Presents
Colossians
Chapter 3
Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is
come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which
proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John
16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he
will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever
he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He
shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto
you.
This Bible Study was originally written by Roger
Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/
The American Wisdom Series
Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.
Now here is our revised study of:
Colossians
Chapter 3
"Doctrinal Correction, as Having Risen with Christ."
Colossians 3:1 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
Now that Christ has come and paid the price for our sins, the topic has moved away from taking part in rituals and ceremonies, to what we should be doing as a Christians. Now that you have Christ, rest in Him and stay away from those that would put you under a set of dos and don'ts, and drag you into "will worship" and the following of ordinances. Most of them were done away with at the cross, for Christ became not the shadow of the things to come, but the real thing. We now have the right to partake in all the blessings of God, rather then the cursings of the world.
Now if you accept Christ and God's way, then seek those things that are on a higher plain. You will fall short from time to time, but you then repent and continue to strive to seek that which is good and in accordance with God's Word. Remember that repentance is the best thing for your soul, for your sins are removed, and the sting of guilt is removed when you are acting in and by faith in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:2 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
Your "affection" is your mind [your spirit], and in the Greek tongue is "phroneo". Focus your thoughts on things above of God, and not on things of this world. Why do we set our mind on those things above? Because that is where Christ is, as we read in that first verse, "where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God [the father]." This is not talking about drifting around in a dreamland, but concentrate on doing those things that will give you the blessings of God while you are here on earth. That is the beauty of becoming a Christian, you don't have to wait for the here-after to receive the blessings that God has for you. It Gives our Heavenly Father joy to bless you, when you are following His ways. Repentance is the best way to redirect your path and get it back on track.
Colossians 3:3 "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Paul is reminding the Colossians that you should be dead to the earthly things because your eternal life is hidden in the Godhead, in the Father through your faith in Jesus Christ. Being hidden in the Godhead, means that not everyone can see the truths of salvation, whereby you can receive eternal life through your belief in Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness that He gives when you receive your salvation by repentance by faith. Not everybody has eyes to see and ears to hear and understand the truths of God's Word, but when you do see and understand that way and accept God's salvation, that eternal life is hidden from those people of the world.
When you seek the higher things of God, many things that you do will seem different to those with the mind of the world. The higher things of God are the simplicity in which Christ taught. The true teacher is the one that takes those things that difficult to understand, and simplifies them to the point that even a child can understand them. He can make the Word apply to you what ever level of understanding you are at. The higher things are not getting into self will and self worship ["will worship" through humility], but that higher plain is the simple things that are tied up on the mystery of the love of God. It is a simple plan. It is your accepting Jesus Christ by believing in Him and by faith the repenting of your sins to the Father in Jesus name, and then studying to follow the things that are taught in His Word. The name of Jesus is your credentials before our heavenly Father that you believe in Jesus the Christ and accept His blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
Then to search for the higher plain is to do the work that our Heavenly Father has for us, and that is to plant the seeds of truth in the minds of others, and to show them the love of Christ within our own lives. The only way that others will come to know Jesus Christ is when someone plants that seed, then the Holy Spirit can nurture and water it and cause it to grow in the mind of that lost soul. In time he or she will come to know Christ also. It pleases our heavenly Father very much when you reach out and help one of His lost children, that is passing out a word of encouragement where it is needed, from the Word of God, which is to say Christ.
Editor's Note: Always remember what Christ said we are to give to the poor.
Matthew 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had
made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach
and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works
of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come,
or do we look for another?
Matthew 11:4 Jesus answered and
said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and
see:
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive
their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, and the poor
have the gospel preached to them.
HE WASN'T REFERRING TO PEOPLE ON WELFARE. HE WAS REFERRING TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR IN SPIRIT!
Colossians 3:4 "When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."
Christ is our eternal live, the life of our very soul. You don't have eternal life without Christ. When Christ shall appear at His second advent during the final day of this earth age of the flesh at the seventh and last trumpet. On that day we shall all be changed, not raptured, and but changed into our new spiritual and incorrupt bodies, and be with Him in His glory. Jesus Christ is coming back to earth with and His Millennium will be set up right her on earth. Jesus Christ is worthy to receive all the glory, for without Him there is no salvation.
When Jesus returns He does not come as a babe to be crucified, as He did in the first advent, but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Revelation 19:11 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and He That sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war."
This is not the white horse of the false christ Satan that we read of in Revelation 6:2, when the first seal was opened.
Revelation 19:12 "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself."
Editor's Note: Christ isn't going to return as "baby Jesus" so get that picture out of your mind! Read Revelation 19:12 above, again. When Jesus Christ comes to this earth His eyes are fixed on one thing; bringing wrath and vengeance to the earth and upon all those that have harmed and brought evil to His people, i.e. those who remain loyal to the end [Those He finds who endured until the end, waited on His return. Not those He finds worshiping SATAN, THE FALSE-CHRIST at His return].
Revelation 19:13 "And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called "The Word of God."
The blood that is on Christ's vesture at this time is His own blood, as well as the blood of those dear saints that shed their blood of the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know from the gospel of John 1:1-5 that Jesus name is "The Word".
Revelation 19:14 "And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."
These armies that followed Him are the dear saints that have died and gone to be with the Lord instantly upon death. The saints of God will live and reign with Christ during the Millennium age, for the marriage of the Lamb and the rewards will have been given at this time. We see in verse sixteen what was written on His vesture.
Revelation 19:16 "And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
Jesus Christ will return to this earth, and rule over His kingdom with a rod of iron. His staff is not that of a wooden staff, but of iron, showing His strict discipline that all those that fell short in this age of the flesh will be under. Strict discipline also shows the love that He has for each of His children. Discipline is love and shows that He cares, for when a soul falls short in the Millennium age, it shall perish after judgment.
On that day of wrath all of God's elect, His children will take part in the discipline and judging that takes place in the Millennium age, Ezekiel 44 deals with what will take place in the Millennium age.
The Millennium chapters
Live Link to-Ezekiel 40 through 44
Live Link to-Ezekiel 45 through 48
Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"
"Mortify" means to "make dead" spiritually. Take those members out of your body and exclude them of your process of thinking. This is very difficult to do in the physical man. All those parts of your body that would cause you to sin, to fornicate, commit idolatry and every other sin that you would do in your flesh body, Paul is saying make that part of your body dead to your spiritual thinking. This of course is speaking in the spiritual sense, for when we are in Christ we are to put all those things from us. Coveting and inordinate passions, lusts and desires will lead you into all sorts of evil thoughts and deeds. Paul is telling you to close your mind to them, and put them away from you.
Paul is warning again of that one that is coming before the day of the Lord to deceive the entire world into worshiping him. Paul is warning us of Satan who is coming in the role of the "instead of Christ", or Antichrist, and he is coming in our generation. That day will be upon us in a matter of months or a few years, because most of the prophecies dealing with Satan's coming are history to us today. It is time to wake up and study the Word of God.
Colossians 3:6 "For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience;"
God is not angry at those children of His that love Him, serve Him and follow Him. When God's wrath pours out on the last day of this earth age and when the seventh trumpet sounds and God's judgment comes upon the earth, those that are of God and remained true and were not deceived into taking the Antichrist's name and number will not be harmed an any form. Not even a hair on their head will be touched, so to speak. God knows how to protect His own, and He is able to separate you form those who in ignorance were deceived by Satan.
An example of this is written in Daniel 3, where the three children of Judah were thrown in the fiery furnace, and not one hair on their head was touched by the flame.
Daniel 3:17 "If it be so, our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O King."
These three men of God refuse to take part in any of the religious forms of the one world system, or bow to any image. For this they gladly went to the furnace rather then worship any other God.. They knew that God would deliver them from what ever flames came their way.
Satan is coming first and He has been given supernatural powers to deceive you into accepting his gods and golden image. If you are all tied up in traditions such as the rapture theory, you will be taken instantly by Satan's deception and lies.
This experience of these three young men was given as a physical example of what we shall face spiritually when SATAN COMES TO EARTH CLAIMING THAT HE IS GOD
Daniel 3:18 "But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."
Daniel 3:19 "Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated."
Nebuchadnezzar is a type of Antichrist, and his system is a type of the one world system that is covering the earth in our generation. Today we call it "the new world order", and its political arm is the United Nations with its ten powers called agencies. They are so common to us today we think very little of them; they are called names like "the world court", "the world bank", "UNICEF", "Red Cross", and so on. Their agencies control the seas of the world, the military might of the nations, and the access and travel in space. The control the environment, and even what is fed in the minds of our children in schools. Nebechadnezzar is a type of What Satan the Antichrist will be like, and his world system is a type of what is taking place before our eyes today.
The control of this world system is taking place under the four hidden dynasties, that through them every part of your life will come under the subjection of their system. You will go under the system for God has warned us that we would, just as Jeremiah warned the people of Jerusalem that Babylon is coming. Friend, Babylon of Revelation is here, only it's ruler is yet to come. Revelations 9:11 lets us know that this ruler or king that will be over the world system is Satan himself. Revelations 9:13 tells us that this coming will be at the sounding of the "sixth trumpet".
Here at the American Wisdom Series our goal is to make you think about and question the wisdom of the current:
political
direction of our country,
(The
Man on a Red Horse)
economic
direction our country
has taken, (The
Man on a Black Horse)
and
teachings of our schools
and media. (The
Man on a Pale Horse)
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Did you know all four are being ridden by Satan?
I think I see a rider on a white horse !!! Revelation 6:1-2
Could that be Satan going to and fro in the earth
just as when God ask him,
"Satan, where comest thou?" in Job 1:7
If you don't understand, visit
www.americanwisdomseries.com
Log on to Biblical in first Table of Contents
& from the new Table of Contents which appears,
choose Pamphlet #1012
I think I see a rider on a red horse !!! Revelation 6:3-4
Could that be Satan going to and fro in the earth
just as when God ask him,
"Satan, where comest thou?" in Job 1:7
If you don't understand, visit
www.americanwisdomseries.com
Log on to Biblical in first Table of Contents
& from the new Table of Contents which appears,
choose Pamphlet #1012
I think I see a rider on a black horse !!! Revelation 6:5-6
Could that be Satan going to and fro in the earth
just as when God ask him,
"Satan, where comest thou?" in Job 1:7
If you don't understand, visit
www.americanwisdomseries.com
Log on to Biblical in first Table of Contents
& from the new Table of Contents which appears,
choose Pamphlet #1012
I think I see a rider on a pale horse !!! Revelation 6:7-8
Could that be Satan going to and fro in the earth
just as when God ask him,
"Satan, where comest thou?" in Job 1:7
If you don't understand, visit
www.americanwisdomseries.com
Log on to Biblical in first Table of Contents
& from the new Table of Contents which appears,
choose Pamphlet #1012
Just like in Nebuchadnezzars day, the four hidden dynasties are in Education, Economics, Religion and Politics. The brainwashing of the youth, or Education started back in the twenties under the name of "progressive education". The Economics dynasty started when the nations of the world allow central banking systems to go to central banking, and turn the control of the money supply over to private banking systems, which are controlled by the same people {Kenites] which control the manufacturing, trade, and commerce of the nations. We know the Political arm publicly as the United Nations, and hidden behind this system are the many agendas that this political arm that have almost attained. Their military forces are trying to bring the nations of the world under their subjection, and by doing this we see even our forces being forced under their flag through hidden means.
The Religious dynasty is the most hidden to most Christians, for by infiltration into the ranks of the different seminaries, and church systems these Kenites have taken over the church system to change what is taught and accepted as being "of God". Traditions and fairy-tales are accepted as from God, and things like will power, which is mans subjection only to his own ideas and will [positive thinking], and the many foundations of heathen religions are being made to be acceptable by Christians. This is done through "world council of churches".
Daniel 3:20 "And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace."
Who is the most mighty force in the world today, of course it is the might of the Christian nations and they gladly do the work of this world king. Remember this is a type of what shall come when Satan the "instead of Christ" arrives to take charge of His religious system. The Political system falls when the time is ready, and then a religious order will take over.
Revelation 13:3 "And I saw one of the heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast."
This two headed beast is a world system made up first of a political force, and after the political force has completed its word, the government aspect dies, and the world system takes on a new nature, that of a religious system. All the nations of the world have already signed on to the charter of the United Nations and have representation under that charter. Today the political arm is almost complete, and ready for the religious aspect of the system.
Revelation 13:4 "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?"
For five months even Christians will think this dragon is Jesus Christ because their church systems that have been infiltrated with traditions like the rapture doctrine and many others, have taught them to do so. Today most Christ are so ignorant of the true complete Word of God, that they couldn't tell the true Messiah from the fake. Their churches tell them that Revelations is not to be understood, and the Old Testament is history and out dated, and by doing this they have let their flock wide open to the deceptions of the wolf dragon that is on his way to take over the flocks.
Revelation 13:5 "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."
Look back to Revelation 9:5, 10 and we see that this time was shortened to five months, the season of the locust, and during that time God will given Satan the power to deceive even Christians that would not give the time to prepare themselves for this day. Before the five months have ended Satan will even call himself "God", and all but the elect of God, the sealed in their minds, will believe Satan to be Jesus Christ. This is what Jesus called "The abomination of desolation" in Matthew 24:15, when He was quoting from Daniel 9:27.
Live Link to-Revelation 8 through 11
So we see that what is happening today is a type of what Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego faced and stood against in old Babylon.
Daniel 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace."
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were bound fully clothed, and thrown into the furnace that was heated many times hotter then the normal flame. Now notice that while in that fire, God was with them and protected them completely. This is only a type of what we will be delivered into. The furnace you will be delivered up into will be spiritual, as you will be brought before Satan [the Antichrist] and in his synagogues or church houses in person right here on earth. In a spiritual sense it will be every bit as sensational as what these three men of God experienced.
They had on not only their regular clothes but their outer garments also, that is their spiritual armor spoken of in Ephesians 6:10-20. At Satan's return to earth in the role of Antichrist the battle we face is far more serious that the loss of your physical bodies, because your very soul that is at stake.
Daniel 3:22 "Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego."
Those that take part in that actions against God's elect will fall spiritually. At the coming of Jesus Christ at the seventh trump they are going to be so ashamed of their actions done in ignorance that they will wish the mountains to fall on them to hid them for Christ.
Daniel 3:23 "And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace."
Daniel 3:24 "Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, "Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said unto the king, "True, O king."
The flames of the overheated furnace were meant to consume the three men of Judah, however those men that took part in the system to carry out the work of the one world system were the ones that were consumed by those flames. When you are a free spirit in Christ no man can bind you. It doesn't matter what shackles are on your arms and legs; it is what is in your mind that makes you free, spiritually.
Daniel 3:25 "He answered and said, "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the son of God."
Editor's Note: ALWAYS REMEMBER, All the things that happened to the ancient Israelites, happened as a physical example of what we are going to face spiritually in these end times. Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
The Son of God is Jesus Christ our Lord, and He himself appeared as an Angel of the Lord and released His servants from their ropes. He was with them providing them comfort in the middle of the raging fire. We know that this was an event in history, however Mark 13:11 tells us that we also would be delivered up to give account of our refusing to not worship Satan, it instead of Christ, and when that time comes it will be the Holy Spirit of God that will place the words in our minds that should be spoken at that time.
Mark 13:11 "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought before hand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost."
Daniel 3:26 "Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither." Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire."
This is from the king of Babylon, the king of the one world system and he knew exactly who Jesus was and who saved Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-nego. These three men were in far better shape when they came out of the furnace then when they went in.
Daniel 3:27 "And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them."
This is God's object lesson to let you how it shall be during the reign of that one world religious system of Satan the Antichrist, and during that time when he will try every thing to get you to worship him, his idols, his system, and the images that he sets up as sacred. When you hold fast to your faith in Jesus Christ, and know Satan for the deceiver and dragon that he is, you will find that nothing that he presents to you that will be of desire to you. You know that his reign is for only five months [Revelation 9:5, 10] and how can you compare any of what Satan offers to you in the flesh, with the vast inheritance we have as sons and daughters of God in His eternal kingdom.
This is why Paul is telling you to "mortify your members" that they will not cause you to be tempted by Satan. God can and will protect you when God's wrath at the seventh trumpet comes on the children of disobedience. That wrath is coming on this earth and is directed to those who accepted man's images and traditions over the warnings of His Word that are given throughout His entire Word. You are living in the last generation, and as the events of the final days come to pass, God will protect you when you make a stand.
Colossians 3:7 "In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them."
Before you were converted, it seemed normal to walk in those ways, and do the things of the world. Then, it seemed to be the right thing to do.
Colossians 3:8 "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth."
When you come to understand the love of God, and believe in Jesus Christ, by faith you received Him through repentance. There was a change in your life and God's Holy Spirit came into your mind and soul. Things you once did, you now find offensive. When the Holy Spirit comes into your being, He will cause you to change and put these things from you. However being in the flesh, that part of the old man, the old way of doing things may show it's head from time to time and cause us to fall short, but studying to know His Word will make you a better person, and cause those filthy things and words not to be used.
Colossians 3:9 "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;"
What that regeneration of your spiritual body did when it took place; it took over the old flesh nature that you once had. You stop doing those things that you once thought common. This is the goal that we are striving for, and don't think you are a failure when the old man which is your old nature slips in to cause you to fall back into a sin. When that happens and you become aware of it, repent to the Father in Jesus name for those words or deeds, and release yourself from the guilt of that sin. That is the freedom that we have in Christ. You are not going to abandon your love for Christ because you fall short of what you are trying to do. That is all the more reason for continuing in your life for Christ, for He loves you all the more when you fall and come to Him for forgiveness. He loved you enough to pay for each of those sins that are giving you trouble, and as they come, name them and be freed from the gilt of their sin.
Those old ceremonies and rituals are done away with on the cross of Christ and when we sin and acknowledge them in repentance, they are gone for good. It should strengthen you. What makes this difficult for an unbeliever to understand is that they think God is saying the more you sin the more it pleases God, and that is not what Paul is talking about. At our best, we will fall short to the point of regeneration not one time, but every time we repent. Then we can do what we are suppose to do, and plant seeds in the minds of those unsaved, that the Spirit of God will open their minds and come to know Christ.
Colossians 3:10 "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him That created him:"
When you have put away those blasphemy, malice and filthy communication when you put on the new man. You put on the new man by the knowledge you gain in your studying of His Word. All wisdom comes from God, and God has revealed that wisdom to the prophets and apostles to be written down, and we have those writings in our Bible. When you stay in Christ, and in His Word you are in the image of Him that created you. The very knowledge of the Godhead Itself has been placed in a form that each of us can read and understand and enjoy every day.
Colossians 3:11 "Where there is neither Greek not Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
Where there is neither Gentile nor Israelite, the things that are rituals and those things that are of the free are all one for in Christ they are all one. The circumcision today is of the heart, and thus it applies to both men and woman. Scythians were in ancient times considered to be the lowest type of barbarians, and Paul is saying that in Christ there is no distinction we are all one. It is only through Christ that any person can be saved. It doesn't matter if you are rich, poor, beautiful, ugly, or what ever race, nation, or family you are in, your soul is desired by our Heavenly Father. God is not a respecter of persons, but He will accept any person that will turn to Him in repentance and seek the knowledge that is in His Word.
Colossians 3:12 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"
Paul is being more specific here, he is addressing the "elect of God". God's elect are consecrated and regarded with favor by God, and they have have a heart of mercy. Do you have mercy on those that have wronged you? This means that you have the ability to give forgiveness even when it is not asked for. These things are what the knowledge of the Word of God will do for you. When you are snubbed by those that think they are better then you, and treated badly by others, God demands much more from His elect because we know what a wicked world we live in, and they simply don't know any better. God has touched and called His elect, and therefore we can be more generous in forgiveness. This is not saying that you have to be a door mat to others, for that falls under the matter of correction and discipline.
If you are one of God's election you don't have to worry about what someone thinks about you. When you walk amongst the spiritual low-life's and they make fun of you, you can afford to be generous in your forgiveness toward them. As one of God's elect, God expects more from you then from the others of the world. The only thing that matters in the long run is what God thinks of you, and your right-standing before Him. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone.
Colossians 3:13 "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
We are to bear with one another in forgiveness when they done something to us. This is not hard to do at all when we understand the love of Christ. When there is a matter between Christians we have God's Word that gives us the answers to all of our problems, when we see help from Him. The matter of sin that stood between you and God allows God to cause your soul to perish, yet in his love for you, He suffered the shame, beatings, the stripes and the cross to pay the price for your offences against Him, your creator. Paul is asking us to remember the example that Jesus Christ set for us when we have a quarrel against any other of the body of Christ. When the trouble first appears, we are to take care of those matters before they get out of hand. Then those serious quarrels may never get out of hand.
Colossians 3:14 "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
The most important of all things in your Christian life is your love for others, it above all the other matters of your life. It is above forgiveness to others, and above being humble and meek. Your love of mankind and expecting nothing in return is above all. You don't have to worry about others blessing you, for when you love others and give of yourself to their needs and expecting nothing in return, for God will bless you. This love is what will draw together the many membered body of Christ into a position whereby it will get along. It will even bring your family together. This is why family members put up with a lot more from one in the family then an outsider, it is their love for one another that binds them together in oneness.
One of the worst offences we see today is the taking advantage of this bond of love when it is shown, to gain a profit from it. It is done because the person knows that the love of that family member will prevent a course of action against them. That is why love will heal over many things that blow a family apart. It is what makes a family unit exist.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
This is referring to a peace of God and not the false peace that the world gives. The world gives one day and takes away it's false peace at it's convenience. This peace that only God can give is to rule over, and control the thoughts of your minds, with regards to your getting along with all those other members of the body of Christ.
When this peace is in your mind and controlling your thoughts and deeds, you had better be thankful. You are thankful because it is the only peace of mind that you can have in the world. It is through that thankfulness that you develop more patience with your family members, and learn to accept them for what they are. In every family body there is always one that tries the family members a little more that all the other members of that family; and even that hard one to get along with should make you thankful, for through them the other family members are even drawn closer together in their love and support. Love them, forgive them support and be thankful for them because God gave them to you. You know that knowledge and wisdom from the Word of God and that wisdom will rule your life and give you peace of mind.
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
The "Word of Christ" that dwells in you is the wealth of your wisdom. It is one thing to be able to quote Scriptures, but to be able understand the complete spiritual meaning of that knowledge is wisdom. When you have that wealth in your mind, you can act on it and receive the blessings of God for being a do'er of His Word. We should strive to not just understand single phrases and promises, but the entire Word of God. That plan includes all the mysteries of God, even those hidden from the foundations of this world, and those dealing with the end of this earth age.
When you have the full meaning which is the Wisdom of God then you are required to pass that wisdom on to others that are seeking the same wisdom the God has given to you. God gives different ones different gifts to use in the giving out of the wisdom that God has placed with each member of the body of Christ. To some it is their music ability, others in teaching, and others in their giving of their kind and good words of support. Some are strong in their prayer life while others strength is in their ability in caring for the needs of others. It is important for each of us to see what God has placed in us and learn to develop that gift to be used to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."
All wisdom comes from God. The reason you do what ever you do in the name of Jesus is because it lets the Heavenly Father know that you do believe in Jesus Christ. When you pray or do your deed you do them in Jesus name for He is the only credentials that you can use before the Father that will given the right to be heard and accepted. All or the wisdom that has been written down in the Scriptures were given by Jesus Christ, and it is His Spirit, the Holy Spirit that allows you even to understand those words of wisdom. That is why we given thanks to the Father in Jesus' name.
Colossians 3:18 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord."
In Ephesians 5:22 - 24 Paul brings the church into this command: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." [22] "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the church: and He is the Saviour of the body." [23] "Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." [24]
A good wife is the most precious gift that any man can have.
Colossians 3:19 "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."
Treat your wife with the same respect that Christ had for the Church. He was willing to go to the cross and give His very life for His bride. He blood was shed for the sins of all those that would become a part of that many membered body of Christ. You are to have that kind of love and companionship for your wife, and not allow bitterness to fester between you two, for it will drive a wedge into that bonding love. Any problems should not be discussed in anger for many thing are spoken in anger that are not from the heart nor intentional, so don't allow those words to be spoken between you.
One of the biggest lies spoken today is that "you speak your heart when you are angry", and just the opposit is true for Christians. Those words are not from the heart or mind of the Christian, but a mind that has been turned over to spiritual wickedness for that brief moment, and in time that anger will be repented of and forgotten by the Father. Don't let those Words continue once they are repented of, for they are blotted out for the memory of the Father and they had better be blotted out of your memory also.
Colossians 3:20 "Children, obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."
It is important that you please the Lord for it is from Him that all blessings flow. Without God's blessings you simply don't have any blessings. Obedience to your parents, and to our Father that is in heaven must be done before you can expect to collect on those promised blessings given to us that are written in His Word
Colossians 3:21 "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged."
Lets look at this verse from two sides. First from the position of chastisement; never punish a child when you are angry. Never strike a child out of anger, but correct them in an orderly manner with whatever chastisement that fits the deeds that the child has done. Today many of the children are more intelligent then the parent, and they understand what is happening to them, just or unjust. The purpose of the discipline is to correct and provide a point in their life to relate that wrong deed to, so that it will correct them and not discourage them from loving the Lord. The purpose is to get them active in trying for better things.
Many times today the parents get all steeped in the traditions of men to where they lose sight of their common sense. Children will use common sense in the simplicity that Christ taught. Jesus said that we must have the same simple use of common sense in our following Christ. Jesus gave us this message in Matthew 18:2 - 6.
Matthew 18:2 "And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them,"
Matthew 18:3 "And said, verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:4 "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:5 "And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me."
Matthew 18:6 "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
In the innocence of a child's mind, the child believes what the parent says and when the child is correct in your anger you put so much on the child that their anger becomes rebellion. In your discipline of a child, leave them with hope and the understanding of the wrong and the right that came from the discipline. Let God's love that is in you be seeing and given in your discipline. At the point of correction is one of the better times of teaching, and that is why we are to explain the reason for the correction given.
As we look around our nation at the violence and misdirection of the youth, we can see this is one of the lacking things taking place in the homes of America. We can see it through the troubles that are common in our cities today. You can blame the parents for allowing their kids to digress back those cave men days, However the churches, the schools and even governmental systems have their part in allowing this decay of the youth to take place. The parents though lay claim to the kids, and they hold the reigns to the family for the time of birth. You are the one that can correct the child, and put them on the right path, to love the Lord Jesus Christ all the days of their life. Kids want to be somebody and they want the hope to succeed in their life.
Colossians 3:22 "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:"
If you are working for a living and punching a timecard, God expects you to be a faithful servant where ever you are. We are to do our work not to please men but unto God, and when we give our best effort unto God, the masters over us will be pleased. A Christian knows the God sees all that you do, and can read even the intent of our minds and hearts. When our heart is set to do right, then our work and deeds will also do right. We do this because of our reverence to our Heavenly Father.
You are carrying God's name before your employer and the world, and when they see you they judge God by your actions. We are ambassadors for our Lord, and we are His representatives here in the flesh, and our purpose for being here is to win others to Him. We are to always please God, for the blessings flow from God not from men. You don't have to be under an employer very long but what he knows if you can be trusted of not. They see the respect that your dedication to your job and him that you give and he will respect you for it. Who do you think will get the promotion when it comes? Friend, you just cannot out-due God in doing things His way. Luck doesn't enter into it, when you work hard and do it God's way, you will get all the breaks.
Colossians 3:23 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"
As you go about your work, get in the habit of doing it to the best of your ability. Do it for the sake of pleasing God, and not for the sake of pleasing your employer. He will see the effort that you are putting in, and of course think it is because of him and the job, but within your mind you know that it is to please our Heavenly Father. God has placed this request on you who is one of His faithful servants. Of course this verse also applies to verse twenty two, for it is God that brings advancement and blessings of rewards for faithful service to Him.
If you are a producer and trusted worker with respect, it means that there is going to be fruit in more ways then one. Your purpose for doing the work as unto the Lord is to be in the position to plant the seeds and bring others into the many membered body of Christ. That is just common sense.
Colossians 3:24 "Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."
The "reward of the inheritance" is the wealth of the world. That inheritance is what we inherit when we are sons and daughters of the living God which today are the many blessing that we have in the promises that are written in His Word. You don't wait until the eternity to receive the blessings of God, you receive them every day of your life, for God can open up the flood gates of His blessings and pour them out on you. However before we get the rewards, we must learn to do things according to His ways.
Colossians 3:25 "But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."
This is directed to those that never get into the Word, the slough-off and never try to please anyone. This type likes to do it all his way regardless who it hurts, and thinks that just showing up to work did his boss a favor. God is telling you and I that there are no exception to His rule that governs those set on doing wrong. If you don't do it God's way, God can put more holes in your money bag then what you can imagine. God doesn't get angry, He gets even. If God gives you simple advice, and you are too dumb to follow that advice, then you suffer the consequences that your actions caused.
When you do sloppy work on the job and get fired, your bills don't get paid. When you do damage to others, you pay for the damage you caused. When you short God on what you do and give, He sees to it that that shortage comes back on you. How are you doing friend? Is God blessing you greatly, or are things getting pretty slim pickings? God is no respecter of person on this matter. God can see right into the very intent of your mind and the only person that you are fooling is yourself. If you desire the blessings of God, then start to do all matters of your life God's Way. Simply strive to follow His advice and strive to do things God way and be a good citizen where ever you may be.
Any person that wears God's name, that is to say Christian, and goes around stealing time and wealth from others, will pay for it in the long run. This is not saying your going to hell, because God is not going to allow you to wait that long to be corrected. You will pay the price right here in the flesh for the works you have done while here in the flesh. Even though there is forgiveness for those sins before the Father, the consequences of those actions can be required at the hands of the law. If you steel and go before the law, there may be jail time, and if you commit murder and rape the result under the law may be your own life, even though those sins are forgiven by the Father. Your sins will find you out, and when you escape them here in the flesh, the accounting for them will still be before the Father.
The American Wisdom Series
Published by:
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E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net
"The
Two Sowers of Seed", both
the Good (Adam's sons)
and the Tares (Satan's
sons) in
one Combined Pamphlet
#7000/7007
(Jesus Christ told His disciples (which means you if you are one) that
unless they understood the "Parable of the Sower" they would not be
able
to understand any of His parables.) You can't understand "The Parable
of
the Tares" until you understand "The Parable of the Sower" and you will
be lost comprehending "The Parable of the Fig Tree" until you know who
both sowers were and their deeds.
You
must understand
"The Parable
of the Sower" Click
this link to open Pamphlet
7000
in
order to understand "The
Parable of
the Tares" Click this link to
open Pamphlet
7007
in
order to understand "The
Parable of
the Fig Tree" Click
this link to open Pamphlet
1031
Jesus
said Learn it! Mark 13:28 Now learn
a parable of the fig tree;...'
Click this link to openThe Parable of the FigTree
Here at the American
Wisdom Series our goal
is to make you think
about and question the wisdom of the current:
political
direction of our country,
(The
Man on a Red Horse)
economic
direction our country
has taken, (The
Man on a Black Horse)
and
teachings of our schools
and media. (The
Man on a Pale Horse)
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Did you know all four are being ridden by Satan?