Category Archives: Scripture

Bible, Conflict, Fighting, Race, Scripture, Struggles

STRUGGLE FOR OTHERS

COLOSSIANS 2:1

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,”

Have you ever struggled for someone else? It could be a physical struggle, emotional struggle or even a spiritual struggle. In my daily prayer time, I have lists I pray through. There are some people on these lists I really struggle for as I pray. I have been praying for their salvation for years. But I keep on struggling, begging God for them.

Paul was struggling for these believers and for those in Laodicea. You may remember John references the church in Laodicea. It is referred to as the lukewarm church. Perhaps Paul knew of their struggles in their faith. Paul was interceding for these believers. He wanted to see them walk in victory, not defeat.

APPLICATION

The word translated as “struggle” is agón. It appears eight times in the New Testament and has a variety of translations. In Philippians 1:30, it is translated as “conflict.” “experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” Over in 1 Timothy 6:12 it is “fight.” And Hebrews 12:1 it is “race.” All of these involve a struggle.

Think about your family or friends. Are you struggling before God each day on their behalf? Who are you praying for right now? Stop and make a list. Lists are good. They help us remember. Make that list and when your prayer is answered, celebrate.

I have people in my family who need Jesus. I am claiming them for Him. I want them to spend eternity with me in heaven. I bet you have people also. Be active in their journey. You don’t have to shove Jesus down their throat, but you should at least be praying for them. Now go make that list.

Father, You know all those for whom I am praying. Speak into their lives today.

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Bible, Power, Purpose, Scripture, Striving

BIBLICAL STRIVING

COLOSSIANS 1:29

“For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power which works mightily within me.”

The thought of striving tires me out, lol. As I have gotten older, it takes less and less to make me tired. I don’t know about you, but when I bend down to pick something up, I always look around to see if I need to do anything else while I am down there. Just saying! So, when Paul talks about striving today, I was a little nervous.

Today’s verse is linked back to the previous verse by the phrase “for this purpose.” Actually, in the Greek, it reads “for this” which refers back to verse 28 (take a second and go back read that verse). Paul says he labors or toils, but then he clarifies this. He says, “striving according to His power.” Paul knew we could accomplish nothing outside the power of Christ “which works mightily within me.”

APPLICATION

Strong’s Lexicon gives a great explanation of the Greek word for “striving.” “The verb agónizomai conveys the idea of engaging in a struggle or contest, often with a sense of intense effort or determination. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual and moral effort required in the Christian life. It implies a sense of perseverance and dedication in the face of challenges, akin to an athlete competing in a race or a soldier in battle.”

This word is used 8 times in the New Testament. Let’s look at a couple. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, we see it used in this way. “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” It’s compared to the physical activity of an athlete in games. So, it can involve physical exertion.

 In 1 Timothy 6:12, we see an even harder usage. “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” It’s actually used to talk about fighting. If you don’t know we are in a battle with spiritual forces of darkness, you have already lost that fight.

How are you striving? If you attempt to strive in your own might, you won’t make it. If you only half-heartedly strive, you will fall. If you don’t know against whom you are striving, you will lose those battles. Realize it is His power in you that strives. Submit yourself to Him and win.

Father, I thank You that I am not striving alone. I know You have my back.

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Bible, Completeness, Maturity, Perfection, Scripture

COMPLETE IN CHRIST

COLOSSIANS 1:28

“We proclaim Him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ.” 

I have been a follower of Christ since I was 16, but I have still not arrived. I have matured a lot since way back then, but  there is a lot I don’t understand. I am not completely complete, but yet I am positionally. Confused? Don’t be. Let’s take a look at what Paul means by today’s words to us in verse 28.

Paul is saying our aim should be to bring all followers of Christ into completion. “so that we may present every person complete in Christ.” The word “complete” is téleios. It means “going through the necessary stages to reach the end–goal,…This root (tel-) means ‘reaching the end (aim).’ It is well-illustrated with the old pirate’s telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full-strength (capacity effectiveness).” (HELPS Word Studies)

APPLICATION

This word is used in Matthew 5:48 by Jesus to describe us and God. “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. What?! We’re supposed to be perfect? That’s what Jesus said. We know Jesus would not lie or exaggerate about this. Our purpose, our goal is to be like Him. He was perfect. He was complete. We should be like Him.

Paul uses this word in 1 Corinthians 2:6a, “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature;” That’s the idea that I really want to get across. Our goal each day as a Christ follower should be to grow more like Him. We should always be maturing in faith. It’s too sad that we choose sometimes to regress and go backwards.

I love how James uses this word in James 1:4 where he is speaking about the purpose of trials. “And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” God allows trials in our lives to mature us, to grow us up. Enjoy the journey He has for you, knowing His plan is to make you more and more like Him.

Lord, I want to be like You. Grow me and mature me to be perfect like You.

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Bible, Filled, Glory, Hope, Scripture

CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY

COLOSSIANS 1:27

“to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” 

I attended the memorial service of a dear saint of God last night. She is experiencing the glory in which she had hoped for decades. She died five days shy of 100 years old and had been a believer for several decades. In her last days, she longed for two things – to see her beloved husband of 63 years who preceded her to glory by ten years and to see her Savior. Her hope is fulfilled now.

This passage is a favorite of mine. Just read it. If you are not a Jewish believer in Christ, you fall into that category of the Gentiles. Paul says, “God willed to make known…the glory” to us. What a huge blessing! What a gift! You and I have this hope of glory because of Jesus. He is in you. He is in me. He reveals to His glory to us by living in us through the Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION

I can’t begin to describe this “hope of glory” better than Albert Barnes does. “This was the great truth which so animated the heart and fired the zeal of the apostle Paul. The wonderful announcement had burst on his mind like a flood of day, that the offer of salvation was not to be confined, as he had once supposed, to the Jewish people, but that all men were now placed on a level; that they had a common Saviour; that the same heaven was now opened for all, and that there were none so degraded and vile that they might not have the offer of life as well as others.”

Isn’t that great? Why do we hope in this glory? Because God promises it. He always delivers. There is no question about this hope. It is not a baseless hope. Through the centuries God has proven Himself faithful, and the culmination of that hope is Jesus. We place our hope in Him and Him alone.

But let me go back to that phrase “Christ in you.” Do you realize tha the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, indwells you as a believer? You are filled! You have all the Spirit. You simply have to allow Him to work. Get your flesh out of the way. Let Jesus through the Spirit live and work in you today.

Father God, I hope in You because I know You are faithful to fulfill all Your promises.

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Bible, Manifested, Revelation, Scripture, Testimony

REVEALED TO US

COLOSSIANS 1:26

“that is, the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His saints,” 

Seeing something for the first time that you previously could not see is a pretty awesome thing. Take for example the upcoming alignment of the planets in a couple of weeks. We will be able to see several of the planets lined up with the moon. This occurs every so often as these planets circle the sun along with us on the earth. What was not visible becomes visible. Pretty cool.

God has revealed something to us that is far more amazing. He has revealed the mystery of salvation to us through His Son, Jesus. The Greek word for “revealed” is the verb phaneroó which is used in the New Testament to describe the act of making something visible or known that was previously hidden or not apparent. Before Christ we had no clue. Christ essentially takes off our blinders to reveal the glory of the gospel.

APPLICATION

I love how John the Baptist uses the word in John 1:29-31. “29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He in behalf of whom I said, “After me is coming a Man who has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.” 31 And I did not recognize Him, but so that He would be revealed to Israel, I came baptizing in water.’” 

Not only does God reveal the gospel to us, He also reveals Himself to us through His Son. We know God because Jesus is God. When we accept the Son, we accept the Father and the Spirit. They are One. We can’t have one of the One without having all of the One. Did I lose you? Just know that God reveals Himself to us fully through Jesus.

Now, you are expected to reveal Him to others. How? By revealing what He has done in and through you. If you are a believer, you have a story to tell. You don’t need some drastic conversion story. Just tell your story. Reveal Jesus to others through your testimony and through your life. Let Jesus do all the talking.

Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Jesus. Help me continue that revelation to others.

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Bible, Commissioned, Commitment, Gospel, Scripture

COMMISSIONED

COLOSSIANS 1:25

“I was made a minister of this church according to the commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,” 

I take my calling seriously. Having been called into the ministry at an early age (17 years old), I have been responding to the Lord’s leadership for a lot of years. I was a senior in high school when God called me. There was no mistake about it. I did not want to be a minister, much less a missionary. God had other plans. Now, 47 years later, God is still directing me. That “commission” I received from the Lord back in 1977 is still in effect.

Paul had been a Pharisee before he met Jesus on that Damascus road. His calling was a little more dramatic than mine. I am sure he was also surprised that God intended for him to reach the Gentiles, not the Jews. His calling was to a people that he had despised as a Pharisee. His calling was to “fully carry out the preaching of the word of God.” I think we can all agree (if you have studied Paul’s life) that he did that well. He was faithful to the end. He is one of the first people I want to meet in heaven one day. I am sure he has lots of other stories about his missionary journeys that are not recorded in Scripture.

APPLICATION

The word “commission” is the Greek word oikonomia. Strong’s Lexicon says, “this concept was easily understood by early Christians and was applied metaphorically to describe the stewardship of spiritual truths and the administration of God’s redemptive plan.” According to that, we are all commissioned by God. We all should be good stewards of spiritual truths and should all be sharing God’s redemptive plan.

In 1 Corinthians 9:16-18, we see Paul further explaining his “commission.” “16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a commission nonetheless. 18 What, then, is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.”

You may not be a preacher. You may not be a missionary. But you have been commissioned by God to carry forth His truths to the world. You have in your possession as a believer the greatest story ever told. Fulfill your commission today. Tell someone about Jesus.

Lord, send me out to the world to share Your truths and Your redemptive plan.

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Affliction, Bible, Scripture, Suffering

CONTINUE THE SUFFERING

COLOSSIANS 1:24

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am supplementing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of His body, which is the church.”

No one likes to suffer. Am I right? I have been watching a tv series about Christian martyrs. None of them wanted to suffer. The key was they were willing to suffer. I go to suffering kicking and screaming. I feel I have done enough suffering. (Can I get an “Amen”?) But in comparison to the suffering of Christ, I have not scratched the surface.

That’s the point of Paul’s words in today’s verse. At first glance it may appear that Paul is saying Christ was lacking in His afflictions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers gives a good response to this thought. “St. Paul expressly says (in the full force of the original) that ‘he fills up instead’ of his Master, what is still left unfinished of his Master’s afflictions. He declares, i.e., that, succeeding to the suffering of Christ, he carries it out for the sake of His body the Church. This is, indeed, nothing but a clearer and more striking expression of the truth conveyed in 2 Corinthians 1:5, ‘The sufferings of Christ overflow to us,’ so that we bear our part, in addition to the full measure which He bore; and even in the commoner expression, to be ‘partaker of Christ’s sufferings’ (Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13), or ‘to drink of His cup and be baptised with His baptism’ (Matthew 20:22-23).”

APPLICATION

That was a long quote, I know. But I think Ellicott explained it well. Paul was not saying Christ fell short in His suffering. He was saying that now he (Paul) was taking up the suffering of Christ himself. The verses Ellicott shared (2 Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13; Matthew 20:22-23) all speak to that. We, as followers of Christ, can expect suffering. In fact, suffering is called a gift. When you give a gift to someone, don’t you look forward to the expression of the recipient? God does the same. He is waiting to see how we respond to His gift.

Hold it just a minute, Carl. Are you saying God wants us to suffer? I didn’t say that. I said when God gifts us suffering, He watches for our response. Anything God allows in our life should bring us closer to Him. I can’t begin to explain all the tragedies that occur to believers. I am sure there were some believers among those who were killed in the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans. But I do know we can trust the God who allows the suffering.

Perhaps you are going through a period of suffering right now. Take a minute (if you haven’t already done this) and ask the Father a couple of questions. 1) What do You want to teach me in this suffering? 2) How can I use this suffering to testify about You to others? God always has a plan for everything. Be like Paul and continue the sufferings of Christ in your life.

O Lord, I don’t want suffering in my life, but if You allow it, I will receive it.

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Bible, Established, Scripture, Steadfast

FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AND STEADFAST

COLOSSIANS 1:23

“if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”

When I played high school football, I was an offensive lineman. I was taught that my footwork was very important. I had to keep my feet under me and use my legs to drive the defensive player where I wanted him to go. If I didn’t keep my feet planted firmly, I would not be able to control that line of scrimmage. I knew I was in a battle every play.

In the Christian life, we are in a battle every day. We have to maintain our footing, and that footing is described by Paul in today’s verse. He says to “continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast.” The verb “continue” is in the Present Indicative Active. Keep doing this. Persist in this. Don’t stop.If we stop, we are in danger of losing our footing.

APPLICATION

The phrase “firmly established” actually in the Greek reads this way – “established and firm.” The Greek word for “established” has the idea of laying a foundation. That’s a permanent thing, right? You don’t move foundations. They are made to stay put. And the Greek word for “firmly” means to be immovable. Do you get that picture? That’s how we are to continue in our faith.

Paul goes on to say we are to be “steadfast.” What does that mean? The Greek is “not being moved away.” It is two Greek words, the first being me which negates the second, metakineó, “being moved away.” We are to not allow ourselves to be moved from our position in Christ. We are to not allow anything to distract us or cause us to go astray. Be immovable.

Where are your spiritual feet right now? I guarantee you the enemy is on the prowl and would love to knock you off your feet. One of my favorite verses in 1 Corinthians 10:12 which says, “Now, if you think you are standing firm, be careful lest you fall.” In other words, watch your feet. Remain firmly established and steadfast. Be a sure-footed Christian.

Lord, help me watch my feet as I walk the slippery paths that are before me.

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Bible, Blameless, Holy, Reconciled, Scripture

HOLY AND BLAMELESS

COLOSSIANS 1:22

“yet He has now reconciled you in His body of flesh through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—” 

The last two words I would use to describe myself is “holy” and “blameless.” I know we are commanded to be holy as He is holy (Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 20:7; 1 Pet. 1:15-16), but that is hard, isn’t it? And blameless? Are you kidding me? I have done so many things against the Lord I can hardly be called blameless. Yet, here we have today’s verse.

Take a good look at the verse. Notice that it does not say you or I have done anything to make ourselves holy or blameless. No amount of effort on our part will do that. It is because “He has now reconciled you” that you are called holy and blameless. That word “reconciled” is the same word we looked at two days ago in Colossians 1:20. Only God can declare us holy and blameless. The second we declare ourselves with those terms, we have ceased to be that very thing.

APPLICATION

You need to understand what these two words mean. “Holy” is the Greek word hagios which means to be set apart for a purpose. God sets you apart for His work. It’s used 235 times in the New Testament, so you need to do your own word study on hagios. That would be a great study. You could take one day for each time you find that word and dig out that verse. I give you that challenge.

And “blameless” is the Greek word amomos which means without blemish or faultless. Which one of you could describe yourself that way? Not me! But God declares me to be just that. Remember, His Son shed His blood to make us this way. His blood covers us and purifies us. We see this in 1 Peter 1:18-19. “18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

So, if God declares us holy and blameless, shouldn’t we do our best to live that way? We can if we choose to. We can live holy lives. We can live blameless lives. I am not saying we can be sinless, but we can stay covered by His blood. We can choose to live to honor Him and only allow those “accidental” sins to happen. We do not choose to sin. If we do that, we can honor His description of us.

O Lord, I praise You for making me holy and blameless. Strengthen me today to live like that.

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Attitude, Bible, Enemies, Friends, Scripture, Separation

PREVIOUS ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS

COLOSSIANS 1:21

“And although you were previously alienated and hostile in attitude, engaged in evil deeds,” 

As I get older, I realize I cannot do everything I used to could do. For instance, when I was in high school, I could bench press well over 350 lbs. Now, if I could do half of that I would be excited. What I could do previously is not possible today. But also, what I used to do behaviorally, I don’t do anymore. That previous lifestyle is dead to me. I don’t want to do those things anymore. That’s the point of today’s verse.

Paul says in today’s verse that that were “previously alienated and hostile in attitude.” Whew! That’s harsh, but it’s true. Just like the Colossians believers to whom Paul is writing, I also was alienated from God and hostile in my attitude towards Him. I was basically an enemy of God. But look what Paul says about that in Romans 5:10. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

APPLICATION

You and I were alienated from God before Jesus. That Greek word translated “alienated” is apallotrioó. Notice the “-oó” at the end. Whenever you see that on the end of a Greek word, the emphasis is more on the result of the action of that word and not the action itself. What is the result of being alienated? We are cut off and separated from God.

Then Paul says we are “hostile in attitude.” We have all seen that, haven’t we? The Greek word here is echthros which means an enemy, someone who hates you. Paul is saying we were separated and hateful. That was our lifestyle before Jesus. But we didn’t stay there, did we?

Go back to the beginning of the verse. Paul says we were “previously” this way. That little adverb pote changes everything. It denotes a change in status or condition. You were once that way, but now you are different. You were enemies with God, but now you are friends. You were separated and, now you are joined together. Thank God for changes, amen?

O Lord, You have changed my heart and mind to be more in line with Your heart and mind. I am forever grateful.

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