Colossians 1 - Jesus Really Was and Is God!

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Today we start reading Paul's letter to the Colossians. He wrote it about 61-62 A.D. Before we start reading any of Paul's letters, it is important to understand the context of the church he was writing to. Here is some background information from New Testament commentator David Guzik, 

The city of Colosse was probably the smallest and least important city that Paul ever wrote to. It might surprise us that Paul would turn his attention to the Christians in Colosse at a time when he had so many other concerns. Yet he apparently thought the situation in Colosse was important enough for apostolic attention.

Paul wrote because there were problems among the Christians in Colosse, but the doctrinal problem – sometimes described as “The Colossian Heresy” – is difficult to precisely describe. It probably was a corruption of Christianity with elements of mystical and legalistic Judaism perhaps combined with early Gnosticism.

The first century religious environment was much like our own. It was a time of religious mixing, with people borrowing a little from this religion and a little from that religion. The only difference was that in the first century, one joined a group who did the borrowing. In our modern culture one does the borrowing one’s self.

Whatever the problem was precisely, Paul dwelt on the solution: a better understanding of Jesus. Knowing the real Jesus helps us to stay away from the counterfeit, no matter how it comes packaged. This letter of Paul to the Colossians is probably one of the most relevant to us today.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. Colossians 1:6

The gospel was bearing fruit despite the fact that Paul was in prison. It was growing throughout the world known to Paul, which included all of the Roman provinces. He also wrote Philippians, Ephesians, and Philemon from prison. 

Though we preach and share the gospel it is by the power of God that it bears fruit. It was also growing in the Colossians after they truly understand it was by grace they were saved by faith.

Paul's prayer for the Colossians: 

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

One of Paul's main reasons for writing this letter was because heresy had infiltrated the church. This is why Paul urges them to be filled with knowledge through wisdom. 

He knew that spiritual ignorance is the constant source of error, instability, and sorrow; and therefore he desired that they might be soundly taught in the things of God.” (Spurgeon)

We know that knowledge alone doesn't transform a life. But the knowledge the Holy Spirit gives us leads us to live a life worthy of the gospel we have received. This is a frequent theme in Paul's letters to live a life "worthy of the gospel". 

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 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 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-10

I copy this whole paragraph because almost every word of it is important. Paul is addressing the main aspect of the heresy which purported that Jesus was not really God. He only appeared to be God. Paul counters that by saying Jesus is the firstborn of all Creation and through Jesus all things were created. Does that seem like he is referring to a mere human being? 

There is no doubt that Jesus is the author of all creation. He Himself is not a created being. When we behold the wonder and the glory of the world Jesus created, we worship and honor Him all the more. - Guzik 

He is before all things and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the church and the firstborn from among the dead. I.e. He is the first person to experience the resurrection from the dead. 

There is no way Paul could have made it any clearer that Jesus was and is the Son of God. He was truly human and truly divine. God fully dwelt in Jesus and Jesus was the exact representation of God. He created everything as the pre-existent Word of God. He is the head of the church, which is the body of Christ. 

What does that mean for us practically speaking? 

The fullness is in Jesus Christ. Not in a church; not in a priesthood; not in a building; not in a sacrament; not in the saints; not in a method or a program, but in Jesus Christ Himself. It is in Him as a “distribution point” – so that those who wanted more of God and all that He is can find it in Jesus Christ.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

I preached on this passage today in church. Paul is summarizing what he was called by God to do. Paul was not only concerned with people being saved by grace through faith. He also knew he needed to equip these new believers with the knowledge of God, as they continued to grow into Christ-likeness. He calls this "maturity". 

Just like we raise our kids to be responsible and mature, Christians are also called to become mature. We mature by knowing God's Word and putting into practice in our lives. We become mature, as we realize Jesus is our sole sufficiency. We realize without what Jesus did for us on the cross, we would be dead in our sins. We realize that unless we "abide in Him" every day we can do nothing of spiritual significance. 

We realize that when Jesus rose from the dead, he proved He was truly the Son of God. We can rest assured that as Jesus rose from the dead, He too will give life to our mortal bodies when we die.   

As we mentioned earlier there are still heresies and false teachings about who Jesus was and is running rampant today. Anytime we are taught to rely on anything other than Jesus Christ for our salvation and sanctification, we are moving away from the Christian faith. 

Where do you need to become more mature in your Christian faith? What areas of your life can you allow Jesus to be totally sufficient for you!