Tag: Christ

How To Live that Best Life!

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Colossians 3:18-25 is a good housekeeping passage. Paul explains ‘best’ case actions and reactions in relationships. Here is the passage from the Message translation. (The Master is the Lord God, the master is the owner of the household or your employer.)

Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. 19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them. 20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.21 Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits. 22-25 Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.“

All relationships are to be done keeping Christ in mind. He is the head of the family and all work, actions, deeds and words need to be done to honor Christ. Yesterday’s passage summed it up beautifully in Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Whether you are the wife who is called upon to honor and show respect to her husband, the husband who is called to love his wife as Christ loves the church, the child who is called to obey their parent, the slave or worker who is called to do good work for your employer, all relationships are to be done to the Lord. Our point of view needs to be, we do everything for Christ. Our relationship with Christ guides all our words and deeds, as His ways are for our good and His glory!

This point of view comes into direct opposition to the world view of me first, my way, looking out for number 1-ME. Christ’s way has us put Him first. Earlier in this chapter Colossians 3:1-2, Paul said, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Keeping this perspective is pleasing to God and leads us act according to Micah 6:8 ” O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy,  and to walk humbly with your God.”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am called to live a life that is honoring to Christ by giving my best in all I say and do.

Linda

Thankfulness That Produces Results

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Colossians 3:15-17 contains precious verses to empower, direct and motivate us to live lives to the honor and glory of God. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“

Paul’s message has 3 directives all followed by thankfulness. 1) let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and be thankful. 2) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,  and with thankfulness in your heart to God. 3) do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, always giving thanks to God the Father through him. Each of these actions of letting peace rule our hearts, letting His Word dwell within us and doing all we say and do in the name of Jesus need to motivate us as we seek to live for Jesus each day. Each needs to be followed with thankfulness which will be easy when you see that each of them produces great thankfulness in our hearts and minds. As we see what Christ has done for us, our gratitude increases.

How are you doing? Are you living in and with the peace of God? Jesus told his disciples and us too in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” It is yours for the asking, Jesus meant you to be at peace in Him.

Are you spending time in God’s Word and letting Him speak to you as you read and study? Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” John 17:8 “For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” God’s Word is truth and reading it daily will allow Him to speak to you, minister to your soul and give you insights into your character and His.

Are you examining your words and actions to see if they line up with God’s desires, plans and commandments? Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” 1 Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God wants you to be a person of character walking in obedience to Him, with humility and trusting His plans that are for your good and His glory. God is always faithful so walk trusting Him with each day.

As you consider the 3 directives and examine your own heart, what is your level of thankfulness? 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” We are to incorporate thankfulness into all areas of our life- in all circumstances, both good times and hard. But when we do, our peace is increased, our love and understanding of God’s word is increased and our actions begin to be more and more like Jesus which produces profound thankfulness in our hearts. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can experience profound thankfulness as I learn to hold tightly to the peace of God, the Word of God and trust in His development of my character to be more and more like Jesus.

Linda

What Kind of Character Are You Wearing?

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I love today’s portion of scripture from Colossians 3:12-14 as Paul gives us clear directives on how to live the life we now have in Christ. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Paul’s challenges are found repeatedly throughout the New Testament. He challenges us to live like we are chosen by God and dearly loved by Him. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Ephesians 5:1 “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.”

We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

We are to live with each other upholding and uplifting and forgiving. Forgiving because we have been forgiven! Christ is our example. Ephesians 4:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

We are to love one another as that will bind us together in unity. John 13:34-35 ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 7:33 “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Paul’s familiar challenges call us to stand firmly in Christ clinging to His desires and promises for our lives. Though the power of His Holy Spirit, Christ enables us to live for Him and grow in character. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am enabled to live for Christ showing character that is humble, gentle, patient, compassionate, forgiving, loving and united with others.

Linda

Our Real Life is Protected in Christ

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Have you ever thought of your life being hidden in Christ or protected by Him? Paul tells us in Colossians 3:3-4 that our new life that comes through faith in Jesus is hidden with Him. This real life, our new nature, is guarded by Christ. “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory”.

This idea of our life in Christ being protected by God was written about many times in the New Testament when the Apostles explained the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit seals and guarantees our new life and inheritance in Him. 2 Timothy 2:14 “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” The indwelling Spirit of God testifies with our Spirit so we are assured that He is with us and that we have a new life in Him. Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” Ephesians 1:13-15 also explains this relationship between our new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit. “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” We can think of this protection of the Holy Spirit as hiding our new or real life in Christ. Paul wanted to give encouragement to the believers at Colossae. They were struggling with warring ideas and ideologies and this assurance of their life in Christ being protected by the Holy Spirt and hidden by Christ would have been very welcome. I can identify with that also, as I find Paul’s assurances bring hope and comfort to me in a world that is filled with doubt, uncertainty and chaos.

The idea in verse 4 that Christ will return and all truth will be revealed, would have been of great comfort to these believers, also. We, too, can gain comfort from knowing Christ will return and will be victorious over Satan. Christ’s return is a sure thing. In Matthew 24:35-37 Jesus spoke of His return. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my ,words will not pass away. “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Later the Apostles spoke of Jesus’ return in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” When Jesus does return many things will take place but we do know that Jesus will rule and all will bow before Him. Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” As an added bonus, because of our faith in Jesus we will share in the glory as we stand amazed. Romans 8:17 “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” and Ephesians 2:6 “and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have a life with Christ that is assured, protected and expectant as I await His return! Praise God! Thank you Jesus!

Linda

New Mindset Leads to Heavenly Thinking

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I totally love the beginning verses of Chapter 3 of Colossians. Paul is using Because, Since, & Therefore deliberately. These are transition words that show because of what has come before in the first 2 chapters He can now state as truth the following: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 Paul has spent 2 chapters presenting the case for the preeminence of Christ, the power of His death and resurrection to each believer and the fact that in Christ we are new creations. We can put off our old self, our old sinful nature, and put on a new nature, being a new creation in Christ!

Since that is true, what kind of difference does this make in our lives? Paul is saying it should and does make all the difference in the world. It allow us to be free from the bondage of the old nature and open to the newness of life in Christ. We can focus on new things with our minds, heavenly things to edify and build up the body of Christ. We have heard this before in Philippians 4:4-9 “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon, 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you”. He also tells us to be mindful that our home and citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 1:27a “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. ” Philippians 3:20 “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”

This seems a practical message for us today. Think about godly things, good thoughts and actions, seek to please God and glorify Him and consider ourselves kingdom citizens at all times. That kind of thinking will help us to focus Jesus each day and lead us to show others our Savior in all we say and do. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have a new nature with a new mindset as I seek to live for Him each day. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Remember Who You Belong to!

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Colossians 2:20-23 finished up this chapter and Paul’s final plea to the Colossian Christians to think about their faith and not to follow along just to get along. “You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.”

Paul starts out – remember who you belong to! Christ has set you free! Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” The power we have in Christ is greater than the power in the world. Jesus told the disciples in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Christ admonished us to be obedient to Him not the world and its desires. John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Trust in His Word and look to Him. I love Titus 1:9 “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Psalm 119:41-42 “Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,  your salvation according to your promise; 42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.” Paul’s message was remember who you belong to, trust in the power of Jesus to overcome, be obedient to His commandments and rely upon His Word.

When you are feeling bullied or under attack, look to God’s Word. There you will find strength, comfort, mercy and guidance by our Heavenly Father. Pray, Pray, Pray and ask God to show you what is true and right. Ask and you will receive when you ask for wisdom (James 1:5), ask without doubting (James 1:6), and ask with right motives with purity of heart (James 4:2-3).

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am affirmed in Christ and can ask for His guidance and wisdom from His Word. I know He will answer. Matthew 7:8 “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

Linda

Solo Christo, Christ Alone is Enough

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Colossian 2:16-19 led me to the Message translation. It is a paraphrased translation and uses modern terms and words to help us decipher what Paul was trying to tell us. The Colossian Christians were under a great deal of pressure to add rules to the gospel. The Judaizers were trying to get the Gentile Christians to practice the Jewish laws and customs so they could consider them Christians. These were no longer necessary as Christ freed man from the need to follow all the mosaic laws and rituals. Our connection through faith in Christ brings us His indwelling Holy Spirit. As Paul stated in Colossians 2:11 it is a circumcision brought by Christ and is of the heart. So as they struggled with these issues, Paul did not want them intimidated or bullied into doing things that were not necessary for faith in Christ. Paul denounces rules about diet or saying they have to bow and worship angels.

16-17 So don’t put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ. 18-19 Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are. They’re completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.”

Paul wants them to stay focused on Christ as He is the source of life that flows through us. Jesus himself said in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Christ alone is the way to truth and life. Only through Him can we know and experience God. Hebrews 5:9 names Christ as the source of all salvation. “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,” Here are a few other verses to help us focus on Christ as the only source of our faith and life: John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Romans 16:26-27 “but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! and Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.“

What does this mean for me and you? The message from Paul is one for all of us. Martin Luther took it to heart when he nailed his 95 thesis to the door of the Wittenberg church on October 31, 1517 in Germany that sparked the Reformation. Solo Christo- Christ alone is the answer and in Him all is Yes and Amen.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know Christ, be indwelt by His Holy Spirit and have a relationship with Almighty God through the power of Christ Alone!

Linda

Spared, Forgiven and Free, That’s me in Christ!

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Colossians 2:13-15 are powerful verses that describe what Christ accomplished for us on the cross. “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”

Paul first describes our state of being before faith- we were dead in our sins. Through faith in Christ we were made clean, alive , forgiven and blameless so we could have a relationship with our heavenly Father. I love Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” and Romans 5:8-9 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Jesus restored, redeemed and ransomed us from our sinful state of being through Christ’s work on the cross.

Paul also speaks of cancelling the charges against us. This is referring to the case against us at birth from original sin. We are born with a sin nature and that cannot be erased or cancelled through any efforts of our own. In the Old Testament times the Jews followed the Law and offered sacrifices as forgiveness requires an atoning sacrifice. Paul is affirming that no amount of rule following would ever be enough to satisfy God’s wrath over sin. Romans 3:23-24 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Lastly, Paul is saying that Christ’s death on the cross did public damage to Satan and his minions. They are still alive and active but their days are numbered and there is a time coming when Christ will return victorious and judge them. 1Thessalonians 5:2-4 “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.” Revelation 20:7-10 “And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

As for me I know, Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am spared God’s wrath as my sins are forgiven and I am freed from sin’s power in my life. Rejoice with me over being forgiven and claim your victory in Christ!

Linda

In Him A New Heart, Old Nature GONE!

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In Colossians 2:11-12 Paul makes a comparison between the circumcision done physically to the body and the one done spiritually by Christ’s indwelling Holy Spirit. “When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. In the Old Testament physical circumcision was performed on the 8th day of life to all boys and was a sign of the covenant, promise, agreement made between Abraham (man) and God. It was a sign of separation of being set apart by God as his own. Genesis 17:11-13 “You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. ” This was to be the sign of an everlasting covenant between the people of God and God. Paul makes the comparison that we as believers in Christ are also circumcisized spiritually by the cutting away of our old nature. We are set apart by God to be His people by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:5-6 “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” After the death and resurrection of Christ, the circumcision that sets believers apart is the circumcision of the heart that comes when one accepts the truth of Jesus and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

The problem in the days of the Colossian church was that many Jews were saying that new believers had to be circumsized physically to be accepted into the body of Christ. Paul refutes that over and over in the New Testament that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit set believers apart for God and circumsizes their hearts and minds. Paul wanted to stop this quarreling and have them move forward to embraces the gospel and spread the good news of Jesus to all who would believe, Jew or Gentile.

What about you? Are their ideas or requirements that you want to add to faith that are not based in scripture? The Jews wanted to require an old way when Jesus had given a new way. When in doubt, look to God’s Word and see if what you are thinking and believing lines up with scripture. Then pray about it and ask God for discernment. James 4:1-3 gives us good practical advice and advises us to check our motives. “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.“

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I was circumcised spiritually when I accepted Jesus as my Savior and He cut away my old nature and gave me a new heart. Praise God!

Linda

Praise Jesus, He is who He is!

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Who do you think Christ is? Paul wanted the Colossian Christians to know without a doubt that Christ is God. Current philosophies of Paul’s day claimed that he was not all God. Paul says and that in Him nothing was lacking, He is the all in all. Colossians 2:9-10 “For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God]. 10 And in Him you have been made complete [achieving spiritual stature through Christ], and He is the head over all rule and authority [of every angelic and earthly power].” I like the Amplified text as it adds and explains to us what Paul was talking about specifically. Some were saying Jesus was not all of God and was not divine. Paul wanted to confront their heretical ideas and explain the truth about Christ- who He is.

We have philosophies today that want to discredit and deny the deity of Christ. What can we say to refute them? Paul’s claim is that Jesus, when here on earth, had the fullness of God within him. Hebrews 1:3 gives us a perfect description who Jesus is and what He accomplished, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Jesus often talked of who He was and the power He possessed to grant eternal life. John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” He possessed the glory of God within himself, John 13:31-32 “Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.” Being God himself, Jesus was able to make those who believe in Him complete. They would have complete forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38, ” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” They would have the Spirit of God dwelling within them, 2 Timothy 1:13-14 “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” They would be one with Christ, Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” and John 15:4-5 “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Lastly, Paul wanted the believers to know that Jesus was and is ruler over all, He is sovereign God. I love the Philippians passage where Paul explains who Jesus is and was for all time, Philippians 2:6-11 “

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

May you catch a glimpse of Who Jesus is and was and what He has done for you. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am one with Him, totally forgiven and have His Holy Spirit dwelling with me. Praise God, Jesus is who He is!

Linda