As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”  (Colossians 2:6,7)

It was through Epaphras that the gospel came to the city of Colosee. They had received Jesus as the fullness of God, and Savior of their souls. This reception brought great joy.

However, Paul is now urging them to continue in Christ. The Gnostic heresy threatened the souls of these disciples. Paul uses three metaphors to encourage them to progress in their faith.

What path are you on? They were to walk in Christ. They were to walk according to the parameters of Christ’s truth. Every move and every motive was to be found in him.

How deep is your root? They must be rooted in Jesus. On several occasions Paul uses this figure to describe a condition of steadfastness and maturity. (Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 3:17-19)  From this root springs the fruits of knowledge, love, joy, and good works. The present active tense of the verb implies a continued progress.

How solid is your foundation? They were to be established in faith. This common New Testament theme refers to the need for stability. Whether it is “the faith” (see NKJV) - i.e. steadfastness in doctrine, or“your faith” (see NASB ) - i.e. personal conviction, both are essential.The constant barrage of worldliness, persecution, and false doctrine call for a firm foundation.

These positions in Christ must be accompanied by an overflow of thanksgiving. Enjoying the fullness of Christ will provide a heart full of grace and gratitude. We must constantly strive to do the things that please him.

By George Slover

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:1-3)

The church at Antioch was flourishing. It is often thought that the church in Jerusalem was the model church. However, the church in Antioch of Syria also provides a great example of a lively, God pleasing church.

The city of Antioch of Syria was founded in 301 BC during the Grecian period. It was named after Antiochus. Scholars tell us it was a city that allowed for a free expression of religion. Thus, the atmosphere was ripe for the enlargement of the gospel. Luke records:  "But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus." (Acts 11:20)

The church in Antioch was blessed with several gifted leaders. Five are specifically noted here. While every local church should be guided by the message of the Holy Spirit, this seems to be strikingly so at Antioch. These gifted leaders were zealously ministering to the Lord. The result is recorded by Luke:  "And a great many people were added to the Lord." (Acts 11:24) "So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." (Acts 11:26)

All of this activity would ultimately manifest itself in a work that would extend beyond Antioch. "Separate me" is from the Greek word which means to separate for a special purpose, and to a work for which they have been prepared. Paul and Barnabas would be sent to share the gospel of Christ with the Gentile world.  This separation took place after fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands. These were symbols of their solemn work. Their ministry was not self-serving. With a high and noble purpose, they parted to do the work facing even perils along the way.

Just what was the purpose of this work? That others may know the love of God. That they may believe and obey Christ for the remission of sin. That they might lead righteous lives for God. May we look to the great work at Antioch, with an intent to emulate these zealous disciples.

By George Slover

Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John14:6)

The above statement was prompted by Thomas's question, “How can we know the way?” The Lord plainly stated he is the only way to God. He is the truth. And he is the life.

Skeptics of all times have deemed truth to be unattainable. It was most likely what prompted the Roman Governor Pilate to question, “What is truth”? But, Jesus had stated it was for this reason he came into the world, and if anyone hears his voice, they are of the truth. Moral relativism and the pluralistic mantras of our time have distorted societies’s moral anchor and lead to many the silly notion that “all is relative”. 

How does Christ reveal his truth? The most obvious answer to this question is by his recorded words. Certainly man cannot discover God”s will by his own intuition for, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) God had to reveal his word to man, and has done so through his Son. (Hebrews 1:1,2; John 12:48; Ephesians 3:4,5; 2 Peter 3:1,2)  

All of the wisdom and genius of man cannot compare to the marvelous insight of Jesus. One can learn much from his life and character. He shows us who God is, and reveals through his words and deeds important principles of love and conviction. He shows us how to escape the corruption and the dominion of sin, and how to live victorious lives.

The truth of Jesus cannot be attained by passive hearts. It is his gained by diligence. God's will is to be sought with an open heart. It is to be pursued as one mining for hidden treasure, and desired for as one who is hungry and thirsty!

Come and sit at the feet of the teacher, and reap the blessings! For Jesus said, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

By George Slover                

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling aroma.”  (Ephesians 5:1,2)

At the end of chapter 4, we are urged to have the forgiving spirit of Christ. Now at the beginning of chapter 5, we are commanded to imitate the Father's love.

Just as a child tries to walk in the shoes of their human father, God's children are to be like the heavenly Father. But how is that possible? One can never attain to the remarkable wisdom and power of God! While this is true, we are still expected to emulate the purity, forbearance, and forgiving spirit of God.

The operative word is love, which Paul says is the fulfillment of the law. (Galatians 5:14) This love promotes the proper motive in every human relationship. It is best manifested in deeds, not just words. “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

God provided us with a picture of such love. We are instructed to walk in love as Christ has loved us.  Here is one who offered himself for us. There is no better example than Jesus! “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Such love is manifested in God’s children through unselfish deeds. This means that every action toward others is motivated by a genuine care for their souls.  It calls for one to have an approachable, caring spirit, and to sacrifice one's life as an offering for the well-being of others.

God received the sacrifice of Christ as a sweet smelling aroma. This means his sacrifice was well pleasing to God. When one generously offers their life to the Lord’s cause, they too offer a sweet smelling sacrifice to God.  (Philippians 4:18) 

We are to be filled with Divine thoughts and warmed by Divine love.  The more one appreciates God's love toward them, the more surely one would desire to capture the loving spirit of the Father.    

By George Slover          
 

who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” (Romans 4:18)

In this section of Romans Paul uses Abraham as an example of one he was justified by faith. If we expect to be forgiven of sin and have a relationship with God, we must emulate the faith of Abraham. (vs 16)

God had made a promise to Abraham to multiply his seed, specifically through his wife Sarah. The son born to them and his descendants were to be heirs of the land of Canaan. However there was a problem. Sarah, now 90 years old, was barren. (Genesis 17:17)  Never-the-less, Abraham still believed in the promise of God.

Here Paul notes a relationship between faith and hope. "Hope" is an expectation of the future. "Faith" is the basis of such an expectation. Faith is in a person. Hope relates to an anticipated event. Hope is strengthened by confidence in the one who has made the promise.

There is a hope that is based on human experience. A child anticipating a gift, a bride anticipating a wedding, a family anticipating a vacation are all examples of such hope. Abraham’s hope was not based upon human experience, but on the promises of any eternal, and powerful God. He believed in a God who “gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did”. (vs. 16)  Abraham’s assurance is based upon his faith in the immutable promise of a supreme and Almighty God.

But, Paul says Abraham “contrary to hope, in hope believed”. Abraham and Sarah up to this point are childless. She is 90 years old and he is 100 years old. The promise of a son seems to be beyond all hope of fulfillment. Still, Abraham took God at his word. He believed all that God said, and anticipated the fulfillment of the promise.

The same God who brought life to the dead womb of Sarah, also brought life to the dead tomb of his own son, Jesus Christ. (Vs. 24) We also have every assurance that God will make good on this promise.

If we limit our hope to earthly expectations we will become discouraged. But in the God of Abraham we have a hope that is sure and steadfast, and an anchor of the soul.

By George Slover