MAN MADE RELIGION

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - COLOSSIANS

Read Colossians 2

     Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.   Colossians 2:4-5 NKJV

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     This newly formed church worshiped in a city with a mixed culture of pagan religion and strict Judaism. The Jews insisted on keeping the traditions of the law while pagan philosophers called for extreme neglect of the body through self imposed religion and worship of angels. 
     Paul warns the Colossian church, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (2:8-10)

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     Lord, I praise You that we are complete in You. I pray that as I have "received Christ Jesus the Lord, so (I will) walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as (I) have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." (2:6-7) Thank You Lord, for the free gift of Your salvation.

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     "And you, being dead in your trespasses...He has made alive together with Him...having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."   Colossians 2:13-14 NKJV

OUR BLESSED HOPE

      “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   Romans 6:8-11 NKJV

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     This year Passover came late, giving us more time to anticipate Easter Sunday. Everything about this time of year speaks of resurrection, as the leaves appear on trees and flowers begin to bloom. Likewise, those of us who follow Jesus in true belief look forward to new life when we leave this earth to be with Him. This is the hope of the resurrection. Paul assures us as believers,

    “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”  1Thess. 4:13-14 NKJV

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     Sometimes in the winter everything looks dead and brown. Some plants only last for a season, but for those with life in their roots, growth springs forth again. That life in us was made possible through the resurrection.

     Dear Lord, we praise You for the eternal hope we have because Jesus conquered death. Perhaps we will be among those who do not see death, but instead are caught up in the air to ever be with our Lord. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.

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    “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”  1Thess. 4:15-17 NKJV