Day 280 β Colossians: Introduction
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Colossians is a book of connections. Writing from prison in Rome, Paul combatted false teachings that had infiltrated the Colossian church. The problem was syncretism β combining ideas from other philosophies and religions (such as paganism, strains of Judaism, and Greek thought) with Christian truth. The resulting heresy later became known as Gnosticism, emphasizing special knowledge (βgnosisβ in Greek) and denying Christ as God and Savior. To combat this devious error, Paul stressed Christβs deity (His connection with the Father) and Christβs humanity (His sacrificial death as a human man on the cross for sin).
Only by being connected with Christ through faith can anyone have eternal life, and only through a continuing connection with Him can anyone have power for living. Christ is God incarnate and the only way to forgiveness and peace with God the Father. Paul also emphasized believersβ connections with each other as Christβs body on earth.
This epistle is for an embattled church in the first century, but read it also for its timeless truths, and gain fresh appreciation for Christ as the fullness of God and the only source of living the Christian life. Jesus is your leader, head, and power source.
Prayer: Father, thank You for using this letter to the Colossians to teach us today to be careful of heresy and to use discernment for everything we hear that might sound like to truth. Teach us to test all messages against the truth of Your Word. Amen.
