| Understanding the Christ, Part 7: The Revelation of Christ as God in Colossians 3:17 and 2:4 |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Monday, October 09 2006 00:00 |
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Paul continues to point out what has happened to us in Christ, and we shall return to this topic later. It is integrated into the thought, and a verse-by-verse study would allow us to see that integration. However, we want now to isolate and understand what Paul reveals to us about Christ. In verse 17 he says the reality is to be found in Christ. Pagans again sought in their mystery religions that which transcended the material world and existed as ultimate reality. Paul says simply that Christ is that reality, and when we are in Him, we experience that reality. He tells them that the law and its rites belonged, in contrast, to the realm of shadow that pointed to the reality of Christ. In verse 18 he comes to some of the pagan religious rituals and says that they belong in the same category – the rudimentary principles that provide some basic concepts, but in themselves are incomplete and point to the ultimate reality of Christ. Until these ABC’s are put together in meaningful perspective, they remain only isolated acts. In Colossians 3:4 Paul reminds Christians that they have been raised with Christ and should set their minds on things above, for they died and their lives are hidden with Christ in God. “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” May we never forget that, as Christians, Christ is our life, and that fact assures that we are ever united with Him. That union can never be destroyed, and will continue throughout eternity in glory! |
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