Thursday, August 18th

Last Night at Midweek, I did a crash course in Colossians. Being that I had not been to midweek in a while, I was not aware that there was a Final Paper due... which I am going to do, but here is what I did for last night.

Colossians 3:25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Colossians 1:23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Colossians 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

So, what did I get out of these scriptures? First, in 3:25, there is no favoritism, so I can't sweet talk my way into heaven. In 1:23, I can preach and baptize my cat (well, no, that's not true... but it does say every creature...) - actually, the scripture does mean that I do not need to have prejudice and to go out to every nation. I just have not seen it worded this way. In 2:18, the unspiritual mind puffs up (Also, in 1 Corinthians 8:1 We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.), so with more knowledge, which in my mind is a blessing, I puff myself up with how great I am, I become more prideful and puff myself up. So with this scripture, I need to make sure I am not making myself more than what I truly am, which is nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.) Per a previous post, God is Love - so then, without God, I have nothing. In 4:5, I need to make the most of each opportunity. I need to take each thing as it comes and miximize it to the best of the ability God has given me. My next step (and based on my school schedule), I will knock out this two page paper (essay) on Colossians and Philemon. The questions I will be looking at are:

1. Historical and Cultural background of these letters.
2. An outline of the text and themes.
3. How does this letter relate to our church or society?
4. Write down any personal revelations from this study.
5. Write down how I can apply this studying to my life (see James 1:22-25).

This looks to be fun. I enjoy this type of stuff. Anyway, Johnny Out.