Three-in-One: The Relational Godનમૂનો

God's Fellowship (6)

Rescued & Redeemed

Colossians is a real letter written by a real person (Paul) to real followers of Jesus (the Colossians) who were part of a real church in a real place (in modern-day Turkey) during real historical events. This isn't a hypothetical piece of fiction. It's real. And it's true.

Paul was 1300 miles away under house arrest in Rome (same place as today's Rome) when a friend visited him to give an update on the Colossian church. It went something like this:

“Our brothers and sisters in Colossae are doing pretty great, but ... ”

Life often feels like that, doesn’t it?

“Things are pretty great, but ... ”

That’s because we still live on earth where Jesus absolutely and positively reigns in the hearts and lives of his followers and​ where the power of sin absolutely and stubbornly causes destruction wherever it can.

The Christians in Colossae were bombarded on both sides. On one, false pagan ideas encouraged people to pursue a life defined by sex, money, and power. On the other, certain legalistic religious ideas demanded people follow unnecessary ceremonial laws and rituals in order to earn God’s forgiveness.

Paul writes that neither of these two ways is right. Paganism is a lie, and legalism is empty. Instead, Jesus himself is the one and only “right way” because he has defeated the powers of pagan religions and has abolished the demands of legalistic rituals. He is the first and last, the beginning and the end. He is the King of kings and our redeemer.

Reflect

• What do these verses say about life without Jesus and life with Jesus?
• What do you learn about God in these verses? (When Paul writes "God" he almost always means the Father.)
• What do you learn about Jesus in these verses? (When Paul writes "Lord" he almost always means Jesus).
• What do you learn about the Holy Spirit in these verses?
• What do you learn about humanity and yourself in these verses?