Colossians Study Outline

The Cross Abolished all Legalism in the Law of Moses and the forefathers standards built on their traditions.

If there is any value in the Epistle to the Colossian Christians it is the fact God has rolled up the old system of Judaism which was but a shadow of Better things in Christ. Yet over the past 2000 years Israel and indeed the world over still clings to the traditions of the Hebrew fathers. This is what has keep the Hebrew people Jews, a stubborn people not willing to allow their God to be their God and LORD. It is this same stubburness and blindness that overflows to all nations around them. They resist His change because of their stubborn hearts and is why He gave their forefathers over to a deceiving spirit to believe a lie, as spirit of sleep. In Isaiah 29:10 and other related passages speak of Israel's spiritual blindness because she refused to listen to God's word spoken to them through His appointed Prophets. Here is what Isaiah stated: “The LORD has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has He covered. And the vision of all is become to you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid.”

Here I have to ask, did you see the words “they removed they're fear of Me, by turning it toward the precept of men”? The “precept of men” is nothing short of mans own commandments as being authoritative rule of action other wise known as the traditions of the fathers. This theme is seen in Matthew chapter 15 and Mark 7 and listen to what the Lord's own response is to the Pharisee's beginning at verse 1-11: “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But He answered and said to them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother: and, he that curses father or mother, let him die the death. But you say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatever you might be profited by me; And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draws nigh to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching doctrines “the commandments of men.”

He called the multitude, and said to them, Hear, and understand: It is not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defile a man.” Here the Lord used the word commandment instead of percept as used by Isaiah because they both mean the same thing. It is mans traditions or percepts that defile the person matters not how far back they may go, why? Because they, the traditions void the Word and it's power to do as God intended it to do. To adhere to any tradition or percept is like pocking a finger in the eye of God. By implying I'll do it my way. That is why Israel was given a spirit (a mind hindered from seeing clearly) of slumber or sleep. Something so well fastened, abundantly shut up, that it can not be broken by mans own means. That is why Paul continually preaches on the mortifying of our flesh and our having a change of mind toward God and His active kingdom as our rule for life.


 

Colossians 3:5a

"Mortify (put to death) therefore your members which are upon the earth;…"

This is an attitude of spirit with a renewed mind over the things of the flesh. With everything in subjection to His Will [Word, law] through His Blood for we over come by His Blood and the Word of our testimony or witness to these things being so. Of course there’s only one place a human being can put these things to death, and that is the cross as a living sacrifice in our daily worship in spirit and truth. When we become a believer we automatically put to death these things that are part and parcel of life on this earth. Then Paul begins to list them as he does over and over in his letters, admonishing believers, Christians, that this is not part of our lifestyle, and we’re not to have any part of it. The former way of life that is our past. And what are they? The same things as before.

 

 

Colossians 3:5-11

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”