Saturday’s reading: Philippians and Colossians

Today, our reading is Philippians and Colossians

Philippians was written from a prison cell. Paul believed that his chains would result in the encouragement of his fellow believers. So he willingly endured the punishment given him so that the Gospel could be preached everywhere. He teaches us in chapter 2 to think like Jesus thinks. Specifically, he mentions: making Himself nothing on our behalf, taking on the nature of a servant, and humbling Himself. This is how we are supposed to think and behave. In 3:10-11, he says, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Pretty mature approach to living, I’d say. He tells us a little later that he forgets what is behind and just looks ahead. Actually, he says, “straining for what is ahead”. That mean is “stretching”. Are you willing for God to stretch you so that you can be ready for the future that He has for you? And like the quintessential leader that he is, he says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.” (4:9)

Colossians is all about Jesus: He is supreme, He is preeminent, He is first in everything!
Chapter 1, verses 15-19 is poetic, speaking of Christ’s Divinity. He follows with 2:9stating, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form”. Chapter 3 is great instruction about godly living, many “don’ts” (things that are not permissible for Jesus followers). Rules for a good family life follow. I have always noted the special relationship between Paul and Epaphras. If you are not familiar with this guy, just read 4:12 – I’ll bet you’ll wish you had someone like this in your life!

Join me tomorrow for the letters to the Thessalonians