LAST WEEK OF STUDYING COLOSSIANS SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW STARTS VERY SOON!!
Col.4.- Insubordinating Submission
so if being thankful weren’t difficult enough a virtue to sustain... Paul manages to impose a more difficult posture of living...
Submission-
a favorite theologian of mine remarked that “the power of the gospel is undeniable but sometimes it leads us to an arrogant hold on the truth”... because c’mon if you believe you have something great the tendency is to put it on show...
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”
(Colossians 3:18–4:1 ESV)
an interesting reflection after reading this is that Paul does not call us to a dissary of order... wives and husbands and slaves and children all still exist but the focus and concern is altered... the submission of wives to husbands is not because the emperor says so but because it is fitting for the Lord... Children are obeying because it is Lord pleasing... Slaves are obeying because it is for their heavenly master...
this is not about a strict social order but an altered focus and reminiscent of last week/chapter lifting your minds to things above
Suffering/Affliction-
One of my more recent thorns/nuggets (something that sticks with me closely for a while and eventually becomes an affected part) is the identification of Christ Followers with Christ... the frustration is that it would seem to be so simple that we would just want to know and be as much like Christ as we could comprehend... until we roll up a deathly hallowed C-word... Comfort... becoming like Christ is a value of most christians that comes in direct contrast to their level of comfort...
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
(Colossians 4:2–6 ESV)
the answer to the questions asked- one of the best hermenuetical (bible-studying) tools that you already possess is to ask the questions the scripture tries to answer... so instead of reading just the answer, ask the question (jeopardy style)
Church- Worship
the place of learning- you don’t go when you like, you go to grow, be challenged and support...
the worst misconception of church is that you should go and feel better... when that happens we forget our primary focus/purpose- to worship
the whole centerpiece of what it means to be the church is to be a gathered worshipping congregation that stands opposed to the watching world... we confess a Christ crucified and resurrected and proclaim Him in song and existence... the Empire fails to fully succeed if we continue to exist and endure....
Revolution-
no matter how you feel about the state of the world today there is hope... an undeniable hope that belongs to those that believe in life beyond this life and love beyond understanding and grace sufficient .... we are the kingdom bearers the believers in a new reality....
“Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
(Colossians 4:18 ESV)
First Baptist Church of Bethany Student Ministries (FBCBSM)
3800 N Mueller Ave
Bethany, OK 73008
(405) 789-3312
Youth Center
3700 N Mueller Ave
Bethany, OK 73008
Open Hours
Sundays 9am-11am, 4pm-7pm
Wednesdays 5pm-8pm
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