Author Archives: gonelikeashadowatevening

Bible, Death, Life, Scripture, Transgressions

FROM DEATH TO LIFE

COLOSSIANS 2:13

“And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings,”

Once you are dead, you are dead. Right? Well, maybe not. There have been thousands of individuals who have physically died but were brought back to life by CPR or through a defibrillator. Many tell of seeing a bright light while others talk about darkness and screams. One thing is for sure, though. If Christ does not return before we draw our last breath, we will experience that physical death here on earth.

Paul, however, tells us we were already dead in our wrongdoings. What does that mean? The Greek word translated as “wrongdoings” is paráptōma “(from parapíptō, see there) – properly, fall away after being close-beside, i.e. a lapse (deviation) from the truth; an error, ‘slip up’; wrong doing that can be (relatively) unconscious, ‘non-deliberate.’” (HELPS Word Studies). These wrongdoings, these slip ups had us heading straight towards damnation, but Christ intervened.

APPLICATION

Think about that for a minute. We were all doomed to both a physical and spiritual death in our sins. We had no hope. We could never do enough good to wipe away our failures. Romans 5:17 tells us these wrongdoings, these transgressions are the result of Adam’s fall. But if we “receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness” we will have new life in Him.

Paul tells us He makes us “alive together with Him.” In yesterday’s verse we saw the same preposition that is used here. The Greek word here is suzóopoieó, which contains that preposition sun, the inseparable “with.” We have been made alive together with Christ and nothing can separate us.

Aren’t you grateful for the new life you have in Christ? Aren’t you grateful He saw your wretched state and gave you a way out. That way out is only found in Jesus. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. We were dead, and now we are alive forever more – all because of Him. Praise the Lord!

Thank You, Lord, for my new life in Christ.

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Bible, Buried, Raised, Scripture

WITH HIM

COLOSSIANS 2:12

“having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

I will never be “with” someone here on earth like I am “with” Jesus. No one here on earth dwells within me like Jesus. I have been married to my bride for almost 40 years now, but we are still two very distinct people. We may live in the same house, sleep in the same bed (except when I’m snoring too loud, lol) and attend the same church. But I will never be “with” her like I am with Jesus.

In today’s verse, Paul uses two Greek words to describe this connection. Sunthaptó is translated “buried with”, while sunegeiró is translated “raised with.” Do you notice what those two words have in common? The preposition sun begins each word. This is that inseparable “with” we see in Greek. The other Greek “with” is meta which is not as intense.

APPLICATION

Sunthaptó is only used one other time in the New Testament. In Romans 6:4 we read, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.” Now, we are not literally buried with Christ. Our baptism symbolizes our death, burial and resurrection with Jesus. We are publicly declaring our dedication to Jesus.

Sunegeiró “conveys the idea of a spiritual resurrection or awakening that believers experience through their union with Jesus Christ. This term emphasizes the transformative power of the believer’s new life in Christ, symbolizing both a present spiritual reality and a future physical resurrection.” (Strong’s Lexicon) Are you awake? Are you living each day in the resurrection power of Christ?

Sunegeiró appears here, later in Colossians 3:1 and in Ephesians 2:6 where it reads, “and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Did you read that clearly? Read it again. You have been raised up with Jesus and have already been seated with Him in the heavens. Jesus already sees us glorified. Hallelujah! Live like it.

O Father, I am alive in Jesus. I died to my sins at Calvary and now am raised up to live for You daily.

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Bible, Circumcision, Covenant, Relationships, Salvation, Scripture

THE TRUE CIRCUMCISION

COLOSSIANS 2:11

“and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ,”

Circumcision isn’t exactly dinner talk, is it? It’s a routine procedure done on most male babies. I do not need to go into detail about what is done. I am sure you know about it. The decision to circumcise a baby boy belongs with the parents. They decide whether or not to allow the doctor to perform the procedure. The baby has no say in the matter. If they did, they would all probably say “no.” lol

Paul is not talking a physical circumcision for believers but is using it as an analogy. The Greek world was well aware of the act of circumcision, even though many of them had not been circumcised. The Jewish ritual of circumcision was an external mark on all male Jewish babies to signify the covenant they had with Jehovah. Jesus fulfilled all our covenant requirements, negating the necessity for a physical circumcision. Instead, our mark of covenant is on our hearts.

APPLICATION

In Romans 2:25-29, Paul gives a more complete discussion of this topic. “25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a violator of the Law, your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision. 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will his uncircumcision not be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a violator of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.”

I know that was a lengthy passage but hang in there. There is nothing we can do outwardly to “cut covenant” with Christ. Our covenant is of the heart. Our surrender and our identification with Christ is internal and eternal. No one can command you to do a specific act to guarantee your salvation. It is strictly through Jesus.

Whether you are male or female, circumcised or uncircumcised, your salvation is totally dependent on your personal relationship with Jesus. Make sure your heart has the mark of spiritual circumcision which Jesus places there upon your salvation. That is the true circumcision.

Father, thank You for circumcising my heart and making me Yours.

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Authority, Bible, Head, Scripture, Sovereignty

HE IS THE HEAD

COLOSSIANS 2:10

“and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over every ruler and authority;”

What a week! Since his inauguration, President Trump has taken control of the U.S. government and started putting into place the promises he made during his campaign. Not all of these promises will be fulfilled due to conflict with those who oppose his plans. Nevertheless, he is the head of the U.S. for the next four years and will govern in a way that he said he would. We know God establishes kings and kingdoms. God has allowed President Trump to be in this role, just as He allowed President Biden to govern the past four years.

Our verse today shows us a much bigger head of authority. That is Jesus Christ! Paul says, “He is the head over every ruler and authority.” The Greek word for “head” is kephalé which “primarily denotes the physical head of a body, but it is also used metaphorically to signify leadership, authority, or the source of something. In the New Testament, kephalé is often used to describe Christ as the head of the Church, indicating His supreme authority and leadership.” (Strong’s Lexicon)

APPLICATION

Every ruler in every nation is there because God allowed them to be there. Some are good rulers, while others are not. We should pray for godly, Christian leaders for every nation on earth. Only His Spirit can effectively guide rulers to rule justly and honorably. Ephesians 1:22-23 says this about Christ’s headship. “22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Do you remember what Jesus told Pilate when he was questioning Him before His crucifixion? In John 19:10-11, we see this exchange. “10 So Pilate said to Him, ‘Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?’ 11 Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.’” 

So, how does this verse apply to you and me? We need to be aware of the sovereignty of God in all situations. I truly believe every person who ever supervised me was placed there by God for me. I have had good bosses and not so good bosses. God has a plan for each of us. He placed Jesus as head over all authority. So, trust His placement of authorities in our lives.

Lord, I may not always agree with those who are over me, but I will yield to their authority because You have allowed them to have that over me.

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Bible, Body, Dwelling, Scripture, Trinity

THE FULLNESS OF DIETY

COLOSSIANS 2:9

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,”

The world has always tried to deny Christ. Even when they acknowledged his existence on earth, they claimed He wasn’t really God. Other religions will profess He was a great teacher, but not God. This thought has continued through the ages. Don’t fall for it. Paul makes sure we know the truth in today’s verse.

One commentator makes the point that every word of this verse is emphatic (it written to make a point). The word “bodily” is sōmatikōswhich only appears right here in the New Testament. Barnes says it means “having a bodily appearance, instead of existing or appearing in a spiritual form.” Jesus took on a human body, but one without the stain of sin.

APPLICATION

Why does Paul say, “the fullness of Diety”? Why didn’t he just say Jesus was part God and part man? Because although He took on human form, His divine nature was still whole. Look at Philippians 2:6-8. “6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”

Christ was God, is God and always will be God. The Greek word for “fullness” means just that – filled completely. Now, I can’t explain the Godhead to you completely. How can all three parts of the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) exist as One God? There are some things in Scripture that we have to accept on faith. This is one of them.

God chose to come down in bodily form as a baby to grow into a man so He could redeem mankind from their sins. Wow! No other god (small g) would do that. God loves us so much that He gave Himself for us in the human form of His Son. Aren’t you thankful? I sure am. Praise God for all He has done and continues to do to redeem us to Himself.

O Father, You are worthy of all praise. We thank You for Jesus who existed here on earth in a human body to become the ultimate sacrifice for us.

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Bible, Captivity, Guard, Scripture, The World

TAKEN CAPTIVE

COLOSSIANS 2:8

“See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.”

We just witnessed a few days ago the release of three women who had been held hostage for well over a year by Hamas. These women underwent extreme suffering and treatment while in captivity. I can’t even begin to imagine what they went through. They are free now, but I am sure their minds are still being tormented by what happened to them. Praise God they are alive.

Even though you and I may never be taken hostage physically, we are at risk daily of being taken captive through our minds. Paul warns the Colossian believers in today’s verse to “see to it” that does not happen. The phrase “takes you captive” is sulagógeówhich comes from sulon (booty or plunder) and ago (to lead or carry away). Literally, to carry away booty. Sulagógeó is only used right here in the whole New Testament.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes explains sulagógeólike this. “The Greek word used here means to spoil in the sense of plunder, rob, as when plunder is taken in war. The meaning is, ‘Take heed lest anyone plunder or rob you of your faith and hope by philosophy.’ These false teachers would strip them of their faith and hope, as an invading army would rob a country of all that was valuable.”

I don’t want that happening to me. Do you? I don’t want someone messing with my faith. I don’t want my thoughts about God to be warped and confused. But that is exactly what is happening around the world right now. Remember, the devil is a deceptive foe. He won’t reveal himself outright. He disguises himself to woo us to his side. If we are not grounded solidly in the Word, he can deceive the most determined believer.

Guard yourself against “philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world.” If the world says it is so, it probably isn’t. The old saying goes “Believe half of what you see and nothing you hear.” That is so true today. Be on guard!

Lord, praise You for showing me the truth. Keep my eyes on You.

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Bible, Grounded, Rooted, Scripture

FIRMLY ROOTED

COLOSSIANS 2:7

“having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

Deep roots are important for a strong, sturdy tree or plant. Why is it weeds send down these deep roots in your lawn? And why do most flowers have such shallow roots? That has always bothered me. It seems that the more beautiful things should have the deepest roots while the pesty things should be easily pulled up.

Paul gives us a great picture of our faith in today’s verse, and it begins with being firmly rooted. Once that is done, then you can be built up and established. That phrase “having been firmly rooted” comes from the Greek word rhizoó, which only occurs here and in Ephesians 3:17, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”

APPLICATION

So, how are we “firmly rooted”? What causes us to sink our roots deep? A sincere love for the Word of God is one thing. As we develop a consistent and rich time with the Lord, we begin to go deep into His Word. That is where we get our food. That is where we get our nourishment spiritually. The Word is an exhaustible source of nutrients for your soul.

Another way we get “firmly rooted” is by enduring trials. I know you did not want to hear that, did you? You see, when we go through trials, we learn to lean into God. We learn to rely on His strength. James says it best in James 1:2-4. “2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Finally, I believe the security of your salvation gives you firm rooting. Knowing that nothing can tear you out of Your Master’s hand has such a grounding effect on us. In John 10:29 Jesus says, “‘My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.’” Now, isn’t that reassuring? The Word, trials and security will give you firm roots. Depend on it.

Father, I thank You that I am firmly rooted in You.

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Bible, Scripture, Talking, Testimony, Walking

WALK THE TALK

COLOSSIANS 2:6

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,”

Trash talking in sports is just part of the game. Players try to get in the head of their opponent before and during the game. But one thing that will come back to bite you is to say what you are going to do and then not produce. If you are going to talk the talk, you had better be ready to walk the walk. In other words, don’t be a showoff.

In today’s verse, Paul is basically saying that if you say you’re a believer, then act like one. The verb “walk” used in this verse is peripateó which “primarily means ‘to walk’ in a physical sense, but it is frequently used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe one’s conduct or manner of life. It implies a continuous action or habitual lifestyle, often in the context of moral and spiritual behavior. The term is used to encourage believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling and to follow the teachings of Christ.” (Strong’s Lexicon)

APPLICATION

The verb “walk” is also a command. It’s in the Present tense, which means continuous action. Paul is telling us to walk and keep on walking. Saying you have received Jesus is not enough. You have to show you have received Him by the way you live your daily life. Notice I said, “daily life.” Your walk isn’t just about attending church a few times a month. It isn’t just about picking up your Bible (and blowing the dust off) once a month for an inspirational thought.

In Galatians 5:16, Paul tells us, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” You see, when you are consistently walking in the Spirit, you are less likely to yield to the fleshly desires that are constantly bombarding you. Walking daily with Jesus isn’t just something we sing about. It’s a choice we make every single day.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:12 peripateó is used in an interesting way, but it shows us what Paul is talking about when he uses this word. “so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” Your walk should be a visible expression of your inner decision. Let the world see your walk today.

Lord, I want to show the world I am different by the way I treat others.

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Bible, Gospel, Scripture, Witnessing

WITH YOU IN SPIRIT

COLOSSIANS 2:5

“For even though I am absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your orderly manner and the stability of your faith in Christ.”

Don’t you just love that we can now video chat with others no matter the distance? On my recent trip to East Africa, I was able to FaceTime with my wife and other family as long as I had reliable internet. It was as if I was right there with them. I video chat with people all over the world on a regular basis. It helps so much to see and hear them as we talk.

Paul didn’t have FaceTime or WhatsApp. I wonder how his missionary journeys may have changed. I think he had rather be there in person. He had received reports on their faith and was “rejoicing to see” all that was taking place in their lives. Can you imagine as he sat in a Roman prison how he was encouraged that the gospel was still strong?

APPLICATIONS

In 2 Corinthians 5:3, we see Paul using similar language. “For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.” In this instance, he was exercising his authority, even though he was not physically present in Corinth. Paul’s words meant something.

How does this apply to us? We cannot be everywhere at once. It’s just not possible. But we have the privilege to influence others in a variety of ways even though we are not physically present. As mentioned, we can video chat through FaceTime, WhatsApp or other applications. This can have tremendous impact.

We can continue to use other media like radio, television, livestreaming or even just phone calls. Is there someone you need to reach out to? How can you do that? Which way will they respond to the best? Tell them, “I am absent in body, but I am present in spirit.”

Lord, use me to reach others around the world. Thank You for the technological advances we can use to spread the gospel.

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Arguments, Bible, Deception, Scripture

PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTS

COLOSSIANS 2:4

“I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.”

Some people have the ability to tell you anything and make you believe it, don’t they? We have just come out of a highly contentious political season here in the U.S. The “gift of gab” is something almost every politician has, and they use it to try to get you on their side. It doesn’t matter if what they are selling is something you need. They just want to convince you they are right, and the other person is wrong.

The Greek word translated as “persuasive speech” is pithanologia and is only used here in the New Testament. It “refers to speech that is crafted to be persuasive or convincing, often with the implication of being misleading or deceptive. It is used to describe arguments that may sound reasonable or plausible but are ultimately intended to lead one away from the truth.” (Strong’s Lexicon).

APPLICATION

How do we guard ourselves against this? James addresses this same issue in James 1:22 when he writes, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourself; do what it says.” The key is knowing and living the Word of God. If we do that, we will recognize these deceptive words being thrown our way. We will recognize the lies and half-truths when they told to us.

You see, Paul knew the Colossian believers would be attacked by those in their environment who thought differently. You can just add this Jesus to our other gods we worship. What is so special about your faith compared to the centuries of our beliefs. Persuasive argument users doesn’t have to get you to actually join them. If they can just get you doubting what you believe, they have won.

Psalm 119 has 176 verses. Almost every verse mentions God’s Word (laws, statutes, commandments, etc). Verse 11 says this, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” If you and I do that, we can prepare our ears to recognize these “persuasive arguments” that Paul warns us about. Get in the Word!

Father, guard my ears by filling my heart with Your Word.

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