Colossians 2

Hello Project Ezra! This week’s reading is Colossians chapter 2. There is a tremendous amount of truth packed into this short chapter. There were a lot of different directions I considered going, but I ended up trying to focus on God’s character and on Jesus Christ’s nature as God in human flesh. I pray that the outline will be a blessing. Please consider sharing it with your friends and church family, and encouraging them participate, or posting it on your social network pages. Also, please take a look at the information at the end regarding the Ambassador’s Academy.

All for His glory,
Dan

Read Colossians 2

One of these passages warns us not to be taken captive to philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition. So I would ask you not to thoughtlessly reject what I’m saying, but test and see whether it is true.

The Bible says there is a God, and He has revealed Himself in a person, the person of Jesus Christ

It states that in Jesus Christ all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form, and He is the head of all rule and authority

It also speaks of a record of debt, which implies there are legal demands that are upon us

Legal demands mean we are at odds with the law, and Jesus being the head of all rule and authority means it’s His law. We are at odds with God.

You have likely heard some of God’s law. You may not understand why God declared the laws He did. They may sound unreasonable or arbitrary. But they are neither.

God’s law, and His reaction to the breaking of that law, is based on His holy character. He is perfect, and pure and holy, set apart from His creation. His eyes are too pure to look on evil, and because He is good He will not leave the guilty unpunished.

The problem is, by God’s standards, you and I are guilty. We have broken God’s law, and are deserving of punishment. And God is a righteous judge, who feels indignation, who feels anger every day at those who break His law.

Because God is good, He will see that justice is done. Because God is perfect His justice will be perfect. He will perfectly punish not only murderers and rapists, but all who have done wrong.

He will punish liars. His character is truth and He expects the same from us.

He will punish thieves, regardless of the amount they have stolen or the amount of time since they have stolen. Time does not forgive sin.

He will punish blasphemers, and will not hold those guiltless who misuse His name. His name is above all names, and should be given the utmost respect, but is often used to express surprise or disgust.

He will punish adulterers, whether they have committed adultery in physical fact or in thought. God knows all thoughts, and our thoughts condemn us just as our actions do.

He will punish unbelievers, since His word says He has given ample evidence for His existence, and those who don’t believe are without excuse.

The punishment God’s word describes is beyond imagination. The Bible talks of outer darkness, and torment in eternal fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This may be a frightening thing to consider, but it is the truth of God’s word. If you examine it yourself you will find it to be true. And if you examine yourself in truth, you will know that you deserve it.

But that is only part of the story. The Bible speaks of the gospel, which means good news. And if we will read God’s word we will see that it is very good news.

God says He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He says that He is a God of love, who loves His creation.

Because God is a God of perfect justice, He made sure justice would be satisfied.
Hell will satisfy God’s justice. But because He is a God of perfect love, He provided another way for justice to be satisfied, and that way is through Jesus Christ.

In Jesus all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. God came to earth in the form of a man to reveal Himself to us. Then He satisfied justice in His own body and blood, on a Roman cross.

On that cross the price of sin was paid, and the wrath of God was poured out on the one man who never deserved it. His infinite worth paid the price for our infinite sin.

But Jesus did more than die. Three days later He rose. He proved His power over death, and He ascended to heaven to sit in the presence of God, to speak on the behalf of those who trust in Him.

You see, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice does not save all, although it certainly could.
Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

His word says there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
Those who will do what God declared, who will turn from their sins and put their trust in Christ and Christ alone as their payment for sins, and as their Lord and king, will be saved.

Those who choose to reject Jesus Christ will remain in their sins, and pay the price themselves in hell.

I plead with you today to turn from your sins and to turn to Jesus Christ. He is a good, loving and patient God. Throw yourself upon His mercy, and He will be faithful and just to forgive your sins and grant you everlasting life.

But please don’t delay. None of us is promised tomorrow. God is good and patient, but His patience will not last forever.

It is appointed to men to die one and then face judgment. Before you do, turn from your sins and trust in Christ alone.
____________________

At the beginning of June I will be heading to southern California to attend the Way of the Master Ambassador’s Academy, as a team leader. I would appreciate your prayers for me and the rest of the participants. I would also encourage you to attend one of the other upcoming Academies, if you have not already done so. It was the Ambassador’s Academy that launched me into public evangelism. The training is amazing, and you will be mentored by Godly men and women who God is using in amazing ways to share His gospel. Please take a few minutes to take a look at the links below.

Youtube Intro


Information Page