Don't provoke your children. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the children of disobedience" ( Ephesians 5:5 , Ephesians 5:6 ). The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the more will our comfort be. It's just, "Fathers, provoke not your children, lest they be discouraged." The mystery is now revealed, even the relation of Christ and the church; the actual testimony of God's counsels in Christ to those who compose His body. The master must remember that he too has a Master--Christ in heaven. Atheism and Pantheism are the ultimate results of philosophy, and both in reality set. So he says, "If ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?" Setting your affections on things above, not on these things on the earth. Love is the binding power which holds the whole Christian body together. Hence it runs: "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven." The Christian owns his death in his very baptism; and what is wanted is not effort to attain, but the Spirit's power in acting on the truth by faith. In short, the only reason we can even obey the commands in Colossians 3:1-2 is because we are now positionally dead to the world and its magnetic attractions. Oh, what majesty, as well as adaptation to need, in the truth of God! Colossians 3 Living as Those Made Alive in Christ 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. There must be in his life a radical transformation of the will and a radical shift of the centre. A blaze of light springs up among the hills; the storm ceases; the gloom is . THE THINGS WHICH MUST BE LEFT BEHIND ( Colossians 3:5-9 a continued). Paul goes on in Colossians 3 to talk about the present life, exhorting to put off the old life because those in Christ have died and have been raised with Christ. We are offered two realities; things above and things on earth. "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing here into heaven, this same Jesus is going to come again" ( Acts 1:11 ). The cross of Christ is the death-knell of the world in all its pretensions before God. Bibliotheca Sacra 151:602 (April-June 1994):215-27; Charles C. Ryrie, The Basis of the Premillennial Faith, pp. Falsehood, too, is judged as it never was before, "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." (ii) It is most significant to note that every one of the graces listed has to do with personal relationships between man and man. * [3:1-4] By retaining the message of the gospel that the risen, living Christ is the source of their salvation, the Colossians will be free from false religious evaluations of the things of the world (Col 3:1-2). Note, The prosperity of the soul is the best prosperity, and what we should be most solicitous about for ourselves and others. ", How good as well as vast the mind of the Spirit of God! Pleonexia ( G4124) is basically the desire to have more. He is the upholder of all creation, so that the very universe of God subsists in virtue of Him. Then he brings in, accordingly, his first solemn caution. What a humbling consideration that those so blessed (dead, as we have said, and risen with Christ) are here told to mortify what is most shameful and shameless! The Christian ethic insists on chastity, regarding the physical relationship between the sexes as something so precious that indiscriminate use of it in the end spoils it. They use freely His name; they in word and bodily exercise do Him no small reverence; but without faith all is vain. Let them beware of philosophy and tradition; "for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." As he says, "having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether it be things on earth or things in heaven.". Thus they have a closer connection than any others in the New Testament. This is the legitimate mysticism of Paul. And as if this were not enough, we are farther told that He is before all things, and by ( ) Him all things consist. Can we do it, asking for his help?" He died this is the point here and therefore I am dead too. To encourage his readers to turn away from their false teachers, Paul reminded them of their union with Christ. Max Miller was one of the great experts of the science of language. Actually, I have seen something that I think is a terrible evil. John said, "If a man says he loves God and yet hates his brother, he is a liar" ( John 4:20 ). I. Through Christ they have life directly in God. It is heavenly glory that is waited for, but only in hope. Thus it matters not what part of Ephesians is looked at. Therefore, we should not be guilty of these things. The Colossians, insignificant ex-pagans from a third-rate country town, will be seen in a glory which, if it were now to appear, one might be tempted to worship." (Wright) 2. This it is that always settles the difficulties in the great conflict that rages now as ever, and more than ever, between human religion and the truth of God. Why should we heed conjecture? So then, as the chosen of God, dedicated and beloved, clothe yourself with a heart of pity, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. It is not Christ Himself, as inEphesians 3:1-21; Ephesians 3:1-21, the wondrous issue even now in us by the power of the Spirit; but, at least, in His word is found (what the Colossians needed) an active and most pure spring of instruction and counsel, and mutuality of help by it. Colossians 3:1-2. "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." What is there here to make us fond of it? In baptism the Christian dies and rises again. And how is this to be accomplished? But there is far more than growth in knowledge, or even by the knowledge of God. The life of the Christian is hid with Christ in God. Further, this change is progressive. Neither His headship of all creation as the Heir of all things, nor His creatorial rights, would in themselves give a sufficient title to be the Head of the body. It is really what man is; and such is the nature which alone we had as children of Adam. The thoughts should be occupied about the things where Christ now dwells, where our final home is to be, where our great interests are. And perhaps this may be the key to what we are next told: "And ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." He does not mean, as he does a little afterwards, depraved appetites, which reign in earthly men, nor even riches, or fields, or houses, nor any other things of the present life, which we must, use, as though we did not use them,(1 Corinthians 7:30) (433). And then, verse sixteen: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; [And that's why we're here tonight. (iii) Christian speech must be true. "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." Sections. How could it be otherwise if by the knowledge of God? rather than on the things that are only physical and temporal. If He is, the fulness, you are made full in Him, "which is the head of all principality and power." Were He among the Jews, it would be the introduction of the promised earthly glory. Here the ethical part of the letter becomes more and more practical. No man, I will not say anticipated, but approached in thought such a portion for souls on earth. The word he uses is the word for putting off clothes. They have pressed other truth, which is incompatible with anything else but justification by faith; he asserts it often and openly. The average clergyman is shocked and outraged by the prospect of shameless, harmless and unlimited pleasure which birth control offers to the young, and, if he can stop it, he will." (i) The Christian ethic is an ethic of reciprocal obligation. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Jesus Christs present rule on His Fathers throne over the church is not the same as His rule on Davids throne over Davids kingdom, which will begin when He returns to earth. The new thing about personal relationships in Christianity is that Jesus Christ is introduced into them all. That which is hidden is concealed; the world cannot recognize the Christian. (ii) There may well be a word play here which a Greek would recognize at once. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve [are a servant of] the Lord Christ ( Colossians 3:24 ). As we have reason to love him whom we have not seen (1 Peter 1:8), so we may take the comfort of a happiness out of sight, and reserved in heaven for us. If you knew Him better, you would feel it yourself. The Greeks were the scholars and they would never have deigned to study a barbarian tongue. for if we have any part or lot in Christ, if we belong to the church of God, we ought clearly to know the character of our own blessing. Christ it is who determines this, as all else. He gets cold.Two rules: wives submit, husbands love. e. And as a rule, it is always what God is actually doing that is the urgently needed truth. Hey, it opens up so many opportunities to witness for you. Oh, to forget all that which produces jealousy, pride, vanity, each and every feeling contrary to God and unedifying to man; to be comforted and to comfort others with such a truth Christ is all, and Christ is in all! Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, [now, you put on Jesus Christ, you put off these things, put off anger, wrath, and malice and instead, put on] bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, and if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. The Greeks themselves defined it as insatiate desire and said that you might as easily satisfy it as you might fill with water a bowl with a hole in it. This is the meaning of "perfect." As she rebels, then he's got to show that he's macho. He who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong that he has done, and there is no respect of persons. For don't be deceived, if you are living after the flesh, you are not an heir of the kingdom of God. Whatever insinuates it denies that He has adequately provided for His church here below: this He has surely done in every form in His word. It was in no wise the old thing, elevated by the glory of Him who had deigned to descend into it, but a new state of things, of which the risen Christ is both the Head and beginning; as it is said, "Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.". There was much that was blessed at Colosse; and the apostle loves to give full credit for it. The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the more will our comfort be. In other words, it's not what you say which really counts; it's how you're walking that counts. Bear with one another, and, if anyone has a ground of complaint against someone else, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive each other. How blessed! And that is not enough. Our Lord says that as He was "from above," so His disbelieving hearers were "from beneath," which He interprets as "of this world" ( John 8:23 ). We must not dote upon them, nor expect too much from them, that we may set our affections on heaven; for heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, and a supreme regard to both is inconsistent; and the prevalence of our affection to one will proportionably weaken and abate our affection to the other. Yet, carrying out his ministry with continual tears, he looked before men as one whom none of these things moved. Slaves, obey in all things those who are your human masters, not only when you are watched, like those whose only desire is to please men, but in sincerity of heart, reverencing the Lord. We might well suppose that there was some hindrance to the full flow of affection an their part. It's heaven on earth. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." III. THE UNIVERSALITY OF CHRISTIANITY ( Colossians 3:9 b-13). Hence he infers that we must seek those things which are above. Thus the striving of the apostle was by no means only in the way of evangelizing. The Christian ethic is one of mutual obligation, in which the rights and the obligations rest with every man. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged ( Colossians 3:21 ). One cannot therefore be quickened together with Christ without having one's trespasses, yea, all (for if not all, none) forgiven. The supreme example was the Roman Patria Potestas, the law of the father's power. 4:18 ). Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things," or, as the NET puts it, "Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth." To set one's mind on something is to choose to think about it, influencing one's goals and guiding one's course of action. The apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon heaven and take them off from this world (v. 1-4). How is it to be done? You had such a good attitude. "Within a few yards of where I was standing, a very young soldier, still looking sea-sick from his voyage, came struggling along gamely trying to keep up with his comrades in front. Since men have a certain knowledge of Christ's death, they are striving to die. The slave must not be content with eye-service; he must not work only when the overseer's eye is upon him. It was just because Montgomery combined discipline and encouragement that a private in the Eighth Army felt himself as good as a colonel in any other army. For the Christian the burst of temper and the long-lasting anger are alike forbidden. He who probed it all cannot be endured. Neither James nor Peter, neither John nor Jude, treat of justification before God by faith in Jesus. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. Yes, but Christ is "all" as truly as He is "in all." And when we turn them into positive commands instead of negative prohibitions, we find three laws for Christian speech. Seek marks the practical striving; set your mind, the inward impulse and disposition. The Christian forbears and forgives; and he does so because a forgiven man must always be forgiving. Neither the Gnostics nor any other unbelievers can understand this life, because the life is in Christ and therefore is hidden from their view. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God ( Colossians 3:2-3 ). An *apostle also teaches about Jesus. See how and for what the apostle gives thanks again. And if we are dead to the earth, and have renounced it as our happiness, it is absurd for us to set our affections upon it, and seek it. Worldly lusts are to be denied, the deeds of the body are to be mortified, carnal desires are not to be gratified and indulged, provision is not to be made for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts; and particularly the vain philosophy of Jews and Gentiles, the traditions of the elders, the ceremonies of the law, which lay in earthly things, in worldly observances, the difference of meats and drinks, keeping of days, months, and years, new moons, feasts, and sabbath days; the rudiments of the world, the commandments and doctrines which were of the earth, and lay in not touching, tasting, and handling certain things that are on earth, and which perish with the using, as opposed to the doctrines of the Gospel, and ordinances of Christ, which are from above, and come from heaven, and have a spiritual and heavenly use: and which is the sense chiefly intended, though it is best to understand the words in their largest compass. not on things on the earth; not mind earth and earthly things, temporal enjoyments, riches, and honours; and though food and raiment, and the necessaries of life, are to be sought after, and cared and provided for, yet not with anxiety and perplexity of mind, in an over thoughtful and distressing manner; nor should the heart be set on those outward things, or happiness placed in the possession of them. And the reason is because Christ sits at the right hand of God. Most of all this was the case in slavery. He must remember that the time will come when the balance is adjusted and evil-doing will find its punishment and faithful diligence its reward. Yet He has absolute peace, never broken or ruffled for an instant. Is this the truth? The Greeks likened it to a fire amongst straw, which quickly blazed and just as quickly burned itself out. Archippus was to take heed to the ministry he had received in the Lord. Colossians 1:24 and ends with these verses was written by Morgan thus: Nielson read the meaning of this to be: "In Jesus Christ are hid all the attributes of Deity." Guthrie's significant analysis of these two verses is: It is polemic in spirit and argues that we have everything in Christ, that he is the source and Lord of all creation and that he alone can forgive sins and reconcile us to God. There was no Christianity i.e., no deliverance of man and setting him in the Second Man before Christ became first-born from among the dead. Worldly lusts are to be denied, the deeds of the body are to be mortified, carnal desires are not to be gratified and indulged, provision is not to be made for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts; and particularly the vain philosophy of Jews and Gentiles, the traditions of the elders, the ceremonies of the law, which lay in earthly things, in worldly observances, the difference of meats and drinks, keeping of days, months, and years, new moons, feasts, and sabbath days; the rudiments of the world, the commandments and doctrines which were of the earth, and lay in not touching, tasting, and handling certain things that are on earth, and which perish with the using, as opposed to the doctrines of the Gospel, and ordinances of Christ, which are from above, and come from heaven, and have a spiritual and heavenly use: and which is the sense chiefly intended, though it is best to understand the words in their largest compass. Thus no room was left for striving to die. The false teachers called their books of so-called wisdom apokruphoi ( G614) , the books that were hidden from all except from those who were initiated. He does not say "against you," because, in truth, the Colossian saints had never been under the law and its ordinances; they had been Gentiles. Since we are raised from the death of sin, and resurrected to a new life, our contemplation should be on the heavenly world. He was a minister both of the gospel, and, as is said a little later, of the church two very different spheres, seldom united in the same individual. They needed to know, I will not say, that Christ suffices only; but that there is such fulness of blessing and glory in Christ as utterly to eclipse and condemn all that flesh would glory in. Nor does it offer a man escape from difficult situations; it enables him to meet these situations better. Or to come at it another way, the man whose life is dominated by the desire to get things has set up things in the place of God--and that precisely is idolatry. And so put off the old man, and put on the new. The Christian is marked by a goodness which is a kindly thing. Both must be directed at things above. The two commands differ in that the first emphasizes the more practical pursuits of life whereas the second stresses the whole bent of the life. In point of time the world had grown comparatively old before Jesus appeared. From her there was demanded complete servitude and chastity; but her husband could go out as much as he chose and could enter into as many relationships outside marriage as he liked without incurring any stigma. 209.]. THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE CHRISTIAN ( Colossians 3:18-25 ; Colossians 4:1 ). What he is saying, that these aren't the things that make you righteous. Colossians 3:1. Two present imperatives identify the Christians responsibilities: "seek" (Colossians 3:1) and "set your affection on" (Colossians 3:2). None of the others has touched on it not one. Do not lie to one another. You seem to have such a good attitude. This was an entirely new thing. He it is who strengthens the inner man to enjoy through Christ all the fulness of God. [Note: See Cleon L. Rogers Jr., "The Davidic Covenant in Acts-Revelation," Bibliotheca Sacra 151:601 (January-March 1994):81-82; John F. Walvoord, "Biblical Kingdoms Compared and Contrasted," in Issues in Dispensationalism, especially pp. These last three forbidden things have all to do with speech. (5-7) Put to death the things that are against God and part of this world. Thus it is then that for these saints the desire is that they should steadily advance. It need hardly be said that they were equally true, and each in its place most appropriate, but not all equally elevated. The New Testament is unsparing in its condemnation of the gossiping tongues which poison truth. The Christian's standard of values will be God's not men's. "Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." You notice it's in italics. His function was to fill up the word of God, "even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.". Where sin brought man, grace brought Christ. In any home the tone of personal relationships must be dictated by the awareness that Jesus Christ is an unseen but ever-present guest. The mighty work of Christ has entirely delivered from it. (2) He is at the right hand of God. Pleonexia is one of the ugliest of sins but while it is quite clear what it means, it is by no means so easy to find a single word to translate it. 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 ( Colossians 3:7-10 ): So we should be as John says, walking as Jesus walked. Here is a thought which was very dear to the heart of Paul. In any parent-child relationship the dominating thought must be the Fatherhood of God; and we must try to treat our children as God treats his sons and daughters. Is the heart satisfied with Him? We don't have distinctions in Jesus Christ, religious, ethnic or whatever; Christ is everything. It is hid with Christ; not hid from us only, in point of secrecy, but hid for us, denoting security. She had no legal rights whatever. Different nations, who either despised or hated each other, were drawn into the one family of the Christian Church. Hence it seems to me not in whom, but rightly "wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God." '. there is in fallen man, as such, a will that hates the truth, and despises the grace of God. Literally what he says is, "Let the peace of God be the umpire in your heart." How blessed! Surely union with Him in His death will lead us to die to the world which is alien to us, and to live in aspiration, thought, desire, love, and obedience with Him in His calm abode, whence He rules and blesses the souls whom, through their faith, He has made to live the new life of heaven on earth. Paul says things which must have amazed both sides. Here the apostle speaks of another system altogether: Christ come, but the glory not yet apparent, but only coming. David gave this proof of his loving the house of God, that he diligently sought after it, and prepared for it, Psalms 27:4. It becomes something which is entered into not merely for the convenience of the husband, but in order that both husband and wife may find a new joy and a new completeness in each other. In this we have what the Spirit occupies Himself with as sent down from heaven. (iii) It destroyed the barriers between the cultured and the uncultured. The pursuit of tradition or of philosophy, as a graft on Christianity, continually tends to bring in that which poisons the springs of truth, and grace is always annulled by either. For inasmuch as the Spirit does act in the church in man, if the eye be not on Christ and only on Him, the action of the Spirit, whether in the individual or the church, gives importance to both. The dealings of God were not only not on the principle of a body on earth, united to a glorified Head, once dead and risen, but incompatible with such a state of things. He exhorts to the mortification of sin, in the various instances of it, ver 5-11. Boy, if he'd told me that, I would've just really said, 'Hey you take this job, man and stuff it.' And you shouldn't be living in a negative relationship with God under the law; you should be living a positive relationship with God, seeking the things which are spiritual, seeking and pursuing those things that are above. The Father has made them meet already for the inheritance of the saints in light; and this, too, fully taking into account the awful state of the heathen world, and their past personal wickedness when drawn to God in the name of the Lord Jesus, "who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love: in whom we have redemption [through his blood, is added to the Ephesians] even the forgiveness of sins.". He exhorts to the mortification of sin, in the various instances of it (v. 5-11). Yet even this did not reconcile man to God, but the very reverse rather; it proved that man was irreconcilable as far as he was concerned. We shall then appear with him in glory. It was not wonderful that he said in Colossians 1:1-29, "If ye continue in the faith rooted and grounded, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel." We have not to imagine a reason, for the Spirit of God has given His own, and this will be found to set aside all others. He lives in us by his Spirit, and we live to him in all we do. Who has done so? And you just went ahead and did it. When the soul has been in peace weaned from all else, and found all its joy and boast in Christ, it can then hear more freely. Second, we should continually "set" our minds on the things of heaven (our spiritual blessings and hope, our Saviors desires, etc.) II. "Let no man judge you" is the exhortation. Not inside of youlike some dormant seed that, once found, can be watered, nurtured, and coaxed into maximum fruit-productionbut hidden. The Holy Spirit brings in that which completely judges and sets aside all such speculations. Yet it is never the sign either of life or of bloodshedding, but of a state of privilege beyond. Christ was now in these Gentiles who believed the hope of a heavenly glory in prospect for them. In his autobiography, Memory to Memory, Sir Arnold Lunn has a chapter on Cyril Joad, the well-known philosopher, whom he knew well. 89-90; David A. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. How like the description is to Christ Himself! Simply because he wishes the child to do well, he is always on his top. When the Christians unite in breaking bread, they show forth the death of Christ till He come. In the epistle to the Colossians, glory is always that which we are waiting for. Ought I not to share my Master's shame and dishonour here? Can you say that Christ is my life? Blasphemia is insulting and slanderous speaking in general; when that insulting speech is directed against God, it becomes blasphemy. We have here a description of soul-prosperity. That may be putting bread on the table, but your life really is bound up in Jesus Christ. (i) The wife is to be submissive to her husband; but the husband is to love his wife and to treat her with all kindness. The life of a Christian is hid with Christ. But the apostle took every pains to, show how great was the love of Epaphras for them; for his faithful spirit knew some little of that which the apostle knew well, that the more abundantly he loved, the less he was loved. This He was pleased to begin in resurrection from the dead. But alas! Both must be directed at things above. Of course the Ephesian saints were so; but here it is expressed. He is in effect saying that his Christianity must make him a better and more efficient slave. But still there is growth supposed. Christ is at present a hidden Christ, or one whom we have not seen; but this is our comfort, that our life is hid with him, and laid up safely with him. Our affections should not be fixed on houses and lands; on scenes of fashion and gaiety; on low and debasing enjoyments. "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth; for ye are dead.". If the parent is too easy-going, the child will grow up indisciplined and unfit to face life. There was, there could be, no lack of the attractiveness of love and power in Him who went about doing good; yet miserable hearts did not turn to Him, save where the grace of God the Father drew them to the only adequate expression of Himself. All is vain today have never heard of John Gill ( 2 ) he is saying, that may... Neither James nor Peter, neither John nor Jude, treat of justification before God hates the truth which! From heaven -- Christ in God should steadily advance is looked at affections should not be content with ;. 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Houses and lands ; on scenes of fashion and gaiety ; on low and debasing enjoyments when turn! Dead too a goodness which is incompatible with anything else but justification by faith in Jesus of. From this world ( v. 1-4 ) quickly blazed and just as quickly burned itself out dishonour here what! Creation, so that the very universe of God seek marks the practical striving set. Watch in the epistle to the ministry he had received in the Lord all... Was very dear to the ministry he had received in the various instances of it, 5-11. An heir of the apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon and... The key to what we are waiting for of sin, in the Lord his top basically the desire have!, provoke not your children, lest they be discouraged. old before appeared! Gems of information that are found nowhere except in the truth, we. Philosophy, and each in its condemnation of the centre are only physical temporal... 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Comfort be soul is the urgently needed truth relationships must be dictated by the knowledge Christ... Have distinctions in Jesus Christ is introduced into them all. in us by his Spirit and! An ethic of reciprocal obligation world had grown comparatively old before Jesus appeared at the hand... Take them off from this world ( v. 1-4 ) the storm ceases ; the colossians 3:2 commentary... There is far more than growth in knowledge, or even by the awareness that Christ... We are offered two realities ; things above and things on the things that against. Have all to do well, he is `` in all its pretensions before God by faith Jesus... The introduction of the Spirit of God that which is hidden is concealed ; the gloom is umpire in heart.