The Characteristics of a Christian

INTRODUCTION

A. Importance of the Letter of Paul to the Colossians

Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colossae, around 60 A.D. while he was Imprisoned in Rome. He had never been there. The church was founded by those he discipled in his church plant in Ephesus. Two men from Colossae trained by Paul included Epaphras and Onesimus. His letter to those in Colossae focused on Christian doctrine which gives instruction against heresy. It is likely that Epaphras took a report to Paul concerning heresy in Colossae.

B. The nature of heresy in Colossae

Judaism

From the founding of the church in Jerusalem, many tried to include OT regulations to Christianity. Paul addressed circumcision in his letter to the Colossians, note Colossians 2:11 and 3:11. There are discussions of dietary regulations and Jewish holidays in Colossians 2:16. The mention of angel worship had become an issue in Judaism and the church, Colossians 2:18.

Gnosticism

The basic premise of this heresy is that matter is evil and good may only be found in the spirit world. There was an emphasis on knowledge - salvation became a matter of knowledge and not faith. Conclusions derived from Gnosticism. Jesus did not have a physical body because matter is evil. Therefore, Jesus could not save mankind because He did not become flesh and blood. Some became ascetics (abstainers) since our bodies are matter and therefore are evil, Colossians 2:23, These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Others declared that since our bodies are evil, it does not matter how much we sin.

C. Threads of heresy in Colossae

Spiritual fulness: The false teachers declared they had something that had not been experienced before. Note Hebrews 1:1-2, Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Superior knowledge: the false teachers offered initiation into deep spiritual truths of God. Paul emphasized the sufficiency of Christ, Colossians 2:8-10, See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Superior insight: They proclaimed that insight into the powers of evil was available. Paul taught of protection from evil instead of being familiar with evil, Colossians 2:15, He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Superior attitude: there was an elitist, critical attitude toward ordinary believers. Paul encouraged the Colossians to realize that Christ is our only hope, Colossians 2:16-17, Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS’ SPIRITUAL GROWTH, COLOSSIANS 1:9-14

A. Paul prayed that they would receive Godly knowledge (9), And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

• Paul and his companions prayed that the Colossians’ would be filled with knowledge of God’s will concerning moral and religious truth.

• Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

• Wisdom and understanding refers to the ability to properly apply spiritual truth to one’s life through discernment obtained by the Holy Spirit, not false teachers.

B. Paul prayed for Godly knowledge because it produces Godly behavior (10a), so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:

• Walk is used by Paul in the Hebrew context, an ethical sense, to conduct one’s life.

• 1 Peter 1:15, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

• It is a lofty goal to walk in a manner pleasing that pleases the Lord. Thankfully, Paul gives four qualities in verses 10-14 that demonstrate a Christ pleasing life. This is not what we must do to earn salvation but qualities of those who have been saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ alone.

C. Paul’s list of characteristics of Godly behavior (10b-14)

1. To be spiritually productive (10b), bearing fruit in every good work

• A result of increased spiritual knowledge should be a life which produces good works, Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

• Max Anders, Good works are not a means to achieve salvation, but a natural result of it. Ephesians 2:8-10, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

2. To be growing in truth (10c), increasing in the knowledge of God;

• Knowing God better develops Godly behavior, R Kent Hughes, ...the more one knows of Him, the more one wants to serve Him.

• Humility is necessary for spiritual understanding, Psalm 25:9, He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

3. To be strengthened for adversity (11), being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

• It is God’s ongoing work in our lives that strengthens Christians, Ephesians 3:16, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

• It is God’s power that gives Christians the strength to do good works, Ephesians 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

• Joy is not based on circumstances but our future hope, Matthew 5:12, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

4. To show gratitude to God (12a), giving thanks to the Father,

• The emphasis of giving thanks to the Father is with joy giving thanks which looks back to verse 11.

• Joy is a state of gladness, well-being not based on circumstances, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

C. Reasons why Christians should be thankful (12a-14)

1. There is an inheritance to be received (12b), who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

• God has made believers competent by His grace to receive an inheritance, Max Anders, We don’t qualify ourselves by our moral achievements or personal worthiness. In grace, God qualifies us when we trust Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sin.

• This inheritance is for every Christian, Acts 20:32, And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

• This inheritance is in the kingdom of light, Revelation 21:23-25, And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.

2. There is a transfer for Christians to the authority of Jesus from the domain of Satan (13), He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

• God rescued believers from destruction, Ephesians 6:12, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

• He delivered believers from the domain of darkness, 1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

• Believers are now under the authority of the kingdom of Jesus.

3. There is a positive change of spiritual condition (14), in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• Forgiveness of sins is not a definition of redemption but a feature of redemption.

• Redemption is a rescue paid only by the death of Jesus, Mark 10:45, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

• Redemption is not only a transfer from one ruler to another, it is an inner change of life. We are not the same people in a new location but new creations, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself...

SUMMARY

• All the spirituality one could ever hope for is summed up in Christ.

• The reason for spiritual knowledge is to enable Christians to live what they believe.

• Christians are to be thankful despite difficult circumstances because our hope is in heaven since Jesus delivered us from darkness to His glorious light.