Day 348 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Colossians
Real Fulfillment
Fulfillment is something for which we all long. There seems to be a vacuum in our hearts. We seek meaning in life and in the things we do. There are many philosophies and religions in our world, and many are deceptive. How can we tell which one will bring fulfillment to our souls?
While detained as a prisoner in Rome, the Apostle Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians. Comparing the similarity of content in Ephesians 4-6 with Colossians, it’s evident that Colossians was written immediately after the book of Ephesians.
Gnosticism and Angels
Believers in Ephesus and Colossai faced similar struggles from their cultures. One of these was deceptive philosophies. An early Gnostic heresy arose among the Colossians; some Jewish Christians claimed to have special knowledge apart from the Bible. They taught that fulfillment was found by returning to rules, traditions, and religious celebrations. They also claimed unique knowledge about angels.
The Apostle Paul says that kind of teacher “...has lost connection with the Head [of the Christian church, i.e., Christ], from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow” (Colossians 2:19, NIV).
Paul then challenges the Christians in Colossai,
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 based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence (Colossians 2:19-23, NIV).
Christianity is superior to Gnosticism or any other philosophy
Paul says,
In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ [i.e., he cuts away the evil from our hearts when we trust him to forgive our sins] (Colossians 2:9-11, NIV).
Since God has cut away the evil and forgiven our sins, we need to continue in Christ and discover more of the fullness found in him. How is that done?
The Apostle instructs the Colossian believers (and us by application):
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 (Colossians 2:6–7, NIV).
Building our relationship with Christ
Our spiritual life needs to be rooted in Christ, not philosophy. God has left us the Bible to help us. Someone formed an acrostic with the alphabetic letters of this book. James Rosetti wrote a book about it, and a rap song was made from it. Anyway, here is the acrostic.
B-Basic
I-Instructions
B-Before
L-Leaving
E-Earth
There is some truth to that statement. However, we want to know more than basic instructions about our eternal destiny.
When we read his Word (the Bible), we learn about our Almighty Creator, what pleases him, and how he wants us to live. Reading it daily, thinking about what it means and how it applies to us helps build our knowledge of Christ. This is what we are doing through these chronological Bible studies.
Knowledge about Christ, however, is not enough to build a relationship. We need to respond to what God says in his Word through prayer and obedience. We also need to be thankful for the fullness we have in him—he completely fills the need of our souls! We don’t need anything else.
If we have believed in Christ and have all the fullness we need in him, how should we live? What should we do?
We need to change our focus
Paul tells the Colossians (and us):
Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died [to your old ways of self-indulgent living], and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4, NIV).
Therefore, Paul concludes that we need to put to death our old immoral ways of living and live for God in ways pleasing to him. We need to have a heart of thankfulness, compassion, humility, love, and let it affect our church, family, work, and everything we do. Whatever we do, we should do it for the glory of God. Furthermore, we should devote ourselves to giving thanks, prayer, worship, reading, meditating in God’s Word, and Christian fellowship.
How should we act toward unbelievers?
Paul tells the Colossians that they (and we) should
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation [words] be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:5-6, NIV).
Paul prays for the Colossians,
asking God to fill you [them] with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we [Paul and his companions] pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way (Colossians 1:9-10, NIV).
Spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and fulfillment are found in Jesus Christ, not the world’s vain philosophies. Knowledge of Christ should not fill us with pride; instead, it should make us humble, thankful, and lead us to live a life of love and service for God. Jesus Christ fills the void within us, so we want to share him with others. Do you need Jesus to fill the emptiness in your soul?
Discussion
Where can we find satisfaction or fulfillment for our empty souls?
Is Christ all that we need, or do we need more? Why or why not?
Who should we be aware of? Why?
Focus Verses
Colossians 2:6-8a (NIV)
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. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy.”
Here is music to go with today's Bible study: Plain and Simple by the Wisecarvers
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
My prayer response: Heavenly Father, our hearts long for fulfillment. Thank you that we can find it in a personal relationship with you, our most holy God and loving creator. May we share this message with the world to bring more people into your kingdom. May your will be done in drawing others into a satisfying relationship with you.
Please meet our daily needs and fill the hunger in our hearts with you. Forgive our sins chasing after other life experiences, living for pleasure. Help us also to forgive others who hurt us. May we not be led into the temptation to find fulfillment in things, philosophies, or even relationships. That is idolatry. Our ultimate peace and satisfaction are in you, for the kingdom of heaven, the power, and the glory belong to you, forever, Amen.
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead: Christ fills our emptiness, but we still have many struggles in this life. How do we practice Joyful Living in Bad Circumstances? Join us for our Next Lesson in the books of Philemon and Philippians 1-2.
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