Colossians 3:1-14

Context:  There are a lot of religious rules and tricks to become a better person, but Paul wants none of that for the Colossal church.  These ideas are a bad influence for the church and they are fake.  Paul instead wants the church to dwell on the spiritual matters, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Chapter 3:

Since than you have triumphed the grave with Christ, tune your hearts to higher and deeper ideas.  These are ideas that put Christ at the center seated with God on his right side.  Commit to the ideas of higher aspirations and not on the false worldly stuff. You are dead to these things; Christ has you tucked away.  When Christ comes back in full glory, you will tag along with him because he is your life.

Now, obliterate your relationship with the following bad character habits: porn, adultery, fornication, ungodly relationships and any desire that makes you want to steal or get rich deceptively.  These shortcuts in life are allegiances to false gods.  Because they exist God is going to have to remove them with prejudice.  I understand these things were a big part of your life, but you are new now.  Also remove from your presence any temper issues, unfair tantrums, ill patient acting or nasty words that would make your mother weep.  Do not spread lies to each other because you removed that bad habit and now you are replacing that filthy life with a knowledge of your creator.  In this life there is no political, ethnic or religious, economical or societal barriers, but Christ is everything and in everyone.

Alternatively, as you are children of the God who loves immensely, try on your new outfits of patience, mindful words, selfless actions, soft spoken natures and humble reflections.  Put up with your brothers and sisters, carrying their burdens and ready to forgive their sins in a moment's notice.  The Lord forgives therefore you should be ready to.  All in all, every action, thought and deed should be wrapped up in a desire to love others.  Love is the glue that makes us stick together.

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Context:  Where does our energy, power and completeness come from?  It does not come from human tradition, religious rules or new age movements.  It comes from Christ alone.  Paul wanted the church of Colossae not to be deceived by the growing movements around them that were teaching new stuff, but to fully trust in Christ.

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Let it be known that I am proud that I get to suffer for you my brothers and sisters.  There is a lot of tragedy on this Earth for following Christ and I am taking my share the same way Christ took his.  His body is the church and I am bound to serve it till death because that is what God has put as my purpose in life.  My main mission: to share with you the Word of God in all its bulk.  It was dormant and subtle in the past, but now it is a gift ready for the taking.  God desires the Word to be your discovery and fortune...which is Jesus Christ living inside of you and the anticipation that he reigns over all.

We share his greatness, keeping our church educated and wise so that the end result is sophisticated Christians who lack nothing in Christ's gifts.  I will sweat, bleed and toil with every energy Christ gives me to accomplish this goal.

And I am fighting hard for you and for those at Laodicea.  Though none of you have actually seen me, my aim is to lift up your down trodden spirits to the very core, while bringing us together over a foundation of love.  This will give you the full reward which is understanding this new revelation in life--the revelation of Christ.  In him is all the information and understanding you will ever need to be the person you were ever meant to be.  So don't be fooled by the smooth talk of professors teaching different philosophies.  Even though I am not here to fight every battle I am with you in a spiritual sense.  I cannot wait to see how your training in Christ makes you stronger believers.