November 2008 Meditation
Holy Apostle Spoiled
No, this is not an article about corruption in the ministry, it is the final installment in the series which began in August on the key words in the book of Colossians. Please check out the previous articles if you haven't already read them.
Holy
Twice in this little epistle Paul refers to our being holy. This concept might seem foreign to may modern-day believers who look at their failure-ridden lives and wonder what the Colossians might have had that they do not. Again, we can get a better understanding of this truth by using the letters of the word as an acrostic to investigate the elements which comprise this truth.
H stands for His viewpoint. It is God’s perspective, not our own which is important when we consider our relationship to Him. If we look at our mistakes, accidents, and even deliberate misdeeds, we will never feel that we are acceptable to God; Satan, the accuser (Revelation 12:10) will see to that. However, if we could only look at ourselves through God’s eyes, we would see that the filter of Jesus’ blood which has been applied to our lives filters out all these shortcomings. (I John 1:9) Notice that Paul’s statement in chapter one verse twenty-two says that we are “holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” We may not necessarily be in such good standing in our own eyes; but it is His perspective that counts, not ours! Though one single reference in scripture would be sufficient to prove a point unquestionable, let’s take just a minute to peruse the scriptures to confirm that God anticipates that His people be without fault and blameless, not just in His sight alone, but that they also mature into the Christ life to the point that the lives that He sees as faultless would become manifest to the world. “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” (I Thessalonians 3:13) “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4) “Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 1:8) “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15) “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thessalonians 5:23) “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (II Peter 3:14) “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude 1:24) “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14) “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Revelation 14:5)
Paul takes special interest in seeing that church leaders demonstrate blamelessness. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.” (I Timothy 3:2) “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” (I Timothy 3:10) “And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.” (I Timothy 5:7) “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.” (Titus 1:6) “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre.” (Titus 1:7)
O helps us to remember to always be Oriented toward heaven. In chapter three, Paul instructs us to “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (verses 2-4) This was the same principle that he lived his own life by as he testified in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul was able to endure incredible hardships in life because he was so focused on the heaven he was going to that he hardly noticed the hell he was going through!
L is a reminder to be Loyal in our own homes. Paul knew that if your faith doesn’t work in the microcosm of your own home, there is no hope of its ever working in the macrocosm of the world; therefore, he made a point to instruct both the Colossians and the Ephesians to carefully put their faith into practice at home. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” (verses 3:18-21) “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:21-6:4)
Rounding out the word is a Y representing Yielding to authority. In both Colossians and Ephesians, Paul instructs employees to submit to their employers as if working directly to God and for employers to treat their employees fairly, remembering that they too are employed by the Lord. “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” (verses 3:22-4:1) “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” (Ephesians 6:5-9)
Apostle
We might question why exactly we are to give heed to the authoritative teaching of this individual. What right does he have to speak so boldly into our lives? He couches his teachings on the one simple statement that he is an apostle, but what exactly does that mean and what weight does it carry? Again, let’s use the word as an acrostic to explore what clues we can find in the book of Colossians and Paul’s other writings.
The A tells us that he as Appointed to this mission. Twice, he assures us that he is not acting of his own will and volition, but under direct mandate of God. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother.” (verse 1:1) “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God.” (verse 1:25) Similar affirmations are given at the opening of all his letters, including the companion volume, Ephesians. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.” (verse 1:1) In I Timothy 2:7, he goes a bit further an expands his job description to include a couple other hats, “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” His insistence that his mission was not of his own choosing but one thrust upon him by God is reminiscent of the words of Jesus in John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
The P reminds me of one of the significant attributes that makes any leader worthy to speak in to the lives of those under him--that he is a Prayer warrior who genuinely holds them up in prayer before the throne of God. “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (verse 1:3) “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” (verse 1:5) “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (verse 1:9) Each of his letters opens with the same reassurance that he is baptizing his followers in prayer continually; however, the letter to the Ephesians contains the content of some of his prayers which give practical demonstration of how he interceded for them. “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (verses 3:14-20) “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (verses 1:15-23)
O stands for another qualification which is often lacking in the lives of leaders and would-be spokesmen of God--Offering oneself for the followers. “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.” (verse 1:24) “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.” (verse 2:1)
S stands for Sharing, the quality of getting into the yoke with others and helping carry the burden and get the job done. In this letter, Paul mentions a number of individuals with whom he has become partners. “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.” (verse 1:7) “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.” (verses 4:7-18)
In II Corinthians 8:23, he speaks of Titus as his partner and fellowhelper. Timotheus was a close associate to Paul, who was listed as his workfellow in Romans 16:21, his brother, minister of God, and fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ in I Thessalonians 3:2, and the only one likeminded who will naturally care for the state of the believers in Philippians 2:19-20.
The T draws our focus on Truth. “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.” (verses 1:5-6) A genuine minister is one who tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help him God! Paul tells his followers on at least four occasions that he is telling them the truth and will not lie to them. (Romans 9:1, II Corinthians 11:31, Galatians 1:20, I Timothy 2:7) Something other than the truth or something less than the full truth may be more convenient, but in the long run will be harmful. A true minister knows that a half truth is a full lie, and he will always lovingly speak the full truth. (Ephesians 4:15) He knows that the truth may hurt but that the lack of it will kill! The fact that ministry is founded on truth may seem to be so obvious that we would think that it need not even be discussed, it would be interesting to further this study in the three tiny books if First, Second, and Third John which have a combined total of only just over one hundred verses, yet over thirty references to the necessity of eliminating lies and turning to the truth.
The L in “apostle” is there to remind us of Love, the foundation of all ministry. “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints.” (verse 1:4) “Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.” (verse 1:8) “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” (verse 1:13) “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.” (verse 2:2) “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” (verse 3:19) Though the entire New Testament is a treatise on the topic of love, we all know that First Corinthians chapter thirteen is the apex of the discussion for here we learn that no ministry--no matter how spiritual it may seem, how dynamic it may appear, or how outstanding it may be--is useless unless it is founded on and functioning through love. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (verses 1-3)
The word “apostle” ends with the letter E, appropriately symbolizing Eternity, the end focus of all ministry. True ministry will certainly help us deal with the issues of the here-and-now, but the ultimate goal is to prepare us for the return of the Lord and our eternal live with Him in heaven. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (verses 3:1-2) In Titus 2:13, Paul calls this eternal life our “blessed hope,” and in I Corinthians 15:19, he adds that if our only hope is in the present life “we are of all men most miserable.” John builds on this truth to explain to us that every man who has this hope in him will purify himself and have a life that makes a difference in the here-and-now because of its focus on eternity. (I John 3:3)
Spoiled
We learned earlier that one of the key verses in Colossians is chapter two verse fifteen where Paul says that Christ has spoiled principalities and powers and made a public display of them as He triumphed over them. Before we conclude our study, it is appropriate that we re-visit this idea one last time--only this time we need to look at the flipside of the coin. Paul warned that it is also possible for our opponents to spoil believers, leaving them disarmed, disrobed, and humiliated just as Christ has done to the devil. In the word “spoil,” we see five areas which we must guard to ensure our spiritual lives and the victories promised us in this letter.
The letter S stands for Seduction. When the enemy realizes that he can’t take us down by force, he switches to a second approach. His plan B is to seduce us into believing his lies. Just as more women lose their virtue to men through seduction than to rape, it is more likely that Christians will be overcome by the enemy through his enticing lies than through outright onslaught. Paul warned the Colossians to be on guard “lest any man should beguile you with enticing words” (verse 2:4) and to “beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (verse 2:8). In the companion letter to the Ephesians the apostle gave two powerful keys for preventing such deception. In chapter four, he told them to submit themselves to the God-appointed leadership in the church so that they could mature to the point that they were no longer “children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” (verses 11-14) In the following chapter, he instructed them to be followers of God, as dear children; and to walk in love, while avoiding fornication, all uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting, guaranteeing that no one would deceive them with vain words. (verses 1-5)
P stand for Pride, which we all know is the precursor to destruction. (Proverbs 16:18) In the case of the Colossians, their weakness toward pride seemed to be camouflaged as humility--a false humility which actually boasts of how humble you are. Unfortunately, in their quest to be humble, the Colossians had submitted themselves spirits which demanded their obedience. As a result, they lost the freedom that Christ had purchased for them and they became subject to trying to merit their salvation. “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” (verse 2:18) Paul clearly explains that none of our good works are worthy of our pride. “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:9) “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” (Romans 3:27) He even goes so far in Philippians 3:4-8 to say, “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”
O represents Obligate, adding requirements to the grace of God. It has been said that Jesus plus nothing equals everything but Jesus plus anything equals nothing. In other words, we negate salvation by grace alone through faith if we allow ourselves to be bound by any obligations other than simple trust in Christ. Paul warned the Colossians, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (verses 2:16-17) When writing to the Galatians, Paul spoke extensively of this bondage (verses 2:4; 4:3, 9, 24, 25) and summed up the discussion in chapter five verse one by saying, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
I speaks of Ignoring the wonderful provisions which have been made available to us. He warns the Colossians not to let their relationship with Christ, the Head, slip. If they do so, he warns, they will forget that they are dead to the ordinances of this world and will fall again into trying to earn their salvation. “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (verses 2:19-23) The author of Hebrews gives us the bottom line on the topic in chapter two verse three when he writes, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”
The L which finishes out the word “spoil,” representing the fact that we are Loosed from the things that once held us enslaved. “For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” (verses 3:6-7) The parallel idea is presented in Paul’s companion letter to the Ephesians, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (verses 2:2, 5:6) In Romans 8:1, Paul explains that there is no longer any condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus walking according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. In Ephesians chapter four, he goes on to say that we must put away lying, sins of angry, stealing, and corrupt communication. These things, he says, cause us to give place to the devil and to grieve the Holy Spirit of God who has sealed us unto the day of redemption. (verses 25-30) Galatians 5:16 sums up the topic succinctly, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” If we allow the Spirit of Christ in us to lead our daily lives, we will live victoriously over every bondage and any attack that the enemy of our souls may attempt. In the sixth chapter of Romans when he asked the question concerning a Christian’s continuing to live in sin, Paul answered his own query with the exclamation, “God forbid!” Once we have been loosed, we must never yield ourselves to the bondage of the enemy again.
Conclusion
The nineteenth-century Quaker author, Hannah Whithall Smith wrote, “Dear friend, I make the glad announcement to thee that the Lord in in thy heart. Since the day of thy conversion He has been dwelling there, but thou hast lived on in ignorance of it. Every moment during all that time might have been passed in the sunshine of His sweet presence, and every step have been taken under His advice. But because thou knew it not, and did not look for Him, ther, thy life has been lonely and full of failure. But now that I make the announcement to thee, how wilt thou receive it? Art thou glad to have Him? Wilt thou throw wide open every door to welcome Him in? Wilt thou joyfully and thankfully give up the government of thy life into His hands? Wilt thou consult Him about everything, and let Him decide each step for thee, and mark out every path? Wilt thou invite Him into thy innermost chambers, and make Him the sharer in thy most hidden life? Wilt thou say ’Yes’ to all His longing for union with thee, and with a glad and eager abandonment hand thyself and all that concerns thee over into His hands? If thou wilt, then shall thy soul begin to know something of the joy of union with Christ.” If we do as Sister Smith has asked, we will have learned the colossal message of the book, that there is a mystery which has now been revealed--Christ living in us is our hope of glory. At that point the message will become colossal within us!