TVCC Students,
We are glad to be getting back "into the swing of things" as far as having a regular schedule and less chaos because of the holidays. It was so wonderful to worship with you all last night. We are so encouraged to see you all worship Jesus and soak in His word. Last night we did a review from last week and moved a little further in our study of Colossians. Here is a recap from last night...
Colossians 2:8-3:1
~2:8: When Paul encourages them to "see to it" that they are not taken captive, his command is more along the lines of "always be seeing to it..." We must all be on our guard against being taken captive through philosophy and empty deception. The people in the Colossian church were in danger of being held captive to philosophy (the love of wisdom) and the tradition of men. While both tradition and philosophy can be good things- they alone are not the source of life. Jesus is the source of life. We are all in danger at times of loving "wisdom" and "tradition" apart from Christ. We all must continue to be on guard against this just as the Colossian church was called to be on guard.
Q: What are some areas of your life where you might be in danger of being held captive to the traditions of men or the worlds philosophies apart from Christ? What are some practical steps that you can take to guard against these things?
~2:9-12: In Christ is all the fullness of God! Traditions and philosophies will never satisfy us! Nothing but Jesus will ever fully satisfy. Philosophies and traditions can often lead Christians to have their "spiritual check- lists" that they cling to thinking that by completing those certain things they can keep right standing before God. This is a lie. We are nothing on our own and can never sustain a right standing before the Lord. Only in Christ are we complete and able to stand forgiven and fully acceptable before the Lord. Christ, who has been given all authority by the Father, declares a believer cleansed and pure by His blood through faith. Only His sacrifice makes us pure and declares us right before the Father.
Q: What are you trusting in to be declared righteous before the Lord?
~2:13-15: Christ made us alive! And not only did He make us alive (bringing us from spiritual death to life) but He made us alive TOGETHER with Him. Jesus brings us back to the original relationship the the Lord had with man in the garden before the fall in Genesis! Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we are able to have a pure and intimate relationship with the Lord. We can walk with Him and be near to Him without condemnation. Jesus died to bring us back to the Father (1 Peter 3:18). Let us stop trying to obtain right standing with God on our own. Jesus died so we could have a relationship with Him and the Father! Jesus canceled our debt! Jesus wants us to walk in an intimate relationship with Him through the power He has given to us through His death and resurrection!
Q: Are you walking in an intimate relationship with the Lord? Do you fully realize the lengths that Jesus went through to have a relationship with you? What is holding you back from walking intimately with Him?
~2:16-19: Paul was encouraging the Colossian church not let their own "check list" or the "check list" of others discourage them or keep them held captive. Paul wanted them to enjoy the fullness of intimacy with Jesus and this cannot be obtained through human efforts. Intimacy with Jesus comes through His work on our behalf and us surrendering to Him. Jesus is our great reward! All else compares in comparison to knowing and loving Him.
Q: Have you spent time lately just meditating on the greatness of Jesus and how wonderful it is that He wants a relationship with you?
~2:20-23: Again we see that Paul is warning them against basically becoming Christian Pharisees. So many things we can do have the "appearance" of wisdom but are not rooted in a love for Christ. Paul is basically calling them to examine their lives to see if they are just doing Christian "things" or if they are living lives full of the Lord Jesus. God wants a relationship with us- not people who have a rigid religion.
Q: When you examine your life would you say that you are walking in a relationship with Jesus or do you just have a "religion?"
~3:1: Paul is circling back around to his original statement in 2:8. He wants them to "see to it" that they are not held captive to philosophies and traditions of man and to "see to it" that they seek Christ filled things. Christ is the goal... He is our prize! He is seated with the Father. His purifying work on our behalf is complete and we are now free to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him. Let us enjoy Him!
Q: What does it look like to seek Christ on a daily basis? Are you doing this?
Dear students,
Again, we are so thankful for you all. We love having the opportunity to seek Christ alongside of you. We encourage you this week to spend time meditating on Jesus this week and what great love He has shown you through His death and resurrection. He did this so that you could walk near to Him. We pray that you will enjoy Jesus this week. We love you all!
With hope,
~Sonny and Casi
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