87 Colossians

Colossians

Paul again! This time he's writing to a group of Christians in Colossae (which was located in what's now Turkey) with his friend and co-author, Timothy. Paul's totally running this show. So what's he got to say this time? Oddly enough, a lot of the same stuff he said to the Ephesians. He starts out by thanking God for the Colossians. They know the truth about Jesus and they're living good Christian lives because of it. See, they found out about Jesus from this guy named Epaphras. He's told Paul all about his followers in Colossae. It was a good report. Paul still prays for them that they'll be strong in faith and keep growing and learning about God. Knowledge is (spiritual) power. God rescued all his followers from a life lived in sin and darkness. Now they're forgiven and good with God in his amazing kingdom. All this happened because of Jesus. He helped God when he was creating the world. Everything that exists was created through Jesus and for Jesus. He's more important than every single thing and his very existence holds all of creation together. If the church is like a human body, Jesus is totally the brains, says Paul. He's always first in everything. He was also the first to die. Well, to die on a cross to save all humanity. Because of that God wiped the slate clean with humans and started over fresh. Jesus is probably the most important and interesting guy in all of creation, based on how Paul's describing him. Christians owe Jesus one because they were at odds with God until he died. Now God has forgotten all about their sinful ways. He'll let bygones be bygones. And as long as they keep the faith, Christians can keep these good times with God going. All they need to do is believe the stuff that Paul's told them.

Just like in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul's in prison while he's writing this note. All his struggles are for something greater than him. He's fighting the good fight for Jesus and to spread God's word around the Roman Empire. God chose Paul to tell all this good news to Gentiles and help them to come over to the light side. So Paul's not worried. Even if he has to rot in jail, he's ok with it because God approves. Prison is fine, except Paul can't get out to see any of his fellow Christians. He has to settle for writing letters. Luckily, he's pretty good at that. Paul wants all his Christian friends to know that the key is Jesus. He's the source of all God's wisdom and knowledge. And he doesn't want the Colossians to listen to just any Tom, Dick, or Harry off the street, no matter how convincing these naysayers might seem. He might not be physically present, but Paul's there with them in spirit. Just keep living lives in Christ and everyone will be fine, says Paul. Paul warns them not to be swayed by false teachers who swoop in with their fancy theories and lead nice Christians astray. Human traditions and ideas don't mean anything. It's the stuff that God tells us that really matters. Figuring that out is kind of the trick, though…See, the Christians in Colossae used to be non-believing Gentiles. That means they weren't circumcised like Jewish guys. But God loved the Gentiles so much he gave them "a special circumcision." In other words, they knew and understood God through Jesus, not through thousands of years of Jewish law, scripture, and traditions. After Jesus died, God didn't worry so much about all the laws and traditions that he had made such a big deal about starting way back in Exodus.. God took those rules and the sins of the world and he nailed them to that cross with Jesus. Basically, he left them there and forgot about them and started over fresh with everyone.

Because these Gentile-Christians are circumcised in their heart, they shouldn't worry about anyone who claims they're not up to snuff with God just because they're not physically circumcised. They also shouldn't panic about what foods they eat, or which festivals they celebrate or what they should and shouldn't be doing on the Sabbath. God is so over those things. He just wants everyone to put their faith in Jesus. Christians also shouldn't listen to anyone who worships angels or worries too much about visions, or fortune telling or only understands things with their human brain. These false teachers need to focus on Jesus—he's the head of this body. That's the only way to keep the body and the individual parts healthy and happy. Besides, if Christians are dead to the world, then why would they need to worry so much about all the worldly things they're doing? No bacon? No work on the Sabbath? No touching unclean things? It's kind of minor stuff in the grand scheme of things. Paul thinks those are things Christians don't need to worry their heads about. People think they're being holy when they do these things, but in reality, following these rules doesn't have any effect on a person's heart, says Paul.

Basically, Paul doesn't want Christians to worry about all the petty things going down on Earth. Just stay focused on Jesus and all will be well. That means no sex outside of marriage. Don't do impure or lustful stuff or desire evil things. And definitely don't be greedy. It's a tall order. Back when the Colossians were Gentiles, they did all this bad stuff. But now that they're believers, things are different. They shouldn't be angry or cruel or mean or gossipy. They also shouldn't lie. Christians basically have a whole new wardrobe. They need to put on their holiest ensemble and not those sinful rags from last season. The awesome part is that this means that everyone is equal in God's eyes. He doesn't see a difference between Greeks or Jews or foreigners or slaves or free people. Jesus is cool with everyone. Really, just do good stuff. Be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Forgive other people. Oh, and love. Don't forget to love. Bottom line, according to Paul: let Jesus be a part of your life, and you'll be happy and awesome and thankful for everything in your life. Paul's got loads of other helpful tips for keeping an orderly household. How about some thoughts for the ladies? Wives, obey your husbands, just like you would obey God himself. But gents, love your wives and don't be jerks to them. Kids, listen to your parents. Dads, don't be cruel to your children. You might actually push them to rebel and that would not be good. How about slaves? They all get to go free, right? Not exactly. Slaves should obey their masters, too. They're also supposed to be cheerful and obedient all the time. No slacking off when the master is away, okay? Just pretend that you're slaving away for God. You'll get your reward in Heaven!
Aside from keeping a household structure that's totally conformed with 1st-century Roman life, what else are Christians supposed to do? Well, pray. Thank God in prayer. And pray that Paul gets out of prison soon. They also need to be smart when it comes to non-believers. A Christian certainly can't deny the truth about Jesus, but that doesn't mean he or she has to stir up trouble. In other words, pick your battles very carefully.

Paul is sending along this letter with his friend Tychicus (you may remember him from such biblical letters as Ephesians). He's gonna give the Colossians all the updates on Paul. Tychicus is also coming with Onesimus (you'll also see his name in the Epistle to Philemon). Aristarchus sends his best wishes from lock up. Barnabas's cousin, Mark, does, too. Jesus (who people call Justus, probably so he doesn't get confused with the way more important Jesus in Paul's life) also says hi! These three men are Jewish-Christians, and Paul's been really glad to have them around. Epaphras, who's a Gentile-Christian, is hanging out, too. He's the one who founded the church in Colossae, so he's really hoping things work out there. Luke and Demas say hello, too. Paul wants them to pass along his best to everyone in Laodicea. Especially Nympha (she hosted church in her house). Once this letter has made the rounds in Colossae, they can send it onto the churches in Laodicea. Everyone gets a taste of Paul's goodness. Paul ends the letter by signing his own farewell. He tells his readers to "remember my chains." Paul is awesome.. He went from a life of persecuting the early Christians to an untiring apostle to the Gentiles. His epistles in the New Testament stand as a testimony to his endless efforts to preach the Gospel and help to build the Church as he traveled on his many journeys sharing the Good News of faith and leading people to embrace faith in Jesus Christ. I so love Paul...