Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
How has your day begun? Well, I hope, with prayer to start the day. You know, as we traverse through this stormy world in our daily lives we may wonder-- why? Or what is the use? Does my life really have a purpose and if so what is that purpose?
Rick Warren wrote a book about purpose in our lives. We are here for God; to bring glory to God and to plant seeds of salvation for others to take and grow with. We should be here, ready to do God's work. Sooo, in the process we should be Christlike--walk the walk and talk the talk. Can you say you do? There are many anti-Christ's among us. We have to beware. Please click on this link to hear Colossians 2 as you finish reading.
Colossians 2: 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
This letter was written to Laodicea, which was in close proximity to Colosse. The church was probably founded by one of Paul's converts and started strong. However, this church became lukewarm in its commitment and were criticized for this.
False teaching began coming forth, some based on the old law, some were just man made laws. What are these verses saying? 1. be encouraged in heart; 2. united in love. Christ's 1st commandment love the Lord God with all ...........(you should be able to say this); and 2nd - love thy neighbor as........(what?) Yourself. In order to do this we would need to be saved through Jesus, and united in love.
Why did Paul say we needed these 2 things? So we may have the full riches of complete understanding. Understanding of what? Of Christ and why He came!!
If we understand this, our churches will stand against the anti-Christs who boldly come forth with false teachings and we will be committed to carry out Christ's work.
Paul wants us to have the full riches of complete understanding, wisdom and knowledge, so no one with deceive us with fine-sounding arguments.
False teachings were spreading there, just as they are here, in the world today. This heresy, or teaching contrary to biblical doctrine undermines Christianity in several ways. Ok, how?
First, it insisted that important secret knowledge was hidden from most believers. Paul states that Christ provides all the knowledge we need.
Second, it taught that the body was evil, Paul ssaid that God himself lived in a body, or, he was embodied in Jesus Christ.
Last, the heresy took the stand that Christ only seemed to be human but was not, Paul insisted that Jesus was fully human and fully God.
Lots of mystery in the Bible, lots of misunderstandings in the Bible, and lots of man made interpretations which many insist are Biblical. How do we combat this? These people are determined to undermind all Christianity. We go forth into this battle with God's Word, through personal study each day; with sound Bible teaching; and as we grow in the word our sword of truth becomes bigger, stronger each day.
Do not travel on a narrow path, becoming isolated; do not travel on a wide, broad path where every idea sounds good; center yourself on Jesus Christ and ground yourself in the Word. Sharing and talking with others, and let God lead you in the development of your Christian life. Pray for wisdom and understanding and God will reveal it to you when YOU are ready. Just don't quit! Don't quit!!
Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
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