Bible, Freedom, Judgment, Legalism, Pharisees, Scripture

HERE COMES THE JUDGE

COLOSSIANS 2:16

“Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day—”

Back when I was growing up, there was a tv show called “Laugh In.” It was very popular, and several stars got their start there. One of the regular skits was done by Flip Wilson who played a comical judge. He would always enter the court room singing, “Here Comes the Judge, Here Comes the Judge.” Then he would proceed to make some ridiculous verdict or something. It was definitely a 60’s and 70’s humor thing.

In today’s verse, Paul is telling the Colossian believers to not let anyone judge them in their Christian walk in regards to Jewish laws and practices. The things he names were all referring to Jewish practices of food and worship. Some Jewish believers wanted to keep practicing all the Jewish laws and force them on Gentile believers. Paul had it out with Peter over this very thing and talked about in Galatians 2. Paul was not going to allow these new believers to be forced into laws and rules which he knew did not fit into their new lives in Christ.

APPLICATION

You may have people in your life who act like judges. You can’t eat that. You can’t drink that. You can’t wear that. You can’t miss a church service. Listen, we have just as many Christian “pharisees” today as there were Jewish pharisees back in the days of Paul. Don’t allow others to tell you what you must do to be “holy.” That’s God’s job.

I love how Albert Barnes explains this verse. “The meaning is, ‘since you have thus been delivered by Christ from the evils which surrounded you: since you have been freed from the observances of the law, let no one sit in judgment on you, or claim the right to decide for you in those matters. You are not responsible to man for your conduct, but to Christ; and no man has a right to impose that on you as a burden from which he has made you free.’”

The Greek word for “judge” literally means to decide or determine. There will be people who want to try to make your decisions for you. Now, there is nothing wrong with godly advice. I seek it all the time. But that advice has to line up with Scripture and should be led by the Spirit. Stay in the Word. Seek His face. He will show Himself to you and lead you in the right way.

Father, I give You praise for leading and guiding me so that I do not have to rely on others to decide for me.

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Bible, Enemies, Scripture, Testimony, Victors

ON DISPLAY

COLOSSIANS 2:15

“When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”

When you put something on open display, you want everyone to see it. In my hometown there was this grand, ole building called the Hand Trading Company. It was surrounded on three sides with display windows so the public could see the wares that were for sale. We used to love to see these windows at Christmas as each one was transformed into an exciting display of some wintery Christmas scene. People would walk around the block to see all three sides.

Christ has put the devil and all his forces on public display, showing His defeated foe. This was a common practice back in the days of Christ where a victorious army would chain and lead their defeated foe back to their homeland. There would be cheers and a celebration as the people watch their victorious army parade back into the city with the defeated enemy following.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “made a public display” is deigmatizó. It is only used here and in Matthew 1:19 where it is used to describe how Joseph did not want to expose Mary’s pregnancy and humiliate her. He wanted to protect her, even though he knew the story of her pregnancy would be revealed eventually.

Let me ask you a question. Is your life on display? Do you openly share what Christ has done for you? You see, Christ also leads us along in triumph. Paul says that over in 2 Corinthians 2:14. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.” Are you following close to Him? Are you gladly exposing what He has done in your life?

We are on public display. People are watching us. Christ can take your life and show others just what is possible in Him. Let your life be a canvas He can use to paint a scene of forgiveness and triumph for all to see. May millions stand and gasp at the wonder of grace in your life and be drawn to Him.

O Lord, I praise You for what You are doing in my life for all to see.

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Bible, Damnation, Debt, Heaven, Hell, Scripture

CERTIFICATE OF DEBT

COLOSSIANS 2:14

“having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

My wife and I have a home mortgage. I assume most people either have one themselves or have had in the past. This mortgage legally binds us to pay off a debt to the mortgage holder. If we fail to pay our monthly payment, we risk the loss of our home. My dad always told me to make sure I always paid my home loan because you got to have a roof over your head. That’s good advice.

This “certificate of debt” Paul refers to in today’s verse is a lot more serious than my home loan. This debt was one I could not pay, and the consequences of nonpayment was damnation. The enemy is constantly accusing us, is he not? But thanks be to God, He sent His Son Jesus to pay a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay. I love how Paul ends this verse – “having nailed it to the cross.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “certificate of debt” only occurs right here in today’s verse. It is the Greek word cheirographon which “refers to a handwritten document, particularly a legal or financial document such as a certificate of debt or a bond. In the context of the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the record of debt or the legal demands that stand against humanity due to sin.” (Strong’s Lexicon)

Satan held the certificate of debt in his greedy, little hands, just waiting to claim our soul for hell. But Jesus took care of that debt. All we have to do is surrender to Jesus, claim that freedom from debt and live eternally with Him in heaven. Satan cannot stand that, but he is powerless to undo that contract we have with Jesus.

So, if we have such a gift from Jesus, what should we do with it? Should we hoard it and not share it with anyone? Or should we tell everyone we meet about it? Unless they hear from someone about the freedom they can have in Christ, Satan will claim them. None of us want that, even for our worst enemy. Share the good news of your cancelled debt today.

O Lord, You have released me from the penalty of sin through the payment of the debt I owed. Praise Your holy name

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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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