Guidebook: [51] Colossians

Colossians is only four chapters, but it confronts one of the most dangerous errors a Christian can believe: that Christ is necessary, but somehow not sufficient. The problem at Colossae was not an open rejection of Jesus. It was the quieter attempt to add philosophy, religious tradition, mystical experiences, spiritual intermediaries, legalism, and self-denial to what He had already accomplished. Paul answers that error by giving us one of the clearest revelations of Christ in all of Scripture. He is the image of the invisible God. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. The fullness of God dwells in Him, and through His blood shed on the cross, we have been reconciled to God. Colossians does not merely tell us to behave better. It tells us to understand who Christ is, what He has done, and who we have become in Him. We died with Him. We were raised with Him. Our life is now hidden with Christ in God. Therefore, we are told to put to death what belongs to the old nature and put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. I hope this guidebook helps make the structure and message of Colossians easier to see, but more importantly, I hope it leaves us with the conviction Paul intended: Jesus Christ is not one part of the Christian life. He is the center, the substance, the head, and the One in whom we are complete.

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