Ephesians 1:5

he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

-Ephesians 1:5

I figure I'd do two today, but I guess this is kinda cheating.  I simply left one thought out and now we're on the second post.  Either way, let's look at it...

The end of the verse says, "according to the purpose of his will".  This means that all that stuff that Paul is talking about here is what is being done according to God's plan and desire.  Actually, looking at the different translations helps us get a better idea of what that means.  In NLT, it says "This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure" and in AMP it says "in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—".  With regards to our adoption, God wanted to do it and he desired to do it.  It's not as if he was forced or obligated to do it against his will.  Perhaps some people take on responsibilities or try to do the right thing while they're dragging their heels.  If someone is treating you nice or trying to serve you in some way and you know that they don't want to do it, it can be a bit of a turn off.  I know when I'm trying to do things for those I love and they can tell that I am grumbling about doing it then it's not good.  Doing such a thing is not the same kind of kind gesture and it arguable has a negative effect instead of a positive one.  Here we read that God is not like that and desires to do such a wonderful thing as adopt us.  Even more than that is that God is glad and it bring him pleasure to adopt us.  It really is amazing to think that the God of this universe takes pleasure in the adoption of one such as me.  All praise be to God.

Ephesians 1:4-5

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

-Ephesians 1:4-5

As mentioned earlier, God "has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places".  Here in this paragraph we get to see what Paul is referring to regarding these spiritual blessings.  Though, it could also be said that this is simply Paul going on about his praise to God.

Verse 4 has been included in this post, though this is really just focusing on verse 5.  The reason for adding verse 4 is because "in love" is at the end of verse 4, but I think it's supposed to be associated to what is said in verse 5.

Here in verse 5, we read that God predestined us for adoption as sons.  This is very much related to what is said in verse 4, how "he chose us in him before the foundation of the world".  Aside from the wording, there are a few differences here.  One main difference is that the predestination is of adoption.  In the last verse it talked about chosen to be "holy and blameless before him".  Verse 4 is about a right standing before God, but verse 5 is about being taken into the family from outside the family.  I guess it is just a different aspect or a different viewpoint or a different picture with regards to God's actions upon us with regards to salvation.  In this picture of adoption, it is said that the predestination is being done "in love".  We were lovingly brought into this family, though we were not part of this family in the first place.  When I think of adoption I picture a young, helpless, vulnerable child in need of saving who is rescued by being brought into a family and claimed as their own.  This is not an act done by the child but an act done by the family (or better to say father or mother or parents?).  We are not adopted as sons by any effort on our part.  Instead, we are rescued by an amazing act on the part of God.  This is done "through Jesus Christ".  How is it done "through Jesus Christ"?  Perhaps that is a silly question, but you only need to read further to find "in him we have redemption through his blood".  Jesus came and died and rose again.  All praise be to him.  Christ is so essential and that is why when talking about the spiritual blessings, Paul says "who has blessed us IN CHRIST with every spiritual blessing".  When we talk about spiritual blessings here, it has to do with Christ.  We have been adopted as sons, it is done in love and it is most definitely through Christ.

Ephesians 1:4

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

-Ephesians 1:4

At this point, I don't think Paul quite gets into what these spiritual blessings are.  Instead, he starts with the words "even as" to mean a somewhat concurrency with the current idea.  "Even as" we have been blessed in Christ as Paul says in verse 3, what Paul says in verse 4 happens as well.  God has blessed us and he has already chosen us long before he made the world.  So, we have already been blessed, but it goes even further back than that because we were chosen even before he created the world.  Take a step back and think about how amazing that is.  Before the world, God had already picked you out.  So, this begs the question, "chosen for what?".  We are chosen "that we should be holy and blameless before him".  We have already been set aside to be the holy and blameless ones.  Now, that by itself doesn't really mean much I guess.  However, it probably should be said that even though God knew we would be dead in our trespasses and sins, he still decided to pick us out to be holy and blameless before him.  This means that he already decided to make us holy and blameless before him, because we can't make ourselves holy and blameless.  How amazing is that?  Way before God created it all, he decided to pick you out and make you holy, even knowing you'd be dead in your sins and against him.  It is hard to fathom such a thing, yet it is what our loving heavenly father has done for us.  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ".

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

-Ephesians 1:3

We have been blessed by God the father in Christ.  He is talking to saints as we saw earlier in verse 1.  Paul even specified by saying that they are ones who are "faithful in Christ Jesus".  These are ones who have been blessed by God the father in Christ.  What have we been blessed with?  We have been blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places".  To be clear, this doesn't mean that everyone is guaranteed financial gain and/or health and/or good relationships.  Some may interpret it differently, but I think Paul goes on in the next few verses to talk about what these spiritual blessings are and I don't think it's financial blessings or other kinds of things that you may think.  In addition, Paul uses the word "has" to mean that this has already taken place.  These believers have already been blessed by this blessing that Paul is talking about.  Not all of them are financially rich or physically healthy at the moment, so it can't be referring to that, otherwise they would have already received it.  What's really interesting is what NLT adds to the end, "because we are united with Christ".  They seem to interpret this to mean that the unity with Christ is the reason why we are receiving every spiritual blessing.  In any case, we should be reminded that we have already received every spiritual blessing, which we'll be learning more about in the next few verses.

Ephesians 1:1-2

I took a quick look at what I've posted about in the past and I noticed that I don't always finish books.  I've only gotten through the first 2 chapters of Colossians this time and I'm already jumping to another book.  I don't think I'll leave Colossians entirely, but for today I am moving to Ephesians.  I guess they're quite similar, so it's not really that fair... In any case, this is where we're at and we'll see what happens...

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Ephesians 1:1-2

So this is pretty simple for the most part.  This is written by Paul to "the saints who are in Ephesus.  Paul also gives a typical greeting as well, "Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ".  I guess it should also be mentioned that these saints who Paul is writing to are also ones who "are faithful in Christ Jesus".  I guess Paul thought it was important to specify that his readers are not only saints but are faithful in Christ.  Can you be a saint and not be faithful in Christ?  I would think that both go together and can't really be separated.  Perhaps certain people would consider themselves saints but don't have a proper understanding that they should also be faithful in Christ.

There is another interesting thing that I noticed in this introduction.  Paul describes himself as being "an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God".  First of all, he is an apostle, which is pretty special.  I remember learning about how they had to see and be appointed by Jesus himself, meaning that there aren't anymore apostles nowadays (though some would argue against that).  In any case, what's interesting is that Paul says "by the will of God".  If you don't know Paul's story, he certainly wasn't anyone's first pick to be a forerunner of the gospel.  He was persecuting Christians until he was miraculously saved.  It wasn't Paul's decision or path he was on, but God had another plan.  It was God's will to choose Paul to be an apostle.  This makes me think about God and his will.  By his grace he picks his Pauls in their opposition to him.  Some may argue their "okay" current standing or standing before being saved ("I was a good person, didn't lie, cuss or steal"), but that's ridiculous.  Though perhaps not out to kill Christians, we were all in direct opposition to God in one way or another.  As we read through Ephesians we'll see the truth.  It is by him and his grace, not me, that I am saved.  It is by the will of God that we are where we are and that Paul was an apostle.

Colossians 2

I think I'd like to take a moment to reflect on chapter 2 as a whole.  In particular, I'm intrigued by the different warnings Paul gives and what I think to be the heart matter of them all.  To me, being "rooted and built up in him" seems to be very important in this chapter (and probably all of Colossians).

The first warning is in verse 4 where Paul explains why he is saying what he is saying: "I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments".  Paul is talking about his struggle and intent for his readers.  Closer in proximity to verse 4 is where Paul is talking about God's mystery, which is Christ.  I think that telling them about how the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ is related to helping his readers not be deluded with plausible arguments.

The second warning is found in verse 8: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ".  This warning against being taken captive is followed by many verses talking the believer and his or her relation to Christ.  The believer has been filled in him, has been circumcised in him, has been buried with him, has been raised with him and has been made alive together with him.  These all tell us about how we are rooted in him.  We shouldn't be taken captive because we should be rooted in him.

The third warning is in verse 16: " Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath".  Judgment is the warning, but they are just a shadow.  Instead, the importance is what Paul tell us in the next verse: "the substance belongs to Christ".  These things aren't substantial, but are a shadow.  More importantly, Christ is where the substance is.

The fourth warning is in verse 18 and 19: "Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God".  The warning is against one disqualifying you.  We read in those verses the error of the disqualifier, which is that they are not holding fast to the head.  These kinds of people are not receiving growth from God and their accusation and teaching is the same.  One who is receiving nourishment from him by being rooted in him should not be phased by things from a person who is not.

The fifth warning is found in verse 20 to 22: "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings".  This warning is against the submission to regulations.  The relation to Christ for this warning is found right at the beginning: "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world".  We have died with Christ; therefore, it doesn't make sense that we would submit to these regulations.

With regards to all these warnings, we need to remember what Paul says in verses 6 and 7: "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving".  Walking in him and being rooted in him should mean that we are not falling prey to what Paul is warning against.  If we are falling prey, it begs one to ask whether or not we are still rooted in him.  Let us walk in him and get our nourishment from him.  Whatever else we plug ourselves into is not where we get our nourishment and isn't substantial.  Walk in him.

Colossians 2:20-23

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

-Colossians 2:20-23

There are still a few more things to look at in these few verses.  With regards to submitting to regulations, to do such a thing is to act as "if you were still alive in the world".  We are alive in Christ and people who are alive in Christ do not submit to regulations.  To submit to regulations in the way that Paul is talking about is something people do who are "still alive in the world".

Another thing Paul points out is that "These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body".  So, the submitting to regulations only appears wise.  These things that are ultimately from humans (not God) and are with regard to temporal things (instead of eternal things) aren't actually wise but wise in appearance.  They are also things that have to do with more outward religious discipline-like things.

I think the key is what Paul leaves to the end: "but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh".  Perhaps "stopping the indulgence of the flesh" is the initial goal in these things (submitting to regulations).  It might be easy to think that certain rules (worldly ones, of course) are extremely beneficial.  I can fall victim to it, thinking I'll try harder to be more and more godly.  Unfortunately, as much as I keep falling victim to it, it never works.

Paul begins these few verses by saying, "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world".  We have died with Christ and so we shouldn't be submitting to regulations.  People who die with Christ (and are alive with Christ) are ones who do not submit to these regulations.  Once again, we are brought back to the idea of being rooted in Christ and walking in him.  There are some different specifics to watch out for, but the heart of the matter is for us to remain in him and walk in him.

Colossians 2:20-23

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

-Colossians 2:20-23

Paul is asking his readers why "do you submit to regulations".  NLT puts it this way: "So why do you keep on following the rules of the world".  So, it's not simply any rules that he's referring to, but he is referring to "rules of the world".  Rules aren't necessarily bad, but as we read this more and more, we'll find out what Paul really means.  Paul goes on to give examples of these rules that he is talking about: " 'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch' (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings".  We must notice the keys to what Paul is saying about these rules here.  These rules are about things that perish, which means that it's probably not heavenly or kingdom minded.  The focus of these rules are temporal things and not eternal things.  The other thing Paul says about these rules is that they are "according to human precepts and teachings".  So, not only is it about temporal things, but it's according to human precepts and teachings.  This means that the origin or the initiator of these rules are humans and not God.  We must beware of rules that are from humans (not from God) and are about temporal things (not eternal things).  Now, I don't think this means that we should disregard all rules that Paul is warning against.  We should obviously follow some or certain rules that are from humans and are about temporary things.  However, I think he's warning against making these rules the primary rules we're following and the things that help us with regards to our life and walk with God.  No, for that we should ensure that we are heavenly focused on things that come from God.  Once again, we need to be rooted in him and walk in him.

Colossians 2:19

and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

-Colossians 2:19

Once again we come back to Christ with regards to these warnings Paul has.  These who might "disqualify you" are ones who are "not holding fast to the Head".  I think that perhaps this is the key.  Sure, with regards to specifics, asceticism and worship of angels are bad for many reasons.  However, to boil it all down to the heart of the matter is to recognize that these people are "not holding fast to the Head".  Perhaps to recognize error and falsehood is to discern whether what a person is saying or if they themselves are "holding fast to the head".  Paul goes on to tell us about the Head, "from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God".  This brings back the idea Paul brought up earlier about being "rooted and built up in him".  I get the idea of a tree and how each branch and leaf gets its nourishment from what the tree is rooted into.  From the head (Christ), the whole body (the church) is "nourished and knit together".  If you're not rooted, you're not growing and being nourished.  If you're not rooted, perhaps you're not even part of the tree.

It reminds me where I get my nourishment.  There are times in my life that I don't feel great and one of the reasons is because I'm not getting my nourishment.  Sometimes I feel like taking a break and resting and relaxing by doing all sorts of different things.  However, in the end I think it's best to find my nourishment in him and be rooted in him.

Colossians 2:18

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

-Colossians 2:18

Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud,

-Colossians 2:18 (NLT)

Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels, going into detail about visions [he claims] he has seen [to justify his authority], puffed up [in conceit] by his unspiritual mind,

-Colossians 2:18 (AMP)

These people who insist on "asceticism and worship of angels" are apparently "going on in detail about visions".  At first reading, this seems a bit weird.  However, after thinking about it, it's not that weird.  People go on about visions all the time, especially in the Charismatic circle.  Now, I'm not saying that they're all wrong and I don't think that Paul says that either.  In fact, isn't it Paul who goes on about a man who is caught up into paradise in 2 Corinthians 12?  Yes, he says "I know a man in Christ", but others have concluded that he is actually talking about himself, so I'll go with that for now.  Looking back at our passage, we see a little more explained about these people and their visions.  First of all, NLT says "saying they have had visions about these things".  This implies that they are using these visions to justify what they are saying.  It's like people who tell you that God told them in a dream that you should always raise your hands in worship and if you don't then you're not a real Christian.  Okay, that was a bit extreme, but these kinds of things happen.  In fact, AMP doesn't necessarily acknowledge these visions, saying "he claims" with regards to the visions.  Also, AMP also specifies the reason for these visions "to justify his authority".  The last mark that we read about here is their pride.  We need to beware of proud people who use these visions that disqualify you, insisting on things that steal our freedom in Christ and salvation by things like worship of angels.  These few things may be the specifics, but the heart may be the part about defrauding of our prize.  If something is against our freedom in Christ and salvation, it is not of God, even if they claim to be a vision from God.  Beware.  More importantly, be rooted in him and walk in him.

Colossians 2:18

Darn, I'm really annoyed because I accidentally deleted my entire post... So sad...

Well, here's my shot at it again...

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

-Colossians 2:18

I feel as if this passage is very juice.  A friend of mine used to always say that about the bible or specific passages in the bible.  In any case, that's what I'm thinking of now...

Let no one disqualify you
Don’t let anyone condemn you (NLT)
Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] (AMP)

I don't really know what this part means, but looking at the different translations helps.  In particular, I like how detailed AMP is.  I guess this means someone who is taking away "your prize", which is "your freedom in Christ and your salvation".  How does one do this?  Well, looking a bit further we see.

insisting on asceticism and worship of angels
by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels (NLT)
by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels (AMP)

I don't really know what the first one means.  Talking about it a bit and looking up some definitions helps.  I think it's referring to some kind of outwardly religious behavior, but only outwardly.  I don't think that Paul is referring to this in a good light.  Asceticism or pious self-denial or mock humility don't necessarily have to be bad things, but they are probably spoken of negatively here.

The other one is worship of angles, which is translated the same in the three translations above.  Perhaps we know this by thinking of more traditional Christians or churches.  Catholics pray to Mary, who I know isn't an angel, but I mean to point towards something closer to the worship of angels.  I also heard of a worship song sung to praise Pope John Paul II.  It isn't as if this is something ridiculous that was referred to the bible and we're immune from it.  Worship of angels and similar things is still possible in our day and age and we should beware.  Worship is owing only to God.

These two examples are things that will defraud us of our prize, "your freedom in Christ and your salvation".  Asceticism seems like a rule placed upon someone as a requirement for salvation.  A rule is removing freedom and the requirement affects our salvation.  Salvation is by grace, through faith and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  We must beware of people who enforce rules upon us, making it a requirement of salvation.  Perhaps this is what Paul meant when he was warning against this.  These rules in general can be many different things.  Perhaps the asceticism is the requirement of lifting up hands in worship.  It can even be the requirement of cutting your hair short.  I think I've heard of that kind of culture within the Jehovah's Witnesses, though perhaps not spoken of openly.  Salvation is a gift and it is free from works.  Now, rebuking or encouraging is different.  I think it's perfectly fine to encourage a brother or sister in Christ towards things like certain practices of worship.  The danger is in insisting on these things as mandatory for salvation.  It doesn't even have to be as strong as that for it to be bad.  It can be a subtle implication that one who does not brush his or her teeth is not a strong Christian.  We can encourage or rebuke, but not insist on these things for salvation.  Here's another example: Advent.  We just started reading a book for Advent and the introduction does a good job in explaining that Advent can be helpful or of value to certain believers, but it is not a requirement.

Thinking more about this makes me think of ways that I am prone to overstep in certain areas.  I feel very strongly about the bible.  I believe that it is important for everyone read and study the bible.  There's even a quote that I read recently: "I’ve never met a strong Christian who does not meditate every day on the words of God. I’ve never met a weak Christian who does" - Ben Stuart.  I believe that to be true, but this can also lead me to sin.  I may begin to start enforcing this on others as a requirement.  I may judge other Christians in wrong ways with regards to this that I believe about the bible and the study and read of it.  We are told to judge other believers (1 Colossians 5), but perhaps not in the way I am.  Instead, I should be encouraging others.

In any case, I should stop there.  Let's beware of people who may defraud us of our prize (freedom in Christ and salvation).  Instead, let us continue to be rooted in him and walk in him.