Captured by the WORD and the Word

1 John 1:2-3 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Being Captured by the Word and the WORD

John’s text thrust us from the center of this Divine Rose of 1 John 1:3 to the circumference of 1 John 1:1.  We now begin to travel back, taking in the full view and scent of Christ the living WORD and the written words of John.  John not only was captivated by the Word, He’d been captured by it.  His obsession both with the Word and the Living WORD stemmed from the fact he was captured and captivated. 

What is meant by the word "word"?

In the opening of His Gospel he writes what is perhaps the most profound stretch of verses in any of the four Gospels – John 1:1-18.  He writes about how the Word became human flesh.  The Word in Jewish thought was quite literally the eternal mind and Eternal Power of God which had been with Him from the beginning. 

No doubt, in condensed form, John wrote about this in 1 John 1:2 “and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us”.  Twice he writes how the “life was manifested to us”.  What is significant about that statement?  How is it that what John wrote demonstrates that He was captured by the life of the Word – and thus the reason for His joy over it? 

An Illustration: Being captured by the sun's light in a prism

Think of the WORD becoming flesh as being likened to a prism and the sun.  Let’s say if I claimed to be able to bring the sun and all its radiance down to where you could hold it in your hand and enjoy its radiance.  Perhaps you would doubt my claim.  But then let’s say I handed you an oddly shaped piece of clear stone, and told you by that oddly shaped piece of stone you will be able to hold the beauty and brightness of the entire sun in your hands.  You may say that I’m crazy. 

But you take it outside, and suddenly a rainbow of color appears in your hand.  That bright orb in the sky, some 93 million miles away and 100 times larger than our earth, burning with a surface temperature of 10,000 degrees, has been brought down into that prism.  All its beauty is displayed before you.  The properties of the light have not been changed.  If anything, your eyes do not hurt by looking at it.  You become captured by what you are seeing.  By the prism you can enjoy the Sun. 

Christ's humanity enables us to enjoy Him in His shared Deity with the Father and the Spirit

Likewise through the flesh of Jesus’ humanity we can enjoy, like John, the radiating beams of the Deity He shares with the Father – i.e we can enjoy “The Son”.  We can have fellowship with the Father and the Son who share in the eternal, unending light of Deity.  We can do this through the prism of Christ’s humanity, in which He chose to enter and take upon Himself.    This is what John is driving at.  The Living WORD Jesus Christ has captured Him.  He has seen the refracted rays of Deity shining through frail humanity.  The written words of scripture alone can explain what He saw. 

May you and I be as John - captured by the WORD through the Word. 

Encouragement for the discouraged

Colossians 1:29 "For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."

Perhaps you have come to this blog today and are dealing with doubt, frustration and questions about your current station in life.  You're in a hard spot, a "tough row to hoe".   Today I want to give you verses from Paul's letters that communicate the fact that your fulfillment derives exclusively from Jesus Christ.  Be encouraged dear friend by these scriptures that offer much encouragement and hope, no matter what situation you may be in at the current time.

1. Romans 15:17 - Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.

2. 1 Corinthians 2:16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

3. 2 Corinthians 3:5 that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God

4. Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

5. Ephesians 3:11-13 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

6. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.

7. Colossians 1:29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.  

8. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

9. 2 Thesslonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

10. 1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

11. 2 Timothy 4:16-18 16At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

12. Titus 2:15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

13. Philemon 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

A Full Length View of Jesus Christ

Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son

In Paul's letter to the Colossians, the overall theme is: "Finding Fulfillment in Christ's Supremacy".  Over the past several days we have been discussing the nature of true Christian fulfillment.  However without Colossians 1:13-22, all of Paul's statements for finding fulfillment in Jesus Christ would have no foundation. 

Below I want to sketch out in outline form some of the doctrinal treasures that we can mine concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ.  It is my prayer that you would find fulfillment in this full length mirror view of Jesus Christ.

I. Christ forever God. Colossians 1:13
In the Old Testament, we read in Isaiah 43:11 “I, even I, am the LORD, And there is no Savior besides Me." Jonah 2:9b tells us:  "salvation is from the LORD".  With those verses noted, when we read that God (the Father) in Colossians 1:13 transfers believers from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His Son, we understand Paul assigning equality of power to the Son.  We can place this biblical teaching in the following logical form:

1. Main idea: God alone has the authority to grant salvation
2. Second idea: The Son has the authority (i.e His Kingdom) to grant
salvation
3. Conclusion: Therefore The Son is forever God with the Father

Paul combatted his opponents in the Colossian church who denied that Christ was ever God from all eternity. 

II. Christ became fully man. Colossians 1:14-15
Colossians 1:13 reminds us of what Christ was like before he came into this world to take upon Himself full humanity.  Because Jesus Christ has been forever God, this means He has the authority to provide salvation.  However as God, Christ could not die - thus He had to take upon Himself a second nature - a second way of expressing His existence - namely humanity. 

In 1:14, as well as the parallel passage of Ephesians 1:7,  we have redemption (through His blood), the forgiveness of sins. Because Jesus Christ is God - he is Almighty to save and because he is man - he is able to save. 

In regards to being the "firstborn" over all creation, this phrase does not mean Christ was the first creature (contra Jehovah Witnesses).  Rather the statement points us back to what Christ became in his humanity as the "New Adam". (Romans 5:11-21)  Old Adam had been the original heir to creation, and forfeited that in his rebellion in the garden.  Just as a man lost the title deed to earth, Christ came as Eternal God in human flesh as the New Adam to lay claim to what the enemy had stolen.  When He returns, He will come to possess what He legally won at calvary - namely the title deed to this world that had been lost by the first Adam. (Revelation 5)

In contrast to those who taught that Jesus was some type of spirit being, Paul full asserted the true humanity of Jesus Christ. 

III. Christ is still fully God. Colossians 1:16-19
So when Jesus came into this world to become a man, did His Divine nature change or cease to be?  In contrast to his opponents, the Apostle Paul argues that Christ in His Deity underwent no change whatsoever. Though He temporarily chose to not to operate exclusively from His Divine attributes in the time he walked and ministered on this earth (Philippians 2:5-11); yet He never ceased being God.  (Colossians 2:9)

As God, Christ had, did and still holds together all of creation.  While ministering on this earth, Jesus Christ, the man, got tired, sweated and got hungry.  On the cross, Jesus Christ as man died.  As God, He excercised and still does excercise rule not only over creation (Colossians 1:16-17) but also the church (Colossians 1:18).   

Jesus Christ never ceased being God, since with the Father and Spirit He retained control of our universe. In His humanity the person of Christ looked up through His Deity and saw the wrath of His Father on sin, while in His deity he looked down through His humanity and willingly endured the wrath and separation he experienced as man for our sin. (Colossians 1:19)   One person, The Son, died as a man on the cross, since this same person, as God, possessed the authority to lay down his human life and raise it up again from the dead. (John 10:17)

IV. Christ is still fully man. Colossians 1:20-22
So when Christ ascended into heaven, did he still remain fully man?  Paul's answer is undoubtedly yes.  Colossians 1:22 plainly states - "yet He now has reconciled you in His fleshly body".  This truth is important, since the Bible teaches Christ's full, visible, bodily return.  In contrast to the Jehovah Witnesses, who teach that Christ's resurrection brought forth a spiritual, non-physical body - Paul is saying here that Christ's body, now glorified, is a physical one. 

This is crucial, since the resurrection and redemption of the believer's body is a cornerstone of the biblical teaching of salvation.  Otherwise, statements such as 1 John 3:2 would not make sense: "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."

This also combatted the ancient heresy in Colosse that the material world was totally evil, and thus was never going to be redeemed or restored.  Christ's resurrected humanity communicates that God's plan for redeeming His people and the physical creation will not be thwarted. 

Conclusion
As Eternally God, Christ, has with the Father and the Spirit forever been the Author of salvation.  In becoming man, Christ came to provide salvation through the shedding of His blood as man.  By still being God, Christ demonstrated that he never changes and has the authority to provide salvation.  By still being man, Christ lives to be the mediator between believers and God.  We look forward to His return as the one who is God and man.

The Key to Joyful Christianity

1 John 1:4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

 

INTRODUCTION

How can we as God’s people enjoy getting ourselves centered around the Written Word, the Bible and the Living WORD Jesus Christ.  When I read 1 John 1:4, its words leap off the page and into my heart: “These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.”  These words communicate the main thought of: "Joyful Word-Centered Christianity." 

A Little bit about the Apostle John – the man who lived the joyful word-centered life

Now mind you when the Apostle John wrote these words, he was writing some sixty years after Jesus Christ had ascended into heaven. John by this point in his life was in his early to mid-nineties.  He was under the ever-watchful gaze of the Roman Empire, was providing pastoral oversight to seven churches in Asia Minor, and would face within a short span of time exile to the Isle of Patmos, where he, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would compose the Book of Revelation.  Within a span of less than five years John wrote the Gospel of John, this letter of 1 John, two other shorter letters (2 and 3 John) and the final book of the Bible – the Apocalypse or more commonly known simply as “The Revelation”. 

Why John was such a joyful Christian, and how you can be one too 

There was no doubt about it, the Apostle John was a man of the Word and THE WORD.  John was known as “the beloved disciple”. (John 13:23; 21:7,20).  His nickname “The beloved disciple” stemmed from the joyful love that He had for the Living Word and the written Word.  In 10 places in his Gospel and all three of his little letters, John refers to “Joy” or “enjoyment” in contexts where either Christ, the Living Word is the subject or speaker, or where the written Word is being shared. 

It has been commented that the Apostle John is known as “The Apostle of Love”, since the theme of love is mentioned almost 40 times in his Gospel, almost 40 times in 1 John  and 10 more times in 2 and 3 John.  Yet this insatiable love of John is not unaccompanied without the tone of joy that we see in His thrill over the Living Word – Jesus Christ, and the Written Word of God. 

Understanding Christian Spiritual Maturity

Colossians 1:3-4 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;

Defining spiritual maturity and its benefits
What is spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ? All spiritual maturity is shaped by those two chief concerns: treasuring Jesus Christ and  loving his people.  In Colossians 1:1-12 we see Paul demonstrating the crucial link between a Christian's spiritual maturity and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. 

What are the outcomes of those who press daily to be spiritually mature? Hebrews 5:13-14 gives us the answer: For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Connecting Christian spiritual maturity to fulfillment in Jesus Christ
So how does one's spiritual maturity connect to finding fulfillment in Jesus Christ?  Colossians 1:1-12 spells this connection out for us:

1. Spiritual maturity can only grow in the presence of fulfillment in Christ's Word. Colossians 1:1-7
Notice how many times Paul refers to the Colossians growing spiritual maturity in conjunction to their hearing the word of God:

-they heard of the hope laid up in heaven for them "in the word of truth, the gospel" (Colossians 1:5)
-their Christian maturity is bearing fruit in Christ's fulness that they heard of and understood from the scriptures. (Colossians 1:6)
-they learned the cornerstones of their maturity of treasuring Christ and loving his people from Epaphrus, who faithfully ministered the Word to them. (Colossians 1:7)

Only when I am exposed to the fulness of God's written word will I grow in my appreciation of the fulness of Christ.  As I treasure Jesus Christ, the natural outcome should be a greater love for His people - thus the two elements of Christian spiritual maturity.

2. Spiritual maturity goes forward in the power of prayer that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:3, 9
As these Colossians were growing in grace from finding their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, Paul prayed that they would do all the more.  Prayer indicates that I need God's grace to walk out what He calls me to do by His grace.  The desire to treasure Jesus Christ and love His people cannot be done without a growing prayer life.  If the Word of God is the engine of spiritual maturity, and fulness of Christ is the fuel, then the Christian's prayer life is the transmission.  The transmission in a car is what delivers power from the motor to the wheels.  If I don't have a prayer life - I don't have power.  Fulfillment in Jesus Christ cannot be increased apart from prayer. 

3. Spiritual maturity grows fruitfully because of seeking to be even more fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:9-12
Colossians 1:9 reads -  For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
The knowledge of God's will is attained through growing familiarity with the scriptures and obedience to Christ. (Deuteronomy 29:29; John 14:15,21,23).  What does spiritual maturity that is bearing fruit in Christ's fulness look like?  Paul's prayer for the Colossians reveals the fruit we should desire in our seeking further fulfillment in Jesus Christ:

-Desiring to know and do the will of God Colossians 1:9
-Desiring to walk in a way that pleases God Colossians 1:10a
-Desiring my life to demonstrate to others a desire to know God Colossians 1:10b
-Desiring to live in His strength, not my own Colossians 1:11a
-Desiring to have a continuous enjoyment of Jesus Christ Colossians 1:11b
-Desiring to be thankful to God in all things Colossians 1:12

Spiritual maturity is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, since in treasuring and loving Him, I'll end up treasuring and loving His people, leading me to be more effective in my Christian life. 

Winning the war against unfulfillment

Colossians 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

The war against fulfillment in Jesus Christ
Paul's letter to the Colossians was aimed at showing them their true fulfillment in the fulness of Jesus Christ.  Paul himself experienced a four year stretch of time that tested his resolve for daily fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  The war had been waged, and the enemy lost.

As we saw yesterday, Acts 22-28, and particularly Acts 28:11-31; gives the background behind all Paul went through as he wrote Colossians.  The battle not only had to be won by Paul, but also his readers.

At the church of Colosse, there were teachers within that were planting seeds of discontent concerning Christ's sufficiency and supremacy.  Paul's aim in writing Colossians was to show the fulness of Jesus Christ in His Supremacy.  With that said, what was threatening to unravel the Colossian Christian's true fulfillment in Christ?  As we consider that question, I would urge you to ask this question too, since the battle to find our sufficency in Jesus Christ must be waged in every generation of the Christian church.

Identifying the Colossian heresy
According to Merrill Tenney, the false teaching that was occuring at Colosse, that threatened to unravel their fulfillment in Christ, contained the following combined false Pagan and Jewish influences:
1. Pagan Mysticism, perhaps a precursor to later movements such as Gnosticism and other pagan philosophies. (Compare Colossians 2:11)

2. Voluntary humiliation and abstaining from certain foods for the achieving of mystical experience (sometimes called asceticism).  Colossians 2:16,18,20-21

3. The worship and veneration of angels. (Colossians 2:18)

4. Jewish elements were mixed into the above pagan features such as ceremonialism (Colossians 2:11,13)

With those four characteristics, we can see that these false teachers were attempting to "add to Christianity".  Anytime we try to "enhance" our relationship with Christ with mystical experiences unsanctioned by scripture or legalistic religious "extras", we actually "subtract" our Christianity.   

Christianity is unfulfilling when fulfillment is sought in anything else other than Jesus Christ
Further research on this heresy reveals that whoever Paul's opponents were at Colosse; their aim was to diminish the true fulfillment found in Jesus Christ.  Dr. Wayne House, a theology professor, notes how the heretics in Colossians were attempting to discredit Christ (see citation at the end of today's blog):

1. Christ is one of many avenues to God.  Other routes, such as mystical trances, experiences with angels and religious observances were preferred.

2. Christ was nothing more than an exalted angel, or some type of spiritual being, a view akin to modern day Mormonism. 

3. This group advocated finding a hidden knowledge, called "gnosis" as a way of attaining salvation or "enlightenment".  Christ was, in their view, one of many ways.

In the words of New Testament scholar J.B Lightfoot, concerning this heresy against which Paul wrote in the book of Colossians: "The Colossians Heresy is a syncretism (that is, mixture) of Jewish, Gentile and Christian features that diminish the all sufficiency of Christ's salvation and his personal preeminence." (see citation at the end of today's blog)

How to practically pursue fulfillment in Christ
As we close out today's blog, let me suggest four ways from Colossians 3:15-17 that will equip you to combat the temptation to find fulfillment outside of Jesus Christ:

1. Be ruled by the peace of God. Colossians 3:15
Only in Jesus Christ, by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, can I enjoy the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. 

2. Be enriched by the word of God. Colossians 3:16
Taking in the scriptures through memorization and mediatation is equivalent to finding our fulfillment in Jesus Christ, since He never is unassociated apart from His Word.

3. Revolve your priorities around Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:17a
Whatever you do, do in the "name of the Lord Jesus".  View every act, thought or word as being done in the presence of Jesus Himself.  When you do that, you'll quickly realize how much Christ is essential to your fulfillment.

4. Repeatedly give thanks to God in all things.  Colossians 3:17b
A thankful Christian is someone who has found fulfillment in Christ.  Thankfulness is the incense and smoke from a heart lit by the flame of fulfillment in Jesus Christ. 

_______________
Sources cited in today's blog

House, H. Wayne. "Doctrinal Issues in Colossians. Part 1 (of 4 parts): Heresies in the Colossians Church." Biblotheca Sacra Vol. 149: 1992.  ppgs 45-59

Lightfoot, J.B. The Colossian Heresy in Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon.  Grand rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1979.  ppgs 73ff

True fulfillment thriving amidst unfulfilling circumstances

Colossians 1:28-29 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

The man who had every reason to be unfulfilled
At the time of his composing the letter to the Colossians, Paul had been following Jesus Christ for nearly 30 years.  He had been on three missionary tours, saw many conversions and even wrote other New Testament books.  With a resume like that, one would think Paul's life would be filled with ease and great comfort.  Yet quite the opposite was the case. 

In surveying the wider context of Acts 21-28, we can see what all Paul had went through in the four years prior to his writing of the Letter to the Colossians.  Though having every reason to be bitter and unfulfilled, yet Paul, by Christ's supernatural power, was able to retain his true fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  Merrill C. Tenney in his book "New Testament Survey" writes: "Furthermore, these chapters of Acts have great biographical and theological value because they reveal more of the inner thought and teaching of Paul than do most others passages in Acts." (313)  With those thoughts, let's consider what Paul experienced:

1. Persecution.  Acts 21:15-40
There are some remarkable parallels between what Paul experiences here in the closing chapters of Acts to that of Christ's experience in the closing chapters of the four Gospels.  Just like Jesus, Paul experienced increasing persecution for his preaching and missionary activity.  And just like Jesus, Paul ended up being siezed and brought into the temple courts at Jerusalem.

2. Prosecution. Acts 22:1-26:22
Just like Jesus, Paul stood before three Jewish groups and three Gentile groups in which he was being prosecuted.  In each of those settings, Paul testfied of how Christ aone was His fulfillment.  He did this before the Jews in the temple (Acts 21:15-40); before more Jews (Acts 22) and before the Jewish Council (Acts 23:1-35). 

Paul also testified of God's saving grace in his life before the governor Felix (Acts 24).  Paul continued to have personal conversations with Felix for two years.  The next Gentile group was Paul having audience with another official named Festus (Acts 25:1-22) and Agrippa (25:23-26:32).  Despite intense prosecution and false witnesses, Paul's faith remained intact, because his true fulfillment was in Jesus Christ.

3. Peril. Acts 27:1-28:10
After Paul's series of prosecutions, it was decided he would be sent to Rome to be under house arrest and chained to a Roman Soldier.  Had Paul been faithless? No.  Had he done anything wrong? No.  As he was under chains on a Roman ship, a huge storm swept in on the course of the journey, eventually leading to a ship wreck.  Things were going from bad to worse.  Yet Paul testified of God's saving work in Jesus Christ.  Despite the peril to his physical life, Paul still found fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

4. Prison. Acts 28:11-31
It is in these set of verses that we get the more specific setting in which Paul wrote his Colossians letter, urging his readers to find their true fulfillment in Christ.  After the ship wreck, Paul was delivered to Rome under guard.  Day and night, for two years, Paul was chained to a Roman guard.  Though he could receive visitors, he was nonetheless a prisoner.  However, his faith and ministry were unchained.    

The man who had the only reason for being fulfilled
But despite those circumstances, many of which would had made many people bitter and unfulfilled, Paul persevered.  He kept on preaching the Word.  Despite his hard circumstances, Acts 28:31 records: "preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered."  If Paul had not been imprisoned in Rome, the Gospel would not had been preached in that area.  If anything, this season of intense persecution, prosecution, peril and prison enabled Paul's ministry and message to circulate to a wider audience.

Paul's true fulfillment was in Jesus Christ.  As we saw in the opening verses of today's blog, he did what he did through Christ's power that worked mightily in Him.  May the same be said of us. 

____________
Resource quoted in today's blog:
Tenney, Merrill C. New Testament Survey. WM. B Eerdmans  
         Company, Intervarsity Press. 1985
This wonderful book is an excellent summary of the background and overview of the New Testament.  I would recommend it to anyone desiring a greater grasp of a general understanding of the main thoughts, background and key figures in the New Testament.