The Christian Walk

Increasing in the Knowledge of Christian Behavior

Book of Colossians 3:1-11

Behavior simply is our manner of behaving. How are we to behave as Christians?

In our hearts, most of us know how we are supposed to behave but the truth is, only when we are right with God will we know how to behave!

When we see the word "if" then there is a condition that must be met. This is another word that teaches us how to study the Scriptures.

We need to watch out for the "therefores" and the "wherefores" and the "ifs" and the "buts" and other words where the Bible itself will teach us how to study it.

The word "if" also sometimes ask the question "whether or not".

One of the questions we should always ask is, who is the speaker and who is the speaker, speaking to.

So, let’s begin:

*****Col 3:1 "If" ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

We would be rude here and we would ask; are you saved? To be risen with Christ is to be saved!

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

This means we are not to walk like we use to walk before me met Jesus Christ!

If we have been baptized by the Holy Spirit, then our old flesh is dead, just as Jesus Christ was raised by the Holy Spirit, we are also raised by the Holy Spirit to new life, and we should walk in newness of life!

When the Lord Jesus Christ was raised in that glorified body, after 40 days He ascended back into Heaven, where He is sitting on the right hand of God, because He is the right hand of God.

Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

So, to answer the question, "IF" we are now Christians we need to seek those things from above and not seek any of the things of this world!

In a "new life" in Jesus Christ we are to be dead to this world and it should show in our behavior.

We should remember Paul is dealing with some false teaching that has entered into this church at Colossae.

The answer always for the Christian can be found in Jesus Christ, who is always just rejected or set aside as a prophet or an angel or some other lower class and not the Creator who is God, by those who know no better!

To walk in newness of life is to follow in the ways of Jesus Christ!

So, everyone who can say they are a believer should ask themselves, "am I risen with Jesus Christ"?

If so then we are to look toward Heaven with our prayers and help with our Bible study.

*****Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, "not" on things on the earth.

Paul reminds us all the commandment of the Lord.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The Lord Jesus Christ said you could throw away all the 613 laws to the Jews and all the laws of mankind, if we would only obey these two laws.

We see these two laws are not hard to understand.

Our affection should be that of love and not just any love, but the love that Jesus Christ has shown to us.

We should also know that all the things that remain in Heaven are perfect!

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

In other words, we must think like Christ thinks.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

We sometimes just forget the marvelous miracle of our salvation and it is a miracle!

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

How can we ever think that the things of this world can compare to Heavenly things?

*****Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

We may ask, how can this be?

First, we must realize the wages of our sin:

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is "eternal life" through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Next, since the Lord Jesus Christ has already paid these wages with His own life then we are alive forever but still dead to sin according to this Scripture.

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, then we are joined to Him in such a way that we are separated from our former self and dead to the world!

In one way it is dead to the world and in another way, it is a resurrection to a new life (born again) that cannot die!

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

It was the death of Christ that paid the debt of our own sin!

It was the resurrection of Christ that raises all believers up to new life!

It was by the ascension of Christ that we received the gift of the Holy Spirit!

**The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us the power to live victorious lives.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

**The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees our own resurrection.

Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

**The resurrection of Christ, gives us the assurance that God will judge this world by His Son, Jesus Christ.

Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

**The resurrection of Christ gives us a "living hope", the hope of glory.

*****Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Since we are dead to this world and no longer condemned to the wages of sin, then we are to look up and seek the things of Christ and of Heaven.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Since we are hid in Christ, then God can only see the life of His Son when He looks upon us!

Without these things we can never know the Living God!

Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

Isa 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

There can be no doubt that God and the Lord and the Savior are all one and the same person!

Since the Lord is already in the presence of God, and when God looks upon us He sees that we are hid in Christ, "then God has already accepted the fact that we will one day be in His presence!

All these things are true so, when we are still left upon this earth it is to tell the world "How Great Is Our God"!

We know that God takes many of us home whenever He decides it is more important for them to be in Heaven, but when God takes the Church home as a group it will happen very quickly!

1Co_15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

This change takes place if we go by the rapture or if God takes us home one at a time!

What does the Lord Jesus Christ promise to us all that believe upon Him?

Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

But notice again that word "If", which is a conditional word. "If" we keep the sayings of Jesus Christ.

We this does not just mean the red letters in our New Testament.

But this kind of blows all religions out of the water who reject Jesus Christ as the God of the Bible!

As believers, God says just wrap your mind around these things and live like you believe it to be true, because it is!

Those that go to Heaven one at a time will simply return with the Lord when He returns to get His Church!

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, "even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him".

To sleep in Jesus only means that old body of flesh that went to the grave when the soul returned to the Heaven!

All other graves are full of old men's bones that will not rise until the "white throne judgment".

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

This day will be so sad because each and every one of these had made a personal choice to reject the Lord Jesus Christ, the God of the Bible!

So, what does God tell us to do until He returns?

*****Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Notice that word mortify, this word is the thought behind the word "Mortuary". A mortuary is a place to make plans for your own funeral and view those dead bodies of flesh.

God says to go ahead and treat that body of flesh like it is dead to this world and dead to sin.

Our bodies of flesh are to be dead to fornication. Fornication is all sort of sexual intercourse outside the bonds of marriage.

This term can also be used symbolically in forsaking God and following after idols.

Our bodies of flesh are to be dead to uncleanness. Uncleanness can be said to be anything that defiles us in the eyes of God.

This would include all manner of immorality!

Our bodies of flesh are to be dead to inordinate affection. Inordinate affection could be an inordinate affection for the things of this world. An inordinate passion, or a zealous attachment to this world.

It can also be a desire for fame, but it can also mean vile affections for others.

Our bodies of flesh are to be dead to evil concupiscence. This is to covet after, lust after, desire the things of this world, but it can also include an irregular desire for sexual pleasure.

Coveting carnal things rather than moral things. That word evil makes these things even worse.

A person who already has bad qualities has also become concupiscent.

These are those who have specifically chosen to live a life of evilness!

Our bodies of flesh are to be dead to covetousness which is "idolatry" and an extreme desire to obtain something that belongs to someone else and placing these things above the Word of God, which says do not covet!

God is very specific about these things and all we see today is a world dominated by these things!

We can see that God has high demands for the Christian.

God has already told us what this world consists of: 1Jn_2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

God has now told us that these are those who are disobedient! Ignoring the Word of God and rejecting the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".

The Church will not see the wrath of God, so these are those who will be left on this earth after the Rapture of the Church!

What a world to live in. Satan, the coward, will finally come out into the open as the Antichrist to rule these who are left behind!

He did not want these people to see him flee for the steadfast Christian!

Then the Lord says look back at what you once were and how you have grown to distance yourself from all these things!

To be a Christian does not make us any better than anyone else, but by the "Grace" of God!

*****Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

We certainly should be able to describe a sinner because each of us are still sinners but now saved by the "Grace" of God.

As Christians we must never see sin as pleasure but only as deadly poison because this is a better description and yes this means your own little pet sin, no matter what it is!

This includes sins of the heart!

Some of us do not see anger as a sin but it can be if you allow it to simmer.

Eph_4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

When anger becomes wrath or malice, it is certainly sin.

When we are angry, our wisdom is lost.

When we angry, we just do not think right.

When we are angry, we will quench the Holy Spirit, who lives within us.

There are also all sorts of sins of the mouth.

Evil speaking such as slander is also sin.

Blasphemy is any words we say that can cause injury to someone else.

Certainly, filthy communications and lying are sin

Perfect love will cast away all these things! The love as Jesus Christ loves, and the love like the love of God for this evil world.

The Bible says: for God "so loved" this world He sent His Son

*****Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

We tend to always go back to the Ten Commandments which is great, but we also seem to forget how the Lord has simplified all the commandments in the Word of God and all man-made laws.

Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The Lord has taken great pains to ensure that we have the truth and it is a slap to His face, when we tell lies to anyone, but especially our brothers and sisters.

We must never forget these words of Jesus as He describes His enemies.

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Having put off the old man of sin and having put on the new man, why would we still lie and do the things we have vowed to Jesus that we would not do?

When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts, we are to accept His character, His ways and His words!

Remember, The Lord Jesus Christ is the "express image" of His Father in Heaven and as Christians, we are "Born Again", renewed in knowledge after the image of him, that created him!

Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

We cannot yet be perfect, but we can be in a mode of continuous renewal.

2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

That old outward man that we went to the mortuary to make plans for his burial should not now interfere with what we do daily. he should have no influence on our new life!

We must remember what God said when He made man.

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

When we experience the new birth just like the Lord Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit then we are "Born Again" by the Holy Spirit.

Christians are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

The Son of God has given life to all believers!

Joh 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

So, then the Holy Spirit regenerates God's people!

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

We should understand that all the prophecies of the Messiah had a purpose in our own renewal.

We must understand that every step that the Lord Jesus took when He was upon this earth had a profound purpose in restoring us to be in harmony with God.

Therefore, the truest statement to the unbeliever is still these words:

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

It is all these things that being "Born Again" is all about. Christians returning to the original plan of God!

Before the tower of Babel there was only one people. When they rejected the Lord, God caused them to be many separate people in order for them to learn from the mistakes they had made.

As Christians we again all become one people!

*****Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

As Christians it matters not what we used to be!

It matters not what we are external!

Circumcision matters not, uncircumcision matters not, because the Laws of Moses have been fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

The circumcised were the Jews.

The uncircumcised were the Gentiles.

The Greeks were the Greeks. (philosophers) 1Co_1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom

The Barbarians were those Gentiles, who were not Greeks.

The Scythian were the most barbarous of all Gentile barbarians.

Those in bondage were slaves to anyone.

You see the ground is level at the cross because Jesus Christ is all we need and because when Jesus Christ comes into our hearts we are all one people in God!

1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

When we have come to this point in our new lives, it is then that we can be of the most use to God!

Amen

Jesus Christ and Christianity versus False Religion

Increasing in Knowledge of the Limitations of the Law

Christ versus False Religion

Book of Colossians Chapter 2

When we see the word "law" in the Scriptures it usually means only one thing which is the "law of Moses".

Let’s consider some of the laws:

1) Let's consider that the law of nature is the will of God as to human conduct.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

2) The ceremonial law prescribes the rites and ceremonies of Judaism, Jewish worship.

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

3) There was the Judicial Law, the law that directed the civil policies of the Jewish nation.

4) The "moral" law is also the revealed will of God as to human conduct, which are binding all of us till the end of time.

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

4) There are positive laws which precepts are founded only on the will of God. These are manmade laws that coincide with the truth of God's Word!

We must always remember when we must choose between human philosophies and divine revelation, there is truly not any choice at all. We must always choose the Word of God!

Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

This Scripture will always hold true till the end of time!

Let's begin:

*****Col 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

Col 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Col 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

The one thing we should understand about the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned, he was like a soldier bound by chains craving to get into the battle of furthering and protecting the truth of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!

It is all the books of the Apostle Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) that teach the saint of God how to grow in the Lord.

For any church to grow then there must be some mature Christians!

Many count church growth only by numbers and that is great but church growth must first be about God's people growing in the knowledge of the Lord!

We simply cannot remain "babes in Christ" all our Christian days!

Our failure to help one another in our burdens and fervent prayer for one another, is the major reason believers and churches remain "babes in Christ".

It is a prayer of faith that says to God that He has the ability and the willingness to intercede on our behalf.

It is a prayer of faith that says to God that it is He that has complete control of all things, of all His creatures, and all their actions.

Prayer is our primary channel to communicate with God! This channel was provided by the Lord Jesus Christ!

You know, it is also ok to just talk to God without asking Him for a thing. God loves to just hear us talk to Him.

Regardless what others say, God has His way of talking back or showing us that He hears us!

The strength of any church lies in the prayers of its membership but we must also have Bible study!

A true Church will remain consistent in the Word of God and grow into maturity being unchangeable in the things of God.

Paul struggled in prayer and concern for this church he had never visited, and our Pastors today must do the same.

False doctrine had been introduced into this young church and this church had become confused because most of them were only "babes in Christ".

The stronger the pastor is in the Word of God, the stronger the church.

It is also important for every pastor to pray for all the church to remain in the Word of God.

If they instill this into their congregations, then all Christians would be praying for the universal church that belongs to Jesus Christ!

The prayer of faith is still our most important weapon in this world today!

The prayer of faith can move the hand of God or He would not say so!

We should all be fervent prayer warriors for the church!

The immature church cannot stand against the Devil and it is obvious in our world that the church is becoming more and more immature.

People just refuse to study the Word of God and the perversions of the Word of God are gaining ground and souls are being lost!

Once someone realizes what they have been taught is a lie, then they believe there is no truth in any church!

The Lord will reveal Himself even to the babe in Christ if they pray in faith!

Faith in the truth of Jesus Christ is the strength of every Church and the universal Church.

As maturing in the Word of God grows in the church, then hearts will become strong, confident, and assured!

A strong church can beat back error with the knowledge of God, but a church full of "babes" is ignorant of the ways of Satan and the church will many times split, or struggle will arise within the parties involved.

The only answer to error is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Apostles Doctrine!

The Apostle Paul was in bondage, so he could not help this church physically to defend against false doctrine but by sending them this epistle which could lead them to defend the "Gospel"!

A strong church is filled with a blend of mature Christians and babes who are growing and whose hearts are strong for the Lord.

Mature Christians proved stability, and babes in Christ provide the energy and the fire.

A cold church is truly miserable!

Strong hearts come from the love of God and a fervent love for each other!

When false doctrine enters a church, it is like a cloud that hangs over the church, that requires strength in the truth of God to resist!

When a church is divided, it will lower its standards and become more liberal.

This is what we see in our world today!

Our standard must always be Jesus Christ and it is His standard we must reach for and not some man-made standard!

Strong hearts are made from the love of God and each other, not from religion, ceremony, rituals, or laws and regulations!

We must be sure we know that God exist!

We must know that God looks after our welfare!

We must know God in a personal way!

We must know there is life after death!

There is no mystery of God, God explains Himself very well in His Scriptures!

There are no secrets that God is hiding from us, God has revealed everything that we need to know!

To the Jews, the mystery of God is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father in relation to His Son!

It is only Jesus Christ that reveals God to mankind.

It is only Jesus Christ who can mediate between God and mankind.

It is only Jesus Christ who can intercede between God and mankind.

If there was a mystery to the Jews, then this is it!

Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

It is in Jesus Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!

There will be no growth in the church until we can understand the truth of the "Gospel" and acknowledge Jesus Christ as the God of the Bible!

1Jn 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

The Scriptures are very blunt about these things so, how can we question the truth of God and His Son Jesus, the Messiah, who has already come and who will return to save His church from the Wrath of God!

Wisdom in fact is the ability to use the truth, there can be no wisdom in a lie!

1Jn_2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

Paul explains that we need to know all these things so that when false doctrine arises, and it will, we will not be deceived by its lies!

Paul was absent because of his bondage, but this great epistle has stood the test of the truth down through the centuries.

*****Col 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Paul was never far from this church in his mind and in his prayers. Paul could say these things because the Lord is as near to us as a prayer and because He goes where we go!

When we can do nothing else to help our church, we can pray!

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

We must realize that when our minds are wavering, we are not being steadfast and unmovable in the Doctrine of Christ!

Religion and Christianity are two different things. True Christians are steadfast in the Doctrine of Christ!

Religionist are always wavering and movable in the things they believe or what they do not believe.

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

When we know the Lord Jesus Christ, we must walk unwavering in the Lord!

*****Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Walking in the Lord, means this:

1) We received the Lord by "faith”, so we must walk in the Lord by "Faith"!

We trust that our sins have been blotted out and our names are written down in the Lamb's Book of Life, and we need to act like this is true because it is!

2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2) When we received Christ Jesus, we received Him as Lord of this Universe and the Messiah.

Then we need to walk as if we serve the Almighty God, and our Creator!

We need to reverence our God as Almighty and our commitment be a lifetime commitment!

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

God expects us to be rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ!

God expects us to be rooted and grounded in a Gospel believing Church!

God expects us to be as a branch drawing its nourishment from the vine, that vine being the Lord Jesus Christ!

If we do not have that strong attachment to Christ, then we need to get someone to lead us through the Scriptures, so we will know the truth!

We need to walk as we have been taught by the Lord, by His example!

We must be established in the Word of God!

2Th 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

2Th 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

We must be aware of the many deceivers in this world.

*****Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Philosophy in fact is, the love of wisdom and wisdom is supposed to be the proper use of that knowledge of truth.

Today like so many other things, philosophy is used "as an attempt to explain the reason of things", or "to investigate the many causes of things".

These things go against the true definition of Philosophy!

Philosophy has become worldly! There are some true philosophers just as there are some true scientist who acknowledge the truth but no one can hear them!

The noisy today are all those who when faced with the truth, search for any means to dispel the truth which is impossible!

The truth will always be the truth!

What we see is another of Satan's nick-names, which is the "spoiler".

What we see in this passage is Christ Jesus versus false teaching!

False teachers had made this newly founded church in Colossae a target for destruction!

We must always realize that as Christians, we are targets for destruction to these spoilers of Satan.

A spoiler is much like the robber, these men came to this church to steal the truth!

The saints here had been rescued from bondage, their eyes had been opened to the Light of Jesus Christ, they understood they were just pilgrims passing through this land called earth, but because of these spoilers they were now in danger.

As believers we must always beware and guard against worldly philosophy!

We will never have a perfect relationship with Jesus Christ when we search for answers in this world!

The answers to life cannot be found in the things of this world.

The answers to the truth cannot be found in the things of this world.

These things are meaningless and will be destroyed when the Lord returns to this world!

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Human knowledge cannot solve the problems of this world!

The very best worldly science and worldly philosophy can do is, maybe make life more comfortable, maybe safer, and maybe add a few years of good health.

If we understand these things, then this should be the goal of these people and they need to stay away from trying to change the truth of God!

In fact, it makes no sense, that if we can make the world a better place then, why is so much effort and so much money used to destroy the church. (this certainly makes no sense)

The answer lies in being the children of Satan who is also the father of the spoiler!

1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

If these spoilers would realize they are only fools, they might wake up and do some good!

We should also realize that the rudiments mentioned here include the heavens, the stars and planets.

So, those of Astrology who have the gall to proclaim that the answers to mankind are determined by the stars is utter foolishness!

These things are just inanimate objects that have no life themselves so how can they give answers to life. Shame on the people who fall into this trap of Satan.

Those that depend on a material world and the rudiments of this world, will never be a part of the "Spiritual World", and they will never know Jesus Christ!

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who possesses complete power over this world and all the Cosmos!

*****Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In Him, inside Jesus Christ, in the 100%-human side of Jesus, dwelt all the power of God, which is rejected by most all Jews and most of this world!

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

We are complete in Him, because He is the Head of all principality and power!

The Jews had developed a plan to substitute philosophy for Christianity not by denying it, but trying to explain it with worldly objects.

Christianity has never been an offshoot of Judaism!

Christianity stands alone as those who seek a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

Christianity is based on "Faith" and not "knowledge"!

The object of our "faith" is based upon the historical and doctrinal statements of the Bible!

The object of "knowledge" was to take philosophy and prove those statements.

Philosophy is void of the truth.

Philosophy is void of reality.

Philosophy is void of power.

Philosophy is worthless.

Philosophy is deceit!

We live in a world created by God where foolish people cannot believe that an all-powerful God could pour Himself into a body of flesh and live among us for a while.

How can we be so foolish to think we can place limits on the power of God to do anything He wishes to do!

1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

We cannot be Christians unless we receive the fulness of Christ's nature! (Born Again)

There was also a big discussion about circumcision so again Paul explains.

*****Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, "in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ":

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

It is easy to get caught up with religion. Religion is simply an oath or a vow to your god. Anything can be a god, just ask those who are Hindu.

We have even made sports stars and (forgive them Lord) but even celebrities to be gods.

Some have made riches and even automobiles their gods.

Christianity is making a personal oath to Jesus Christ!

Manual circumcision is the cutting off a small piece of flesh, while "Spiritual circumcision" is cutting off the whole body of flesh, which is our corrupt sin nature.

Only Jesus Christ can do this thing through "faith"!

The circumcision of the Christian is "Divine", without hands but by the inward power of the Holy Spirit!

Being saved is committing ourselves to Jesus Christ our Savior, allowing Him to cut away the body of sins out of our flesh!

This true circumcision is realized only when we are in union with Christ. When we begin to develop our personal relationship with our Savior!

We follow this up with Believers Baptism to show other believers we are in union with our Savior.

Is this some sort of ritual? No, this is following the commandment of the Lord!

We are baptized by the Holy Spirit for our salvation, not with water!

Gal_3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

We are then baptized in water, only to symbolize, the death, burial, and the resurrection of our Savior!

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Next is training to become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

This is where the church is failing most today!

The new believer must realize through discipleship, that they are dead to their sins and to do their best to sin no more.

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Since we remain in this body of flesh, we are not perfect, and we are just sinners saved by the Grace of God and will remain that way until we meet the Lord. We must do our best not to sin but when we do we will be forgiven if we ask.

1Jn_2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

We must realize when we are baptized in water this only represents our spiritual death to sin.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus Christ paid that death for us and has given to the believer the precious gift of God, "eternal life through the work of Jesus Christ our Lord!

*****Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Once we realize our spiritual death, we are made a living soul and are dead to trespasses and sin!

We must also realize, we only differ from others by the "Grace" of God!

We must realize, that sin is anything that goes against the Word of God and being dead to sin we must do our best to avoid sin!

We must keep in mind that even when we are biblically sound we still must approach God just as He says and not as the world says.

We cannot take away from God's Word and we cannot add anything to God's Word.

We see so many so-called new Bibles today that do this very thing, to keep their own sin and say it is approved of God which is foolishness when God has already said not to do such things.

There is only one plan of salvation and it is the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ would never have come into this world, if sin according to the Word of God was not real and the death of sins wages were not real.

The world may say we live and then we die, but that is just part of the story. The truth of death it is eternal, and the place of this eternal death is truly devastation.

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The truth of salvation is eternal life!

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

We need to take this thing called "death" very seriously!

Many today seek another way to live eternally in the body of flesh they now have and that is foolishness for these bodies of flesh were never designed to live forever.

Why are remedies for the skin so popular? People just have such a great fear of even the appearance of growing old or death.

Men can search this earth until time runs out and a way to live forever will never be found! God has the only plan for eternal life!

Mankind will never conquer death!

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

How foolish is this world we live in?

Jesus Christ took all sin from the past and all sin from the future and took it out of our way by nailing that sin to His cross!

Many people will tell you that sin does not bother them, but the truth is, most people live defeated lives because of their sin!

They are depressed, they feel unworthy and they feel unacceptable to this world and this is what sin will do to anyone it takes full control of.

These are those who are in bondage to Satan and know it!

2Ti_2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

There are still the many who are in that same bondage and just deny it or do not realize it, because they have been brainwashed by the teaching of this world.

1Ti_4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

They just do not realize that God loves them, their sin was nailed to the cross that Jesus bore for us all, and they need only believe, (to have faith in the work of Jesus Christ) to have those sins blotted out and their names written down in the Lamb's Book of Life!

The reality of life is, mankind has always recognized that there are forces, and powers and even principalities at work with this universe.

The Bible declares that these other forces exist and that there is a spiritual world that surrounds this physical world of God's creation.

What we see is that even these things are under the power of our Almighty God!

Though these things have never held any power over God, they have had power over mankind and by Jesus Christ, Satan has been defeated from any hold over mankind.

He only has the control you allow him to have, if you are a Christian!

Jas_4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Sins evil work is seen everywhere in this world and we must avoid it.

In fact, we must hate sin without hating the sinner, just as the Lord had done just before His physical death.

Luk_23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

When the Lord raised up from the dead after those three days as He said He would, the powers of evil were defeated!

God is a God of life, and death has never had a purpose in God's creation!!!!!!!!

God has judged each believer and has justified each believer, we are not open to judgment by this world!

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

*****Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

We have been given Christian liberty but that does not mean we can freely sin!

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The truth is, God will honor anyone who honors His Son!

We tend to approach God trying to follow rules and regulations and even rituals in worship and this is wrong.

Many of the church have forgotten that the only way to approach God is through His Son Jesus Christ. There is simply no other way!!!!!

Rules and regulation are forms of religion, but they cannot give eternal life!

Rituals are forms of religion, but no ritual can offer eternal life!

These things were only shadows of things to come, but the Church body is of Jesus Christ!

The Church is the "Body of Christ" because Jesus Christ lives in each believer!

Jesus Christ rose from that grave to life and life eternal, so the Church is alive and cannot die!!!!!

The truth is when we follow Christ we should also live as Christ!

We should eat as Christ ate. Eating what is needed each day and eat things that are good for the body.

We must worship faithfully as Jesus Christ worshiped, which required much prayer!

We must live, soberly, righteously, and godly just as Christ lived!

Jesus Christ is to be our example in all things!

We must not be led astray by this world nor the works of Satan!

*****Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

That word beguile means to rob, or to cheat, or to defraud. To goal of false teachers is to cheat you out of your heavenly rewards.

They intend to make you irrelevant in the army of God!

The biggest lie told today is, that there are other ways to get to Heaven, or that every religion has its on way to please God and get to Heaven.

This is an absolute lie and purely false teaching just to appease the followers of these sects!

There are those who say they had a new revelation of the Lord. Do not believe such nonsense. God says we have His complete Word and it is a fact there will never be a new revelation that goes against what God has already revealed!

Any false approach to God is called "spiritism".

Here is the definition of spiritism that I got off an official site for spiritism:

Spiritism is, at once, a science, a philosophy, and a religion.

**The science of Spiritism studies the existence and nature of spirits, which are nothing more than the immortal souls of men, created by God.

**The philosophy, which was derived from a serious study of information received in communications with discarnate spirits, deals with the details of spirit life and the journey of evolution through the process reincarnation. A natural consequence of that that philosophy is the understanding of the role we play in our own spiritual evolution, which is ultimately achieved through the efforts we make to grow, both morally and intellectually.

**Spiritism helps us to understand the natural laws that govern that process of evolution. From a moral perspective, we follow the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ, as our model and guide.

**The religious aspect stems from the moral ties between ourselves, and others, and the direction that Spiritism leads us, toward God, our creator, by helping us to understand life and by teaching us, ultimately, how to develop the ability to love, in the greatest sense of the word.

Nonsense!

Notice the phrase "the role we play in our own spiritual evolution through the process of reincarnation"

Notice the phrase "the philosophy which is derived from a SERIOUS study of information received by discarnate spirits.

Notice the phrase "Spiritism helps us understand the natural laws that govern that process of evolution".

We cannot worship God through Angels, or spirits, and/or visions.

This was the same teaching that had influenced this church in Colossae.

What was the attraction? "To develop the ability to love, in the greatest sense of the word".

The Apostle Paul wrote (by the Holy Spirit) against these things in most all his epistles.

Remember heresy is any doctrine of salvation that cannot be found in the Word of God!

2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

One of the biggest problems of the church is, that we feel ashamed to approach God, so we feel the need of some intermediary to stand between us and God and this opens the door to "false teaching"!

We already have our intermediator and it is the Lord Jesus Christ and He cannot be replaced by some man!!!!!!!!

We cannot pray for the angels to help, they already fulfill their purpose given to them by God and in fact the Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord of the host of angels just as He is our Lord and Savior!

As Christians we have no contact with the spirit world, other than the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

Anyone who can actually talk to the spirit world is a disciple of Satan who has that power.

We will never contact a departed Saint of God until we reach the same place they are and that is the glory world of Heaven.

What is the one fact that we should realize?

The death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, removed the veil of the Temple, symbolizing that we now can go directly into the throne room of God!

Those who seek an intermediator other than Jesus Christ, are saying that they are to unworthy to approach God themselves, so their prayer life is non-existing and irrelevant.

Spiritism only takes your eyes off God and focuses on angels and spirits who can do nothing to help you make peace with God!

We have no business in intruding into the unseen world other than our "faith" in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We can never approach God without the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church and that will never change. Any teaching that tries to change this fact is false and is heresy!

The church can only be nourished by Jesus Christ and then will increase as God sees fit!

The only Spirit we need to worry about is the Holy Spirit and it is He who we need to feed!

If we have taken up our yoke and followed the Lord, we then are dead to the rudiments of this world!

*****Col 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Col 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Col 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

It seems we can only equate death when one of our loved ones or some close friend's life comes to an end but if the Lord Jesus Christ lives in your heart, you need to also equate death with your own flesh, because we have been "Born Again" and that old sinful flesh is just dead flesh waiting to be rid of.

If we then are dead in Christ Jesus, we are not subject to any man-made ordinance that are commandments or doctrines of men that try to add to the salvation plan of God!

The Jews had many rules of food to eat.

The Church is not subject to those things or any other ordinance involved with Judaism.

Many denominations have doctrines and rituals that try to add to or take away from the Word of God, the Church is not subject to them!

There are many sects in Spiritism and that teaching but the Church is far above such teaching already, because we are already in the Hand of God and no one man, or Satan can remove us from the hand of God!

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

We must clearly understand, there is no man-made approach to God that will ever succeed!

Man will always come up with a system of works that will always fail!

God is not interested in our works until after we have obtained the salvation that the Lord has provided!

There is no amount works before salvation that can save us and there is no amount of works after salvation that can keep us saved!

Jesus Christ did all the works necessary to save us and all the works necessary to keep us saved!

No one can work hard enough, No one can be made good enough, No one is righteous enough to impress God!

Only His only begotten Son could do this thing!

Religion can only fail you and send you to Hell.

Christianity, following the example of Jesus Christ, is the only way to make peace with God!

2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

If we are risen with Christ Jesus, then we are fools if we do not seek things from above, according to the Word of God, that He has given to us!

It is Jesus Christ who sits on the right hand of God, not some angel, not some spirit, and certainly not Lucifer!

Amen