Highlights:

Christ is Supreme (Col. 1:15-20). Were enemies but now friends (1:21-22). Paul instructed to reveal the mystery which hath been hid from . . . generations (1:26). Dead in . . . sins, alive in Christ (chap. 2). Live the new life in Christ (3:1-17). What is a Christian household (3:18-25)? We are encouraged to: Continue in prayer (4:1-4).

As we continue reading the Word of God with a desire to please Him in all of our decisions, the Holy Spirit guides us into a deeper revelation of Himself and His ways. Unlimited understanding, strength, and endurance are made available to every Christian. Christ alone, through His Word, can reveal and meet all of our spiritual needs. To help us grasp the importance of this, the Holy Spirit led Paul to write: We . . . do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints (believers) (Col. 1:9-12). Notice how often the word all is used — all wisdom . . . all pleasing . . . all might. . . all patience, which means that the Lord is sufficient to meet every need.

What follows is the practical expression of the new life in Christ for all believers. Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses (2:12-13).

As evidence of this new life as Christians, Paul encouraged the new believers to mortify (treat as dead) therefore your members (physical nature) which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness (sexual immorality), inordinate affection (lust), evil concupiscence (desire), and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience (3:5-6).

The key to fulfilling the will of God is letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. . . . And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him (Col. 3:16-17).

Thought for Today:

Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).

Cross References:

For Col. 2:11: See Deut. 10:16. Col. 3:23: See Eccl. 9:10. Col. 4:6: See Eccl. 10:12.

Word Studies:

1:12 meet sufficient; 1:13 translated transferred; 1:23 settled firmly grounded; 2:4 beguile receive; 2:23 will worship self-inspired efforts at worship; 3:5 Mortify breat as dead; concupiscence uncontrolled desire for what is forbidden, especially sexual immorality; 3:22 singleness of heart sincerity, honesty, not hypocritical or self-seeking; fearing God but of reverence for your Lord; 4:1 give . . . that which is just and equal to what is right and fair.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Vincent & Rebecca Naugton • Staff: Jennifer Cunningham • Government Official: Sec. Ray LaHood (Dept. of Transportation) • Country: Libya (5 million) in North Africa • Major languages: Arabic and Italian • No form of Christian witness to Libyans is permitted • 98% Muslim; 2% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Wait upon the Lord and He will renew your strength (Is. 40:31).

Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Chronicles 7:14