Grow Roots of Faith in God’s Hope
As I began my study in the book of Colossians, I found myself walking through my notes and photos from a recent journey to Asia Minor (know as modern day Turkey) to visit the Seven Churches of Revelation. Though we did not visit the church of Colossae, we did visit Ephesus, where it is believed that the apostle Paul wrote this letter, which was less than a hundred miles away.
Although it is believed that Paul did not plant the church of Colosse, his preaching and teaching was so effective that his converts spread the message of Jesus Christ outside Ephesus and throughout the region.
I read how it is believed that it may have been Epaphras, who was a church planter in the Lycus Valley, which included the cities of Laodicea, Hieropolis, and Colosse.
I continued in my research, taking time to close my eyes and walk through the memories of our journey in the Lycus Valley through the cities of Laodicea and Hieropolis. Paul’s writings reflect his prayers for the people of Colosse who are believed to have met first in the home of Philemon, until they outgrew the “house church”. He speaks to them, as a father of faith, to encourage and motivate them to keep their hearts and beliefs free fromerror and false preaching and to believe and follow the truths of the story of Jesus Christ.
I turned to the introduction of Colossians in the Passion Translation Bible and I felt a peace and excitement grow from my study in the book, similar to that of author Brian Simmons who wrote: What a glorious hope within us. This is the theme of Paul’s masterpiece written to the church of Colosse - our hope of glory. He adds as Paul penned this letter while in a prison cell, when hope was absent in his environment.
Paul rediscovered it in the enjoyment of Christ within himself.
As we read in Colossians 1:6 (TPT):
This is the wonderful message that is being spread everywhere, powerfully changing hearts throughout the earth, just like it has changed you! Every believer of this good news bears the fruit of eternal life as they experience the reality of God’s grace.
We learn, as believers, as we read the words of Paul–through this study of truths and encouragement–that it doesn’t matter where you live or what surrounds you at the moment, as Simmons states; there is a burning hope inside your soul that does more than just carry you through—it releases the heavenly Christ within.
This should give us all, as we read through the book of Colossians, a great comfort and encouragement of hope.
Praying the Word
“Lord, I pray that I would not cease to pray for my fellow believers. Fill us, Lord, with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Empower us to walk worthy of You, fully pleasing You, being fruitful in every good work, and growing in knowing You.”
Adapted from Colossians 1: 9, 10
NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition
Let’s begin our journey in Colossians Heaven’s Hope, Chapter 1:
We pray that you would walk in the ways of true righteousness, pleasing God in every good thing you do. Then you’ll become fruit-bearing branches, yielding to his life, and maturing in the rich experience of knowing God in his fullness!
11 And we pray that you would be energized with all his explosive power from the realm of his magnificent glory, filling you with great hope.12 Your hearts can soar with joyful gratitude when you think of how God made you worthy to receive the glorious inheritance freely given to us by living in the light.
Colossians 1: 10-12 (TPT)
Let’s grow our heart trees for God. They are deeply rooted in His word and Truths of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior for Fruitful Lives of Joy through all Seasons.
Grow your roots of faith in the book of Colossians:
1. Plant a time to study and meditate on God’s word everyday.
2. Water your hearts with faith, knowing that, as believers, your roots will never go thirsty again; as it says in John 7:37-38 (TPT):
…Jesus stood and shouted out to the crowds—“All you thirsty ones, come to me! Come to me and drink! 38 Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!”
3. Plant your favorite Bible verses in your heart to grow bountiful fruits of joy through all seasons.
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28 (NIV)
1 What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways! He won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.
2 His passion is to remain true to the Word of “I AM,” meditating day and night on the true revelation of light.
3 He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.
Psalms 1:1-3 (TPT)
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Psalms 1:3 (NIV)
3 But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. 4 And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. 5 And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!
Romans 5:3-5 (TPT)
Study Notes
NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition
Truth Action Colossians Teaches. Text Colossians Invites Growing in Godliness - Relationships often prove to be the crucible in which our godliness is tested. Colossians challenges us to bring the life and character of Christ into the way we relate to others. Drawing strength from the power and might of His glory, we must remove and discard our old ways of living and relating. God has made us new creations in Christ; let us be continually renewed to live and love in a manner worthy of the Lord.
1:10, 11 Continually live a life worthy of the Lord. Be productive in doing
good, and grow in your understanding of God. Be strengthened with
power from the might of His glory, enduring patiently with joy.
3:5–11 Throw off your old self and its lifestyle. Refuse to take part in
ungodly sexual behavior. Do not be harsh or rude in your relationships.
Align your emotions and passions with the character of Christ. Put on the
new you, created in Christ’s image.
3:12–14 Put on love. From the core of your being, be tender, merciful,
humble, patient, and forgiving in all relationships.
Colossians Reference Notes
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Author: The apostle Paul was the primary writer of the Book of Colossians (Colossians 1:1). Timothy is also given some credit (Colossians 1:1).
Date of Writing: The Book of Colossians was likely written between A.D. 58-62.
Purpose of Writing: Paul wrote Colossians to warn the believers of doctrinal error and to spur them to continued growth in Christ. The first half of the Book of Colossians is a theological treatise that includes one of the most profound presentations of Christology anywhere in the New Testament. The second half is a mini-ethics course, addressing every area of Christian life. Paul progresses from the individual life to thehome and family, from work to the way we should treat others. The theme of this book isthe Lordship of Jesus Christ and His sufficiency in meeting our needs in every area.
Key Verses:
Colossians 1:15-16, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him."
Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."
Colossians 3:12-13, "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Colossians 4:5-6, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Brief Summary: Colossians was written explicitly to defeat the heresy that had arisen in Colosse, which endangered the existence of the church. While we do not know what was told to Paul, this letter is his response.
We can surmise based on Paul’s response that he was dealing with a defective view of Christ (denying His real and true humanity and not accepting His full deity). Paul appears also to dispute the “Jewish” emphasis on circumcision and traditions (Colossians 2:8-11; 3:11). The heresy addressed appears to be either a Jewish-Gnosticism or a mix between Jewish asceticism and Greek (Stoic?) philosophy.
He does a remarkable job in pointing us to the sufficiency of Christ. The Book of Colossians contains doctrinal instruction about the deity of Christ and false philosophies (1:15-2:23), as well as practical exhortations regarding Christian conduct, including friends and speech (3:1-4:18).
Connections: As with all the early churches, the issue of Jewish legalism in Colosse was of great concern to Paul. So radical was the concept of salvation by grace apart from works that those steeped in Old Testament law found it very difficult to grasp.Consequently, there was a continual movement among the legalists to add certain requirements from the law to this new faith.
Primary among them was the requirement of circumcision which was still practiced among some of the Jewish converts. Paul countered this error in Colossians 2:11-15 in which he declares that circumcision of the flesh was no longer necessary because Christ had come. His was a circumcision of the heart, not the flesh, making the ceremonial rites of the Old Testament law no longer necessary (Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4, 9:26; Acts 7:51; Romans 2:29).
Practical Application: Although Paul addresses many areas, the basic application for us today is the total and complete sufficiency of Christ in our lives, both for our salvation and our sanctification. We must know and understand the gospel so as not to be led astray by subtle forms of legalism and heresy. We must be on guard for any deviation that would diminish the centrality of Christ as Lord and Savior. Any “religion” that tries to equate itself with the truth using books that claim the same authority as the Bible, or which combines human effort with divine accomplishment in salvation must be avoided.
Other religions cannot be combined with or added to Christianity. Christ gives us absolute standards of moral conduct. Christianity is a family, a way of life, and a relationship—not a religion. Good deeds, astrology, occultism and horoscopes do not
show us God’s ways. Only Christ does. His will is revealed in His word, His love letter to us; we must get to know it!
DIRECTIVES:
How do you want to grow in your faith?
Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus”.
How can you apply this command to your every day routine?
Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
How can you let the peace of Christ guide your actions and attitude?
