The Book of Colossians has some striking parallels with the Book of Ephesians, which we have previously examined. While Ephesians focuses upon the “Church of Christ” (that is, the Church as the Body of Christ), the Book of Colossians focuses upon the “Christ of the Church” (that is, Christ as the Head of the Church). The first two chapters of Colossians focus upon the theology of Christ being the Head of the Church, while the final two chapters focus upon the practical application that is rooted in the fact that Jesus is the Head of the Church. Because believers are “rooted in Him,” “alive in Him,” “hidden in Him,” and “complete in Him,” it is totally inconsistent for any follower of Jesus to try and live their lives “apart from Him.”

Colossae was a relatively minor city in Asia Minor about a hundred miles east of the major seaport City of Ephesus. There is no indication that Paul ever visited this city during any of his missionary journeys, and thus, the church there was planted by someone else, possibly Epaphras, who was likely converted to Christ during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus while on his Third Missionary Journey. And we know that Epaphras visited Paul during his first Roman imprisonment, and likely carried this letter back to the church in Colossae. Like Ephesians and Philippians, this letter is one of Paul’s “Prison Epistles.”

Paul’s letter to this church was prompted by a growing heresy that was beginning to creep into the church, which was predominantly made up of gentile converts. The heresy combined elements of Greek speculation, Jewish legalism, and Oriental mysticism. It focused on the need for asceticism, worship of angels, and mystical experiences in order to gain access to the spiritual realm. Paul realized that any attempt to fit Christ into this system would undermine His person and redemptive work on the cross. This is why the resounding theme of the book is the preeminence and sufficiency of Christ in all things. Every believer needs to realize that he is complete in Him and lacks nothing. Paul knew that a proper view of Christ is the best antidote for heresy.

Here is a very important verse regarding the nature of Christ that we need to plant our feet on,

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority” (Col. 2:9-10).

And here is a key passage that draws practical application for the risen Christ,

“If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, and not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:1-2).

I am convinced that one of the keys to living the Christian life is that we need to get control of our mind, that is, keeping it focused on those things that are in line with Christ’s character. In doing this, we are to take off the clothes of “the old man” (our old nature inherited from Adam) and put on the clothes of “the new man” (our new nature that is made alive in Christ). My favorite verses in this letter come from Paul’s description of these “new clothes,”

“And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other…just as the Lord has forgiven you…And above all these things, put on love which is the perfect bond of unity” (Col. 3:12-14).

But Paul didn’t stop there, as he had more to share with the believers in this church,

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Col. 3:15-17).

The path to peace is to focus on the things of God and to start singing praises to Him! Peggy and I pray that we will all practice these things this week. Blessings to all of you.