Philippians 4 & Colossians 1 – 2

     The Bible is a rich dense book, and I feel like Paul’s letters are written such that every verse has a purpose, he wastes no ink.  Chapters one and two of Colossians read similarly to other letters that Paul has written.  That is, he begins by thanking and praising God for the faith that he sees in fellow Christians.  Through the tone in Paul’s letter I feel as though I can see how fulfilling it is for Paul to meet and learn about other Christian communities who live their faith.

     This blog is not going to go deep, or at least, it will not go any deeper / richer than Paul gets in his letter.  My intension is to only summarize what Paul has written in the first two chapters of Colossians. 

     Paul opens by thanking God for the faith and love that he has seen in the Colossians.  He further identifies that the FAITH and LOVE is rooted in the HOPE that they have in a heavenly promise.  Interesting to see the trifecta of virtues here and how they work together.  He further comments on how it is not just the Colossians who have come to faith, but that the Gospel is bearing fruit all over the world.  Encouragement through community.  Also, Paul, knowing that these people have already come to faith, he continues to pray for them, that their faith and hope is not in vain, he prays that they are filled with all spiritual wisdom and understanding.   He prays that they may live a life worthy of pleasing the Lord in every way and that all their actions result is bearing good fruit.  He prays that they may be strengthened by God according to his glorious might for faithful endurance and patience.  He encourages them by reminding them that God has qualified them to share in the same inheritance that is received by the saints.  Ch1:3-13 is just a really outstanding prayer that Paul writes for the Colossians.  If anyone ever wants to shout a prayer for me like that someday, I would be okay with it.

     Paul continues to remind us that although we cannot see God, we have his Son who is the image of God.  Paul tells us that at one point we were severed from God because of our own sin, but it does not matter, because we are reconciled by Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.  For despite our sin, we are made holy through Christ – provided that we continue in FAITH rooted in the HOPE promised in Gospel. 

     Paul tells the Colossians that he is a servant of God, commissioned by God himself to spread the Good News.  I am assuming, that when Paul speaks of the “commission” he is referring to his revelation on the road to Damascus.  Although, Paul phrases his commission much more elegantly, by saying that he is to encourage hearts and unit believers in LOVE so they may have rich understanding of Christ who is our key to salvation.  He seeks to encourage and support us so that we may not be deceived by “fine-sounding-arguments”.   Paul says that although he is not present physically, he is present in spirit to affirm them in their faith.  As I read this, I like to think of Paul’s example for us.  From persecutor to preacher, his revelation transformed his life, and is an encouraging example for me.

     Paul also says that we have died to sin through Christ, yet sometimes we act as though we are still a slave to sin.  Earthly pleasures are earthly and will not be dissolved away at death.  Pursue holiness, which we are capable of with the help of Holy Spirit.

Okay … That is my summary … Paul definitely says it better than I do … If you have not read Colossians 1 – 2, its definitely worth a go-around.  A lot of great examples on how to pray, applications of Godly virtues, and reminders of the promises that are given to us in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Amen.