3C's Bible Study

Colossians address the mingling of Christian beliefs with other spiritual ideologies and practices, prominent in first-century Colosse and our day. This letter, therefore, investigates the question, "is Christ enough?" particularly for redemption and fullness of life. Paul argues that these twin necessitates of the spiritual life can only be sufficiently fulfilled by Christ and none other by pointing to the efficacy of His blood.

Choosing to stand fast in the freedom of Christ opens up our resourcefulness to the kingdom of God in ways that Paul explains in this closing chapter. However, our fruitfulness is not without opposition or delay, and Paul aims to equip us with the right hope and mindset to persevere through to the due season.

Paul addresses in this chapter the central question of how we use our freedom in Christ. His conclusion comes right at the beginning, which is to "stand firm" and not be entangled again with the yoke of slavery. Standing firm is about taking our eyes off the superficial and fixing it on the reality.

Our acceptance into the kingdom of God should mark our deliverance from slavery to the elements of the Law. So Paul, in this chapter, unveils the pathway to sonship, drawing parallels with the alternative, which is slavery. His goal is that Christ would be formed in the hearts of his readers. What does it mean for Christ to be formed in our hearts? And how does this birth happen in our hearts? We find out in this episode.

The life of Abraham is the case study of this chapter, particularly his journey into the promise of God. Paul is keen for the Galatians not to misplace the basis of Abraham's faith and, in so doing, miss out on the blessing that follows it. What is this blessing? And on what basis is it inherited? We find out in this episode.

In Galatians 2, Pual's goal is to highlight the principle of substitution as the basis of our justification and to establish the same principle as the meaning of the Christian life.

The one element that hinders the gospel is the will of man; hence, God excludes it from His work of salvation in our hearts. Paul sees the same principle at work in his calling as an apostle. The end is that the gospel might bring glory to God alone by the fruits that it produces.

Galatians tackles the natural tendency we have to seek justification or rightness with God by our effort. Paul highlights the futility in this approach and offers the principle of faith as the universal and sufficient principle of relationship with the true God.

As Paul rounds off this magnificent piece, he points us to the source of his successful ministry to the Gentiles which is the working of Christ in Him. It is the same working of Christ in ours today that he trusts will make all the difference in faith, hope, and love.

Following on from the instructions on love, Paul now addresses the greatest challenge to walking in love, which is the problem of weaknesses or differences in both us and others. His goal is to present the example of Christ, who gave Himself a ransom for many, as the model to follow when significant differences that could cause division emerge.