SET YOUR WATCH A famous preacher commented, You cant set your own morals, just as you cant set your own watch. He maintained that there must be a Master Plan by which we guide our lives, or we will find our moral settings incorrect. Paul writes to the church at Colosse and warns them to set their affections by heavenly standards, not by their earthly desires. This was a particular problem for the Christians at Colosse because they were infiltrated by Gnostics. This cult taught that there was a separation of spirit and matter, and they claimed that one in no way affects the other. Therefore, they said, they could live as they wished since the sins of the body had no effect on the soul. Needless to say, Paul highly opposed this teaching. Because he knew this manmade system of religion would send souls to eternal damnation, he wrote a strong epistle condemning those who held this doctrine. The Gnostics also taught angel worship and questioned the deity of Christ. In this letter, Paul strongly defends the Lordship of Christ. He lists many titles for Jesus, calling Him the image of the invisible God, first-born of the creation, head of the church, the beginning, and the hope of glory. Pauls main purpose in this epistle is to assert the godhead of Christ and the all-sufficiency of His sacrifice for sin. When man moves Christ out of this position, his hope for salvation is lost. Paul says we must not pray to angels or any others. Christ alone is able to save. Then, in parting, Paul gives a key to daily victorious living: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16). When His word dwells in us, our deeds are sure to please our Lord.
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 10:54:03 +0000
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