. Paul was writing to the Colossians, Laodiceans, and others who had not seen him (Col. 2:1), and he was sharing the goals he had for them—the goals he struggled to see manifest in their lives.

What is a biblical vision for the church? What are the type of goals each church member should have for themselves and those they minister to? We learn something of this as we look at Colossians 2:1–5. Consider what Paul says:

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 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.

Paul tells us the “purpose” behind his struggles for those he was writing to (v. 2). This is a text about a biblical vision for the church, for each small group, and for each individual. We learn something about Paul’s apostolic struggle, and therefore what we as a church should be struggling and aiming for.

It should be noted that this struggle is not only for pastors or those with a public ministry. As we know, Paul had never been to the church of Colosse (Col. 2:1). He was imprisoned in Rome and yet he still was struggling for them. The word “struggle” in the original language is agon, from which we get the word “agony.” It was used of athletes in the Olympic games agonizing and fighting to win the prize.¹

In the same way, each member of the church must agonize for these goals to be actualized in God’s church. This agony is not only for our individual churches, but for all churches because we can agonize and struggle like Paul, even for congregations we have never been to (cf. Eph. 6:18). We can do this by prayer as Paul mentioned in Chapter 1 (vv. 9–13). We can do this by suffering for the gospel (1:24). We can do this by teaching God’s Word with the intention of making mature disciples in Christ (1:28–29).

Like Paul, we must agonize and struggle so that the church may become what God has called it to be. What are biblical goals for our individual lives, small groups, ministries, and churches? In this text we will learn about the goals that each Christian should be struggling for in God’s house.

Big Question: What are Paul’s goals for the churches in Colossians 2:1–5, and how should we apply them to our individual lives, ministries, and local churches?

Effective Ministers Struggle For The Church To Have Strong And Encouraged Hearts

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart” (Col. 2:2).

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by his desire for the Colossians to be “encouraged in heart”?

What does it mean for these Christians to be “encouraged in heart” or “strong in heart” ² as it can be translated? In this context, a heretical cult had attacked the Colossian church. This cult had been so effective that no doubt some had left the church and others were being tempted to. This prompted Epaphras to seek Paul’s help. The Colossians were being tempted to doubt the deity of Christ and ultimately the gospel. Paul writes this letter to discouraged and doubting Christians.

Encouraged Heart

The word “encourage” comes from the Greek word parakaleo, which means “to call alongside.”³ It is similar to the word Jesus called the Holy Spirit in John 14:6. He told the disciples he would send a “counselor” (paraclete)—the Holy Spirit—who would come alongside them and encourage them.

We should not minimize this. An encouraged heart or strong heart is very important for Christians. Listen to what Nehemiah said to the Jews who were weeping during a spiritual revival. He said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).

The joy of the Lord is the strength of both an individual Christian and the church community. Scripture constantly commands for believers to have joy or to be encouraged. Look at what Paul said to the Philippians: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you” (3:1).

Paul says, “I don’t mind telling you to rejoice over and over again because this is a protection for you.” Whatever is most important, we repeat. In fact, we repeat it often. At the end of the book, Paul says this again to the Philippians who were facing many attacks. In chapter 1, they were going through persecution (v. 29). In chapter 3, false teachers were calling the congregations back to the law, and specifically circumcision (v. 2). In chapter 4, two women were arguing and fighting in the church (v. 2). Paul commands them again to be encouraged by having joy in the Lord in Philippians 4:4. Listen to what he says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Paul repeats it twice in one verse: “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again. Rejoice.” Why is it so important for us as individuals and as a church to have joy in the Lord—to have encouraged and strong hearts?

This is the reason: a Christian who is discouraged and depressed is a Christian who is not good for much. They can’t serve, they can’t fight for themselves spiritually, and they are often prone to all types of sin. The discouraged person is prone to addictions to drugs, alcohol, or relationships. If Satan can get you down, many times he can pull you into a hole that will be very hard to get yourself out of.

That’s why God, through Scripture, works very hard to encourage you to control your emotions. Your emotions—your heart—should not control you. It is deceitful, sick, and beyond cure. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Because of this, the believer must control his heart.

Strong Mind

When Scripture refers to the heart, it refers not only to one’s emotions but also to one’s mind. The Psalmist said, “The fool says in his heart there is no God” (Ps. 14:1). Our mind, will, and emotions must be submitted to and controlled by God’s will.

It is imperative for the Christian to have a strong mind for the mind is the focus of Satan’s attacks. Listen to what Paul said about the believer’s warfare:

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:4–5).

To not have a strong mind means to be susceptible to being led away from Christ and into all types of strongholds and false doctrines. Satan is always attacking the heart and mind, and therefore the believer must protect it. It must be strong and encouraged to do the things God has called us to do. Therefore, Paul struggled for the church to have a strong heart and mind.

Application Question: How can believers develop encouraged hearts and minds?

1. Christians Develop A Strong Heart And Mind Through The Study Of The Scripture.

The believer’s mind finds encouragement and strength through the study of the Word of God. Listen to these texts:

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart (Ps. 19:8).

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2)

Do you want to have a strong heart? Do you want to have a heart free of the worries, discouragements, and the weights of this world? You must have a heart and mind that is full of Scripture. The Word of God gives joy to the heart; it renews the mind.

How else do we develop a strong heart and mind?

2. Christians Develop A Strong Heart And Mind By Being Encouraged By Other Believers.

Listen to what Paul said: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Rom. 1:11–12).

When Paul talks about imparting a spiritual gift, many commentators believe he is talking about the whole book of Romans. He wanted to teach them the Word of God. Moreover, they would be encouraged not only by the Word but by their relationship with one another. They would find mutual encouragement.

Similarly, Paul also says this about seeing Timothy: “Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy” (2 Tim. 1:4).

Many Christians lack strong hearts and minds simply because they lack intimate fellowship with the body of Christ. They try to walk by themselves. When they get depressed, they lock themselves in their rooms, listen to sad music, watch movies, and eat ice cream. One of the ways we find encouragement is by being around the body of Christ.

What’s another way we develop a strong heart and mind?

3. Christians Develop A Strong Heart And Mind By Recognizing And Getting Rid Of Bad Thoughts.

Again, we see this when Paul talks about the Christian’s warfare. Look at what he says again:

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:4–5)

Paul says every Christian fights this warfare. They break strongholds of the mind by the power of God. Many Christian women have body image issues that need to be destroyed and removed. They need to take captive those thoughts and avoid anything that would encourage negative thoughts and insecurities.

Others have strongholds with fears or anxieties. “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression” (Prov. 12:25). Believers must choose to “be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6) by practicing biblical principles. Personally, I often picture myself coming before the throne of Christ with my thoughts, confessing them, and asking Christ to take them away. “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

With others it might be lust. Job said he made a covenant with his eyes to not lust after a young lady (Job 31:1). We must stay away from movies, books, music, etc., that would seek to conform our mind to the lustful pattern of this world.

In order to have a strong and encouraged mind, believers must wage war on their thought processes. They must put in good things (Phil. 4:8–9) such as the Word of God and reject all things that do not agree with Christ’s revelation.

4. Christians Develop A Strong Heart And Mind Through Prayer.

Listen to Paul’s prayer: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16). Similar to the Colossians, Paul prayed for the Ephesians to be strengthened in the inner being by the Holy Spirit.

Do we want to have a strong church that can stand against the attack of Satan and the temptations we go through in life? We must be a church that prays. Lord, strengthen and encourage the hearts of every believer in the church. Satan has trapped too many Christians. They are walking around depressed and discouraged and they have lost the joy of the Lord. Fill them with your joy which brings strength.

Let us pray that today God would strengthen his church in the inner being. Let’s pray that he would encourage their hearts through the Word and through genuine fellowship. Let us pray that he would break every stronghold and take every thought captive. This must be a goal for the church and our individual lives.

Application Question: In what ways does the enemy commonly discourage your heart or mind? How do you typically react toward discouragement? How is God calling you to strengthen your heart and mind or help somebody else?

Effective Ministers Struggle For The Church To Be United In Love

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love” (Col. 2:2).

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by the Colossian church being united in love, and what applications can we draw from this?

What does Paul mean by the church being “united in love,” which can also be translated as “knit together in love” (ESV)? Essentially, Paul’s second goal for the church was for it to be unified. With the false cult attacking the church, not only were they discouraged, but there was division in the church. Paul was struggling and agonizing for the unity of this church.

Jesus prayed for the unity of the church in his high priestly prayer in John 17. Listen to what he said:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:20–21).

Not only was it Paul’s goal for the church to be unified, but it was also Christ’s. This prayer was answered at Pentecost when the church was formed through the baptism of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). The church became one body of Christ.

However, this unity of the body must still be worked out practically in every church. Paul said something similar to the Philippian church. Look at what he says:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27).

The Philippian church was being persecuted; they were being attacked by legalistic false teachers, and some of the members were divided. He commanded them to stand firm in “one spirit” as “one man.”

This must be the goal of every church, but it is not something that comes easily. It is something that must be worked for and labored for in every congregation. Satan works hard to bring disunity in the ministries of the church, in small groups, and even among the leadership.

Application Question: What must we do to have unity in the church and in our relationships?

Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” He commands them to “make every effort” to keep the unity. This would include forgiving one another (Eph. 4:32). It would include being a peacemaker and helping others be unified (Phil. 4:2–3). It also includes being humble and considering others’ interests over our own (Phil. 2:3).

I heard a story about two rams that were both on a bridge coming from different directions at the same time. The bridge was too narrow for them both to cross. At first, they just looked at one another, and it seemed as though a fight was about to break out to see who was going to cross the bridge. However, one of the rams did something peculiar. He lay down on the ground and allowed the other ram to pass over him. Sometimes animals have more wisdom than humans. Many times to have peace, we must lay down our pride and be humble.

Paul makes the same argument to those in the Corinthian church who were suing one another in 1 Corinthians 6:7. He says, “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Why are you still angry, suing one another and going to court? Sometimes, in the midst of seeking to preserve the unity, we must even accept being wronged. Sometimes we must turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:39). We must make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:3).

What are some benefits to walking in unity in the church? Being “united in love” affords many benefits to the church and that is why Satan works so hard against unity.

Application Question: What are some of the benefits of unity in the church?

1. A Benefit Of Church Unity Is Evangelism.

We read this previously, but one benefit of unity is evangelism, as Christ said in his high priestly prayer.

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:20–23).

Jesus said the purpose of the church being “one” was “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” When the church is not unified, evangelism is stifled.

If we surveyed the consequences of church splits, we would find many members who stopped attending church and some children who stopped practicing their faith or believing in God altogether. No doubt, unbelievers look on in disbelief. Church unity is essential to evangelism and that is why the enemy works so hard to bring division.

2. A Benefit Of Church Unity Is God’s Blessing Seen In Empowerment And Fruitfulness.

Listen to what the Psalmist said in Psalm 133:

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore (Ps. 133:1–3).

David said when the people of God are living in unity, God’s blessing is present. He compares this blessing with the oil on Aaron’s beard. Anointing with oil was a picture of empowerment by the Holy Spirit. When the church is walking together there is empowerment to serve God. Churches that do not have unity are churches without power.

He also compares God’s blessing on unity to the dew on Mount Zion. Dew is moisture that often waters plants and trees so they will produce fruit. Where there is no unity, there is no fruitfulness. The Holy Spirit does not produce fruit where there is division.

3. A Benefit Of Church Unity Is Protection From The Evil One.

Another benefit is protection against Satan. Listen to what Paul said about harboring anger in our hearts: “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph. 4:26–27).

Disunity opens the door for Satan to have a foothold in the church, a marriage, or our individual lives. A “foothold” is war terminology. Division opens the door for Satan and his demons to wage war in the house of God, whether on a small group, a ministry, or a family. Therefore, unity is very important.

Application Question: In what ways have you experienced division in the church? What were some of the negative effects from this division?

Effective Ministers Struggle For The Church To Be Protected By Having A Full Understanding Of Christ

“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 tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine–sounding arguments” (Col. 2:2–4).

Here we must notice another one of Paul’s goals. He desired the church to have a “complete understanding” of Christ. This was the very thing that the Gnostic cult was attacking. It was attacking the deity of Christ, the sufficiency of Christ, and therefore the gospel itself.

Paul calls Christ the “mystery of God” (v. 2). It seems this truth had become part of an early church hymn in 2 Timothy 3:16. Listen to the hymn:

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Christ is the only way to godliness. He came to earth and died. He was raised by the Spirit from the dead, seen by angels at his tomb, preached among the nations, and believed on by people in these nations. He ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father. This is the mystery that the Colossian church must come to fully understand. They must know who Christ is and his sufficiency. Paul struggles for this so that they would not be deceived by the cults (v. 4).

When he says “fine–sounding arguments,” he was using language common of lawyers.⁴ These cults would produce case after case to say that Christ was not God, and therefore not sufficient. These believers needed to have a full understanding so they would not be tossed to and fro by all types of false doctrines (Eph. 4:14).

It must be noted that with many cults today this is exactly where they attack. They attack the deity or humanity of Christ. This is seen in Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, Mormons, etc. They declare that Christ is not God. In fact, the apostle John taught that a correct doctrine of Christ was a test of salvation to the church of Ephesus (cf. 1 John 5:13), who was also being attacked by a cult.

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world (1 John 4:2–3).

He essentially says that you can identify a cult by what they believe about Jesus. Did Jesus Christ come in the flesh? It is obviously implied in this question that Jesus was God who came in the flesh. If they do not have a right doctrine about Jesus, they are not of God. It is the spirit of the antichrist.

Paul wants this church to come to a full understanding of the mystery of Christ so they can be protected.

Interpretation Question: How do we come to a complete understanding of the mystery of Christ as seen in Colossians 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 (Col. 2:2).

1. Believers Come To A Complete Understanding Of Christ Through Developing A “Strong Mind” Through Scripture.

It must be noticed that coming to a complete understanding of Christ is a result of both having an encouraged heart and being united in love. Paul uses a purpose clause in Colossians 2:2 with the phrase “so that.” This means having both an encouraged heart and being united in love lead to right understanding.

As mentioned before, when Scripture refers to the heart it is not just referring to the emotions but to the mind also. The Psalmist says, “The fool says in his heart there is no God” (14:1). Therefore, the principal way that a believer has an encouraged heart, and therefore comes to a complete understanding of Christ, is through the Word of God. They must strengthen their mind, will, and emotions through the Word. Listen to what Paul said about the purpose of pastors and teachers in Ephesians 4:11–14:

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

God has given us pastors and teachers to help us reach “unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God” so that we will no longer be infants tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Our hearts and minds must be strengthened by the Word.

A weak mind, one not trained in doctrine, is a mind open to deception. In this epistle, Paul is essentially giving them proper doctrine so they will not be led astray.

What else must we do to come to a complete understanding of Christ?

2. Believers Come To A Complete Understanding Of Christ Through Being “United” In Proper Relationships With The Saints.

Again, the result of both a strong heart and a unified love is complete understanding of Christ (2:2). See, it is impossible to come to a proper understanding of who Christ is apart from the church and right relationships within it.

In Scripture there is no place for lone-ranger Christians. This life cannot be walked alone; we need one another. It is often the lone sheep who has become angry at the church, or was slighted by a member of the church, who begins to drift away and is drawn into cults or other false teachings.

Most cults are not gathering new converts; they steal converts from God’s church. They are the wolves stealing the sheep, and the sheep who are most prone to be led astray are those who no longer are walking in a “united love.” They are angry, scarred, and disillusioned, and therefore prone to deception.

Not only must we know the Scripture through sound teaching, but we must be in right relationships with our brothers and sisters. It is impossible to come to a complete understanding of Christ, the head, apart from knowing his body. We get to know Christ through one another.

God does some things in the midst of fellowship that he doesn’t do when we are by ourselves. He shows up in a special way during a service or small group. When two or three are gathered in his name, he is in the midst of them (Matt. 18:20).

Application Question: Have you ever seen or experienced a member of the body of Christ being drawn into a cult or false teaching? Can you describe what happened and maybe what might have precipitated the event?

Effective Ministers Struggle For The Church To Develop Military Discipline

“For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is” (Col. 2:5).

The next goal of Paul for the church is military discipline. He uses two military words in this passage: “orderly” and “firm.” Listen to what Warren Wiersbe says about these words:

The words order and steadfastness are military terms. They describe an army that is solidly united against the enemy. Order describes the arrangement of the army in ranks, with each soldier in his proper place. Not everybody can be a five–star general, but the general could never fight the battle alone. Steadfastness pictures the soldiers in battle formation, presenting a solid front to the enemy. Christians ought to make progress in discipline and obedience, just as soldiers on the battlefield.⁵

This analogy was very appropriate for them as Satan was strategically trying to attack and destroy the church. They needed military discipline to withstand the attack.

This is a common analogy Scripture uses for Christians. Not only are we the bride of Christ, but we are also Christian soldiers. We are a warring bride. In Ephesians 5:22–33, we see the analogy of the bride, but very soon after in Chapter 6 we see the imagery of the church being a soldier, putting on the armor of God. Listen to what Paul says:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:10–12).

As one who has served in the military for many years, I can relate to this illustration. In fact, Paul speaks as though he is a high-ranking officer inspecting the formation of an army, and he says he is pleased.

Would God be pleased with our church as he inspects our military discipline? Would he be pleased with our conduct in the formation? Would we stand against an “all–out” assault of the enemy both individually and corporately?

Application Question: What are some implications we can take from the military words “order” and “firm” in referring to our preparedness for the attacks of the enemy?

1. An Implication Of The Word “Order” Is Knowing Our Place In God’s Army.

Order represents an army being in formation or ranks. Everybody in formation has a specific role. The people in the front of the formation lead and those behind must follow. One of the ways the enemy can get an open door into the church is through disgruntled people who do not submit to their leaders and people who are negligent in doing their jobs, or in using their gifts. If we saw this in a company—no leadership and nobody doing their job—we would say this company lacked “order.”

Again, in an army formation, each person lines up behind certain leaders in the formation. When the formation marches, those who are behind the leaders must step in the exact place as the leader. They follow step by step, and this is how a proper formation marches. Each person knows exactly who is in front of them and behind them.

When each person does their job, the formation looks dynamic. But when each person is not doing their job and not paying attention to the leaders, then it looks like utter chaos. Instead of being called a formation, it is often called “a gaggle.”

What is your role in the church? Are you doing your part to help maintain order?

Who are the leaders that God has called you to model and imitate? Are you submitting to them, following and imitating their lives, and stepping in their steps?

These people may be small group leaders, pastors, or mature women or men whom God has called you to follow in order to grow in Christ. Listen to what Paul told the Philippians: “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you” (3:17).

Paul essentially says, “Imitate my life and imitate others who follow my example.” Each church includes people with the gift of evangelism, and we need to watch and get in step with them. Others have the gift of mercy, and by watching and following them, we will be better at giving mercy to others, serving the poor, and serving those who are hurting. If we are going to have order, we need to get in step.

We must know what our specific job is and our specific role is so we can honor our commanding officer, the Lord.

2. An Implication Of “Firm,” Or It Can Be Translated “Steadfastness,” Is The Ability To Persevere Through Attack And Hardship In Following Christ.

Paul said he took delight in seeing how “firm” their faith in Christ was. I re–watched the movie Gladiator (2000), the one with Russell Crowe in it, not too long ago. In the movie, a bunch of gladiators were put into a stadium to essentially be slaughtered by a small army in chariots. They were at a great disadvantage.

I remember Russell Crowe, the leader of the gladiators, said to all them, “Whatever comes out of that door, we have a better chance of surviving if we all stick together.” When the chariots came out, he called them into formation, where they put up their shields to withstand the attacks of the chariots. He kept saying this as they attacked: “Hold! Hold! Hold the line together!” They held until it was time to attack.

This is similar to the picture given by Paul. The enemy was attacking, seeking to make them doubt Christ’s sufficiency for salvation. Paul says they must hold the line. They must stand and persevere in these attacks instead of giving up and succumbing.

That is the type of discipline we must have, not only as individuals but also corporately in the church. Observe how many people who, when trials come into their life, like difficulties at work or difficulties with relationships at church, instead of standing firm, start to fall away. They get mad at God. They stop coming to small group. They stop attending church. They don’t stand firm.

Steadfastness is necessary for any army. In battle there will be times when things are very difficult and you are tempted to give up. But it is then that you must stand. I think we get some idea of why this is necessary again in Ephesians 6. Listen to what Paul says: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (v. 13).

What is the “day of evil”? The “day of evil” is when the enemy brings an “all–out” attack in order to make you break the line and eventually give up. We probably get a picture of this with Job. In one day, most of his servants were killed by raiders, fire from God came down and destroyed his sheep, raiders stole his camels, and worst of all a storm killed his sons and daughters. The enemy threw all his fire at Job to break him, to make him not stand firm.

Have you experienced the day of evil—the evil season—when everything just seemed to go wrong? This is when God, your General, is calling you to “stand,” to just stand firm. Just hold your ground in Christ. Don’t let go of him; don’t fall away from him. Continue to seek Christ among the body of believers. This is what it means to stand firm.

No doubt, when the day of evil came, some in Colosse fell away from Christ and the army God had placed them in, the church. God wants you to stand firm with a military discipline. Remember what James said: “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4 KJV).

By persevering under trial, God is completing you, making you perfect so you can better serve him. This is a characteristic of a healthy church with military discipline.

3. An Implication Of Both Military Words Is A Willingness To Die For The Church.

Any person who has served in the military understands the symbolism. Paul uses military terms in part because to have order and steadfastness against the attack of the enemy takes a willingness to die for one another. Not only do we persevere, but we persevere even to the point of being willing to die for the members of our congregation.

This may seem radical, but this is exactly what Christ taught. Listen to what he said: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

How did Christ love the disciples? He gave his life for them. This is the type of love we must have for one another. Jesus said the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep (John 10:11). For many Christians, their church history is full of stories of being hurt in the church and leaving for another. Most Christians have no comprehension of this type of discipline. This is especially needed when we are under attack and when the church is under attack. One of the goals for our lives and our churches must be to have military discipline so that we can stand in the day of evil.

Application Question: Whom do you feel God has called you specifically to follow in the church so you can grow and be more effective? In what ways has he gifted you to serve? In what ways have you seen individuals or churches suffer because they lacked both military order and steadfastness?

Effective Ministers Struggle For The Church To Continue In Christ

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col. 2:6–7).

As Paul is giving his goals and desires for the church, he finally challenges them to “continue to live in him,” or it can be translated as “walk in him” (v. 6). Their salvation was just the beginning of their faith; they must continue in this same dependency upon Christ. They must not be shaken by the false teachers, persecution, or the worldly culture of the day.

Listen, Satan’s purpose in getting you discouraged, in bringing division, and in bringing disorder is more than separating the church or bringing fights. He ultimately wants every Christian to fall away from Christ. He wants you to doubt God’s goodness. He wants you to focus on the hypocrisy in the church and therefore to judge Christ based on it. He wants you to fall away.

I have served and ministered to many youth who, after seeing a church split and the lack of order in the church, fell away from the faith, even if just for a brief period of time. That’s what Satan is after. He wants people to not continue in following God.

This is true for us as well. There are many things that would seek to shake us from a continued relationship with Christ, and we must labor to stay with him. We must struggle to continue to follow Christ and struggle to help others to continue to follow him as well. In verse 7, Paul describes how we continue in him.

Observation Question: How do we continue to live in Christ so that we will not fall away (Col. 2:6–7)?

1. The Believer Must Continue In Christ By First Recognizing That They Are Truly Saved.

“Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col. 2:7).

When Paul used the word “rooted,” the tense of the Greek word means, “once and for all having been rooted.”⁶ It is also passive, meaning that God does all the work. He roots believers, and they will stay with Christ forever, for they were rooted in the past and will continue to be. This is the tense of the word, and therefore to continue in him, we must first be sure of our roots—our salvation.

In describing those with spurious faith in the parable of the soils, Jesus described a believer who was on shallow, rocky ground and lacked strong roots. This is what he said:

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away (Matt. 13:20–21).

This person had received the gospel but did not have an appropriate root system. Therefore, when trials came into this person’s life, he fell away from God. He was not “once and for all” rooted in Christ. He was not genuinely saved.

Knowing our root system is so important that Scripture tells us to test our faith or to prove that it is real. Look at a few of these passages: “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).

Paul said that he taught people to repent, which essentially means to accept the gospel, but he also preached that they must prove their repentance by their deeds. He said that they should prove their salvation. Resting our eternal destiny on saying a prayer or mental assent to a creed or doctrine is not very wise. It must be proved by our works. It’s the same thing John the Baptist taught:

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Luke 3:8–9).

John the Baptist calls the nation of Israel to repent, but he also calls them to prove their repentance by their fruit. He says, “Prove your root by your fruit.” It seems that Paul and John both taught this together with their presentation of the gospel. Repent and prove your salvation; produce fruits proving that your confession is genuine. No doubt they did this because they believed there were many false confessions among the people of God.

We see this need to confirm the genuineness of one’s faith in many other places. Second Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Paul says examine yourself; see if you are in the faith. See if your faith is truly genuine.

Peter utters the same challenge: “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall” (2 Peter 1:10). Peter says make sure you are elect, make sure you are saved. If we look at the previous verses to that passage, he tells us how to do that, how to know we are elect. Look at what he says:

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self–control; and to self–control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love (2 Peter 1:5–7).

How do we make our election sure and prove our salvation? Peter essentially says it is by growing. “Add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self–control.” The way we know if we have been rooted “once and for all” is by growing. If a person shows no growth—no fruit—then he might not be elect.

I often tell people I don’t remember my natural birth. Though I was there, I was too small to remember it. The way I know I am my father’s child is because we both have big ears and big thighs. We have many of the same characteristics. This assures me that my father is my father, and it’s the same with God. As we grow in him, we will develop many of his characteristics, which will help assure us of our salvation.

How do we continue in him?

We must be sure that we have been rooted “once and for all.” If a person has truly been rooted in Christ, they will never fall away. But if they have shallow roots on rocky ground they will not persevere. The storms of life will pull them away from Christ (Matt. 7:24–27).

How else can we continue in him?

2. The Believer Must Continue In Christ By Growing In Him.

“Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col. 2:7).

Rooted” is an agricultural term, but “built” is an architectural term. Paul says, “built up” in Christ. It pictures Christ as the foundation of our life (cf. Eph. 2:20), and from this foundation we continue to grow upward. Similar to making our election sure, one of the ways we continue in Christ is by growing in him.

To not grow is a dangerous place to be. A Christian who is not growing is a Christian who is in danger of being pulled away from Christ.

Application Question: How are Christians built up in Christ?

• Christians are built up by being trained by mature spiritual leadership.

Listen to what Paul says:

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Eph. 4:11–12).

The way a Christian grows up is by being trained. In this context, Paul says God has given the church gifted people to help the body of Christ grow. We must attach to these people who are particularly gifted in teaching in order to be built up. That is the reason God gave them.

For some people this is very hard. I come from the West where we are very independent. To need somebody or to submit to someone is a very hard thing. But according to this text, God gave these people for this very purpose so that we may grow. Christians who are always walking in rebellion to the leadership of the church and their teaching will be Christians who are not growing.

Yes, we must test their teaching because teachers are not infallible (cf. Acts 17:11; 1 John 5:1). Nevertheless, these leaders will be one of the primary means God uses for our growth.

How else are we built up?

• Christians are built up by practicing the spiritual disciplines.

Paul said this to Timothy: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly” (1 Tim. 4:7). “Train” can be translated “exercise.” It’s the Greek word we get “gymnasium” from. We become more godly by practicing godly exercises—spiritual disciplines. These include prayer, studying the Scriptures, obeying the Scriptures, going to church, serving, solitude, giving, etc. These are spiritual exercises that help us to be built up into what God has called us to be.

How else are Christians built up?

• Christians are built up by submitting to God in trials.

Listen to what James says: “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4 KJV). The word “patience” can be translated “perseverance,” which means to “bear up under a heavy load.” God allows Christians to go through trials and difficulties in order for them to grow, in order for them to develop spiritual muscle so they can better serve God and others.

But James says in order for us to mature (be perfect), we must “let patience have her perfect work.” Not everyone grows when they go through trials. Some people turn away from God, get angry with God or others, find an addiction to satisfy them during the trial, etc. To “let” patience have its perfect work means we must draw near to God in the trial, draw near his Word, and draw near the fellowship of the saints; we must be willing to persevere. It is in the good ground of a trial that God develops our faith and helps us grow, if we are willing to “let” him.

How else do we continue in Christ?

3. The Believer Must Continue In Christ By Being Strengthened In Their Understanding Of Doctrine.

“Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col. 2:7).

How else do Christians continue in Christ? They continue in Christ through knowing and understanding doctrine. Paul calls this being “strengthened in the faith.” Now the word “faith” is often used in two ways: it can mean to simply “believe or trust” in God, or it can be used to refer to Christianity and its body of beliefs or doctrines.

In this context, being strengthened in the faith means to grow in the doctrines of the Word of God. The Colossians were attacked at the very core of their faith. The Gnostic cult was attacking Christ’s deity, and therefore attacking the gospel.

It must be noted that the doctrines in Christianity make it virtually unique among world religions. God is not looking for a blind faith; he wants a thinking people. He says, “Come, let us reason together” (Isa. 1:18). He calls to his people and says, “Come think with me.”

In Christianity, we have the doctrine of Christology, Pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit), Theology Proper (the study of the Father), Soteriology (the study of salvation), Eschatology (the study of end times), etc. These may seem like useless theological terms, but they all represent doctrines that God has called us to know and understand. “Let us reason together,” God says.

He has called for us to be a thinking people. In fact, this is what Paul said to Timothy about persevering in the faith. “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:16). Timothy, persevere in your doctrine so you can persevere in Christ—so you can stay in him.

Paul also told Timothy,

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us (2 Tim. 1:13–14).

Keep the teachings; guard the teachings because God has called you to be a steward over them. Satan realizes that if he can attack and steal the teachings of God’s Word then he can eventually steal us from Christ (cf. Matt. 13:19).

Satan is always attacking doctrines such as the inerrancy of the Word of God. Is it really true? He is attacking the deity of Christ. Is he really God? And he does this to encourage people to fall away. We must be strengthened in what we have already learned and grow in what we have not. We must persevere in them so we will not fall away from Christ.

4. The Believer Must Continue In Christ By Developing The Discipline Of Thankfulness.

“Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col. 2:7).

The final way this church would continue in Christ was by developing the discipline of thankfulness. This should go without saying, but one of the ways that Satan tries to pull Christians away from Christ is by destroying their joy. He wants to make it seem like God is the ultimate “kill–joy,” someone who wants to take the pleasure out of life. We get a picture of this in his temptation of Eve. Consider what he said to her: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” (Gen. 3:1).

What was Satan trying to do? He knew very well that Adam and Eve could eat of every tree in the garden except one. Satan was trying to make God seem burdensome, unfair, and unkind. In a sense, he was trying to attack the character of God by making him out to be someone who is strict and controlling.

Satan realizes that if we lose our thankfulness and joy in following Christ, he can easily tempt us to look elsewhere for joy and happiness, including sin, rebellion, or ultimately apostasy.

If you are content and happy in your relationship with God, then you are not going to fall into alcoholism or pornography. You are not going to fall into any other addiction. Why? Because you are too satisfied in Christ, and you won’t let anything come between you and him.

Satan wants to steal your thankfulness so he can pull you into something else to find satisfaction and ultimately away from Christ altogether. When you are thankful and satisfied in Christ, you will not go looking for other wells to drink from because you are too content with God.

First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If we are going to continue in Christ, we must have a thankful spirit. Satan realizes that it is the malcontents, the ones who are mad at God, the ones who are mad at the church or mad at their bosses, who are prone to fall away from their high calling in Christ.

How do we continue in Christ?

• We continue in Christ by knowing we are truly saved—rooted in Christ.
• We continue in Christ by growing in him—being built up in Christ.
• We continue in Christ by being strengthened in the body of faith.
• We continue in Christ by developing the discipline of thankfulness.

Conclusion

What are goals of effective ministers of the church?

These goals represent what Paul agonized over in the lives of the Colossians though he had never met them personally. He agonized through his prayer life, his sufferings, his writing, etc., in order that these goals would be realized in them.

It is these goals that must be ours as well, both individually and as a church community. They must be our prayers for our local church and the church universal. There should be an element of struggle and agony even for people we have not seen. This is how effective ministers labor for Christ’s church. May the Lord sow and reap these in us and in his body throughout the world.

1. Effective ministers struggle for the church to have a strong mind and heart—strong through his Word and his people.
2. Effective ministers struggle for the church to be united in love, a unified people walking in the blessings and favor of God.
3. Effective ministers struggle for the church to be protected through having a complete understanding of Christ.
4. Effective ministers struggle for the church to have military discipline, being orderly and standing firm as the body.
5. Effective ministers struggle for the church to continue in Christ.

Application Question: In what ways has God challenged you by Paul’s apostolic goals for the church? In what ways is God calling you to struggle for a specific goal for yourself or others?

Copyright © 2015 Gregory Brown

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¹ R. K. Hughes, Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ. (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1989), 52.

² J. F. MacArthur Jr., MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Colossians. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 83.

³ J. F. MacArthur Jr., MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Colossians. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 83.

⁴ W. W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 2:4.

⁵ W. W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 2:4.

⁶ W. W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996).

“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant” (Col. 1:20–23).

What is the message of reconciliation? How can a person be reconciled to God and have eternal life?

In the church of Colosse there were teachings attacking the truth of the gospel. They said Christ was not God and that further revelation was needed for salvation.

Paul writes this letter to the Colossians to defend the supremacy of Christ. He said in the previous passage that the fullness of God dwells in Christ (v. 19). Essentially, he said Christ is God. He also said it is through Christ that all things shall be reconciled (v. 20).

Reconciliation is at the heart of the gospel. The word reconciliation means to renew a friendship or to restore to a right relationship. Paul told this church that if anybody was going to be saved—reconciled to God—it must be through Christ. He is the only one who can renew our relationship with God.             

In fact, Christ taught the same thing. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but by me” (John 14:6). There is no salvation apart from Christ.

In considering Paul’s defense of Christ and the gospel in the current passage, it must be noticed that he calls himself a “servant” of this gospel. In Colossians 1:23 he says, “This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.”

Because Paul was saved and transformed by this gospel, he became its servant. This is the natural response for someone who has truly been changed and reconciled to God. He wants to serve this gospel by sharing it and enduring whatever cost that may come in the process of its dissemination. This is the only appropriate response for someone who is truly convinced of the gospel’s innate worth. Here is a story from the 1900s that illustrates Paul’s response to the gospel and how it should be ours as well.

While on a three–story scaffold at a construction site one day, a building engineer tripped and fell toward the ground in what appeared to be a fatal plummet. Right below the scaffold, a laborer looked up just as the man fell, realized he was standing exactly where the engineer would land, braced himself, and absorbed the full impact of the other man’s fall. The impact slightly injured the engineer but severely hurt the laborer. The brutal collision fractured almost every bone in his body, and after he recovered from those injuries, he was severely disabled.

Years later, a reporter asked the former construction laborer how the engineer had treated him since the accident. The handicapped man told the reporter: ‘He gave me half of all he owns, including a share of his business. He is constantly concerned about my needs and never lets me want for anything. Almost every day he gives me some token of thanks or remembrance.’¹

That engineer who was saved became a servant of the man who saved him. In the same way, Paul, who was saved by the gospel of reconciliation, became a lifelong servant of it. Wherever he went, he preached it. He traveled to nations throughout the ancient world to tell them about what changed his life. This should be true of us as well. Second Corinthians 5:18–20 says this:

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Yes, if Christ saved you, you are also called to be a servant of the gospel. You have a specific ministry. It is called the “ministry of reconciliation.” God is reconciling the world to himself and he chose to make his “appeal” through you.

Not only was this Paul’s ministry, but it is equally ours. Now if we are going to be ministers of this gospel, we must first thoroughly understand it. We must understand the message of reconciliation so we can better share it.

In this lesson, we will be studying the “message of reconciliation” so we can more effectively apply its truths to our lives and teach its richness to others. As we teach and spread this message, we do our part in declaring the supremacy of Christ as Paul did.

Big Question: What are the elements of the message of reconciliation as seen in Colossians 1:20–23?

The Message Of Reconciliation Means That All Of Creation Has A Serious Problem

“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Col. 1:20).

Interpretation Question: Why do “all things” need to be reconciled unto God (Col. 1:20)? What do “all things” include?

Why does creation need to be reconciled unto God? A crucial part of the message of reconciliation is that man is separated from God. Something happened in the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned. Scripture teaches that man experienced spiritual death—a separation from God.

Man Hides From God

Right after Adam sinned, we see his new relationship with God. God came looking for him in the garden and instead of revealing himself, Adam hid (Gen. 3:8). This is a picture of man’s relationship to God since the inception of sin. Man, now, is in a state of hiding from God. Sin has so infected man that it caused him to separate from God. Listen to what Isaiah 53:6 says about man: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.”

All mankind has gone away from God as a result of sin. In fact, Paul declares that no one truly seeks him anymore. Romans 3:11 says, “There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.” In the same way that Adam hid from God, man today hides from God as well. Man does seek, but he seeks a god made in the image of man or any other imagination he prefers. Man cannot stand the God of the Bible. Consider what Paul says in Romans 1:21–23:

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Although man has an inward witness of God in his heart and the clear witness of creation (cf. Rom. 1:19–20), man still chooses to not acknowledge him. Instead, he creates his own god.

Man’s Sin Suppresses The Truth Of God

Here in Colossians, Paul further explains man’s depravity and natural tendency to separate from God. He says, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior” (Col. 1:21).

Sin in man makes him hide from God and alienate himself from him. Man is alienated “because” of his “evil behavior.” Just as sin caused Adam to hide from God, sin causes man today to hide and deny God. Romans 1:18 describes this: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”

When man is living in sin, he wants to push away the reality of a holy God. Man’s evil behavior compels him to. Jesus taught something similar about his first coming: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19–20).

Because man practices evil, he hates the light. He wants to suppress the idea of a holy God, lest his deeds be exposed. Mankind wants to suppress the truth of God. Consider how Paul describes man’s thinking in relationship to God and his law. Romans 8:7 says, “The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”

Man’s natural mind is at enmity with God. It suppresses him; it doesn’t want to believe in him. It doesn’t want to follow the laws of God. In fact, it cannot follow them. Man is a slave to the cravings of his sinful nature. He is controlled by sin. Jesus said, “He who sins is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). Nature determines action. A lion will always eat meat instead of a carrot because it’s his nature. Similarly, a sinful nature only yields sinful behavior.

This is the natural state of man. He is at enmity with God. He will not seek him. His mind cannot understand him. The teachings of Scripture are foolishness to him (1 Cor. 2:14). He runs away from him. He is dead in his sins—separated from a holy God (Eph. 2:1). He suppresses the truth of God because he would rather live his own life apart from God’s lordship. Man, by nature, despises authority or anything that restricts or constrains him. He wants his own unbridled freedom. In his eyes this is right, and anything or anyone that interferes is not welcomed (Ps. 2:1–3).

God Is At Enmity With Man

But, this situation gets even worse. It is not just that man is at enmity with God and needs to be reconciled to him, but that God is at enmity with man. Yes, this is a far worse picture than man simply running away from God. It is not a big thing for an ant to be angry at a lion. What is drastically worse is that God is at enmity with man. Look at what Paul says about man in his natural state apart from God: “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath” (Eph. 2:3).

Scripture proclaims that men by nature are “objects of wrath.” We as sinners abide under the wrath of an angry God. John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

God is so holy that he cannot stand sin. He is so just that he must judge it. And therefore, because of his sin, man is under the judgment of God. This is the condition of all men. They are separated from God and at enmity with him. The writer of Hebrews says, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Because God is holy, man cannot have a relationship with him. The requirement of being in God’s presence is a holy life.

Well, one person might ask, “What if man works really hard and practices righteousness and good deeds? Can he then have a relationship with God and have eternal life?”

This is what the religions of the world advocate. But they don’t fully understand:

1. the gravity of man’s sin and
2. that God is just.

Imagine for a second this happening in a human court. Imagine a man on trial—a convicted murderer of thousands of people, as well as a rapist and thief—asking the judge if he could get off “scot-free” by promising to do good works for the rest of his life. If this judge exonerated him, would he be a just judge?

There would be an uproar in society if this happened. Righteous deeds are what we are supposed to do. It doesn’t pay back for the sins we already committed. The judges in our judicial systems may not always be just, but we can be sure the God of Scripture is just and that there is no amount of good works that can amend for the sin of man. There is no amount of religious devotion, prayer, or giving that can atone for one’s past sins.

Scripture says that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). The just punishment for one sin, one bad thought, earns death (cf. Matt. 5:27–28). Man is in a terrible predicament under the wrath of a just God.

In fact, Scripture says that man apart from God’s grace can do no good works at all. Listen to what Isaiah 64:6 says: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” Even our righteousness is as filthy rags before God. Sin has so tainted man that he can do no good work that is pleasing to God.

One might say, “How is that? There are plenty of good things that people do.” Sure, there is no doubt about that. But God’s standard is so high that even our greatest good deeds are filthy in his sight. This is true in part because God requires not only good deeds, but a right heart. More important than one’s deeds is the heart that they are committed with. Scripture teaches that the greatest commandment is this: “To love God with your whole heart, mind and soul.”

This is often called the doctrine of total depravity. There has never been a moment in my life when I have “loved God with my whole heart, mind, and soul.” Even my good deeds are tainted by motives to be approved by others and sometimes to be better than others. I fall far short of God’s plan for my life. Again, Paul says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

Creation’s Plight

Now we have talked about man, but what about the rest of creation? Why do “all things” need reconciliation with God? Scripture teaches that even creation no longer honors God in the way it should. Moreover, I believe Scripture teaches that even heaven is in need of redemption.

When man sinned on the earth, Scripture says that God cursed the ground (Gen. 3:17). It from that point on bore weeds and thorns instead of the fruit it was supposed to. No doubt, earthquakes, tsunamis, and the like are part of the curse. Romans 8:20–22 says this:

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Like man, creation is also in frustration and bondage to sin. It is groaning, waiting for the time it will be set free from sin and changed into what God originally planned. Some have said maybe we see creation’s frustration every year. It blooms in the spring, only to die in the winter.

But again it should be noted that heaven also is affected by sin. Consider what the book of Job says: “If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes” (Job 15:15).

Eliphaz, one of Job’s accusatory friends, spoke this statement, and therefore, it must be tested by the rest of Scripture. However, there seems to be support for this. One of the things many people do not understand about heaven is that there is a current heaven where God dwells, and that one day he will create a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). Theologians call the current state of heaven the “intermediate heaven.”

Why is there a need for a new one? Consider what Scripture says about the “intermediate heaven:”

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man–made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence (Heb. 9:22–24).

The writer of Hebrews is talking about how the tabernacle on earth was a copy of the tabernacle in heaven. The articles of the earthly tabernacle needed to be cleansed with the blood of a lamb, but the writer says the articles in the heavenly tabernacle needed to be cleansed with a better sacrifice. What was that better sacrifice? It was the blood of Jesus.

Well, hold up. Why does the tabernacle in heaven need to be cleansed in the first place? It seems that after the fall of the angels in heaven, heaven is no longer as God originally intended. We see Satan having access to heaven, speaking with God several times in the book of Job. In 1 Kings 22, we see demons having access to heaven. One demon says he would go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets of the king of Israel to lead him into destruction (v. 22). We even see a future battle in heaven with angels and demons in Revelation 12. It is the new heaven and new earth in which nothing bad or corrupt will be able to enter (Rev. 22:14–15), not the current intermediate heaven.

For this reason, Jesus also had to cleanse the tabernacle in heaven. I personally believe that when Scripture talks about there being no crying, weeping, or mourning in heaven, that again it specifically is only referring to the new heaven in Revelation 21:4. In Revelation 6:10, we see martyrs in the intermediate heaven who died during the tribulation period mourning and asking God when he will bring vengeance on the people of the earth. It says, “They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”‘

There seems to be mourning in the present heaven as people cry out for God to bring his justice on the earth. There is no clear biblical reason to think there is no mourning in the intermediate heaven. Scripture says that even the Holy Spirit mourns and groans inside of us with words that cannot be expressed (Rom. 8:26). If God mourns, certainly the saints in heaven who are closer to and more like God mourn as well. Heaven and earth are not the way God originally intended. That’s something we all should mourn and pray about.

Do we not see how bad creation’s predicament is? Man is at enmity with God and incapable of obeying him or seeking his face. Creation is in frustration and bondage because of sin. Even heaven has been affected by sin.

This is the bad news. Everything is far from where it should be. This is the bad news everybody must be aware of. In order for a person to be saved, they must first realize why they need to be saved. They must understand the gravity of their problem. They are sinners in the hands of an angry God. They are apart from their Creator. This is a necessary element of the gospel—the message of reconciliation.

It is necessary for every person who will be saved to first feel the sting and conviction of their sin. This is the offensive part of the gospel that Christians must not be afraid to share.

Why should a person be offended at a God who wants to save? Actually, it’s the reason God wants to save them that is offensive. Their sin separated them from God, and that is why they must repent and turn to God for salvation. Every person on earth must feel the weight of their sin and realize that Christ wants to take that burden and draw them to himself (Matt. 11:28–30).

Are you willing to declare to mankind the gravity of their situation? Are you willing to teach that God is angry at sin all day long and that we need a savior? (Ps. 7:11).

Application Question: Do you feel that the reality of man being a sinner, under the wrath of God and in need of repentance, is the hardest part of sharing the gospel and a major reason why people do not share? Why or why not?

The Message Of Reconciliation Does Not Mean Universal Salvation

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Col. 1:19–20).

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean when he says “all things” will be reconciled unto God? Does this teach universalism, the salvation of all mankind? Why or why not?

In order to understand reconciliation we must also understand what it does not mean. It does not mean universal salvation. This verse has been used by many prominent teachers to teach that eventually every person will be saved. That is not what Colossians 1:19 teaches, nor does it fit into what the whole of Scripture says.

Scriptural Evidence

Scripture clearly teaches that not all people will be saved, not even all people who profess Christ. Listen to what Jesus said:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt. 7:21–23).

Many who profess Christ as Lord will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Instead of living for God, they lived a life of evil. They will be separated from Christ for eternity.

If not all who profess Christ will enter into the kingdom, how much more those who deny Christ totally? Listen to what Matthew 25 teaches:

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life (Matt. 25:41–46).

Scripture clearly declares that at Christ’s coming he will separate the sheep from the goats. The goats will go into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels while the sheep will go into eternal life. Scripture does not teach that all will go to heaven. When Paul says “all things” will be reconciled, it must be limited to those who follow Christ and the restoration of the heaven and earth as the rest of Scripture teaches.

It should also be noted that clearly the devil and his angels will not be reconciled. They will be eternally condemned. We see this taught in Revelation 20:10: “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

When Scripture speaks of reconciliation, it does not include the unbeliever, nor Satan and his angels. Universal salvation is not a Scriptural doctrine, though it certainly appeals to man’s nature. God is a just God. He is not only a God of love but of justice. “God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day” (Ps. 7:11).

Christians must be clear on this, for many popular teachers teach this today. This is a false gospel that we must be aware of.

Rule With An “Iron Scepter”

Some might still ask, “Is there a sense in which God will reconcile all things to himself?” It must be noted that though this cannot refer to salvation, there is a sense in which unredeemed man and fallen angels will be reconciled to God, but only in judgment. All creation will bow down to him as Lord. Listen to what Philippians 2:9–11 says:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

One day everyone will bow down to Christ, but some will bow down only because they must. Psalm 2:9 says the Son will rule with an “iron scepter” (cf. Rev. 12:5), and he will “dash them like pottery.” One day all will submit at the second coming of Christ because they must. The Lamb will return as a Lion. He will judge the earth, and in that sense unredeemed men and fallen angels will finally be forced to submit to Christ as Lord. In this sense, God will reconcile all things to himself, but this reconciliation will not change their eternal destiny.

Application Question: Have you met Christians who believe that all will eventually be saved? Why do you think this perversion of the gospel is growing in popularity? (For further information, research the “Wider Mercy Doctrine.”)

The Message Of Reconciliation Is That Christ Is The Reconciler

“By making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Col. 1:20–22).

We considered the problem: man and all of creation have been affected by sin. Man is separated from God because of sin. He cannot obey God and will not seek God. Here is the next question. How then can man be reconciled to God?

Interpretation Question: What does Paul teach as the source of reconciliation?

Paul says: “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Col. 1:22).

He declares that through Christ’s death, redeemed man has now become without blemish and free from accusation. How can this be? How can a sinful man be holy in God’s sight?

This teaches a truth seen throughout Scripture called substitution. Under the Mosaic Law, God set up a sacrificial system to instruct man about this. Man understood that “without the shedding of blood there was no remission for sins” (Heb. 9:22) and that the “wages of sin was death” (Rom. 6:23), and therefore there had to be a just punishment. However, God symbolically punished the sins of man on a sacrificed lamb so that the people could enter his presence and worship him.

In fact, many scholars see “substitution” implied in the very first death. After Adam sinned, God immediately killed an animal and clothed Adam and Eve. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), and therefore someone had to die for Adam’s sin. From the beginning, God showed mercy to man by allowing a substitute.

However, the sacrificial animal never took away the sins of the world; it only symbolized a future reality. When John the Baptist saw Jesus on the earth, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29b).

The lamb in the Old Testament was only a picture of substitution. The lamb without blemish was a picture of being without sin. The people symbolically received the sinless life of the lamb, and the lamb bore the sins of the people and died for them. This symbolized the perfect lamb that would die for the sins of the entire world: Jesus Christ.

What happened with Jesus, however, was not a symbol; it was the reality. There, literally, was a substitution when he died on the cross for the sins of the people. He took the sins of every person in the world and bore the wrath of God for them.

Those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior will have his work on the cross applied to their account. He bore our sin and the just wrath of God and we took on his perfect righteousness. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

He took our sin and we received his righteousness. This is what Paul means when he says we are to be presented holy, blameless, and free of accusation in his sight. Listen again to what he says: “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Col. 1:22).

The only way for man, and therefore creation, to be reconciled was by the substitutionary death of the perfect lamb. We are now acceptable to God because he sees us as his perfect Son. His righteousness is now applied to our account.

Application Question: What are some applications from the fact that we have become Christ’s righteousness and are now holy, without blemish, and free from accusation?

1. Because We Are Now Christ’s Righteousness, We Must Practice Righteousness In Our Daily Living.

Those who are truly born again will naturally desire to live a righteous life. In this substitution, a person truly becomes a new creation in Christ. Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17).

We are now God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph. 2:10). He changed us so that we can glorify him through the new life and the new righteousness he has given us. True salvation will always result in good works.

“Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:13b–14).

Are we living out our new reality in Christ? We are his righteousness and we must seek to live this out daily.

2. Be Cause We Are Now Christ’s Righteousness, We Must Not Accept The Condemnation Of Satan, Ourselves, Or Others.

One of Satan’s tactics is to accuse the believer when he falls or makes mistakes. He will condemn the believer for his failures and seek to use this condemnation to draw us away from God. There is a difference between conviction and condemnation. A true believer should feel conviction when he sins. This happens because of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

True conviction draws us to God and away from sin. However, condemnation will draw us away from God and into sin. Condemnation will bring depression and anger and will often cause believers to go into seclusion or into worse sin. Do not accept any condemnation from the devil.

Christ knew and paid in full for each sin we would commit when he died on the cross. This does not give us license to continue in sin. But it should give us confidence to accept his forgiveness and turn from it. Listen to what Paul says: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

He also said this at the end of the chapter:

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Rom. 8:33–34).

Who can rightly bring a charge against a believer? It is God who justifies. The word “justifies” is often explained as “just as though I never sinned.” Who is he that condemns? No one can rightly condemn us—not Satan or ourselves.

Christians must start to live on the basis of who we are “in Christ” (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom 6:11; Eph. 1:3). Because we are “in Christ” and we are his righteousness, we must live in accordance with this reality. When we fail we must seek forgiveness and continue to walk according to what Christ has done in our lives and who we are in him.

Listen to Paul’s words on this one more time:

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace (Rom. 6:11–14).

Jesus makes us holy through his death (2 Cor. 5:21) so that we can continually approach God (Heb. 4:16). Therefore, we must reject condemnation that comes through our flesh, the devil, or others. This is an important truth we must actualize to continue to walk in Christ’s victory, especially when we stumble.

Application Question: In what ways does Satan commonly come against you with condemnation? How do you discern these lies and battle against them?

The Message Of Reconciliation Is That Reconciliation Comes Through Faith

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel” (Col. 1:22–23).

Interpretation Question: What is the condition Paul gives for man to be reconciled? How does a person take this step?

How does a person receive reconciliation with God? How do they have their friendship renewed? Paul teaches in this text that a person is saved through faith in Christ. Look again at what he says:

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel (Col. 1:22–23).

Scripture everywhere would teach that salvation, and thus reconciliation, is by grace. It is by unmerited favor that anyone is saved. We cannot earn it; we cannot work for it. It is a work of grace, but this grace gives us the faith to put our trust in Christ. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

A person receives this grace from God through an act of faith, an act of trust. We get a good picture of this in how Paul responds to the jailer who asks, “How can one be saved?” Let’s look at their interaction: “He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household’” (Acts 16:30–31).

Belief in Christ or faith is the means to be saved.

Interpretation Question: What are the characteristics of this faith in Christ that brings reconciliation to those who trust in him?

1. True Faith Believes The Content Of The Gospel.

Paul declares that in order for a person to be saved he must have belief or faith. However, faith is only as good as the object. We don’t believe in faith; we believe in the object or the content of our faith.

What is the content of the gospel?

• The content is an admission that one cannot save one’s self. One cannot work for it, nor can he earn it. Everyone is totally lost because of sin. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.”

Because of our sins we are totally separated from a holy God. We will ultimately be separated from him eternally in a burning fire that will not be quenched. The writer of Hebrews says, “Without holiness no one will see God” (Heb. 12:14).

It is this reality that drives a person to come to Christ and be saved. He realizes that he needs a savior.

• The content is the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for the sins of the world. Paul says,

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:2–4).

This is the content of the gospel. Before recognizing the gospel, we must again understand the bad news. We are separated and under the wrath of a just God because of our sins. But the good news is that God’s Son came to earth and died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day so that one day those who believe in him will rise again. This is the content of the gospel.

But it must be noted that intellectual belief is not enough.

2. True Faith Is Committed To The Lord Of The Gospel.

The word “faith” used here in Colossians 1:23 is more than just intellectual belief. In Greek this word can be translated as “trust,” “commit,” or even “obedience.” The word in classical Greek is used of those in a contractual relationship.² There is a commitment of the will and not just the mind.

This is important to say because there are some in Christianity who would say intellectual belief is enough, but James says even the demons believe and shudder (James 2:19). Simple belief that Jesus is God and Savior isn’t enough. It has to do with a commitment of the will in following and obeying him. Romans 10:9–10 says,

That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

To believe means to accept Jesus Christ as Lord of our life. It also includes an element of repentance as a person ceases to live his former life and accepts Christ as Lord of his life. A transference of leadership takes place. This is important because many make false confessions. Christ warned about this in the Sermon on the Mount. Listen to what he said:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt. 7:21–23).

Many in the church have only belief, only profession. They have right doctrine. They know that Christ is Lord, and they even serve him in the church but are not truly saved. Christ says true faith leads to doing the “will” of the Father in heaven (v. 21).

We have too many Christians in the church who claim to follow Christ but their profession doesn’t change their language. It doesn’t change how they treat someone who offends them. They have just as much unforgiveness and bitterness as the world. Christ responds to these people and says, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.”

Let’s say a man goes through an elaborate wedding ceremony and marries a wonderful woman. However, after the ceremony this man never sees the lady again. He wears a ring and tells people he is married, but he has no relationship with this wonderful woman. He even has relationships with other women. Is that a marriage?

Similarly, lots of people come to church and put on a display before people, but they have no real relationship with Christ. Christ will one day respond to them, “I never knew you.”

The message of reconciliation is that we are reconciled to God by faith in the Son. This faith has a doctrinal element: believing in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for the sins of the world. But it also has an element of commitment and obedience to him. When you really believe something it should affect how you live. This is the problem with much of Christianity.

Application Question: In what ways have you seen “professions of faith” abused in churches and among believers? Do you think there is an overwhelming lack of true saving faith in the church?

3. True Faith Perseveres In Following Christ As Lord.

It also should be noted that this faith in Christ that brings reconciliation with God has more to it than a committed belief. Paul gives a conditional clause. Look again at what he says:

If you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant (Col. 1:23).

Perseverance of true saving faith is taught throughout Scripture. True faith will last and spurious faith—false faith—will not. We see a good example of false faith in the Parable of the Sower. Look at the stony ground:

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away (Matt. 13:20–21).

Jesus taught that many would hear the word of the gospel and even receive it with joy. However, they didn’t have any true root. A plant without roots will die when the wind or the storm comes. It has nothing to sustain it. This root represents true faith.

Many in the church who have emotional displays when they accept Christ fall away and never return after they face peer pressure from friends or family, their faith starts to cost something, or God allows some trial to happen in their life. This type of faith has no root—it’s false.

Let’s see how John handles a similar scenario with people who initially professed faith but ultimately fell away. In the church of Ephesus a Gnostic cult attacked the church and many members fell away from Christ. John said, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us” (1 John 2:19).

John said if they belonged to us, meaning if they were truly saved, they would have remained. He is not simply dealing with members leaving the church. This was a deeper issue. They were leaving the church to follow a false gospel that attacked the deity and humanity of Christ. He says that their falling away proved that they had no real root—no real faith. He says, “Their going showed that none of them belonged to us.”

Jesus said something similar about believers in the end times. He said: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:12–13).

In the end times, wickedness will increase. The world will be a loveless place, and in that context Christians will be persecuted because of it. No doubt, many Christians will fall away because of this persecution. They would prefer career, acceptance by friends and family, wealth, or comfort, and therefore they will not be willing to take up their cross to continue following Christ. Christ said, “He who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Those who fall away in the end times will fall away because they had a false faith.

Christ taught the same doctrine as Paul and John. True faith perseveres. He doesn’t say they lost their salvation. Scripture clearly teaches that those who are Christ’s sheep he will not lose. In fact, it is one of the very things God sent the Son to do. Listen to what Christ said:

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day (John 6:37–39).

Jesus came to do the Father’s will, and Christ cannot fail at this because he is God. If he failed at doing the Father’s will, he could not be our Savior because he would have “fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Our Savior is perfectly righteous, and because of this, he can give you his righteousness. He does not fail at keeping his elect. He puts his elect in the Father’s hand and in his own so he loses none (John 10:28). He holds the temperature gauge on every trial (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13; John 18:9) because he will not put you into a trial that the faith he has given you cannot ultimately handle. God will never lead you where his grace cannot keep you. He prays for his elect so he can save them to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25). He works all things for the good of them who love the Lord. God predestined you before you were born to be made into the image of his Son and nothing can separate the elect from his love: not life, not death, not angels or demons, sin or anything else, for we are convinced that nothing can separate the believer from the love of God (Rom. 8:28–39).

God gives the elect a measure of faith (Eph. 2:8–10), and the Son keeps that faith so that he may please the Father. A savior who failed to keep the elect could not be a savior at all because he could not perfectly do the will of God. He, therefore, could not be God. Thank you, Lord, that Christ is our Savior and God, and nothing is impossible for him!

The way that each person can be reconciled to God is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith believes in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is committed to the Lordship of Christ, and finally, it always perseveres.

Application Question: Many orthodox Christians believe that true faith does not always persevere, meaning that a person can be saved and then lose their salvation. How did they come to this interpretation? What do you think the whole counsel of Scripture says about this?

Conclusion

What are the elements of the message of reconciliation? We must understand this because all who are true believers have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Like Paul we have become its servants (Col. 1:23). We are called to let God speak through us as he reconciles people to himself. But this is also important for us to know because many false gospels are attacking God’s church and trying to lead people astray. We must know this message, we must protect it, and we must share it.

1. The message of reconciliation is that all creation has a serious problem. All people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and because of that creation is far from where God desires it to be.
2. The message of reconciliation is not synonymous with universal salvation. Scripture clearly teaches that those who refuse to accept Christ will be judged eternally by him. It also teaches that no grace was afforded to Satan and his angels. They will spend eternity separated from him in a burning fire (Matt. 25:41).
3. The message of reconciliation is that Christ is the reconciler. It was through his death that the wrath of a holy God was appeased. At the cross there was a substitution: we received the perfect righteousness of the Lamb and he received our sin and judgment. We can have peace with God because of this (Rom. 5:1).
4. The message of reconciliation is that salvation comes through faith. This faith believes in the resurrected Lord. It is committed to his lordship and it perseveres. We must continue to follow this Christ. Those who do not persevere have never truly known the Lord (Matt. 7:23).

Copyright © 2015 Gregory Brown

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¹ J. F. MacArthur Jr., MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 Peter. (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004), 87-88.

² G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Electronic ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964), 6:175.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:1–4).

How can we develop a heavenly mindset?

Some have said it is possible to be “so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” However, when you look at the history of the church, it was those who were the most heavenly minded who did the most good. Listen to what Christ said: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it” (Matt. 11:12).

The people who forcefully grabbed hold of the kingdom of heaven are the ones advancing it. Though on the earth, they had a heavenly mindset. Having a heavenly mindset is very important for advancing the kingdom, not only in our lives but on this earth as well.

It is for this reason that Satan is always attacking the believer’s mind with doubts, fears, worldly thoughts, etc. Satan wants to keep believers from focusing on what really matters, and that is God and his kingdom.

This is what Paul is primarily referring to when he says to the Colossians, “set your hearts on things above.” He is primarily referring to God and his kingdom. In the Lord’s Prayer, we are taught to be consumed with God’s name being hallowed, and his kingdom and his will being done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:9–10). The believer’s mind should be consumed with heavenly things.

In Scripture, those who practice right thinking receive tremendous blessings. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” It also can be translated, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you” (ESV).

The person whose thoughts are consumed with God and his kingdom will have perfect peace instead of anxiety and worry. When we find ourselves anxious or worried, we can be sure that we have lost a God–centered mindset.

What are some other benefits of God–centered thinking? Listen to Philippians 4:8–9:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul says thinking on right things and practicing them brings the God of peace—the very presence of God in our lives (v. 9). Many are missing the manifest presence of God in their lives because they have ungodly thinking, which eventually leads to ungodly practice.

In fact, Paul says that the way a person thinks is an indicator both of his salvation and his fruitfulness. Listen to what he says:

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace (Rom. 8:5–6).

The secular person thinks only about the “desires” of his carnal nature. The carnal person may be spiritual, but he only wants things of the spirit that satisfy or glorify him:

• “God, give me an ‘A’ on this test.”
• “God, get me into grad school.”
• “God, give me this promotion.”
• “God, take away this sickness.”

A carnal person may believe in God and pray for things, but God is only a means to his “desires.” James 4:3 says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

However, a truly born-again person desires what the Spirit of God desires. He ultimately wants God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This doesn’t mean that we don’t pray for our desires; it means we are not consumed with our desires. The desires of the redeemed should be and must become that of the Spirit of God.

Paul says the one who continually thinks on the desires of their sinful nature will bring the fruits of death and destruction, but the one consumed with the things of the Spirit brings the fruits of life and peace (Rom. 8:6).

The mind is very important. What does your mind say about you? It will tell you who you are—a believer or an unbeliever—a person led by the sinful nature or a person led by the Spirit. It will also tell you what type of fruits you will produce. A person that thinks on the things of God receives life and peace.

Paul in Colossians 3:1 is calling these believers, who are tempted like all of us to think on carnal things, to set their heart and mind on things above. He says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above.”

Again, when he says “above,” he really means God and his kingdom (cf. Matt. 6:9–10). How do we develop a heavenly mindset, a mind consumed with the things of God? We will learn principles about developing a heavenly mindset in this text.

Big Question: How do we develop a heavenly mindset consumed with the things of God according to this text?

A Heavenly Mindset Is Developed By A Focus On Our Resurrected Position

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1).

Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by the believer being raised with Christ, and why is it an encouragement to think on things above?

Paul says believers can develop a heavenly mindset by understanding their resurrected position in Christ. When Christ died, we died with him, and when he resurrected and went to heaven, we went with him. Listen to how Paul talks about this in Ephesians: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6).

When Paul says, “seated us with him in the heavenly realms,” he is primarily referring to “authority” and “rulership.” Listen to how Paul uses a similar phrase in relationship to Christ in Ephesians 1:19–22:

And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.

Paul, in talking about the power that is in believers and was at work in Christ in the resurrection, says this power seated Christ in heavenly realms far above all authority, power, and dominion. God placed all things under his feet.

Therefore, when Paul says the Ephesians have been seated with Christ by this great power, he wants them to see their authority and position in Christ. They are rulers with Christ over all things. Now at this present time, not everything in heaven and on the earth submits to Christ in the way it is supposed to, but one day it will at his coming. First Corinthians 15:24–26 says,

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

At Christ’s second coming he will bring all things into full submission to his will. All will bow and call him Lord (Phil. 2:10–11). All things will be put under his feet.

The incredulous thing about Christ’s rule is that we will rule with him. Romans 8:17 says we are “co–heirs with Christ.” Everything that is his is ours. In John 17:22, Christ said in his high priestly prayer that he has given us his glory.

Paul in Colossians 3:1 is telling us that we must think about our resurrected position with Christ. Again he says: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

Paul says our thinking should reflect our resurrection in Christ, the one who is seated at the right hand of God and will rule all things. In fact, Paul uses this same argument at Corinth where the believers were arguing and suing one another. Look at what he says:

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! (1 Cor. 6:2–4).

He rebukes them for arguing and then bringing their church disputes before the world in civil cases. He essentially says, “Don’t you know your resurrected position? Don’t you know you will judge the world and angels?” God has given judgment over to the Son (John 5:22), and because we are seated with him, we will judge the world and angels in his coming kingdom. Paul says, “Because of this reality, shouldn’t you be able to judge these small disputes in the church?”

Now, none of these Christians were probably thinking about their future rule with Christ while they were disputing with one another. They were concerned about what they had lost and how they had been cheated. However, Paul essentially says that they should be thinking about their position in Christ. One day they would judge the world and angels. Paul taught that having a heavenly mind should have affected how they handled their disputes in the church.

If we are going to have a heavenly mind, we must first start with understanding our position in Christ. We have been raised with Christ who is seated at the right hand of God. Everything that is the Son’s is ours. As mentioned before, this seating reflects our unity with Christ and the authority that comes with it. And this reality should affect how we think and live. Consider what Jesus told his disciples:

Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ (Matt. 28:18–19).

When Christ told them to go and make disciples, he told them to do this based on his authority, which he had essentially given them. The disciples worked on behalf of Christ and the kingdom of heaven. Paul, in fact, calls himself an ambassador of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:20. He says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

An ambassador goes somewhere with the message and the authority of the person he represents. Paul is not only saying that he had the message of God, but also the authority of God in saying it.

Many Christians are scared to evangelize, scared to share their faith, scared to counsel, scared to serve God, etc. If they just understood their position and their authority, it would drastically affect their ministry. When Paul cast out the demon in Acts 16, he didn’t act on his authority, but on the authority of Christ whom he was seated in.

She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her (Acts 16:18).

Did Paul have special authority in himself? No, this authority came from whom he represented, whom he was seated in. He told the demon to leave “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Paul was an ambassador walking in the authority of Christ. If we are going to have the right mindset, we must focus on our resurrected position. We are different from the rest of the world because of our position in the heavenly realms, and we must live like it.

What else is needed to develop a heavenly mindset?

Application Question: What other applications can we take from the importance of knowing our resurrected position in Christ?

A Heavenly Mindset Is Developed By A Life Of Continual Discipline

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above” (Col. 3:1).

The word “set” is an active word. It can also be translated as “seek.” The KJV says, “Seek those things above.” This does not happen by accident; it only happens through rigorous discipline. If you are not actively seeking things above, then you won’t be thinking in a heavenly manner. This is what Paul said in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

When he says, “Do not conform any longer,” it implies that the members of the Roman church were already being conformed. It has the sense of stop conforming, or stop being pressed and molded into the pattern of this world. If you are not seeking things above, you are already being pressed and molded to look and think like the rest of the world.

You will be molded in how you view yourself:

• “I must have this body.”
• “I must have this type of skin.”
• “I must dress like this.”
• “I must have this degree, and this type of job.”

The world will control how you think, how you dress, what type of job you seek, and the type of school you go to. Christ said, “You cannot have two masters, you will love one and hate the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matt. 6:24).

Most Christians have the world as their master. It tells them what to do, where to go, and how to do it. Christians must understand that they are no longer part of this world, and they must actively “seek” to think the way God has called them to think. They must seek things above.

How do we practice and develop this discipline of thinking on things above?

Application Question: How can we actively seek those things above as a discipline?

This discipline is developed in several ways.

1. The Believer Actively Seeks Heavenly Things By Impressing Scripture Upon His Heart.

It is through Scripture that we renew our minds and start to think on things that are noble, good, and righteous—we start to think more like God. How do we impress Scripture upon our hearts? Listen to what Moses said to Israel:

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates (Deut. 6:6–9).

He gives them several ways to put God’s Word on their hearts.

• They were to teach the Word of God to their children.

If you are going to think on heavenly things, you must be a teacher. You must teach it to your friends; teach it in small groups; teach it to strangers. When you have to teach something, you can’t help but think upon it all the time.

Some may say, “I am a baby Christian. How can I teach?” Find somebody you know more than and share with that person, even if it’s an unbeliever. That’s what the parents were doing when they taught their children. They taught somebody they knew more than. We should do the same. Every Christian is called to be a teacher, and one can’t set his heart upon things above without doing this.

• They were to talk about the Word of God everywhere: at home, when walking, when lying down, when getting up.

This didn’t mean that they were to only have theological conversations. This meant that they needed to view everything from the mindset of God and what God thought about things. Christians should automatically think about what Scripture says when they see movies, watch the news, or are asked a simple question. And yes, you will be considered narrow when you do this, but this is the type of mind that pleases God—a mind that is set on God’s Word.

• They were to develop reminders to help them memorize it; they were to tie it on their hands, foreheads, door frames, and gates.

Certainly this may be done very literally as Israel did, with memory flash cards, pictures, and paintings, but, even more so, you should set up places and times in your daily life where you will always encounter the Word of God. This includes things like daily meditation, small groups, or accountability meetings. Every morning you are going to encounter the Word of God here. Every Tuesday you are going to encounter the Word of God there. Every Friday you are going to encounter the Word of God when you meet with brother or sister so-and-so.

By tying it on their hands, head, and doors, they constantly saw the Word of God. This is important because if we don’t do this, we may sometimes go a week and realize, “I haven’t read the Word of God.”

This is a lot of work. But in order to “set,” to have a mind that is immovable from the things of God, it takes discipline. Many Christians know nothing of a mind that has “set the Lord before them at all times and they will not be shaken” (Ps. 16:8). Many Christians are shaken by every little event. A mind that is “set” happens only by rigorous acts of discipline, and we must seek to develop this through study of the Word of God.

How else do we discipline our mind?

2. The Believer Actively Seeks Heavenly Things By Rejecting Everything That Is Not From God.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col. 3:2).

Paul said we should not only seek things above but also turn away from earthly things. In order to think heavenly thoughts, we must get rid of or keep away from things that would draw us away from God. We are called to get rid of anxieties. Scripture says, “Be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6). We are called to get rid of lust, anger, envy, jealousy, and anything else that is not of God (cf. Col. 3:5–9).

Practically, this may mean not watching certain TV shows, reading certain magazines or books, listening to certain music, or hanging around certain people, especially when we find they contribute to drawing us away from God and godly thoughts. We must zealously protect our minds. Paul said,

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:4–5).

We must take captive every thought and bring it into submission to Christ. Make no mistake here, brethren. Our thoughts are not neutral, innocent, or harmless. Our minds are either lorded by Christ or someone or something else. Is Christ Lord of your thoughts?

3. The Believer Actively Seeks Heavenly Things By Developing A Consistent Prayer Life.

“Be joyful always; pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:16–17).

It is through the discipline of prayer that we develop a heavenly mindset. We must learn how to pray at all times, bringing every thought before our Father.

4. The Believer Actively Seeks Heavenly Things By Fostering Healthy Fellowship.

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Prov. 13:20).

Again, our thinking is often affected by our friends. The fool in Scripture is a person who says there is no God or does not live for God (cf. Ps. 14:1). Therefore, the wise are people who fear and honor God (Prov. 9:10). We must develop friendships with wise, godly believers who help us seek spiritual things.

Application Question: What type of thoughts do you have to commonly reject to keep a heavenly mindset? How is God calling you to practice these disciplines to develop a heavenly mindset?

A Heavenly Mindset Is Developed By A Focus On Our Crucified Position

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 2:3).

Interpretation Question: In what way have believers died, and how should this affect our thinking?

Paul says we died with Christ and our life is now hidden in Christ. For many, instead of thinking on the things of God, they are consumed with ungodly things like lust, anger, bitterness, jealousy, covetousness, etc. In order to have a heavenly mindset, we must reckon our death with Christ. But, we must ask the questions, “What exactly did we die to?” and “How did we die?”

1. The Believer Died To Sin.

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin (Rom. 6:5–7).

On the cross, our old nature was crucified with Christ. It was crucified so that we could be freed from sin. We must understand this doctrine to walk in victory over lust, anger, depression, and any other sin that tries to control us. Paul says this should be our response to our death to sin: “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11).

He says to “count” or think about yourself differently. You are dead to sin but alive to God. This means that I can break habitual strongholds of sin. It means that I can start over when I fail because Christ paid the penalty for my sins and broke the power of it.

For many, instead of thinking on the things of God they are consumed with ungodly things like lust, anger, bitterness, jealousy, covetousness, etc. In order to have a heavenly mindset, we must reckon our death to sin. We died with Christ.

2. The Believer Died To Self.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26–27).

Christ says to follow him as a disciple, we must hate our life and take up our cross. This is a daily discipline. We die to ourselves, our desires, and our wants in order to submit to Christ. We get a good picture of this with Christ before going to the cross. He says, “Take this cup from me but nevertheless, your will be done” (Luke 22:42). He submitted his will to that of the Father and so must we.

Listen to Paul’s testimony of this: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

For many people, they can’t have a heavenly mind because they are consumed with self instead of God. In order to develop a heavenly mindset, we must continually crucify ourselves—we must daily reckon ourselves dead to self and alive to God.

3. The Believer Died To This World.

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14).

Paul said his death on the cross with Christ also brought death to this world. He essentially said, “I am dead to the world and the things of the world. They no longer satisfy me. They no longer are my passions in life. My passion is to honor and to know Christ. I am alive to God and dead to the world.”

John said, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

The very reason many cannot think on things above is because of worldliness. They are consumed with the things of this world: gaining them, enjoying them, and keeping them. If we are going to think on heavenly things, we must continually reckon ourselves dead to the things of this world so we can seek the things above.

4. The Believer Died To The Power Of The Devil.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved (Eph. 2:1–5).

In a very real sense, we died to Satan as well. Before salvation, Scripture says that we were children of the devil (1 John 3:10) and were following his ways (Eph. 2:2). But now, as believers, we have become children of God and followers of his Word. We are dead to the devil and alive to God.

Satan, who works through sin, the flesh, and the world to tempt us, has no dominion over us anymore because we died to him. We should no longer submit to him or live in fear of him because he was defeated by Christ (cf. Col. 2:15).

However, it must be known that a person is a slave to whomever he submits to. We can still submit to sin, self, the world, and the devil. Paul said,

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Rom. 6:16).

Therefore, as an act of the will, we must reject sin, selfishness, the world, and the devil to develop a heavenly mindset. We died with Christ and now are hidden in him.

What does this crucified life look like?

The crucified life says, “Life is not about me. My life is not bound any longer to sin or my desires. Life is not about the things of the world. It is about Christ.” Paul said, “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). If we don’t understand the crucified life, then we will be consumed with the things of this world. We will find ourselves feverishly running after every fad that comes out. If we don’t understand the crucified life, we will become enslaved to our wants and desires and other things we were delivered from.

It has been said that, “Dead men don’t get offended.” This means that a person who is living a crucified life is not consumed with fighting for his rights every time somebody hurts him. Like Christ, a person who has reckoned his death has become the meek who will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). He recognizes that this world and his life is not his anymore. He was crucified with Christ.

Application Question: In what ways do you need to apply the crucified life practically?

A Heavenly Mindset Is Developed By A Focus On Our Hidden Life In Christ

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 2:3).

Another aspect of the crucified life is that we are hidden in Christ. There are many ramifications of this we must daily internalize if we are going to develop a heavenly mindset.

Application Question: What does Paul mean by our lives being hidden in Christ? From whom are we hidden?

1. To Be Hidden In Christ Is A Reflection Of Protection; We Are Protected By Him.

Listen to what John says about the experience of a believer:

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand (John 10:27–29).

Because of our relationship with Christ, Jesus places us in his hand and the Father’s hand for protection. This speaks of our eternal security and Christ’s constant protection of us. We get a picture of the protected life in Psalm 23. Listen to what David says about God as his shepherd:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Ps. 23:4–5).

David said he had comfort even when confronted by death because the Shepherd protected him with his rod and staff. Even when his enemies surrounded him, he ate in peace. His Shepherd provided food, drink, and oil for healing and refreshment. He never lacked or wanted for anything because his Shepherd met all of his needs (Ps. 23:1).

In order to have peace in a world of constant trials and sometimes persecution, we must understand our hidden life. We must understand the Shepherd who protects us with his staff, feeds us even amidst our enemies, anoints our wounds, and never lets us leave his hand.

This is the hidden life of every true believer regardless of circumstances, and it must be our focus to have peace, especially in the midst of trials. We must know we are hidden in Christ.

What else does the hidden life represent?

2. To Be Hidden In Christ Is A Reflection Of Identity; It Means The World Will Not Recognize Us.

To be hidden in Christ is essentially a reflection of how we are dead to the world. The world doesn’t recognize who we truly are in Christ, and they will commonly misunderstand us because our life is hidden in him. They may ask, “How come you are not all about partying, drinking, sex, career, wealth, etc.? Why are you so into church? Why are you so different?” Peter said, “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you” (1 Peter 4:4).

The hidden life not only means being protected by Christ, it also means being different and therefore misunderstood by the world. Our life is different and at times these differences may cause persecution. We should not be alarmed at this because our life is in Christ who was similarly mistreated. However, now he is exalted at the right hand of God, and one day our exaltation with him will be manifest to all (cf. Rom. 8:19). A heavenly mindset understands and finds encouragement in the hidden life.

Application Question: In what ways does the hidden life encourage you? How is God calling you to make this more of your focus?

A Heavenly Mindset Is Developed By A Focus On Our Future In Christ

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:4).

In order to develop a heavenly mindset, the believer must also understand his future in Christ. Whatever you think about the future will affect how you live today. If you are consumed with being a doctor then you will constantly be thinking about your grades, preparing for exams to get into med school, or considering the best college to go to. Your thoughts about the future affect how you live today.

In the same way, this heavenly mindset is developed through constantly thinking on our future in Christ. Paul says, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” The believer who truly understands this and focuses on Christ’s second coming and our future glory with him will be consumed with it. Listen to Philippians 3:20–21:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

He says that we eagerly await a Savior from there. Eagerly await “is strong language (in the original) to express the earnest expectation of something believed to be imminent. It means literally to thrust forward the head and neck as in anxious expectation of hearing or seeing something.”¹ It means to focus on something to the exclusion of everything else. Those who understand the second coming are consumed with it. Developing a focus on the second coming is crucial to a heavenly mindset.

When Paul talks about Christ’s coming, he also mentions our appearance in glory. This glory is probably not just a reflection of heaven but our glory. We will have glorified bodies when Christ comes. Listen to what 1 Corinthians 15:42–44 says about this:

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

How should the reality of Christ’s second coming and our appearance with him in glory affect us? John said,

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure (1 John 3:2–3).

Everyone who has this hope purifies himself. The second coming of Christ and our future glory should make us purify our thoughts, our conversations, and our daily endeavors. It transforms us.

This is probably the reason many Christians do not have a heavenly mindset and do not have holy lives. They have lost (or never had) hope in the second coming of Christ. Listen to how Christ described this unfortunate reality in a parable about a master and his unfaithful servant:

The Lord answered, ‘Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, “My master is taking a long time in coming,” and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked’ (Luke 12:42–48).

The problem with this servant was he lost an expectation of the master’s coming. This encouraged him to cast off restraint as he lived in discord, waste, and blatant sin. This parable is about the fruits we will find in our lives if we lose our expectancy of Christ’s coming. Discord, wasteful living, and blatant sin will mark our lives as well.

For this reason Satan is always after our minds. He realizes that if he can turn them away from heavenly things, he can turn us towards earthly things. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Prov. 23:7 NASB). The more earthly we think, the more earthly we become. Our enemy is especially after the believer’s mind as it concerns the future. He will have one think about graduate school, marriage, retirement, and anything else rather than Christ’s return and our future glory with him. Satan understands that anybody who has this hope purifies themselves (cf. 1 John 3:2–3). What you think about the future affects how you live today.

Application Question: How do we keep an unwavering focus on Christ’s coming?

1. The Believer Develops An Unwavering Focus On Christ’s Coming By The Study Of Eschatology, The Study Of The End Times.

Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

Eschatology is very important because God has given it to us to help us prepare for and have an eager expectation of the future. John says that there is a blessing on the one who reads, hears, and takes to heart the words of prophecy in the book of Revelation. Those who study Revelation and the doctrine of the end times have a double blessing. It helps them keep a heavenly a mind, a mind consumed with and prepared for Christ’s coming.

Sadly, the enemy has sown so much disagreement over the end times that many pastors never teach on it. And therefore, the members of the church miss out on the blessing it brings to our lives—they live with no eager expectation. Like the servant who thought his master delayed his coming, we often cast off restraint and become consumed with our earthly life instead of our heavenly one. These doctrines are very important for us to drink deeply from so we can be ready for our Lord’s return. Christ said, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Rev. 22:12).

2. The Believer Develops An Unwavering Focus On Christ’s Coming By Practicing The Lord’s Supper.

Paul said, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).

The Lord’s Supper is not only a look back at the cross, but it is also meant to be a look forward. We are looking forward to the coming of our Savior. We should practice this often to keep our hearts ready for our Lord’s appearance.

Application Question: When you think about the future, what do you constantly think about? Do you struggle with staying focused on Christ’s coming, his kingdom, and our glory with him? How is God calling you to develop an eager expectation on these things so you can be more effective for his kingdom?

Conclusion

Paul wants this church to develop a heavenly mindset. It will deliver them from much of the earthly teaching filled with deceptive philosophy that was threatening the church (cf. Col. 2:8).

Developing a heavenly mindset, one that thinks on God and his kingdom, is very important to us as well. “As a man thinks, so he is” (Prov. 23:7, paraphrase). Right thinking leads to having the manifest presence of God in our lives (Phil. 4:8–9). Godly thinking brings peace and life to us and identifies us as true believers (Rom. 8:5–6). More importantly, if we are going to live a godly life it starts with a godly mind (Col. 3:1–5). This is why Satan is always attacking the believer’s mind and thoughts. He wants them to live like the world instead of living like a citizen of heaven waiting for their coming King.

How do we develop a heavenly mindset so we can live the effective Christian life God has called us to?

1. A heavenly mindset is developed by a focus on our resurrected position.
2. A heavenly mindset is developed by a life of continual discipline.
3. A heavenly mindset is developed by a focus on our crucified position.
4. A heavenly mindset is developed by a focus on our hidden life in Christ.
5. A heavenly mindset is developed by a focus on our future in Christ.

Copyright © 2015 Gregory Brown

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¹ W. MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. A. Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995).