Friday – March 11, 2016
It is Friday already and once again time to consume God’s Word. On Friday we remind ourselves to pray for the Church, the body of believers, the ones who depend upon the shed blood of Jesus for redemption. For those of you who live in San Antonio, Texas you will quickly recognize that the featured Church is The Cathedral of San Fernando also called the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe. This is a Roman Catholic Church whose history and original groundbreaking occurred in 1738. The picture and biographical information is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Well, let’s continue with our study of the Book of Colossians.
Colossians 2:1 (KJV)
1 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;
Recall that the Apostle Paul is writing to the saints and faithful brethren at Colossae and Laodicea. He has become aware of certain circumstances in these congregations and individuals and the Spirit of God has led him into Spiritual Warfare or intercession for those Churches and persons. We do not know if Paul has become aware of this need for intercession by letter or firsthand report and then led by the Holy Spirit into warfare or if he has been made aware directly by the Holy Spirit and led into prayer.
Colossians 2:5-6 (KJV)
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
It would appear from the preceding passage of Scripture that Paul’s Spiritual Warfare or intercession for them was not because they were off track but to warn them of a coming or hidden assault of the enemy. The Apostle Paul is saying I am excited about what I hear about you all (Texas talk) and I am right there with you in spirit, in purpose, in full support by prayer (words) which are spirit and life to you. Paul says I am filled with great joy concerning all that I know about what is going on in your midst. I see your order, how you are conducting yourselves in and out of Church and I am impressed. Look at the Message Translation.
Colossians 2:5 (MSG)
5 I’m a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I’m on your side, right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ.
The word ‘steadfastness in Colossians 2:5 has to do with being solid, I think we could say ‘rock’ solid, and Jesus is that solid rock. Now we come to what is really important and what was impressing the Apostle Paul. It was the solidness of their faith in Christ. To review very briefly remember that in very simple terms faith is to believe in, have a reliance upon, or have confidence in something or someone, in this case Christ. Faith is the substance or foundation of the things we hope for and the evidence of those things as they remain unseen (Hebrews 11:1). Remember that we cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). And anything that is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Add to that that love is the engine or fuel of faith (Galatians 5:6). As a very brief review Bible love is selflessness, observance of the Blood Covenant, and obedience to the Word of God. The faith that I am talking about here is not natural faith but Godly faith. This unwavering faith the Apostle Paul is talking about is in Christ.
Christ is not the last name of Jesus. The word ‘Christ’ can be interpreted as the Messiah (the One who will save, who will redeem), the Anointed One, and/or the Anointing. What was the work product of the coming and sacrifice of Jesus the Christ? Jesus destroyed the works of the devil by taking sin out of the way and making peace between mankind and God. His work at Calvary and beyond also brought the Holy Spirit back into the earth and available to mankind (Galatians 3:13-14). Because the Father resurrected and restored His Son, He will resurrect us and restore us, this is a part of our Blood Covenant with God. These folks at Colossae and Laodicea were rock solid in their salvation, in the Anointing, and the redemption of their bodies.
By Pastor David R. Wood
