Colossians 1:18 "And He is the head of the body, the church (ecclesia), who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." (NKJV)
(LITV) And He is the Head of the body, the assembly, who is the Beginning, the First-born out of the dead, that He be preeminent in all things;
(YLT) And himself is the head of the body--the assembly--who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all things --himself--first,
(CLV) And He is the Head of the body, the ecclesia, Who is Sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may be becoming first,
I'm giving you 4 different translations of the same verse to show you how confusing the bible can get. Keep in mind the story of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection will never change, they are consistent throughout, however details differ, which is why we have so many different churches (denominations).
What I want you to see from this verse is "firstborn". Who is the "firstborn from among the dead"? Is Paul is talking of the church being the firstborn? Considering the context is Christ the firstborn from among the dead? I believe if you read the chapter over closely you will see that the "firstborn from among the dead" has to be Christ. The meaning is just that, Christ was the first to rise from the dead, and Paul knows that fact to be true, hence the title. The church has yet to resurrect from the dead. (see 1 Thess. 4:13-18) Christ is referred to as the "Firstfruit of those who are reposing". (1 Corinthians 15:20)
I love the word "firstborn" to describe Christ. No other person can claim that title, no other person can claim that fame, and no other person deserves our attention like Jesus the Christ. The firstborn in any family is said to have to best chances for success, money, and fame; I'm not sure whether that is true or not, but there is no doubt that the Firstborn in all creation has taken that honor. Among the creation there is no one I'd rather get to know this coming year than God the son, Jesus. May God give you the desire and passion to really know the Firstborn among creation and from among the dead.
Grace, MB
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Colossians 1:1-29 Firstborn 1
When I read through the scripture preparing to write a post on this blog site I don't have a set agenda, I just write about whatever jumps out at me. This first chapter was no exception. How fitting Colossians chapter one is for Christmas.
Colossians 1:15 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." (NKJV)
Some commentaries say this term "firstborn" refers to priority of position rather than of origin. Using passages like Psalms 89:27 to prove their point, "Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth." The author assumes the firstborn mentioned is in reference to Christ. Actually I believe it refers to King David, "highest of the kings of the earth". The writer is not talking about Christ at all. I believe firstborn means firstborn in origin, Christ was firstborn over all creation, not at the stable but before the foundations of the world. Before Christ created the heavens and the earth, He was created by The Father Himself. Christ is God and "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. " (2 Corinthians 5:19) They are ONE. (John 10:30 "I and My Father are one.") Of course in the beginning Christ wasn't born in a physical nature, that came many years later. This birth was a spiritual birth, then came the physical in Bethlehem, when He emptied Himself (took the form of a bondservant) and came to earth. (Philippians 2:7) How many times was Christ born? 1,2, or 3. Stay tuned for yet another birth. To be continued...
Merry Christmas, MB
Colossians 1:15 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." (NKJV)
Some commentaries say this term "firstborn" refers to priority of position rather than of origin. Using passages like Psalms 89:27 to prove their point, "Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth." The author assumes the firstborn mentioned is in reference to Christ. Actually I believe it refers to King David, "highest of the kings of the earth". The writer is not talking about Christ at all. I believe firstborn means firstborn in origin, Christ was firstborn over all creation, not at the stable but before the foundations of the world. Before Christ created the heavens and the earth, He was created by The Father Himself. Christ is God and "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. " (2 Corinthians 5:19) They are ONE. (John 10:30 "I and My Father are one.") Of course in the beginning Christ wasn't born in a physical nature, that came many years later. This birth was a spiritual birth, then came the physical in Bethlehem, when He emptied Himself (took the form of a bondservant) and came to earth. (Philippians 2:7) How many times was Christ born? 1,2, or 3. Stay tuned for yet another birth. To be continued...
Merry Christmas, MB
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Philippians 4:4-13 Peace on Earth. Right!
During this time of year it's quite a challenge to remain peaceful. If there ever was a scripture that spoke to those having trouble maintaining peace and happiness it's gotta be Philippians 4. Who couldn't use the "God of peace" this time of year.
Philippians 4:9 "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
Well what are these things he's talking about?
1. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice! (v 4)
2. Be gentle to all men. (v 5)
3. In everything pray; don't be anxious, let your requests be made known to God. (v 6)
4. Meditate on these things: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, whatever is virtuous, and
whatever is praiseworthy - meditate on these things.
5. Learn to be content in whatever state you find yourself in.
I know this seems tough, and I'm sure it won't happen overnight, but if we really try, I think it's doable. Wouldn't it be worth it. When I was a kid I remember a song we sang in church that went something like..."I found happiness, I found peace of mind, I found the joy of living, perfect peace sublime, I found the real contentment happy living in accord, I found happiness all the time wonderful peace sublime, since I found the Lord." I'm not sure we knew what we were singing but I believe Paul did, for he confessed in verse 13, "I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me."
Grace and Peace, MB
Philippians 4:9 "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
Well what are these things he's talking about?
1. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice! (v 4)
2. Be gentle to all men. (v 5)
3. In everything pray; don't be anxious, let your requests be made known to God. (v 6)
4. Meditate on these things: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, whatever is virtuous, and
whatever is praiseworthy - meditate on these things.
5. Learn to be content in whatever state you find yourself in.
I know this seems tough, and I'm sure it won't happen overnight, but if we really try, I think it's doable. Wouldn't it be worth it. When I was a kid I remember a song we sang in church that went something like..."I found happiness, I found peace of mind, I found the joy of living, perfect peace sublime, I found the real contentment happy living in accord, I found happiness all the time wonderful peace sublime, since I found the Lord." I'm not sure we knew what we were singing but I believe Paul did, for he confessed in verse 13, "I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me."
Grace and Peace, MB
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Philippians 3:20-21 When is resurrection?
Your next question should be "when is resurrection?" When will we receive these immortal bodies?
First let me say there is a difference between the "Day of Christ" (only spoken of in Paul's writings) and the "Day of the Lord" (referring to the Isrealites and their 1000 year earthly kingdom, see Matthew 24) The Day of Christ is also referred to as the Rapture or Snatching Away. This is when all believers from all nationalities will be taken up in the air and thus we shall always be with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). I tend to believe there will be a judging of works as well during the Day of Christ. The Great White throne judgment we hear so much about in Revelations 20:11-15 is for the nation of Israel and those Gentiles who were not a part of the Rapture. The Day of the Lord is the period of time (1000 yrs) before the Great White Throne judgment. Confused?
Philippians 3:20-21 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (NKJV)
This passage essentially says we are waiting for Christ to come out of the heavens to change our mortal bodies into immortal bodies just like His. We know from 1 Timothy 6:16 that "Christ alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see..." So the Day of Christ is our expectation and hope, that someday we will put on a glorious body that conforms to His glorious body, and so we will be with Christ. Now I'm curious how this differs from what you thought the end was going to be like. Comments welcome.
Grace, MB
First let me say there is a difference between the "Day of Christ" (only spoken of in Paul's writings) and the "Day of the Lord" (referring to the Isrealites and their 1000 year earthly kingdom, see Matthew 24) The Day of Christ is also referred to as the Rapture or Snatching Away. This is when all believers from all nationalities will be taken up in the air and thus we shall always be with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). I tend to believe there will be a judging of works as well during the Day of Christ. The Great White throne judgment we hear so much about in Revelations 20:11-15 is for the nation of Israel and those Gentiles who were not a part of the Rapture. The Day of the Lord is the period of time (1000 yrs) before the Great White Throne judgment. Confused?
Philippians 3:20-21 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (NKJV)
This passage essentially says we are waiting for Christ to come out of the heavens to change our mortal bodies into immortal bodies just like His. We know from 1 Timothy 6:16 that "Christ alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see..." So the Day of Christ is our expectation and hope, that someday we will put on a glorious body that conforms to His glorious body, and so we will be with Christ. Now I'm curious how this differs from what you thought the end was going to be like. Comments welcome.
Grace, MB
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Philippians 3:10-12 What is resurrection?
Here's something we seldom think of, resurrection. Seems like we get stuck at death, struggle with it and never move past to what's next. What is resurrection mean?
Resurrection means life from death. Christ was resurrected, He rose from the grave. Rising from the dead is the same as resurrection. "But someone will say, 'How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies." (1 Corinthians 15:35-36) If you read on in that passage you understand that we have a body on this earth (terrestrial/natural), and new bodies at the resurrection (celestial/spiritual). The spiritual bodies will not be invisible like a ghost but will have physical features like a human albeit without blood. We know that from Christ's resurrected body in John 20:26-28. He literally walked thru the door like a ghost but He also had Thomas put his hand on the nail holes and into His side wear He was pierced. In another place we read Jesus ate after His resurrection, spiritual bodies need not eat. He also walked with men on the road to Emmaus and they talked with Him like He was a normal person. (John 24:13-16, 30-31)
Jesus rose from the dead so that we could too. (Romans 6:5 "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.") Now that is something to look forward to, don't you think?
Grace, MB
Resurrection means life from death. Christ was resurrected, He rose from the grave. Rising from the dead is the same as resurrection. "But someone will say, 'How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies." (1 Corinthians 15:35-36) If you read on in that passage you understand that we have a body on this earth (terrestrial/natural), and new bodies at the resurrection (celestial/spiritual). The spiritual bodies will not be invisible like a ghost but will have physical features like a human albeit without blood. We know that from Christ's resurrected body in John 20:26-28. He literally walked thru the door like a ghost but He also had Thomas put his hand on the nail holes and into His side wear He was pierced. In another place we read Jesus ate after His resurrection, spiritual bodies need not eat. He also walked with men on the road to Emmaus and they talked with Him like He was a normal person. (John 24:13-16, 30-31)
Jesus rose from the dead so that we could too. (Romans 6:5 "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.") Now that is something to look forward to, don't you think?
Grace, MB
Philippians 3:9 Why did Christ have to die?
Here's a big question, "Why did Christ have to die?" Ever thought about it? Couldn't God have done it another way? He's God, He can do anything, right? Why do you think Christ had to come to this earth as a human being, teach and love for a while, suffer like Hitler should have, then die on a cross?
Philippians 3:9 sparked that question and now my brain has a cramp from thinking about it. That verse reads, "and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;" I believe Christ came for many reasons, most of which we don't even comprehend now, but one of the reasons He came was to bring us righteousness from God in a way we could understand and thereby accept it. God's love is such a simple truth that all those who over think the concept struggle to understand it. I believe the complexity of the world we live in has blinded us to the simplicity of God's love. God could of showed us His love in a number of ways but He chose Christ on the cross. The whole concept of sacrifice in the Old Testament, the shedding of blood for sin, that reality was all part of God's plan to reveal His love for us through the death of His Son.
The last part of Philippians 3:8 tells me that my righteousness (right-standing with God) is from God, it's nothing I did by my own effort, it's something only God could have given to me and He's had for me since the creation of the universe, some 6,000 years ago. He's "the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end", "God is love", and His love for us will be the same in the end as it was in the beginning. (Rev 1:8, 1 John 4:8)
Grace, MB
Philippians 3:9 sparked that question and now my brain has a cramp from thinking about it. That verse reads, "and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;" I believe Christ came for many reasons, most of which we don't even comprehend now, but one of the reasons He came was to bring us righteousness from God in a way we could understand and thereby accept it. God's love is such a simple truth that all those who over think the concept struggle to understand it. I believe the complexity of the world we live in has blinded us to the simplicity of God's love. God could of showed us His love in a number of ways but He chose Christ on the cross. The whole concept of sacrifice in the Old Testament, the shedding of blood for sin, that reality was all part of God's plan to reveal His love for us through the death of His Son.
The last part of Philippians 3:8 tells me that my righteousness (right-standing with God) is from God, it's nothing I did by my own effort, it's something only God could have given to me and He's had for me since the creation of the universe, some 6,000 years ago. He's "the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end", "God is love", and His love for us will be the same in the end as it was in the beginning. (Rev 1:8, 1 John 4:8)
Grace, MB
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