<\/p>\n

Colossians
\n<\/strong>In the beginning and at the end of this letter we hear of the saints love for all of Gods people. What a wonderful thing to be remembered for — a deep love for ALL! Rather than being known for what they disagreed with or who they followed, the Colossians were known for their LOVE. Part of the key to that love was being filled with the knowledge of Gods will and living in GRACE. Their example and standard was not just in one another or even Paul \u2013 but Christ Himself.<\/p>\n

In Colossians we hear the words that Jesus is \u201cpre-eminent\u201d. What does that mean? In Greek, the word is proteuo (being chief or first). According to Vines Expository Dictionary it means that Christ is first in rank and significance.  He (and His opinion)is First, Foremost, TOP \u2026 or should be. When we remember He is SUPREME –it causes us to value ourselves and others in proper alignment. Humility flows when Christ\u2019s authority is lifted up. When people willingly follow Christ \u2013that is true submission.<\/p>\n

Moving from the city to living in the woods has had many interesting lessons. Nature is fascinating on many levels. Here\u2019s something we found out \u2013 if you are sitting outside and it becomes dark, look up– as the looming shadow coming near you may be a plane or a huge bird. It may be a heron, a hawk or whole flock.  That shadow signifies what is coming closer.  Ignoring it is a mistake.  If you see a shadow on the ground — it may alert you to a bear (or intruder) hiding behind the trees. It\u2019s a visual alarm signal. Shadows are important. It notifies us of what is to come.  The Old Testament gives us shadows or clues of what is to come through the various festivals. It teaches us God\u2019s character and pattern of redemption. Paul, who had never visited the Colossian church wanted them to know how to see God. So, he writes,<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ^{16 <\/sup><\/strong>For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 <\/sup><\/strong>He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 <\/sup><\/strong>And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 <\/sup><\/strong>For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 <\/sup><\/strong>and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood<\/u>, shed on the cross.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n}

In a culture that worshipped many deities, in a religious context where the people had to \u201cclean up\u201d before they came to God through various traditions, Paul welcomes them to the fulfillment of all \u2013 Christ, the supreme one. If they saw HIS image \u2013 if they looked on Him, they would be able to know God,  and be reconciled. They could be transferred from darkness into the Kingdom. Not thru cleansing of hands or circumcising of flesh or singing songs in E minor but through HIS BLOOD. That is the reason for their hope. Thankfully, we are circumcised, buried, and raised by Christ. Fate and observance are replaced by the fact that Jesus gave us His favor and positional righteousness on the cross. That process is important to understand .  While we no longer have enact the full traditions, we are called to  \u201cremember\u201d  Gods love thur Christ in communion. It was the only request Christ emphasized. Quite the exchange!<\/p>\n

The new believers wanted to fit in, be part of the Colossian church but there were those that wanted them FIRST to follow men\u2019s traditions \u2013 ritual cleansing, circumcision, human requirements, avoiding meats, worship of intermediary angels, false humility, etc. The newbies just wanted to come to the table! What are modern day examples of this? Perhaps dietary restrictions, avoiding meats, wearing jeans  vs. tuxes Sunday morning, Hillsong vs. Bethel vs. redback hymnal perhaps? There were so many cultural laws that prevented people from coming to the Lord and His presence. The Pharisees became the standard rather than Christ. Their opinions trumped listening to the Spirit. Paul didn\u2019t say stop celebrating God, but to stop placing human laws and opinons on people who wanted to come near. Christ was foremost \u2013 HIS opinion should be chief.<\/p>\n

What do you need to know God and worship Him? What do you need<\/em> to draw near? Nothin but the blood! The answer is not a political party or diploma. It is not in a denomination sign or membership card. Only<\/u> the blood of Jesus reconciles us with a holy God. The Colossians were getting tossed around with \u201cextras\u201d and Paul wanted to clarify. He simplified the list of what to < and what to >.<\/p>\n

One of the verses that stirred my heart was Col. 2:1 \u201cIf then you were raised with Christ \u2013 SEEK<\/u> those things which are above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Sitting occurs when a priest has FINISHED his work. Set your mind on things above<\/u>, not on things of the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory!\u201d<\/p>\n

We all know what it is to seek right? I thought I did but it\u2019s more than just a mere look. When applied to this context it means to \u201ccrave, enquire, meditate on, and desire<\/strong>.\u201d That is more intense than lukewarm faith. It is looking with intent and passion. It means it can\u2019t be mere head knowledge. I wonder if our cravings for other things, would be less, if our cravings for Him were more? Knock, knock. Who\u2019s there? \u201cIt\u2019s me Lord and I\u2019ve come to enquire about this savior you sent into the world \u2013 Jesus. I\u2019d like more information. Reveal Him to me. I want to know His story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do we ponder, breathe, investigate, and research His heart, His character, His preferences? That would include the Old Testament and its players. That would include Jewish and African preachers. History of women, judges, history of prophets. Back then the debate was washing hands before eating, circumcision and Jewish table etiquette.  We no longer argue about how to celebrate the festivals. While some believe the festivals were just a Jewish ceremony,  they were actually what the Lord gave everyone to remember His character. They could not see the compassionate, merciful, loving Savior so all the combined memorials and ceremonies were to give them a visual to acquaint themelves with God. It was a preview – an adumbration, a faint outline of what was to come.  Jesus embodied ALL of that. These celebrations created their story. In their absence, new pagan holidays (or manmade ones) have risen in their place. Paul still celebrated the festivals\u2013 without the legalistic requirements. The point was to know and keep Christ the MAIN thing \u2013 from the  heart. When the full image comes into view, He can be seen  and reveals the Father.<\/p>\n

In a month where candy corn is all the rage and fear is King –let me suggest to you digging deeper into this seeking idea \u2013 Paul calls the believers to SEEK those things which are above \u2013 with desire<\/em>. Do we still remember and feel desire for the Lord? It must be a greater > desire > than finding that perfect costume at the bottom of the Walmart bin. A greater desire than running a marathon thru Hobby Lobby to decorate for the season. A greater intensity than any other<\/em> thing. Setting your mind means you focus your emotions and thoughts on it. Thats what Colossians states.<\/p>\n

Burger King states we can \u201chave it our way\u201d. The people flying flags on the news, suggest we can satisfy our own desires and doing so is our \u201cright\u201d. Maybe –but for the Christian, we died, were buried and raised which is supposed to include giving up our rights for Christ.  Supreme, Christs\u2019 opinion whether popular or unpopular is to be pre-eminent. Period.<\/p>\n

I read Haggai this month while studying Colossians 2.  It says  \u201c\u2026I will shake the nations and they shall come to the Desire of All nations (a name for Jesus), and I will fill this temple with glory\u2026 then a promise that He will give Peace.\u201d  Christ, our peace, is the solution to our need. He is the desired one who satisfies our deepest longings and cravings. The high point is now changed from a ceremony and temple to a Savior filled with Peace. Great upgrade– Gods\u2019 own son!<\/p>\n

In Colossians, Paul lays out orthodoxy \u2013 correct, true doctrine. He points them to the Pre-eminent Christ. Those who peddle \u201cextras\u201d without Christ will distract you from your purpose \u2013 seeking Him. Paul also lays out orthopraxy \u2013 correct behavior, letting the Colossians and us know that continuing in faith and putting to death sinful behaviors is important. He even goes deeper by talking to church, family and work systems calling for love and holiness. That is opposite of todays message of personal liberty. We need more \u201cGod Image\u201d and less of a self-image focus perhaps.  In our day, personal freedom is elevated without the call to be holy. Paul calls us to renovate our old ways and be renewed, reconstructed, and transformed to God\u2019s image. How do we do that? Through Christ \u2013 the image and paradigm God chose to disclose Himself to us. That first means we need to have knowledge of it.  Hear Paul exhort them, \u201cTherefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ^{17 <\/sup><\/strong>These are a shadow <\/u>of the things that were to come; the reality (soma\/body\/life), however, is found in Christ.\u201d <\/p>\n}

     When we were studying the festivals in the Old Testament, we gained new perspective on the immense effort God put into making Himself known. Each year the events found in Lev.23 became more meaningful. It seems the modern-day church has ignored much of that history, rather than embracing how Christ has fulfilled it. It was how God revealed Himself<\/strong> and the prophets foretold Messiah. It gives us a window into God\u2019s very heart. At the very least it gives us stories  that help us see Jesus clearly which in turn reveals God.  <\/p>\n

As we dive into October, many will wear costumes, carve pumpkins. The American holiday at the end of the month is now the second highest grossing holiday after Christmas according to the National Retail Federation. According to Statista.com about 70% of all Americans understand and celebrate it.  But it doesn\u2019t reveal Christ, it doesn\u2019t help us know Gods\u2019 character and it certainly makes no appeal for self-examination or repentance.  Shadows cause us to look FURTHER, investigate, seek\u2026until in LIGHT we see the One our hearts desire. Paul goes on to say in chapter 3:<\/p>\n

^{\u201c<\/sup><\/em><\/strong>Therefore, as God\u2019s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves<\/u><\/strong> with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.<\/em> 13 <\/sup><\/strong>Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you<\/u>. (Lev.23 events show us this in detail \u2013 the prophetic , shadow story of forgiveness and mercy). 14 <\/sup><\/strong>And over all these virtues put on<\/u><\/strong> love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n}

\u201cPut on\u201d is to bundle and tie with a twisted chain rope. Paul is wanting them to array themselves with these things, layered up like a queen in royal garments, bundled together so it becomes one beautiful ensemble. The word comes from a Roman military battalion of 600 soldiers (manipulus), that encircles with no room left for the enemy to enter. What a beautiful word picture of Gods\u2019 love to and through His church!<\/p>\n

Let us continue to celebrate God\u2019s goodness and understand the mystery of Christ. May we look on His image so we can see His grandiose majesty. May we keep Christ the main thing and put on the new man. If He is our focus, then<\/u> we will be grounded, steadfast and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel. Our orthodoxy (belief) and orthopraxy (behavior) will be radiant as we walk, clothed (not just costumed) in a fine array of love.<\/p>\n

Whatever the individual seeks and desires, the family will investigate. Whatever the family enquires about, the church will look into. Whatever the church passionately desires, the world will look into. Where is our gaze? What do we crave?<\/p>\n

Happy Hallowed and Sacred rejoicing of the One we desire and seek<\/em> \u2013 The Desire of all nations — Christ, Supreme.  RenaeRoche2021<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Colossians In the beginning and at the end of this letter we hear of the saints love for all of Gods people. What a wonderful thing to be remembered for — a deep love for ALL! Rather than being known for what they disagreed with or who they followed, the Colossians were known for their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bgseo_title":"","bgseo_description":"","bgseo_robots_index":"index","bgseo_robots_follow":"follow","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1155"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1155"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1155\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1162,"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1155\/revisions\/1162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeplateadvantage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}