Colossians 2

Chapter 2. The Christian in ColossiansWe always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. (Colossians 1:3-6)Faith, hope and love, the great trinity of Christian graces, were the foundation of the Christian character of the disciples at Colosse. From these all the graces of the Spirit unfold in a manifold and beautiful variety and completeness. Nowhere have we a simpler, stronger and more attractive picture of an ideal Christian life. Their Evolution It was out of darkness. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13). It was out of doom. For they had been under condemnation as the enemies of God. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you” (Colossians 1:21-22), “having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). It was out of death. “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins” (Colossians 2:13). Dead in sin once, they had become dead to sin now through the cross of Jesus Christ. Crucified with Him they had come forth to resurrection life. They were risen with Christ, and he could say of them, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). There is something very definite about their experience. It is all expressed in the perfect tense. He “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). He “qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12). “He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight” (Colossians 1:22). “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). We are “raised with [Christ]” (Colossians 2:12). We have “taken off [our] old self with its practices” (Colossians 3:9). We “have put on the new self” (Colossians 3:10). We are “complete in him” (Colossians 2:10). There is no ambiguity, no place for mere hoping and half believing. We have an accomplished salvation, and the great transaction is done. Their Life It is a redeemed life. It was forfeited and brought back by the ransom of the Savior’s blood. Therefore it is not our own, but belongs to Him (Colossians 1:14). It is a resurrected life. “Since, then, you have been raised”—or better, were resurrected—“with Christ, set your hearts on things above” (Colossians 3:1). It is not the old natural life improved. It is something of foreign birth, something that has come to us out of heaven, something that is wholly divine. It is Christ Himself living in us. It is a life which is hid. “Your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). It is hidden from the world which cannot understand us. It is hidden from the devil who cannot steal it. It is hidden often from our own consciousness, and, when we think it gone and mourn our lack of feeling, we find that Christ is still there waiting till the eclipse is over to reveal Himself in unchanging love. The security of our life is not in our experience, but in Him. John Newton tells us of the singular dream which led to his conversion. Sleeping in his hammock in the Adriatic, he dreamed one night that an angel gave to him a jeweled ring telling him that it was the pledge of his salvation. Soon after a demon form stood by his side and dared him to throw it into the sea. In a moment of reckless madness he yielded to the tempter and the ring was gone. Then the fiend turned to him and told him that he had lost his soul. And at the same moment an awful flame seemed to light up the sea and shore, and a voice whispered that he was lost. Then there appeared another form. It was Jesus. He stood a moment by his side and gave him one look of upbraiding love, and then leaped into the sea. After long struggling with the waves He arose to the surface, and, weary and almost dead, brought back the precious jewel and held it up to his wondering gaze. But He would not let him have it again. “I have rescued your precious soul,” He said, “at awful cost, but if I trusted it once more to your keeping, it would be lost again. I will keep it for you, and when you enter the heavenly gates it will be handed back to you as the pledge of your admission.” And Newton awoke to seek the Savior, and afterwards to write those precious hymns which tell of His redeeming love. Their Dress By a very fine metaphor the apostle describes the Christian life under the figure of disrobing and robing a person. Our garments are frequently used to denote our character. And so the word habit has come to mean both our dress and manner of living. There is first the process of disrobing. It begins with the putting off of our old habits and dispositions, our old clothes. “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other” (Colossians 3:8-9). All this has reference to sinful acts and dispositions. Next, however, we strip not only to the skin, but to the bone, and to the very heart. For we put off our very selves. “You have taken off your old self with its practices” (Colossians 3:9). This is the entire renunciation and crucifixion of our old self and our whole natural life. Next comes the process of robing. This begins inside. There must be a new man first before he can wear his new clothes. You would not put clean and beautiful garments on an unbathed person. And so we read, “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (Colossians 3:10-11). This is not the old man improved, but it is the Christ man, the Lord Jesus Himself becoming our new life so perfectly that even our national, social and ecclesiastical distinctions, peculiarities and characteristics disappear, and Christ is all and in all. Then having put on the new man, we put on the new clothes, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:12-13). Here we have the fine undergarments of compassion, a sympathetic, tender sensitiveness to the sufferings and feelings of others, a kind and loving manner, a meek and lowly spirit, a longsuffering patience, the beautiful robe of forgiveness full of pockets that are all open at the bottom, where we receive the wrongs of others to drop them behind us. Then there comes as the last article of our new apparel, the belt, which in Oriental countries binds all the robes compactly around the person, and enables him to move and work without embarrassment. And so love is our belt, compacting all our graces into service and enabling us to use our blessing for the blessing of others. This is the meaning of the 14th verse. “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together.” Beloved, here is the fashion plate from the heavenly wardrobe for a well-dressed Christian. Let us see to it that we are in the style of the kingdom and the society above. Their Walk As soon as we are dressed it is right that we should go forth to our various walks. First we read of their former walk in evil things. “You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived” (Colossians 3:7). Next we have the companion of their walk. “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live [walk] in him” (Colossians 2:6). This is not a solitary walk, but like Enoch they walk with God. Then we have the posture in which they walk, their pose of lofty dignity as the children of the king. “That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way” (Colossians 1:10). And finally, we have their walk before the world. In all carefulness and consistency, so deporting themselves as not to bring reproach upon the name of Christ before the ungodly, and to use every opportunity to bear witness for the Lord and to be a blessing to men. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). Beloved, is this our walk? Their Talk It is not a silent life. Our conversation forms a large part of our activity and influence, and just as the tongue is the best sign of good or bad health in the physical world, so a wholesome tongue is the symptom of true holiness, and an ungoverned tongue sets on fire the whole course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell. James has said with awful emphasis that “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check” (James 3:2). Our conversation among our Christian associates is vividly described in Colossians 3:16. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” It is to be flavored with the word of Christ. It is to be illuminated by songs and gladness; and even when we have to admonish and reprove our brethren, it is to be with sweetness and love. But especially in our general conversation are we reminded, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). This is a high standard and excludes a good deal of the light and frivolous and inane conversation even of Christians. We should never speak without saying something. The salt suggests wholesomeness, purity and good sense. The word grace suggests enough of religion to lift it above the ordinary plane, yet not too much to make it stilted and set. It is possible to talk to the people of the world in such a way as to commend Christ without preaching at them. “That you may know how to answer everyone,” suggests the need of tact and discrimination. “Do not answer a fool according to his folly” (Proverbs 26:4), is just as timely sometimes as the other precept, “Answer a fool according to his folly” (Proverbs 26:5), is at other times. Christ was the Master of right speech. His noblest victories were in silencing the criticisms and carpings of His enemies by replies which searched their very hearts and exposed them to their own contempt and the ridicule of the people, so that “no one dared to ask him any more questions” (Luke 20:40). God give to us a wholesome tongue. Their Education For just as the child must be instructed, so the Christian has to pass through the school of discipline. And so we read “[We] have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding;… growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10). It is spiritual wisdom and the knowledge of God that formed the subjects of their high study. And the special theme of their deepest inquiry, the philosophy that is more profound than all the wisdom of the ages, is the “mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27). He prays for them in the next chapter that they may “have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). This was to be their safeguard against the seductions of false philosophy. This was to save them from going “into great detail about what [they have] seen, and [their] unspiritual mind [puffs them] up with idle notions” (Colossians 2:18). Christ is the wisdom of God, and there are depths and heights of truth for those who are taught of the Spirit the deep things of God, truths that satisfy the intellect and feed the heart and bring not only light but life and love. Their Temper The Christian temper has reference especially to the finer qualities of disposition rather than to the cardinal virtues, moralities and proprieties, which, of course, are taken for granted in a life of holiness. Many of these finer traits are touched upon in this beautiful portrait. Here is a finer touch. “Strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that…” not some great achievement, some eloquent address, some outward activity, but to suffer in sweetness, or as is so finely expressed here, “so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully [give] thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:11-12). To suffer—to suffer long, to suffer all—not only with patience, but with joyfulness. That, indeed, is a final touch of the refining fire. Here again is a fine touch. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). “Set your hearts on things above” (Colossians 3:1). “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). This gives loftiness to the character and lifts the soul above the groveling things of time. Finally, there is the thankful and happy temper which runs as an undertone through many passages in this epistle, “And be thankful… sing… with gratitude in your hearts to God… giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:15-17). There is nothing more welcome in this world of clouds and tears than a cheerful disposition, a shining face, a thankful heart. Of such a spirit one of our simplest poets has said: There’s not a cheaper thing on earth, Nor yet one half so dear; ‘Tis better than distinguished birth, Or thousands gained a year. Their Principles and Practice Of course, their Christian life was a practical one, reaching through a whole circle of domestic, social and public life, making them better wives, husbands, fathers, children, masters, servants and business men. But it is not their practice so much as their principles that the apostle emphasizes. Christian ethics do not consist so much in a thousand minute directions about the details of duty, as in a few sound, comprehensive principles of action which apply to every question and settle every point. Three such principles are given here.

1. “Live a life worthy of the Lord and… please him in every way” (Colossians 1:10).
2. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).
3. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). The first of these principles sets before us a high aim and we are inspired to live up to it. We have been lately told that the reason the late Commissioner Waring [turn of the century commissioner in New York City] required his street cleaning brigade to wear white duck suits at their dirty work was because he felt that it would be an incentive to them to keep the streets so clean that their clothes would not be soiled, and he succeeded. And so God robes us in the garments of kingliness, and then bids us live up to it by keeping them clean. The second of these principles requires us to identify ourselves so fully with Christ that we really act as if we were He. A great actress lately said that when she was acting the part of some strong character she actually felt all the emotions, affections and sufferings required by the play, and that her tears, her smiles and all her expressions were absolutely natural and spontaneous, and for the time being she was really lost in her character. Beloved, God gives to you and me the honor of acting the title role in the greatest drama of the ages. You are permitted to represent the very character of Christ Himself and exhibit to the world the excellencies and graces of Him who is the glory of heaven and the paragon of all goodness, loveliness and grace. Surely this is an inspiration to live up to the highest things. Then the third of these principles, a single aim to glorify God, is as far-reaching and uplifting in its power. A distinguished clergyman once told me that he announced a special sermon on popular amusements, and great numbers of young people came to hear it. He did not once mention cards, dancing or the theater, and yet at least two of his auditors went home that night saying to each other, “I will not play cards, I will not go to the theater, I will not indulge in the worldly dance again.” He had simply brought home with convincing power to the hearts of his hearers the single verse, “[The Father] has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29). This will accomplish more to lift people above the world than all our denunciation of forbidden things. Their Hope “Faith and love… spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). This was one of the things for which he thanked God. “To present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Colossians 1:22). This was the glorious purpose of Christ’s atonement. “That we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). This was the holy ambition of his own personal ministry, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). This was the glorious transfiguration which the Lord’s coming was to bring to them. “Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:24). This was the recompense for which they were toiling at their lowly and servile task. “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12). This was the present preparation for the Lord’s coming which His grace had bestowed upon them. And this is the attitude in which we still should be waiting for His coming. Be fit now and ready always that we may be found of Him in peace. Thus would He have us waiting for His appearing. It has lately been stated that the great Von Moltke, who planned with such signal success the victorious campaign of the German army against France, had been ready for many years for that expected event. And when one night an orderly knocked at his door with a message from the king that war was imminent, he simply directed the orderly to go to a certain pigeonhole in his office where he would find all the directions to the different commanders with all the necessary papers ready for instant delivery. And there they were, the plans of the campaign, plans of fortresses, orders to generals of divisions, all ready; and then he turned over and quietly went to sleep. He had been ready for years. So should we be diligent that we may be found by Him in peace, and that when He comes we may open to Him immediately. So may we be found fit for the inheritance of the saints of light.