The entire book of Colossians

Paul closes his letter to Colossae with personal greetings that illustrate what grace looks like in community. It includes humbling the exalted and exalting the humble; sharing ordinary life together; a deep desire to reconcile with people who hurt or disappoint us; gratitude for those who "get" us culturally and above all for those who "get" the Gospel; inconspicuous service and persistent prayer; holy agnosticism about what we don't know and holy curiosity about the storylines God hasn't finished writing.

Healthy faith involves talking to God about others—steadfastly, watchfully, and thankfully—and talking to others about God—wisely, graciously and saltily. All of these behaviors flow out of a firm grasp of the Gospel of Jesus, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Resources:

- Molly Worthen on the Gospelbound podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CwAeiZm4EasJfNFJxikh5?si=-2DgXZqfQ6S1ze7iJ5Ujmw

- Lectio365 app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lectio-365/id1483974820

Sometimes we follow, sometimes we lead;

in every relationship, Jesus is King.

United to him in his death and his life,

we build up all others, and him glorify. 

Resources:

Westminster Larger Catechism, questions 123-133

PCA Report on Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault

Walter’s August 2022 Sermon on Ephesians 6:1-9

Paul's positive vision of Christian transformation in community is incredibly attractive—and incredibly hard. Qualities like meekness, patience and forbearance are not natural to us, nor are forgiveness, sacrificial love, peace, admonishing one another, and thankfulness. It is possible, however, to "put on" these qualities because of what Christ has done: choosing us, making us holy and beloved, forgiving us, ruling us with his peace and empowering us to give thanks.

One of Paul’s favorite metaphors for growing as a Christian pictures change like clothing: putting off the rags of our old life and putting on the robes of our new life in Christ. Verses 1-11 focus on putting off, which involves situating ourselves in God’s past-present-and-future story, agreeing on death’s address (that is, why we should put off certain behaviors and dispositions), and killing the dead: whatever belongs to our old way of life.