Transformation - Day 21

"Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.

Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!

Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.

And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”

HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.

Remember my chains.

May God’s grace be with you." - Colossians 4:7-18

It would be easy to gloss over Paul's closing words as he signs off on his letter, but there are treasures here.  For some reason, as I read through Paul's list of colleagues, I am struck by the great support he has in carrying out his mission and ministry.  Some of the names are recognizable - Luke, Epahras, Mark, barnabus.  Some are names only here.  All names written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  I am also truck by the list of Greek names.  Saul, now Paul early identified himself as Jew among Jews.  Now his identity is "apostle of Jesus Christ" - a mission that called him to expand his world, his food, his culture and out of this faithful call, the rich blessings that followed.

At the end, Paul writes, "Remember my chains."  I don't think Paul was feeling sorry for himself and was digging up sympathy.  I am pretty sure from other places that Paul shared of his transformation, that he wouldn't trade his new life in Christ for anything in his former life.  It flows from the supremacy of Christ - the essence of this whole letter.

Why would you settle for the world, when you can have the Pearl of great price?  the Treasure found in a field?

We have much to learn from Paul.  I hope this 21 day series has blessed you and called you to greater love for Christ.

Transformation - Day 13

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, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 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. - Colossians 2:20-23

Paul continues to be concerned for the Colossians - that they are being manipulated by Judaizers to turn from the pure grace of Jesus Christ to become Christian (Messianic) Jews.  Circumcision, dietary laws, ritual purity laws, etc  would be added on to the moral law to bring these Jesus followers into Judaism.

This is what Paul was hinting at in yesterday's text and what he spells out clearly in this one.

Your sin died with Christ (again an allusion to baptism). You've been set free.  So why follow this wordly, unnecessary stuff.  It's all a shadow to the reality of Jesus Christ.

And he argues, these things won't make you righteous.  You can't earn salvation or holiness.  They can't help you overcome evil - that's Jesus' job though his gift of the Holy Spirit.

Those in recovery acknowledge that they are powerless to change without power from the Power.  Why do we as Christ followers attempt to be good, do good, on our own?  And then what happens when we fail again?  What sins have you kept hidden? Where are you missing the mark?  embarrassed to confide in anyone?

What sin in your life are you attempting to conquer in your own power?  How's it working for you?  Didn't think so.  I know.  I've tried.  If you are struggling (and who isn't) with some area of your life that is still in rebellion to God, maybe you need to realize/remember how much you need Christ's power and that you need the gift of community (one or two trusted Christian friends who will walk the walk with you) and you need the Spirit working in you because Christ has already freed you - sin has no power over you - you died to that stuff.

I think AA has it right.  It's time for recovery.  Pray - what area of your life does God want to show you His victory.  Pray - who can you trust to walk with you through the valley of the shadow.  Pray - for courage to overcome and take the next step.

And I am here to help.  I don't bite.  We are all imperfect people.  But God doesn't want us to stay that way.