DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Colossians 1:2c

May 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 2024, Sunday - MBC

Introduction:

The Believers have two addresses namely “in Colossae” the earthly address and “in Christ” the heavenly address. Believers always moves in two spheres, he is in a certain place in this world, but he is also in Christ. Believers lives in two dimensions because he lives in this world who duties he does not treat lightly but above and beyond that he lives in Christ. In this world, believers may move from place to place, but wherever he is, he is in Christ.

If one visits Colossae today, the only sign of Christianity is a little plague buried under a Muslim Mosque, which has a statement to the appreciation of Epaphras, the man who may have led the Colossians to the Lord. On 2014, there is a great tragedy to know that there is no longer a church at Honaz, the modern site of Colossae. It is clear that very little had been entrusted to faithful men by the Colossians who themselves seemed to have been very committed Christians. Probably, that what was entrusted over the generations became so watered down that it became more and more difficult to discern truth from error. Sadly, the succeeding generations of Colossians were taken of the very thing that Paul feared the most happened to these Colossians and that is they were captive through philosophy rather that according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Paul often introduced his epistles, in the statements of words like:

a.) “at Colosse…in Christ.” – Colossians 1:2

b.) “at Corinth---in Christ Jesus.” – I Corinthians 1:2

c.) “saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi.” – Philippians 1:1

d.) “at Ephesus…in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 1:1

Let us take a look at Believers dual citizenship and its implications.

I - PLACE OF COLOSSE

A. Letters recipient in Colosse

The Believers residing in the city of Colosse

B. Location of Colosse

The Colosse was located in Lycus River valley (now Turkey). It was approximately 80-100 miles away from Ephesus. Colosse was only a few miles from Hierapolis, that is 13 miles northwest and from Laodicea that is 11 miles west.

C. Learning about Colosse

During the time Paul wrote the letter to Colosse, city of Colosse was not a large and important city like Ephesus. Colosse was not a cultural centre, was not a political centre, was not even an economic centre. Regarding the church at Colosse, it was not a centre for the faith, unlike the church in Jerusalem or the church in Antioch that was centre for the faith.

The early church history, which was recorded in the book of Acts, does not even mentioned the church at Colosse. During the time of Paul’s writing of the Colossian epistle, the city of Colosse was a rundown city and had been surpassed by its nearby two close cities like the Hierapolis and the wealthy Laodicea which both had churches. The City of Colosse is known today because of problems and divisions that arose in the church in Colosse. This certain problem later developed into Gnosticism.

D. Lifestyle at Colosse

There are lot of saints and faithful brethren that were at Colosse (verse 2 “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse”). Most of these saints and brethren were born at Colosse, and many of them lived there all their lives. But some of these saints and brethren were transplants from other regions.

People spent their daily lives when men worked in Colosse while women shopped in the marketplace at Colosse, and their children went to school in Colosse. Some of their children went on to live for the Lord, but sadly some of the young people went off into the world and broke their parent’s hearts.

The family-built homes, and some built large, comfortable homes but others lived in dreary apartments. Colosse is where these people lived, day and day out. Colosse was the home to these brethren. Even though City of Colosse was not famous, was not prosperous city, was not centre for anything, still for these folks, Colosse was their dear home. These saints and brethren brought their kids up to Colosse. Their grandfather and grandmother were buried at Colosse. They paid their taxes at Colosse. Truly, Colosse was their home!

These saints and brethren established businesses in Colosse. Some of the believers in Colosse may be did quite well selling their goods but others struggled to put food on the table. Some who had large families were working at the farm. Some widows were trying to provide their lives needs, but some old grandfathers just sat around at the marketplace and told stories all day long.

Some of the brethren in Colosse were blessed by God as they lived long and healthy lives, but sadly other brethren were sickly all their days and continuously struggled with one illness after another.

Some of the saints in Colosse were so busy that they did not even have time to think but opposite with others who sat around their homes lonely with no one to talk to all days of the lives.

When a family spend away their family vacation and went to the big city of Ephesus, undoubtedly, everybody could tell they were from Colosse because they were marked with their accent when they speak. Colosse was not only known by their accent when they talk, but by the way they dressed. You would never make mistake to identify them for a Greek or an Egyptian. You can easily know a person as a Colossian living at Colosse.

E. Living like the brethren in Colosse

There are also saints and faithful brethren in Baesa, Caloocan City, Metro Manila.

There are other saints and faithful brethren in different city who go to other Bible-believing churches, but like the people in Colosse addressed by Paul with this epistle, we likewise are saints and brethren living here in Metro-manila. We want to emphasize the truth that like the Colossian brethren we also live here on earth in our earthly city.

Like the Colossian brethren, our wives shop in local marketplace, like their kinds of our kids go to school here in Metro manila, like their men, our men of the family work in the factories, offices, run businesses also here in Philippines.

Like the some of the Colossian brethren, some of us brethren too busy while others just sitting around bored and lonely.

Like the Colossians brethren who were easily identified when they went into far place, we too when we go to other places in the Philippines, we were identified if we are Ilocano, Bicolano, Cebuano, panggalatok, waray, batangueno, by our accent and way of dressing.

Like the Colossians saints some of the brethren today do quite well economically, but others struggle to pay the monthly bills.

In spite of changed time, different geography, different culture, today’s believers who were living in our earthly city had lived the same way the believers at Colosse had lived 2000 years ago.

F. Love not the world for we are part of the world like the Colosse

The city of Colosse, like Baesa Caloocan City or Baesa Quezon city is part of the world system.

Here are some words, that Paul calls the world:

1. “this present evil world” – Galatians 1:14

Galatians 1:14 “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

2. Satan “the god of this world system.” – II Corinthians 4:4

II Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

3. “Love not the world, For all that is in the world,,,, is not of the Father” – I John 2:15-17

I John 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ¹⁷And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

G. Light shiners as God's sons in the world in their local Colosse

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

It is very important to know the purpose of God for His sons FOR the world and in their local city.

In Acts 1:8, Luke said that God sent His disciples in to the world to be His witnesses. God placed all His saints and faithful brethren in every place they went to function as a witness for Christ toward all the lost people they met. God reared up a small local church of believers in the city of Colosse and they were Christ’s witnesses in that location, to represent Christ, to demonstrate the indwelling life of Christ to that community, to demonstrate what Christ can do in a yielded heart how, how Christ can transform men and women and children into the image of Christ, and to attract others in the city to their Savior.

We should be aware in everything we do in our little Colosse where we live, we ought to be light shiners and never forget that. Your fellowmen, your fellow Colossians are watching you in your local communities, so whatsoever we do, do all to the glory of God.

I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

The purpose of God why He left us in this world is for us to shine as lights in the world. That God’s purpose for the local church has not changed. God’s purpose for the saints of God and the faithful brethren has not changed. God has designed our presence in the world as a testimony FOR the world.

Philippians 2:15 “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

We believers of Christ are here not to change the world, but we are here as light shiners as Christ’s witnesses FOR the world and to call men out of the world through the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ.

H. Lord's purpose for us as believers like the believers in Colosse

1. God has a purpose FOR the believers who are IN CHRIST is to be overcomer in times of tribulation.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Notice what Jesus said that He overcome the world, and He said “in me” means we are in Christ. We should know our marvellous position in Christ to enable us to deal with the world better, to face the world more level-headed clearer. In Colosse, the believers would experience all kinds of inevitable trials and tribulations.

2. God has a purpose FOR the believers to walk worthy to please the Lord in every day of their lives.

Colossians 1:10 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Notice the word “walk”, in Greek “peripateo” from peri =about, around; “pateo” =walk, tread. It means literally to walk around, to go here and there walking, to tread all around.

For Paul it is very important how the Colossians and even saints today “walked”, as he used peripateo in each chapter of Colossians:

- In chapter 2 Paul charged the Colossians, Colossians 2:6 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:” To walk in Christ is to live a life patterned after His and empowered by His Spirit.

- In Colossians 3 Paul described how they walked before Christ transformed their heart and mind, Colossians 3:7 “In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”

In other words, before they were saved, the Colossians ordered their behaviour and regulated their lives within the sphere of trespasses and sins.

Colossians brethren walked; they lived their lives in the place of the city of Colosse. They work in Colosse, their kids went to school in Colosse, they church in Colosse, and they spend their days in Colosse.

Notice the word “worthy.” Their walk in Colosse was to be worthy. They have to walk worthy of their position in Christ.

Some of us live in Valenzuela City, some live in Makati, some live in Caloocan City and some live in Quezon City, however, as believers in Christ, we are all in the same place in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Our walk on earth as believers in Christ is to be worthy of that glorious position that we are in Christ. Is your walk worthy?

3. God has a purpose FOR the believers’ hearts to be comforted.

Colossians 2:2 “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”

God has a purpose FOR the believers’ hearts to be comforted. The hearts of the Colossians believers needed comforting because some of these Colossians brethren had to bury their parents and their children in Colosse. In Colosse there were some who committed adultery and living in immorality, and in effect some of the families broke up and left of them broken hearted after they grew to know and love in the Lord. It is truly discouraging and hurting. Their hearts need comfort.

The saints and brethren in Colosse experienced years when their vine has no fruit, their fig trees did not blossom and their stalls has empty herd, so these Colossian believers needed comfort and encouragement in those horrible days in Colosse. Nothing is different of today’s experience of discouraging lives of some of the believers. We also experience broken hearts in our little corner of the world, in Metro manila and even in all over the Philippines because we too like the Colossians face death of loved ones, we also sorrow and grieve over the miserable and pitiful condition of people spiritual lives. Indeed, our hearts also needed comforting in our Colosse.

Notice the word “hearts” in Greek “kardia” does not refer to the physical organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life, the inner person.

The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God.

Paul is praying for an inner strengthening of their "control center" brought about by truth not a list of do's and don'ts.

The Colossians were beset by false teachers and needed to be "comforted". It is Paul's prayer that the Church may be filled with that courage which can cope with any situation.

4. God has a purpose FOR the believers to learn avoid and stand firm against the existing dangerous false teaching.

Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

By these verses Paul is saying that there are spiritual dangers existed in Colosse. Paul is saying that there were false teachers who had influenced the Colossians believers in unscriptural belief and based in men’s tradition and principles of this evil world.

Notice the word “Beware” in Greek “blepo” means to watch, to see but in context of the spiritual dangers conveys the idea of more than just to see but to "Look out!" Being continually watchful for false teaching does not come naturally. Paul is not encouraging a "critical spirit" but a "discerning spirit" and there is a crucial difference between the two. The former can destroy, while the latter serves to defend the local body of Christ.

Notice the words “not after Christ” it does mean that these false teachers introduced a blasphemous view of the Person and deity of Jesus Christ, like the Jehovah’s witnesses today that teaches that Jesus Christ is a small God or less power compared to the Father, and like the Mormons of today that teaches that Jesus Christ is a brother of Lucifer and just a good man, and like the Iglesia ni Cristo of today that teaches that Jesus Christ is just a man not God.

Notice the words “after the tradition of men” signifying that these false teachers in Colosse replacing sound doctrine from the Scriptures with the tradition of men. It sad to say that some of the saints or brethren were spiritually weak and has intendency to swallow it and some believers were ignorant enough of the Bible to be led by these false teachings and traditions of men and worldly-minded principles.

The false teachers did not go out and win the lost, no more than the cultists do today. They “kidnapped” converts from churches! Most of the people who are now members of cults were at one time associated with a Christian church! If you don't stand for the Truth, you're vulnerable to fall for any lie! An unguarded mind, even of a believer, is subject to deceit, misunderstanding, and confusion, which inevitably results in false doctrine and false (sinful) living. The undiscerning saint is likened to an "innocent", defenseless child, and the result is they are "tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.

Not only there is spiritual danger existed in Colosse because of false teachings but also there is spiritual danger too as we live our Christian life in our Colosse. We mean there are spiritual danger we face as we live here as citizen of this earth.

5. God has a purpose FOR the believers to always vigilant for devil’s attack anytime, anywhere.

I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

Satan still walks and works with his fallen evil angels in his army, with all full force seeking to devour the believer, seeking to destroy every believer spiritually, seeking to get us all mixed up spiritually and doctrinally with full of false beliefs and practices and surprisingly Satan is quite successful in some of the worldly and weak Christians.

The word “sober” in Greek “nepho.” It can refer to temperance. In the NT nepho is used only figuratively meaning to be free from every form of mental and spiritual "intoxication". The idea then is to be calm and collected in spirit, circumspect, self-controlled, well-balanced, clear headed. Part of being sober is not blaming everything on the Devil! A habitually spiritually sober person exhibits self-control, lives a serious, balanced, calm, steady life, and maintains proper priorities. To be sober is to be alert; the two terms are essentially synonyms. Knowing that Timothy would face spiritual opposition especially toward the pure truth of the gospel, Paul exhorted him to be sober.

The word “vigilant” in Greek “gregoreuo” from egeiro = to arise, arouse) means to be watchful or to refrain from physical sleep. Later gregoreuo came to used in the moral and religious sphere and was used to call for one to be on the alert, in a constant state of readiness and vigilant to avoid danger. “Gregoreuo” conveys the idea of alertness. It is like a sleeping man rousing himself. It means to give strict attention to, to be active, to take heed lest some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one. Secular Greek used “gregoreuo” to describe people carefully crossing a river while stepping on slippery stones. If they did not pay strict attention to their steps, they would end up in the water. So the idea of vigilance is to stay alert and cautious.

6. God has a purpose FOR the believer to consider the members of their earthly body as dead.

Colossians 3:5 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

In Colosse, the Colossians believer had to deal with the sin in their lives because there was fornication, filthiness of the flesh. Notice, covetousness is mentioned which Idolatry this is the filthiness of the spirit much worse than fornication which is filthiness of the flesh. The Colossians just like we do, had to deal with their sin every day. In the city of Colosse, some brethren struggled with certain sins, lived their lives which seemingly they were defeated spiritually. Like these Colossians believers, there are times that some of us today are still struggling with one sin or another in this earthly life, in our local Colosse.

In Colossians 3:1-4 Paul sums up the first two chapters, reiterating the believer's identification with the risen and enthroned Christ. Knowing this is true about us, we understand that we can and should put to death the things in our life that are contrary to our identity with Jesus.

The word “Mortify” in Greek “nekroo” means consider as dead, literally to put to death, to slay utterly, to kill. In the passive voice it spoke of a medical condition as of a part of the body, no longer useful because of illness or age (Romans 4:19). In the Latin Vulgate the verb is mortifico which is related to our English "mortify". Paul's use of nekroo in this verse is figurative and means to deprive the thing killed of its power and to destroy its strength. Stop the use of bodily members and functions for immoral purposes.

7. God has a purpose FOR the believer to go back to the basic plan of God designed for every family.

Colossians 3:18-20 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. ¹⁹Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. ²⁰Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”

In Colosse there were believers who were experiencing family problems too, that is why Paul written this in his epistle. The same is true in our earthly citizenship on this earth, we face lots of family problems.

Submission means you are part of a team. If the family is a team, then the husband is “captain” of the team. The wife has her place in relation to the “captain,” and the children have their place in relation to the “captain” and the wife.

The Bible commands that husbands love their wives and wives love their husband. Nowhere in the Bible that husbands must submit to their wives.

Ephesians 5:22-23 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. ²⁴Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

One must not think of a wife's being subject as synonymous with “slavery” or “subjugation.” The wife is not to dominate or to lead, but to follow her husband's leadership as long as it does not compromise her loyalty to Christ. Her first loyalty is to the Lord Jesus and to the authority of His Word. Remember that Paul's command is given in the context of the initial command at the beginning of Colossians 3 to “seek those things which are above.” (Colossians 3:1) A wise woman will therefore accept the temporary relinquishing of her ‘rights’, for the eternal reward that is to come ("those things which are above"). Implicit is that if she asserts independence from her husband, it will adversely affect ‘those things which are above’, specifically her reward for the deeds done in the body (2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 12, 13, 14, 15).

The word “submit” in Greek “Hupotasso” in this verse is in the present tense indicating that an attitude or mindset of willingness to submit to her husband is to be her constant practice (enabled by the Spirit - Ephesians 5:18). When a Christian woman is submitted to the Lord and to her own husband, she experiences a release and fulfillment that she can have in no other way.

Titus 2:3-5 “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; ⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Notice “Husbands, love your wives” Love in Greek agapao (verb); agape (noun) means to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves sinful men (John 3:16). Agapao means to express a willing love, not the love of passion or emotion, but the love of choice—a covenant kind of love. It could be translated, “keep on loving.” The love that existed from the start of the marriage is to continue throughout the marriage; it must not give way to bitterness. The willing, covenant love in view here is the activity of self-sacrifice.

Headship is not dictatorship or lordship. It is loving leadership.

The Bible commands that children must obey their parents.

Notice in verse 20 “Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Disobedience to parents is the last and lowest form of lawlessness to occur on this earth. Disobedience to parents is one of the characteristics of the last days (II Timothy 3:1-2). Today we hear of many cases of children rejecting parental authority and even killing their parents! This is indicative of the times in which we live. Obedience involves conscious listening. If you do not really listen, you cannot really obey. That is why parents are always saying, “Listen to me!” The idea is to listen under with the intent to understand and do it.

Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. ²Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; ³That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”

The Bible commands Fathers to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture (discipline) and admonition (instruction) of the Lord.”

I. Living in God’s wisdom toward the unsaved people in our Colosse

Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

In Colosse, some of the believers were just wasting their time on frivolous things because they were not using wisdom, the same is true today, many believers in our Colosse or in our citizenship on this earth, spending too much time wasted on TV, games or sports, pleasure, sleeping and amusements or computer games. Sadly, some believers today do not used enough time for the Lord in prayers and bible reading, witnessing, serving in the local church, serving fellow brethren and doing good to all men.

Paul moved from the subject of prayer in Colossians 4:2-4 to the topic of Christian witness in Colossians 4:5-6. Paul stressed two related aspects of Christian witness, both of which imply communication. The first is behavioral and the second is verbal. The responsibility to “walk” (in Greek “peripateo”) is Paul description of the behavior he expected of fellow believers (Romans 6:4, Romans 8:4, Romans 14:15). Paul also reminded his readers that they were no longer to “walk” as they did before they became Christians (Ephesians 2:2-3, Ephesians 4:17, Colossians 3:5-7).

The word “walk” in Greek “peripateo” from “peri” means about or around; “pateo” means walk, tread. “Peripateo” literally means to go here and there in walking, in commonly in New Testament is used figuratively meaning to conduct one’s life, to behave, to make due use of opportunities.

Paul is writing about the practical aspect of how we are to walk the talk before the skeptical, watching world. A Christian's conduct can have a powerful evangelizing influence on the unsaved; for, if these people see a type of life that is superior to their own, the chances are good that they will want to inquire after its secret. This will lead to conversation about Christ and His saving work.

The word “walk” is in the present tense (continual action) and imperative mood (command not a suggestion) which calls for believers to continually walk with wisdom. This is to be the habit of our new life in Christ (Colossians 2:6, Colossians 3:4). Our responsibility is to make that walk possible according to the continual working of indwelling Spirit’s enabling power within us.

The word “wisdom” in Greek “Sophia”. In simple terms biblical wisdom can be defined as skill for living.

What does it mean to “walk in wisdom”? For one thing, it means that we are careful not to say or do anything that would make it difficult to share the Gospel. It also means we must be alert to use the opportunities God gives us for personal witnessing. In the present context to walk ourselves with wisdom it means that the unsaved outsiders who are closely, critically scrutinizing our lives, should see or hear nothing in our lives that would jeopardize our testimony of Jesus. The aspect of wisdom in view is that which buys up every opportunity to lead a lost soul to the Lord. Thus, the Colossian's walk in wisdom is to have in view their Christian witness.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

The word “Speech” logos in context refers to the speech of a Christian which among others things should be sound (Titus 2:8), edifying (Ephesus 4:29), meaningful (Matthew 12:36), quiet (1Thessalonians 4:11), truthful ("do not lie") (Colossians 3:8).

In Colosse, some of the Colossians saints and brethren used their mouths often and got themselves in trouble and stirred up trouble. The same is true in today, some brethren open their mouths and got in trouble with others while we are still here in our earthly citizenship.

Our speech should be winsome which Webster says is attractive, appealing, generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence.

Remember what comes out is related to what goes in -- G.I.G.O. (garbage in, garbage out or "God's word In, God's word Out").

The word “grace” in Greek “charis” speaks of unmerited favor. Gracious words build up rather than tear down.

There is none better example than our Lord Jesus of Whom Luke wrote that in Luke 4:22 “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words (“charis”, literally words of grace) which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?”

John records the testimony of those who heard Jesus speak, declaring that in John 7:46 “The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.”

The word “Seasoned” in Greek “artuo”. In classical Greek the primary meaning of artuō is “to season, to prepare, to arrange, to make savory.” It is used in reference to seasoning foods with spices or of “seasoned” speech. In classical Greek the salt is used to used figuratively of the wit which characterizes one's speech. And so in Colossians 4:6 believers are exhorted to season (artuō) their conversation with grace (Word centered, Spirit enabled appropriate, proper responses) so they will know how to respond to others. Believers filled with the Spirit will manifest pleasant and wise conversation, speech that is seasoned as with salt.

Jesus used this verb in his teaching in Mark 9:50 "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”

The word “salt” symbolizing the unction, freshness, and vital briskness which characterizes the Spirit’s presence and work in a man.

The word “Salt” in Greek “halas” refers to natural salt which purifies, cleanses, seasons, preserves from corruption.

The speech must be salty lest there should be anything corrupt and tainted under it.

A great way to prepare your speech so that it is "well-seasoned and palatable" is to begin each day with God, reading God’s Word, and being filled with His Spirit Who goes out with us during the day giving us the desire the power to conduct ourselves in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

J. Lived in this earth and died like the believers in Colosse

Colosse was the earthly home, it is their earthly testing and training ground of these Colossians believers. Colossians believers deal all the issues of life and spent their time of sojourning in Colosse. God blesses all the saints in Colosse as they walked with God. At Colosse they were faithful brethren who varies in their faithfulness, varies in the usefulness in serving God, varies in their maturity, varies in their fruitfulness, but all of them lived their days here in earth and then died and they went to the Lord in heaven. These saints and faithful brethren at Colosse were absent from the earthly body and in their earth city but in order to be present with the Lord in heaven.

The same is true to today’s believers, we are also going to live the time of our sojourning here in this earth, as we prepared our march for glory, as we prepared to stand the Judgment seat of Christ and face to face with Christ. If the Lord should tarry in His coming, we die here in this earthly city. We lose our earthly citizenship to enjoy our heavenly citizenship.

II Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

The time, the life we spent here on earth is important, we are learning here in our temporary earthly citizenship and preparing us for eternal citizenship. The song goes, “only one life, will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

II - PARTAKERS IN CHRIST

A. Spiritually placed in Christ at the moment of Salvation, whose physical body are in Colosse

I Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

This verse teaches us that at the moment saving faith, the believers whose physical bodies were in Colosse, they were placed in Christ spiritually.

Notice the words “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,” it means it is the Spirit Baptism that places the believer in Christ. We were in Adam and are now in Christ, a new, eternal, and irreversible position. Paul is referring to what transpired to each individual when they accepted Christ as Savior. Is this water baptism? Why or why not? Notice Who "performs" baptism. Is this a pastor, an elder, etc.? Paul plainly stated they were all (not some) baptized by one Spirit. This not water baptism but Spirit baptism, when the Spirit brought each believer into the New Covenant and the living, eternal union and oneness with Jesus Christ. So, the idea is that each of these believers were identified with one body, the body of Christ. This miracle transpired the moment they accepted Christ. They may have been converted at different times, but they all end up in the same place, in one body. Paul keeps emphasizing a supernatural work of the Spirit.

This Spirit baptism began on the day of Pentecost. On that time of Spirit Baptism, all the Jewish believers in Jerusalem were placed into Christ, place into the Body Christ, placed into the Church. The birthday of the church began with Spirit baptism on the day of Pentecost.

The moment each and every believer places his faith on the Savior Jesus Christ for salvation, that is the time the believers’ experiences Spirit baptism. Spirit Baptism is not that kind of experiencing something that is felt. But whether we are aware of it or not the Spirit baptism is the work God does in us. There is only one Spirit baptism, that is the baptism with the Spirit that all believers receive when they are born again.

By reading the New Testament and believing what God said is the only way we know that Spirit baptism occurred. If someone repent from sins and trust Christ as his personal Savior, and if that person was born again, then on that very moment that person have already been baptized by the Spirit and place in the body of Christ and now become a member of the Church universal.

It is not true that speaking in tongues is the invariable sign of being baptized by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:30 “Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”)

B. Several other results of someone who are placed in Christ.

Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Those who are in Christ by placing their faith on Christ finished work of redemption are united with Christ as members of the body of Christ.

No denomination or local assembly can claim to be “the body of Christ,” for that body is composed of all true believers. When a person trusts Christ, he is immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit into this body (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13). The baptism of the Spirit is not a post conversion experience—for it occurs the instant a person believes in Jesus Christ.

The word “church,” as used in this and similar passages, contemplates the entire company as it will be seen when the Lord comes during rapture to receive it to Himself. The body of Christ nowhere in Scripture viewed as an earthly organization established in the world, it is heavenly in its design, establishment and destiny. Its individual members are incorporated into it as each one is born of God through faith in Christ.

Church in Greek ekklesia from ek = out + kaleo = call) is literally the "called out ones".

Colossians 2:12-13 “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. ¹³And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

1. Paul's teaching based on the fact that we died with Christ.

Colossians 2:20 ““Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,”

Believers in Christ had died, were buried, and rose again with Christ. Paul is saying we died with Christ and he bases his teaching on that fact that Jesus died for our sins and we sinners died with Him.

What happens when you died? To die means to be separated or to be free of something. What would the Colossians be free of in context of the present discussion? The Law. Believers "are not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”)

Dying with Christ means not only identification with Him but dying to (from) something:

1. sin (Romans 6:2 “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”)

2. self (II Corinthians 5:14, 15 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: ¹⁵And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”)

3. law (Romans 7:6 “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”; Galatians 2:19 “For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.”, Romans 6:14 “are not under law, but under grace”).

4. World (Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world”).

Although the verb is different (crucified instead of died) the truth is similar, Paul reiterating that believers are also dead to the world for through…the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ… the world has been crucified to [us], and [we] to the world.

2. Paul's exhortation based on the fact that we rose with Christ.

Colossians 3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

Since that believers were in Christ, therefore we are fully identified with Christ.

We hereby conclude that we died to our old citizenship (referring to our old city, which this world is not our true home), and we believers in Christ are now alive as new creations (II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”) in a new sphere of existence in Christ.

In Romans Paul teaches that we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4 “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.”).

The picture Paul is painting is that of the believer's identification or union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. (Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”)

So, what is Paul’s point? Paul's reasoning is that because of these great liberating truths, a believer does not have to live like a spiritually dead man but can now live as one alive in Christ

- Empowered with His resurrection power (Romans 6:4 “as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the

Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”)

- Energized by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his

glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”; Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”).

C. Saints’ lives are very different in Christ.

1. Believers were seated in heavenly places in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

Those who are born-again, believers in Christ were seated in heavenly places in Christ and blessed with all spiritual blessings.

Who has “blessed” (“eulogeo” in past tense) us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. This letter is about riches, not exhaustible material wealth that can make itself wings, but the inexhaustible, infinite riches that every believer possesses in Christ as a present reality. Paul sums our riches in this verse with the phrase "with all spiritual blessing" and then he proceeds to explain them and to tell us how we can draw on them for effective Christian living. We need to remember that man's days in Psalm 103:15 "As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.¹⁶For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.”

In Isaiah God adds that in Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

And that word is that we are spiritually wealthy beyond our wildest dreams.

Why wouldn’t God put material blessings in this list of spiritual blessings? The answer is simple -- they don’t last for eternity, whereas the things not seen do last forever! What are you living for...the temporal or the eternal? Notice how this truth flies in the face of the horrible heresy of the so-called "prosperity gospel." We must continually be reminded that in I John 2:17 "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

God wants us to live accordingly so that the world might see it is to the praise of His glory and thereby might see the invisible God through the visible good works of His sons and daughters (Matthew 5:16). May His Spirit open each of our eyes so that we experience the reality of "all spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" and then empower us to live them out in daily victory, all to the praise of the glory of His grace. Amen.

Did you notice that the verse is not future tense but past tense. Blessed is in the aorist tense which speaks of an effective action, one which was completed in the past. It is not that God will give us but that He has already given us. And while this is of course true, we also know that the "best is yet to come!" Hallelujah what a Savior! Hallelujah what a Blessed Hope!

Observe that those who have been blessed are "us" - Paul affirms that he had experienced this blessing also. God has endowed us with the ability to succeed and live as more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37) in this spiritual life in which we war with the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17) and the devil's forces (Ephesians 6:10-12).

2. Believers were new creatures in Christ

II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

This is a very special verse to us because it serves as a continual reminder of our new life in Christ, a life which is still "new" and amazing, even though our body is beginning to "decay" (II Corinthians 4:16).

Paul's conclusion in 2 Corinthians 5:17 is based on the preceding truths in 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15, 16 specifically the truths concerning Christ's Death, Resurrection and Supernatural Life (In essence the truths about the "Gospel").

Notice the word “any”. Any sinner, no matter how awful, despicable, depraved, disgusting (and the list could go on and on) who repents and believes in Christ is placed in Christ wherein he or she is a new creature, regardless of how corrupt and decadent the old creature was in Adam.

3. Believer's new lives were hidden with Christ in God

Colossians 3:3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:3 introduces and explains the reason "living in the heavenlies" (seeking and thinking the things above) is to be the norm for each believer even though we are still on this earth. Believers have died to the world system (Galatians 6:14), through their faith and intimate union with Christ in His death and resurrection.

God says, “your life is hid with Christ in God”. That settles it, whether we believe it or not. If we are truly in Christ, we are forever and ever in Christ, independent of our frequent failings in this present early existence.

Our hidden life is eternally secure in Christ. May God grant us grace by His Spirit to fully rest in this incredible truth in Christ. Amen.

Hidden with Christ in the sense that our new spiritual life is no longer in the sphere of the earthly and sensual, but is with the life of the risen Christ, who is unseen with God.

4. Believer's life now was Christ.

Colossians 3:4 “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Christ Who is our life - As discussed below there is no verb "Who is." The text reads "Christ our life." What an overwhelming, profound truth to ponder. It will take eternity to do so! John's purpose of his Gospel was "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of God, and that believing you may have LIFE in HIS NAME." (John 20:31). Jesus, the Word of Life (1 John 1:1 “the Word of life”, Philippians 2:16 “Holding forth the word of life”) is the Source of all true life, life indeed, life in abundance!

Not "if" but "when"! He will appear! Dear believer, that glorious event is more certain than the sun rising tomorrow! And His Second Coming could indeed be tomorrow! In light of the imminency of Christ's return, John gives us a wise word "Now, little children, abide (present imperative = Enabled by the Spirit, make abiding in Christ your lifestyle!) in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence (parrhesia) and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming (parousia)." (1 John 2:28) When a man realizes the nearness of Jesus Christ, he is bound to commit himself to a certain kind of life. If you knew that when you arise tomorrow morning you would see Jesus face to face in the evening, would it not affect the way you conducted yourself during the day? Remember, it is not "IF" but "WHEN"!

5. Believers had already put on the new man in Christ.

Colossians 3:10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

This verse shifts from the negative (laid aside) to the positive (put on). With the stripping off of the old nature there has come a new nature, the new man. We have laid aside the old garment, the "hand me down" rags from Adam and have put on the new garment, the new man in Christ.

Have put on in Greek “enduo” from en = in + dúo = to sink, go in or under, to put on) means literally to clothe or dress someone and to put on as a garment, to cause to get into a garment.

When did we put on the new? This "putting on" occurred the moment the old self (old man) died with Christ, at the time of regeneration by grace through faith. In verse 9 above, the "laying aside" is also aorist tense, and one can deduce that the action of both verbs took place at the same time in the past, corresponding to the moment we believed in Christ.

What is true about every believer is that they have put on the new self, which describes their new position as children of God, His new creations. We now are secure in an inseparable union with Christ and are fully identified with His life. Our old self has been laid aside. Because of our new position, we now are in possession of divine, supernatural power which gives every believer the potential to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

6. Believers had no divisions, no social elites, no bond or free in Christ.

Colossians 3:11 “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

These distinctions all vanish when once we come to Christ; we are one in him, and every promise to believers is good to all who are in Christ Jesus, for “Christ is all, and in all.” Not only does the distinction not exist, but it cannot exist.

All believers were all one in Christ and Christ was all in all to them all.

Notice the word “Where” in Greek “hópou” compound relative adverb from poú, when used of place it means where, in which or what place. The "place" described is the renewed state of the "new man" in Christ.

in Christ there are no class distinctions. People are not born equal in terms of mental capacity, physical capacity, etc, and so there is no such thing as true equality in this life. Christianity changes that because regeneration brings true equality to people.

Paul's point is that not only are sinful habits and attitudes of the old man abolished, but the new man also results in breaking down of the barriers that divide men in their unconverted state. Racial barriers are broken down in Christ. Cultural barriers are broken down in Christ. Social and religious barriers are broken down in Christ! The renewal is in essence all encompassing, for now all belong to ONE BODY, CHRIST.

Paul declared to the Galatians in Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

All those who are one with Jesus Christ are one with each other. All believers share the same privilege and position. Within the body of Christ all have the same relationship to God. All are of equal value.

In the new life there is no distinction of race and nationality. We are born into one family; we become members of Christ’s body.

7. Believers are complete in Christ

Colossians 2:10 “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:"

By using such phrases as with Christ (Colossians 3:1 “risen with Christ”); where Christ (Colossians 3:1 “where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God”); with Christ (Colossians 3:3 “your life is hid with Christ in God.”); when Christ (Colossians 3:4); and with Him (Colossians 3:4 “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. ”), he stresses again Christ’s total sufficiency (Colossians 2:10 “ye are complete in him”).

Because of our union with Christ every spiritual need is fully met. Possessing Him, we possess all we need for life and godliness. The Colossians needed to understand their position and their possessions in Christ so that they would be able to resist the persuasive arguments of empty philosophy, Mosaic ritual, and worship of angels. The Colossians needed to rest in the truth that all they needed was found in Jesus Christ.

At every point Christ and the believer are identified. When our Lord was circumcised, we were circumcised with Him; when our Lord died, we died in Him; when He was buried, we were buried; when He rose, we were raised; and when He was quickened, we were quickened. To these great truths we may add that when He ascended, we ascended; (parallel passages in Ephesians 2 - Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 2:6), now that He is at God's right hand we are seated with Him in heavenly places.

Believers have come to completion, a state of having no deficiency. To be sure we are all "works in progress" but Paul's point is that in contrast to empty philosophy, believers are filled with the Christ in Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! Do we really believe this? Why then do we run hither and yon looking for "deeper truth"?

Complete is the same in the Greek as fulfilled and so God's purpose in creating each man and woman is fulfilled when he or she is truly "in Christ".

As a result of the Fall, man is in a sad state of incompleteness. He is spiritually incomplete because He is totally out of fellowship with God. He is morally incomplete because he lives outside of God’s will. He is mentally incomplete because he does not know ultimate truth. At salvation, believers become “partakers of the divine nature” (II Peter 1:4) and are made complete. Believers are spiritually complete because they have fellowship with God. They are morally complete in that they recognize the authority of God’s will. They are mentally complete because they know the truth about ultimate reality.

8. Believers had already put off the sins of the flesh in Christ.

Colossians 2:11 “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:”

Positionally, the battle has been won by Christ. It is finished. Victory is in the risen Christ. Death has no more dominion, has no more sting.

The “body of the sins of the flesh” refers to the sinful, fallen human nature totally dominating believers before salvation. Christians have been cleansed of that sinful dominance and been given a new nature created in righteousness, having been circumcised with a circumcision made “without hands”, that is, not physical but spiritual. At salvation, it says in Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” As a result of that salvation, II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Nowhere is it expressed any better in the words of Paul when he wrote about the true believers (Jews and Gentiles) in Philippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Believers have been from sin’s dominance and judgment though not yet from its presence. Romans 6:7 “For he that is dead is freed from sin.”

Paul compares the saving work of God in us with the practice of Jewish physical circumcision. He says it’s like that, only this is a spiritual circumcision made “without hands”: it’s a spiritual thing he is talking about, not a physical circumcision. And Paul says that what is being cut away is not the male foreskin, but the “body of the sins of the flesh.” In Paul’s language that’s probably a reference to sin-dominated, ego-dominated use of the body. What is cut away in this spiritual circumcision “without hands” is the old unbelieving, blind, rebellious self and its use of the body for sin. And that way of spiritual circumcision, Paul is saying, God makes a person His very own.

The Christian’s circumcision is in contrast to that of the Jews circumcision. They Jews had external physical surgery, while believers have internal “spiritual surgery” on their hearts. The Jews’ surgery involved only a part of the body; while for the believer, the true spiritual circumcision put off, the whole “body of the sins of the flesh” (Colossians 2:11) was removed.

When we trusted Christ to save us, the Spirit of God performed “spiritual surgery” that enables us to have victory over the desires of the old nature and the old life, victory over sins of the flesh that would enslave you. According to this verse Colossians 2:12 “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.” Faith “in the working of God” can give you overcoming power.

The heart needs “spiritual surgery” if it is to love the Lord and obey Him (Deuteronomy 30:6; Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2:25, 26, 27, 28, 29). Every child of God has experienced this (Colossians 2:11) and, by faith, can live victoriously. When we receive the Word in our hearts (Deuteronomy 30:11, 12, 13, 14), we have both the desire and the dynamic to obey God and glorify Him. The heart of victory is the heart!

The flesh (old self, old man, "corrupted humanity") can no longer reign like a dictatorial king over us as it once did when we were unregenerate ("spiritually uncircumcised"), for its power has been broken by the circumcision in Christ.

What we want to drive is that Paul teaches that the physical body dominated by the evil nature is put away in favor of a physical body now dominated by the divine nature. (Romans 6:13 “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”; Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”).

8. Believers had already spoiled and victorious over Satan and demonic forces in Christ.

Colossians 2:15 “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Colossians 2:15 “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” NASB

Believers were more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37).

Paul uses the picture of spoiling one's foe to describe how God in Christ has stripped the powers of evil and control over the lives of men. This description would be familiar to his readers as it was used of a triumphant Roman general who stripped his foes, leading them as captives behind his chariot in a victory procession.

God had predicted this spoiling or disarming of principalities (rulers) and Powers (authorities)" in Genesis, directly declaring to the highest angelic ruler, the devil, Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Even in the New Testament, Jesus prophesied of Satan's spoiling or disarming at His Crucifixion declaring in John 12:31,32 “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. ³²And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

Against the believer, what weapons do demonic spirits have? They are spoiled or disarmed, except for their ability to deceive and to create fear. These are effective "weapons" that aren't tangible weapons at all. Demonic spirits only have power towards us that we grant them by believing their lies.

Notice the words “he made a shew of them openly” in Greek “deiqmatizo” from “deiqma” that is an example from “deiknuo” means to show, present to one’s sight. It means literally “made a show of them openly and boldly.” To exhibit, to expose, to make a public show or spectacle.

The picture is the triumphal entry of a military hero into the city of Rome. The victorious Roman general marched into the city in a long procession preceded by the city magistrates. They were followed by trumpeters, then the spoils taken from the enemy, followed by the king of the conquered country, then officials of the victorious army and musicians dancing and playing; and at last, the general himself, in whose honor the whole wonderful pageant was taking place.

The terms in this verse are all military and the idea is that Christ has achieved complete victory and has subdued our enemies by His death, so that all creation is now in subjection to Christ. Satan and the demons no longer have authority over a believer who is walking in the light.

With all these points we conclude that these things in the believer's lives in Christ, were very different than life in Colosse.

- - - - - TO BE CONTINUED - - - - -

D. Same with Colossian believers, all of us believers had a DUAL citizenship.

Philippians 3:20 “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”