Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ … Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are

When you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (verses 13-15) - Three momentous scenes from Jesus’ life and ministry provide t

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (verses 6-7) - This is a wild mix of word pictures! Paul piles them up together, one butted up against another, like some outlandish collage put together by an overactive pre-schooler. But the pile-up communicates. Paul begins by affirming that the Colossians had received teaching about Jesus

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (1:28-2:1) - Perfect ? Really? Paul says that’s his aim in ministry – presenting “everyone perfect in Christ.” What an incredibly high goal! But what

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness – the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (verses 25-27) - “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” What a stunning phrase. So often Paul speaks of the fact that we ourselves are “in

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel … - I’m in the midst of a very painful relationship strain. So hard. I’m sure you’ve been there, too. When you love someone so much, the

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (verse 18) - Jesus came to seek and to save the lost – that’s us. It was by “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (verse 20) that he did it, his sacrifice decisively opening the door into the kingdom of light for each one who trusts in him. How good to be rescued, ransomed, saved. But it’s not just an individ

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (verses 16-17) - The first words of Scripture let us know the Lord’s primacy: “In the beginning God.” The next words make it plain there is no other source but him: he “created the heavens and the earth.” The rest of Genesis Chapter

He is the image of the invisible God … (verse 15) - Imagine encountering God at a burning bush, hearing his voice reverberating as he commanded you to loosen your sandals and stand, barefoot and humble, on holy ground. The light of that bush would dance on clothing and hands, even as you turned aside, hiding your face for fear of looking directly on the divine glory. Such was Moses’ response. Yet, years later, yearning for a clearer sighting, he voiced his longing to the Lord

Remember. Remember the sacrifices of those who won us peace. Remember the ongoing need. Remember. And pray - for peace in our own day: in Ukraine, in Gaza, throughout the world, in our hearts. - Photo by Bart Ros on Unsplash

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously givi

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (verse 23) - As Paul began this letter, so now he ends. Like all his letters, he’d begun by bestowing grace (together with peace) on those to whom he was writing. So, now, in closing, he speaks that same grace over his Philippian friends yet again. I love the simplicity of this blessing. It’s clear that Paul is not drawing from his own resources to bless them, as if in his own power he had such capacity, but rathe

… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (verses 11-13) - Contentment. What a settling word. It takes the wind out of the sails of jealousy and envy, greed and avarice, gluttony and more. It puts an end

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (verses 4-7) - We were filming some testimonies several years ago for our Live Stream church service. It was inspiring to hear t

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his g

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (verses 12-14) - My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (verses 10-11) - “I want to know Christ.” What a simple, powerful statement of yearning and commitment. It’s not just about intellectual knowledge. Paul would certainly run circles around most of us in that department. But he’s got his sights on something more. His interest is rel

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel … But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life … (verses 14-16) - Oh, how easy it is to fall into a pattern of “complaining” and “arguing,” murmuring and grumbling. We can do it in the church. We can do it in the world. We can do it in marriages and families and close communities of all k