Who is Jesus Christ , what is his true identity ?
Christ , the creator , sustainer , redeemer of the Universe , i.e his creation. Christ , the victor over death . Christ the victor over Satan and his forces . Christ , the only way of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. Christ , the reconciler of the human race with God. Christ , in whom the fulness of God dwells ,the revealer of the divine to the human . Christ is the head of the Church, which is his body , under his control , fulfilling his agenda , his representatives in this world.
1:16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible orinvisible, whether thrones or dominions, 30 whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him.
1:17 He himself is before all things and all things are held together 31 in him.
1:18 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn 32 from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. 33
1:20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of hiscross – through him, 38 whether things on earth or things in heaven.
How does this truth about the nature , identity and work of Jesus Christ apply to the daily life of the individual and church?
Living under the lordship of Jesus Christ , as reflectors of the nature and character of God , the disciple
1. Should keep themselves from other competing religions , philosophies , which will entice them with false promises of false humility and fake wisdom.
2:18 Let no one who delights in humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths 36 about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind. 37 2:19 He has not held fast 38 to the headfrom whom the whole body, supported 39 and knit together through its ligaments and sinews, growswith a growth that is from God. 40
2:20 If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits 41 of the world, why do you submit to them as though you lived in the world? 2:21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” 2:22These are all destined to perish with use, founded as they are 42 on human commands and teachings.43 2:23 Even though they have the appearance of wisdom 44 with their self-imposed worship andfalse humility 45 achieved by an 46 unsparing treatment of the body – a wisdom with no true value– they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.
2. The disciples should live in unity without discrimination based on gender , social standing , ethnic /racial identity . In Christ , all are one . Unity is stressed. All have to follow the same values and principles of Christ. There are no alloweances and special treatments for any group.
3:11 Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian,Scythian, slave 8 or free, but Christ is all and in all.
3. The disciples should not live like those around who do not have a relationship with God.
So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: 2 sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, 3 evil desire, and greed whichis idolatry. 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 4 3:7 You also lived your lives 5 in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. 3:8 Butnow, put off all such things 6 as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 3:9Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 3:10 and have been clothed with the new man 7 that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.
4.The disciples should live a life which is characterised by the vitues of Christ .
3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy,9 kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 3:13 bearing with one another and forgiving 10 one another, if someone happens to have 11 a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. 12 3:14 And to all these 13 virtues 14 add 15 love, which is the perfect bond.
5. The disciple as husband , wife , child , employer and employee
3:18 Wives, submit to your 20 husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 3:19 Husbands, love your wivesand do not be embittered against them. 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this ispleasing in the Lord. 3:21 Fathers, 21 do not provoke 22 your children, so they will not become disheartened. 3:22 Slaves, 23 obey your earthly 24 masters in every respect, not only when they are watching – like those who are strictly people-pleasers – but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.3:23 Whatever you are doing, 25 work at it with enthusiasm, 26 as to the Lord and not for people,27 3:24 because you know that you will receive your 28 inheritance 29 from the Lord as the reward. Serve 30 the Lord Christ. 3:25 For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, 31 and there are no exceptions. 32
4:1 Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.
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