The Big Picture: Author: The Apostle Paul Date: A.D.62. Paul wrote this letter from His Prison in Rome; it seemed to have been written about the same time as Philemon and shortly before Ephesians. The Purpose: Colosse was a considerable city of PHYRGIA, Probably not very far from Laodicea and Hierapolic (ch.4:13). The design is to warn them of danger of the Jewish zealots, who pressed the necessity of observing ceremonial law, and to fortify them against mixing Gential philosophy with thier christian principles. This doctrinal heresy was reported by Epaphras. Strange false doctrine is not described directly, but we can infer its nature from what Paul says. It's a mixture of Judaism and some early Gnoticism, which taught that Jesus was super human, but not truly God. He was the greater than human beings, but nat a Savior. Paul professes a great satisfaction in their steadfastness and constancy and encourages them to persever. Major Theme: Jesus Christ is Pre-eminent. He is the Head of all; He is Lord of all. __________________________________________________
_For the Recovery People: Recovery Is A Life Long Process: We may long for a day when we will be totally free from the bondages of our past - a day when recovery will be complete and we can go on with our life. But recovery is a life long process, with daily challenges to maintain contack with our powerful and loving God. From this letter to the Colossian believer's, we do learn that our life with Jesus Christ is not just a one time rescue operation but a life long commitment. The Recovery Involves Faith In God: One danger we face after a period of successful recovery is the tendency to forget how we needed God. It is easy to start thinking we can go alone, depending on rules and formulas of success. The Apostle Paul warned us about the Colosians about this danger,urging them to live in daily contack and communiation with God. It is true that with maturity comes strengths of character, but in it is not true that we can end our faith in God. Self- sufficency got us into trouble in the first place, and it can lead us to relapse as well. If we are to experience true recovery, we need to fully acknowledge our on-going need for God. Jesus Christ Is Lord of The Universe: The entire universe is being held together by the Power of Jesus Christ. e is the Supreme Ruler and Lord of all creation. He is the reflection of the Invisible God. He is eternal, pre-existent, omnipotent, and equal to the Father. He is also the Lord of every successful recovery. What a privilege to depend not merely on someone anoymous "higher power" , but on the highest power of all How incredible that He invites each of us to have a personal relationship with Him! _Healthy Relationships: An important part of the recovery process involves making amends to the people we have wronged. This letter to the Colossians give us practical guidance in this area. The Apostle Paul calls us to live accordingly to the principles of selfless love and to mutually respect all people in our life. If we treat others in ways that builds them up, our relationships will grow stronger and support is in the recovery process. ________________________________________________
Colossians 1:1-14 [K.J.V.]
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
5For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
_________________________________________________________________
The Bottom Line: All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness runs through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life, and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix our hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, no enemy could deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may
safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it. Worldly love arises, either from views of interest or from likeness in manners; carnal love, from the appetite for pleasure. To these, something corrupt, selfish, and base always cleaves. But Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is full of holiness. (Col1:9-14)
catcmo2006
___________________________________________________________________
Thank You for stopping in this site,group Sites, web sites and other prayer sites as well in holding one another up for prayer's being totally united in everyone around this world, it's about Jesus Christ first and prayers,intecessory prayer's and at other times about this vast world we live in today which this old world as we all know it is slowly departing to be reaching our home in glory.
