Colossians 1:1-14.
What does it mean to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ?
What should they be like? In the letter to the church at Colossae we find that v1 Jesus Christ has commissioned the apostle Paul to write to the church, that really is what the word apostle is telling us here. Paul was an apostle by the will of God, he had not appointed himself, when he wrote he was bringing them words from Christ himself.
1. A Christian disciple of Jesus Christ is one who has heard the word of the truth of the gospel. v5
This has been brought to us by men appointed by Christ and those who work closely with them. What we call the new Testament is the collection of the apostles doctrine upon which foundation the church is built. There is a very personal aspect to this. Each of the disciples at Colossae had personally heard the truth of the gospel. We gather together, we worship and serve together, but being a disciple of Jesus Christ is an individual matter. Rm 10:17 "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." I venture to say that each of us gathered here has listened to the word of God many times, however, this true hearing means to receive the word and act upon it. They are described in v2 as saints, which means consecrated, or set apart, and as faithful brethren in Christ. In hearing the word of the gospel, the Lord had, as with Lydia Acts 16:14, “whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” So their hearts had been opened by the Lord to receive the gospel. There is this danger of hearing, of knowing the facts of the gospel but of not believing. Heb 4:2 "for onto us was the gospel preached, as well as onto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." Perhaps this is you, you hear the good news of Jesus Christ regularly but you do not believe. That is a dangerous condition to be in. I urge you to cry unto the Lord for mercy today.
The gospel, the good news message, is all about the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is v15 “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." Though he is the eternal son, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. So we read v14 "in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." When you read about the animal sacrifices in the book of Leviticus they are pointing us to the Lamb of God, the one who came to save his people from their sins. Being a Christian is not about being good so that God will accept you. No, it is about what Jesus has done, it is about repentance and faith. Jesus at the beginning of his public ministry said Mark 1:15 "repent ye and believe the gospel."
The disciples of Jesus Christ at Colossae had heard the truth of the gospel, they were saints, set apart for the glory of God, they were people who had faith in Christ. It was his merit, it was his blood which paid the price and made them v12 "meat, [or suitable,] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."
2. Disciples of Jesus Christ have love to all the saints v4.
Hearing the word of the truth of the gospel, having it mixed with faith in your heart, will produce fruit. Christians v2 are described as being “in Christ Jesus.” Jesus himself gave us a very clear picture of this in Jn 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." A Christian is a person who is in Christ, being in Christ means you will produce fruit. It will be seen in daily life. Be clear about this, the fruit is not the ground of our acceptance with God. The fruit is the consequence of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. A local church is made up of individuals who have been declared forgiven and holy because of the merit of Christ. Fruit will be seen, but we are still growing in Christ. This is how the apostle prayed for the Christians, the saints at Colossae, v10 "that ye might walk worthy of the Lord onto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." Every day we each need to grow in the knowledge of God. How do we do this? It is through reading and studying God's word. This is where he has revealed his will to us. The more we hear the word of God, mixed with faith in a hearts, the more fruitful we will be.
Paul had heard v4 of their "love which ye have to all the saints." Do you remember the new commandment which Jesus gave us? Jn 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” He went on to say v35 "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." I was reminded of the words of Phil 2:2-4 "fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind, 3 let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 look not every man on his own things, but every man also of the things of others." That is a high standard, for it is to have the mind of Christ. You cannot do this in your own strength. It is only under the transforming power of the Holy Spirit as we hear the word of God that we will do this. Rm 12:2 “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,”
3. Saints have hope laid up in heaven.
The gospel is truly good news. We have redemption through the blood of Christ so that there is therefore no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. We have v8 love in the spirit, such even that we may love our enemies and leave vengeance to the Lord. And we have a certain hope in heaven. The term "laid up" speaks of our hope being kept safe. This is what the one Jesus spoke of in Lk 19 who was only given one talent. He did not want to risk it, so it was wrapped safely in a napkin.
Jesus said Jn 14:2-3 "in my father's house are many mansions [or dwelling places]: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." This promise is laid up, it is secure, because of who made it. The one who said he had power to lay down his own life and to take it again and then went on to rise from the dead is the very same one who has promised to receive his people onto himself. If you have repentance for your sins, if you have faith in Christ, then you have an inheritance with Christ in heaven.
You cannot do this yourself. We are born sinners in Adam. You know yourself you are not perfectly good in every thought word and deed. This world's problems come out of our own hearts. Jer 17:9 "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it." If you are happy in rebellion against God it is only for a season, in time you will find that Prov 13:15 “the way of transgressors is hard.” It is only by the grace of God, through faith in Christ alone that you can have redemption from your sins and the sure and certain hope of heaven.
Are you thankful for fellow Christians? Looking at these opening verses of the letter you will see v4 Paul’s response to hearing v5 about their faith love and hope. He was thankful to the Lord, and this led him to prayer, to seek more blessings upon them. These blessings are spiritual in nature, knowing the will of God, which must above all else mean more faith, love and hope.