Ephesians & Colossians
I am sure it is no coincidence, but that God had chosen to use Ephesians and Colossians so prominently at our weekend away, subsequently in Stephen’s Bible study on 13th October and in our recent newsletter devotional.
Ephesians is addressed to a group of believers who are rich beyond measure in Jesus Christ, yet living like beggars, and only because they are ignorant of their wealth. Paul begins by describing in ch. 1-3 the contents of the Christian’s heavenly “bank account”: adoption, acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, inheritance, the seal of the Holy Spirit, life, grace, citizenship - in short, every spiritual blessing. In ch. 4-6 the Christian learns a spiritual walk rooted in his spiritual wealth. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus [1-3] for good works, … that we should walk in them [4-6]” (2:10).
If Ephesians can be labelled the epistle portraying the “church of Christ,” then Colossians must surely be the “Christ of the Church.” Ephesians focuses on the body; Colossians focuses on the Head. Like Ephesians, the little book of Colossians divides neatly in half with the first portion doctrinal (Ch 1 & 2) and the second practical (3 & 4). Paul’s purpose is to show that Christ is pre-eminent - first and foremost in everything - and the Christian’s life should reflect that priority. Because believers are rooted in Him, alive in Him, hidden in Him and complete in Him, it is utterly inconsistent for them to live life without Him. Clothed in His love, with His peace ruling in their hearts, they are equipped to make Christ first in every area of life.
These were themes very much to the fore in Dave Steven’s teaching at the weekend away and continued in Stephen’s Bible study based on A.B.Simpsons “Himself” devotional, of which Col 1:27 seemed to be the key verse.
Although this is a worthy candidate for our Verse of the Month, not one but two verses are chosen this month from the Colossians passage Dave drew upon as he taught on Christian growth & the Character of the New Man:
One last word on Ephesians, and this prompted by the many trials & attacks we are experiencing as a church as our enemy tries in vain to derail our faith, cause disunity in our fellowship, steal our joy and spoil our inheritance.
In Ch 1, Paul reminds us that the same power which raised Jesus from the dead is available to us to live the life to which we have been called and in Ch 6 it is clear that this includes resisting all the schemes of the evil one: ”Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph 6:10-11).
Jesus promised us a battle but in Christ we have the victory.
Amen?
When I wrote this, things were good for me - content, at peace and so on. Not that I’ve experienced disaster, or anything like that, but recently I’ve felt like a cork cast into the ocean during rough weather … Little did I know I would need to be reminded of these words within days and continuously for a couple of weeks thereafter!
Strange thing is that I completely forgot them and the enemy has had a field day. As you might expect, the Lord has come through as my all sufficient one, but I am reminded of the weakness of head knowledge and that the sooner He helps me get these things into my heart the better I’ll be. That’s my prayer - that God will help me live out the victorious life I readily give mental assent to.
Comment by Philip Pain — Mon, 16. November 2009 @ 18:22