March 11
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INSTRUCTION FOR MASTERS
Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way that I ought to proclaim it.
– Colossians 4:1-4
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In the previous chapter, Paul instructs the slaves how to serve their masters. In this chapter, he addresses their human masters. In the first verse, he reminds them that they need to exercise justice and fairness in treating their slaves. But the more important thing in this verse is that Paul holds them accountable to God, their Master in heaven. Just as their slaves are accountable to them, he is also responsible for his slaves to his heavenly Master. In Luke 12:48, we know that to whom much is given, much is required. Since these human masters are given much, they are responsible for much as well.
In verse 2, Paul gives them the key to be a good master. They need to faithfully find time to pray. It is in prayer, that they are equipped with a bigger chance at victory over the enemy’s tactics. Prayer will give them the awareness of any schemes that the devil has over them. An attitude of gratitude to God is also another form of strengthening themselves to be good stewards of God’s gifts. The more they pray, the less they will focus on what they do not have and the danger of boasting. This brings contentment to their lives.
Verses 3-4 is a request of Paul to all believers to pray for him. Since he is in prison, it was a challenge to proclaim the gospel under such circumstances. We hear how passionate Paul is to do what he is called to do for the Lord: to bring God’s truth and the mystery of Christ to as much people as he can. He lived for this purpose. Not even the bars of prison can make him stop the bring the Good News of Christ to as many people as possible. He requests them to pray that there will be opportunities to serve his purpose of preaching the gospel. What exemplary faithfulness we can learn from Paul! Despite being a captive, he never complained about his circumstances. Instead, he asks for prayers that he will still find open doors to exercise his God-given calling. All he ever focuses on, is to be able to do the work that God intended for him to do: to preach the Good News.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for a leader or master to be accountable for their own flock?
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INSTRUCTION HOW TO SERVE YOUR MASTERS ILMA’S VLOG
March 10
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INSTRUCTION HOW TO SERVE YOUR MASTERS
22 Slaves, obey those who are your human masters in everything, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. – Colossians 3:22-25
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This letter to the Colossians gives instructions to the slaves and how to treat their human masters. All the letter of Paul to believers may have been addressed to the believers of his time, but these letters are also the same guidelines to all believers in our day and age.
Paul teaches the slaves or servants to be obedient to their masters in all things. In verse 22, Paul cautions those Colossian believers that they need to serve their masters not just to please them, but with a faithfulness and fear of the Lord. In other words, the act of serving is not a performance, but an act of love. In verse 23, Paul gives them the motivation to work for their masters as if they were not just working for humans, but for the Lord and in verse 24 he explains that when they do it for Him, they will receive the inheritance from the Lord himself. When they do it for the Lord Jesus Christ, they will serve their human masters well and they are following God’s law of love. In verse 25, Paul stresses the importance of accountability and the law of sowing and reaping. We are all responsible for our roles, and if we do not take full charge of our roles, we suffer the consequences of the lack of accountability for we have a good and just Father in heaven who rewards the righteous and punishes evil.
In the same manner, those who work for someone like their employers and bosses, the same principle goes for all believers. If we exercise honesty, integrity and hard work out of the law of love, we will reap rewards and blessings from the Lord Himself. Nowadays, it is a novelty to find people of integrity who would still do the right thing even though no one is looking. Even the way employees use company time for personal matters and concerns is not an unusual scene in a workplace. If we work for the Lord, we will always find a way to be honest. He sees everything we do anyway. If this principle of serving your employers or people in authority over you as if you were serving the Lord were followed by everyone, wouldn’t all workplaces thrive?
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REFLECTION
• Why is integrity and serving others key factors in having a joy-filled life?
INSTRUCTION FOR THE FAMILY ILMA’S VLOG
March 9
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INSTRUCTION FOR THE FAMILY
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged. – Colossians 3:18-21
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This letter of Paul to the Colossians gives clear-cut guidelines for the family of believers. In verse 18, Paul addresses the wives to submit to their husbands as they would submit to the Lord. Why is it so important that the wives surrender to their husbands? As Paul wrote the believers in Ephesus which was written in 49AD which was written ahead of this letter to the Colossians, he mentions that the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23). Division and disunity in the marriage may occur as a result of the wrong order in the relationship as God intended it to be. Since the man is the head and not the wife. After the fall of Adam and Eve, one of the consequences of the sin on Eve’s part is that she will want to take control of her husband stated in Genesis 3. Paul reiterates the importance of the wife’s submission to the husband to ensure peace and harmony in the marriage.
In verse 19, the husbands are commanded to love their wives and ensure that they do not become bitter against them. The same guidelines were given to the Ephesians. Paul explains in-depth why. Ephesians 5:25-33 says that husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself for we are members of his body. “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” In that context, husbands will avoid letting bitterness creep into their marriage.
Once again, Paul instructs the children of Colossian believers as he did the Ephesians: to follow what their parents says in everything. This is important so they can learn surrender and submission to authority. Honoring your parents is the first commandment with a promise as he explains to the Ephesians. It leads to a life that is long and enjoyable. Then the fathers specifically got a very important instruction in verse 21. They must not provoke their children so that they will not be discouraged. Ephesians 6:4 says that children can be provoked to anger by the way they are treated. Fathers are instructed to bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do members of the family need to follow God’s guidelines?
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT FOR THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
March 8
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WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT FOR THE LORD
15 Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. – Colossians 3:15-17
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In this letter, Paul reminds the Colossian believers that they were all called to be united, in one mind, one heart and one body with the peace that dwells in all those who belong to Jesus. It sounds more like a charging or blessing to those who gave their lives for the Lord Jesus Christ. He declares to them the peace that will make them be in harmony with one another, bearing the mind of Christ. In verse 16, Paul reminds them of the importance of feeding on the word of God, which brings them all the wisdom to teach and to rebuke and encourage each other. Paul also reproves them to worship the Lord in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, not forgetting the gratitude they ought to speak about. Verse 17 is a very wise word of advice for the believers: all their words and deeds must be done for God and to be grateful to God through their acknowledging His own Son, Jesus, who is the mediator of all believers.
Paul couldn’t stress more the essence of a true believer: they have the peace of Christ in them. In other words, they do not think only of their own selfish agenda. They think for the whole body of believers. They don’t think individually. They follow Christ’s example of unity with God the Father and Holy Spirit. He never operates on His own, but always in harmony with the Father and the Spirit.
How different the “world” operates from God’s kingdom? In the world, the “self” wants to be gratified, not the other. In God’s kingdom, the believers serve others so God can be glorified. Believers rather give than receive.
The wise counsel of Paul in verse 17 is actually the key to living a life that is alive and full. When you do your job thinking that you are doing it for Jesus, your master, would you complain? When you love someone as Christ loves you, wouldn’t you be unconditional too? When we love ourselves as Christ loves us, don’t we begin to keep ourselves holy for the Lord? This is how we show that we operate in God’s law of love.
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REFLECTION
• How does your life change when you do and say everything for the sake of Jesus?
PUT ON LOVE AND COMPASSION ILMA’S VLOG
March 7
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PUT ON LOVE AND COMPASSION
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. – Colossians 3:12-14
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Paul specifically explains what a believer is in verse 12. He says that they are those who have been chosen by God and who are pure and loved so much by the Father. In the other half of the verse, Paul calls the Colossian believers to put on a compassionate heart that exhibits kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says that “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” Sadly, in our world today, most people get their value from what they do. It is frowned upon by society if you are not as productive and earning enough money as others. There is a constant compulsion to be doing something or else, they won’t be accepted by others. As Dietrich states in his quote, it is more important to focus on how much one has suffered rather than how much one has achieved. Why is that? Suffering is the gauge of the depth of a person. The more they have been pained, the more they learn to endure. In James 1:2-4, we are advised to count it joy when we have suffering because we learn endurance and eventually grow our faith. Compassion will make us see the heart of people. It brings us to another level of understanding someone else. As the law of love says, we must love one another as we love ourselves.
In verse 13, Paul commands us to bear with one another, in other words, we need to be encouraging and supporting each other especially in times of hardships and troubles. The other part of this verse is about forgiving one another as God has granted us forgiveness. It is a shame that many people don’t easily give forgiveness. It is the key to love. Without it, no relationships will thrive. Without forgiveness, one paves the way to bitterness and eventually leads to destruction.
In verse 14, Paul tells the Colossian believers to put on love, meaning, to wear and exercise it at all times because it bonds and unifies the people who puts it on. The love that we are asked to put on is the same love that the Lord has for us: unconditional.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it very important to put on love and compassion?
STRIP OFF THE OLD AND PUT ON THE NEW SELF ILMA’S VLOG
March 6
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STRIP OFF THE OLD AND PUT ON THE NEW SELF
8 But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.
-Colossians 3:8-11
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Paul continues to give them an exhaustive list of the things that lead to idolatry in this letter to the Colossians. Among these second list are the following
1. Anger- Strong emotional reaction of displeasure, often leading to plans for revenge or punishment. There are many words for anger in Hebrew; in Greek orge [ojrghv] and thumos [qumov”] are used more or less interchangeably.
2. Wrath- is a strong vengeful hatred or resentment. We can become consumed by rage and revenge to the point of acting irrationally and immorally. This is the wickedness of wrath and why it is included as a deadly sin.
3. Malice- means enmity of the heart, malevolence, a disposition to injure others-without cause, for mere personal gratification, or from a spirit of revenge. The word comes from the Latin word militia from the root word malus, literally meaning evil.
4. Slander- is an accusation maliciously uttered, with the purpose or effect of damaging the reputation of another. As a rule, it is a false charge (but it may be a truth circulated insidiously and with a hostile purpose
5. Obscene speech- means speech that is offensive to modesty or decency; indecent; lewd. Causing or intended to cause sexual excitement or lust or anything offending against recognized standards of propriety or good taste; vulgar.
6. Lie- is defined as a criminal falsehood; a falsehood uttered for the purpose of deception; an intentional violation of truth.
Paul stresses the importance of the believers to remove their old sinful ways and put on the new self in Christ Jesus. When one becomes a believer, he is being transformed into a creation like his creator Himself, he is being renewed. The old is gone and the new has begun. This renewed self sees all people without distinctions or prejudices.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we need to be aware of putting off the old and wear the new person?
ACTS THAT LEAD TO IDOLATRY ILMA’S VLOG
March 5
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ACTS THAT LEAD TO IDOLATRY
5 Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. – Colossians 3:5-7
________________________________________In this part of his letter, Paul tells the Colossians to be dead to the following acts that lead to idolatry:
1. Sexual immorality -the word most often translated “sexual immorality” is porneia. This word is also translated as “whoredom,” “fornication,” and “idolatry.” It means “a surrendering of sexual purity,” and it is primarily used with premarital sexual relations. From this Greek word we get the English word pornography, stemming from the concept of “selling off.” Sexual immorality is the “selling off” of sexual purity and involves any type of sexual expression outside the boundaries of a biblically defined marriage relationship
2. Impurity- Impurity is the condition of being defiled in some sense. The word impurity can also refer to the contaminant itself: an unwanted substance that makes something unclean. The concepts of purity and impurity are important in the Bible’s presentation of holiness. Impurity in Greek is “akatharsia”, which means “defiled, foul, ceremonially unfit.” It connotes actions that render a person unfit to enter God’s presence.
3. Passion-also translated as “lust or inordinate affection.” These are inappropriate cravings which distract us from the things that are above and lead us to commit the sins of immorality and impurity.
4. Evil desire- likely includes wanting things which are wrong, whether sexual or material things.
5. Greed -also called covetousness is a strong and selfish desire to have more of something, most often money or power.
Paul vehemently warns the believers to be stripped off from these acts that brings about the wrath of God to those who commit these sinful acts.
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REFLECTION
• Which of these sins have you struggled in the past before you were a believer?
• How has God transformed you from these idolatrous acts when you believed?
KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE ILMA’S VLOG
March 4
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KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. – Colossians 3:1-4
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In this letter, Paul reminds the Gentile believers in Colossae what it means to be a servant of Christ. In verse 1, he tells them the importance of focusing on things that are spiritual, things that are above, where Jesus is beside the right hand of God. He further explains in verse 2 that these things are not the ones that we see and physically belongs to this world. In verse 3, Paul tells them the reason why they need to focus on these spiritual things: because they have accepted Jesus in their lives, they have already died to their flesh, their earthly desires and their lives belong to Christ now. In verse 4, he gives them hope to aim at that glory that comes with the promise of eternal life to those who follow Him.
What are the things that are above?
Guzik comments that “The best Christian living comes from minds that are fixed on heaven. They realize that their lives are now hidden with Christ in God, and since Jesus is enthroned in heaven, their thoughts and hearts are connected to heaven also. Clarke commends us to “Love heavenly things; study them; let your hearts be entirely engrossed by them. Now, that you are converted to God, act in reference to heavenly things as ye did formerly in reference to those of earth.” Vaughn says “‘Earthly things’ are not all evil, but some of them are. Even things harmless in themselves become harmful if permitted to take the place that should be reserved for the things above.” While Barclays says “We must note carefully what Paul means by that. He is certainly not pleading for an other-worldliness in which the Christian withdraws himself from all the work and activities of this world and does nothing but contemplate eternity. Immediately after this Paul goes on to lay down a series of ethical principles which make it quite clear that he expects the Christian to go on with the work of this world and to maintain all its normal relationships. But there will be this difference–from now on the Christian will view everything against the background of eternity and no longer live as if this world was all that mattered.
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REFLECTION
• How can a believer continue seeking the things that are above?
ON HUMAN LAWS AND SELF-MADE RELIGION ILMA’S VLOG
March 3
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ON HUMAN LAWS AND SELF-MADE RELIGION
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of man? 23 These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
– Colossians 2:20-23:
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In this letter, Paul challenges the Gentile believers in Colossae to live a life of integrity. In verse 20, he questioned them about their bondage and submission to decrees and laws made by humans how and what they should do with their lives. He reminded them that if they have died with Christ when they became believers, why do they still follow human traditions and laws and not God’s law alone. In verse 21, Paul presents to the Colossian believers how these prohibitions about what they can and cannot handle, touch or not touch. Paul is targeting the tactics of these religious heretics who entice the believers with their own teachings and self-made religion and all kinds of rituals that actually oppose what God’s good news is.
Even though this letter is written to the Colossians who were surrounded by heresies and false teachers, we can clearly see it in our world today. So many religions, preachers, televangelists, megachurches that seemed like they are teaching the Good News, when they are actually giving you bad news. According to Wikipedia, there are 4, 200 different religions. There are 30, 000 Christian organizations (groups, branches, denominations) worldwide. This is exactly what Paul is referring to in verse 23 where these self-made religions were created by humans which seems to be leading you to heaven when they are actually leading you to hell. I had a share of my exposure to different Christian denominations that seemed to be teaching about Jesus, but is mixed up with the world systems and human traditions. Until I read the bible in-depth, I wasn’t able to discern which ones are teaching the true gospel and living it. This is why Paul were so concerned for believers being misled by these vultures, who wants to steal the faith of those who profess they want to commit to Jesus. In my experience as a new believer, I didn’t know the truth until I studied Scriptures in depth. The truth set me free.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for believers to study and meditate on God’s word?
WATCH OUT FOR FRAUDS! ILMA’S VLOG
March 2
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WATCH OUT FOR FRAUDS!
16 Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Take care that no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding firmly to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. – Colossians 2:16-19
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The following passages are referring to Paul’s reminder to the Colossians that since Christ died on the cross to free them from the penalty of sin, they need not follow the Judaic laws that he freed them from. The Jewish laws are made to bound people in rituals and the effort to make themselves appear holy and good so they will be elevated in the eyes of others. In verse 18, Paul addresses the seductions of these heresies going in in their midst. The heretics wanted to give adoration to angels, thinking that they have no right to go straight to God. It seems like a mere distraction so that the focus will not be on Jesus, but on lower beings than Him. Paul admonishes them to make sure that they keep their eyes on Jesus, rather than adhering to these Judaic laws that will keep them bound again.
Bruce comments: “It would be preposterous indeed for those who had reaped the benefit of Christ’s victory to put themselves voluntarily under the control of the powers which he had conquered.” Guzik says “The point is clear: days and foods, as observed under the Mosaic Law, are not binding upon New Covenant people. The shadow has passed, the reality has come. So, for the Christian, all foods are pure (1 Timothy 4:4-5) and all days belong to God.
Vaugh comments “That is to say, the heretics probably insisted that their worship of angels rather than the supreme God was an expression of humility on their part.”
Guzik states his point that “False humility and the worship of angels do not make anyone more spiritual. Instead, holding fast to the Head (Jesus) makes us truly spiritual.”
A lot of Christians miss out the sacrifice on the cross. Christ did it all. It is finished. We do not need to follow laws made my humans to appear good. We need to abide in Jesus so that we will not be derailed and misled in our walk in the Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for us to be anchored on truth and the sacrifice on the cross?