Day 277

Jeremiah 2:31–4:18; Colossians 1:1-17; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 24:21-22

TODAY WE BEGAN the twelfth of book of the New Testament —the epistle (or letter) from the apostle Paul to the Colossians.

Colossae was not unfamiliar to Paul. It was a city about a hundred miles from Ephesus, where he spent considerable time. The ancient ruins of Colossae have been identified in the western part of modern-day Turkey, but they are largely unexcavated to date.

During Paul’s life, Colossae was a cultural stew, fostering much mingling of philosophical and religious ideas. These had made their way into the Colossian church, and Paul’s letter was written as a response.

Like Ephesians and Philippians, Colossians is widely considered to be another of Paul’s letters written from prison in Rome while he awaited trial before the emperor. It generally breaks down into two sections. The first deals with a doctrinal issue. Individuals had come into the church who were teaching angel worship and other foreign rituals. Paul addressed this by reiterating Christ’s supremacy over all creation. He wrote that the universe itself was created by and through Jesus and is sustained through His lordship. Next, Paul addressed the circumcised-versus-uncircumcised controversy that we’ve encountered many times in his letters. This issue had found its way to Colossae, and of course, Paul clearly shared his views on the matter.

Having the benefit of many of Paul’s letters, we’re able to observe the challenges and encouragements of the early church. Ironically, many of these challenges are still with us today in one form or another, making it possible for us to experience growth and correction in our own contexts. Understanding that Colossians was written by a man awaiting a life-or-death judgment allows the letter to carry the gravity it deserves. Colossians serves as a magnificent testament to the lordship of Jesus in our lives and the overwhelming reality of what that lordship offers to humanity.

DECLARATION:

“O Israel,” says the LORD, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.”