Christ in Colossians – Part 1 – Jesus is Fully God
One of the primary themes about Jesus that Paul presents to the Colossians is that Jesus is fully God. This theme is clearly presented in two key passages. Paul says, “for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,” (Col. 1:19) and later Paul reiterates this truth by saying, “for in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col. 2:19). Jesus wasn’t partly God or a godly person. He was God. John MacArthur Jr. helps us to better understand what Paul meant by the “fullness” of God dwelling in Jesus:
Pleroma (fulness) was a term used by the later Gnostics to refer to the divine powers and attributes, which they believed were divided among the various emanations. That is likely the sense in which the Colossian errorists used the term. Paul counters that false teaching by stating that all the fulness of deity is not spread out in small doses to a group of spirits, but fully dwells in Christ alone.[1]
Not only is Jesus said to contain the fullness of God, but Paul also says that “He is the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15). This statement would have reminded Paul’s Jewish readers of Genesis 1:27, which states that “God created man in his own image.” Jesus wasn’t created, though. “As the image of the invisible God, the Son is, first of all, himself God.”[2] In this statement, Paul is pointing to the deity of Jesus.
Along with the clear statements of the deity of Jesus, there are also other statements in which Paul gives the incommunicable attributes of God to Jesus. There are a few that are worth noting. We have “forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:14). Paul states that “all things were created through him” (Col. 1:16). Jesus is declared to be eternal, as “he is before all things” (Col. 1:17). The preservation of our salvation is found in Jesus as we are “built up in Him” (Col. 2:7). Jesus is in heaven and “seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). Whether boldly stating the fullness of Jesus’ deity or subtly giving attributes of God to Jesus, the Apostle Paul is communicating to the Colossians that Jesus is fully God.
[1] MacArthur Jr., Colossians and Philemon
, 52.
[2] William Hendriksen, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (The New American Commentary, Vol. 32)
What is a Disciple of Jesus? – Part VII – Being on Mission
Jesus was sent on mission into our world. God the Father sent Jesus into this world to “seek and save the lost.”[i] As we are made into the image of Christ we are sent too. From the beginning, Jesus’ desire wasn’t for us to receive his gift of salvation and then be whisked off to heaven. Jesus’ prayer for us as his disciples was clear and simple.
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.[ii]
As Christ followers, we have been blessed with a great gift. Jesus has trusted us to share his good news with those around us. This is a beautiful and simple task, but it isn’t easy. Just as the world was against Jesus, it will be against us. Jesus didn’t send us into the world alone though.
When Jesus told his disciple to love one another in John 13:34-35, he wasn’t telling them to live in loving community for the benefit of each other (although there are benefits to living in loving community). It was for the benefit of those around them. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”[iii] We are called to share the good news of Jesus through the instrument of community.
There are two areas that can hurt our mission to image Jesus to the world that are found in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:14-18. The first is if we are part of the world. Jesus was not of this world. He lived differently than everyone around him. He handled money differently. He handled relationships differently. He handled work differently. He handled family differently. He handled love differently. Jesus lived a life different from the world around him. We are called to do the same thing. By living differently than the world around us, we bring the focus to Jesus who is the instrument of salvation.
The second area that can hinder our mission is if we separate ourselves from the world. Jesus was different as he was in the world. He didn’t escape the dirt and evil of this world, but instead dived deep into it to shine His light into the darkness. He ate and drank with alcoholics, corrupt city officials, prostitutes, self-righteous religious leaders, disease- infested street dwellers, and blue-collar workers. Who cares if we have the hope of Jesus if it doesn’t make a difference in the world around us? Like Jesus, we are sent into the world and share that hope. We glorify Jesus when we are in the world but not of the world. Spend this week focusing on how you are sent to be a light in this dark and dying world.
[i] Luke 19:10 (ESV)
[ii] John 17:14-18 (ESV)
[iii] John 13:35 (ESV)
Acts 29
Some of you know that I eventually plan to plant a church in Albuquerque. I’m just waiting on God’s timing and some good training before I do. So in the mean time I’ve been doing a lot of reading and listening to a lot of podcasts. Through reading and the direction of my pastor, I came across Acts 29 Network . These guys rock! If you are thinking about planting a church or have a friend who is, you really need to check them out. There are one of the first groups I’ve found who really stand for truth and love. I just thought I would give them a quick shout out.
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