Joyce Meyer - Colossians

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Author:Paul

Date:Around AD 61

Audience:Christians in the city of Colossae

When I first began thinking about this Biblical Study series, I wondered, Are these books resources that people will really be interested in? I concluded that they could help people greatly because the Bibleespecially the New Testament and certain Old Testament booksis full of practical answers for everyday living.

The Bible is more than a book about theology or a story about eternal life when we die. It also offers us the wisdom we need to live victorious, peace-filled, joyful lives on earth. Jesus says in John 10:10, The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows] ( AMP ). This verse is not only talking about enjoying life when we go on vacation or when something delightful happens. John 10:10 is talking about the fact that God offers us the ability to relish ordinary, everyday life. If the only time we can enjoy ourselves is when something exciting happens, we will miss out on the joyful, abundant life Jesus died to give us. But if we learn to live according to Gods Word, which requires study and obedience, we can savor each day.

Any time we familiarize ourselves with the Scriptures, it is good for us. But we need to do more than simply read Gods Word; we need to study it deeply. We may read only one verse or passage for several days, but if we are really examining it and digging deep to understand what it means in our lives, thats when it will begin to transform us. The Bible teaches and empowers us in amazing ways, and we can only discover them when we diligently study it.

Most of the New Testament letters, called the Epistles, were written to young churches and believers who needed to grow in their faith and learn to live Gods way. The writersincluding the apostles Paul, James, Peter, and Johnwere trying to help new believers become established in their relationship with God and learn how to live godly lives. Thats why they contain not only valuable theological principles but also important advice for our practical, everyday lives. I am excited to know that I will one day go to heaven, but I also want to enjoy the life I have today and every day before I go there.

One reason Pauls epistle to the Colossians is so important for us to study and understand is that it is all about Jesus. From start to finish, this letter exalts Jesus and affirms His lordship. The theme of the epistle is the headship of Christ, and the primary lesson of these four chapters is to put Jesus first all the time, above and before everything else. We are to put Him first in our time, finances, thoughts, conversations, decisions, and relationships. If we keep Him first, we will never have to strive for or chase after anything. The blessings of God will chase us and overtake us (Deut. 28:2).

In Matthew 6:31, Jesus spoke about people who do not keep Him first and the fact that they worry about their lives, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?

He went on to say that people who do not know God run after all these things, but that your heavenly Father knows that you need them (Matt. 6:32).

Then He said: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt. 6:33, emphasis mine). When we keep Jesus first and seek His kingdom above all else, we can live in love, peace, joy, power, and blessing.