Why all these rules for holy living? The conduct of the early church was certainly observed by those around them, because the world was watching as a new Kingdom unfolded. The way they composed themselves was a reflection of that new Kingdom, and God was growing it.

Paul continues giving the characteristics of a community governed by Christ, and they very much have the traits of Christ himself: being truthful with one another, but not pacifying one another. Unity, care for one another, and self-denial for the benefit of others. If we are the body of Christ, this is his DNA.

When we talk about the Body of Christ, this is what it looks like. We are unified to God through baptism (which is a recognition of work already done by the Spirit), and we are equipped for work to do the work which is God's. All parts are important, there are no kings in this Kingdom except Jesus.

The mystery of Christ has been revealed through the history of God with his people, the Jews. Now that Christ has come, that mystery has a life that lived among us to follow. That eternal purpose is now our purpose, and God continues his work through the Church and the Spirit.

Christ does more than bring together Jews and Gentiles he brings peace. Not only between people and other people, but between people and God. His humanity reconciles the fallenness of humanity and creates a new Kingdom of co-heirs with him.

The work of the Kingdom is God's, and we are participants with God in that work. It's easy to look at that work and try to make it our own, but it really is a partnership. We have been adopted into God's family despite being God's enemy, all of God's doing.

It must have been difficult to be Joseph, not just because he was the adopted father of the Son of God. The pregnancy Mary went through would have doubtless been a topic of gossip, and many probably thought him a fool for staying with her. But he did, and that kind of humility would be common in the son he raised throughout his life.

Predestination can be a tricky subject in today's culture, but there might be a few points we can agree on. We are sealed for all eternity as heirs with Christ, through whom we can call God our Father. He is our redeemer, and the work of God continues to bring all things to Himself, including us.

The practice of slavery was different in Paul's time than our view similar to the American approach, but slaves were still the bottom of the latter in the ancient hierarchy. Paul is appealing to the master of a slave not merely to free him, but also to call the slave his brother in Christ. This would have been a disruption to the social order, but such was the way Jesus made for us.

The work of a church is always a little business combined with spiritual matters, and sometimes those do overlap. Even from prison, Paul is concerned for both in relation to the Colossians.