[Linux4christians] Missing Colossians 1:21-29 from Monday's Study

[Pastor David]

I apologize for the editing error - here is the commentary
for Colossians 1:21-29 - Missing from the Monday Study:

‭Verses 1:21-23 appear to create some conflict with Paul's
prior teaching on the assurance (permanence) of salvation, 
once received, but the appearance is the result of 
translation ambiguity as the correct Word of God is never 
self-contradictory -- any "error" is always on the part of 
the reader and/or the translator, God never errs.  What Paul 
has said here is that "... by His physical body" 
[Jesus-the-man] He became the substitutionary sacrifice for 
man, despite our "evil deeds" which "expressed" our "minds" 
as "one time strangers and enemies".  This provision creates 
the potential to "... present you holy, without blemish, and
blameless before Him", which is necessary given that no
imperfect being and no being capable of rebellion will ever 
be permitted in heaven again.  In order to properly 
understand the first half of 1:23 one must understand the 
context of the second half "... from the hope of the gospel 
that you heard.  This gospel has also been preached in all 
creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its 
servant."  Paul is speaking of evangelism and not concluded 
salvation and/or discipleship of believers - there is not a 
presumption that everyone in his audience is saved, nor 
should that presumption ever be made - even in a gathering 
designed for believers.  Only God knows for sure;
therefore, "... if indeed you remain in the faith,
established [this term means saved] and firm [doubt
precludes salvation], without shifting from the hope of ‭the 
gospel [it is no longer "hope" once one has been saved, it 
is a promise].

Paul then explains that his ministry was to "... complete 
the Word of God", which may be taken to refer to his 
writings and to his effort to evangelize all of the known 
world - as he had already been "to Judah and ‭Samaria".  His 
message "... the glorious riches of this mystery [Christ's 
salvation of the "saints"] among the Gentiles, which is 
Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Then Paul explains how this evangelistic mission will be
accomplished "We proclaim Him by instructing [evangelizing] 
and teaching [discipling] all people with all the wisdom so 
that we may present every person mature in Christ.

He concludes "Toward this goal I also labor, struggling
according to his power that powerfully works in me."

-- 

Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day!  Pastor David
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