Book 41

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 3 * PART 4 * BOOK 41

Colossians 2:14 – 4:18 – Part 2

Now we’re going to pick right up where we left off in the last lesson. I think maybe since we have a lot of mundane things listed here in the rest of Colossians we can maybe finish the Book. Iris and I were talking on the way up that it would be nice so far as our video format is concerned if we could finish Colossians and that would complete book 41 wouldn’t it Jerry? Then we can start book 42 with I Thessalonians.

We had just made comment in our last lesson about verse 5, where Paul again lists the things that were indicative of a life in the flesh. And of course you want to remember, I’ve said this all the way up through Paul’s epistles, he lived in the midst of the pagan Roman Empire, and with the exception of those isolated pockets of Jews and their synagogue worship, the rest of the Roman Empire knew nothing of the God of Scripture. They were pagan and either worshipping the things of the mythological gods and goddesses or even the emperor of Rome. So they knew nothing of the God of Scripture, so naturally it follows that their lifestyle was rank, it was immoral, it was filthy. And into the midst of that fitly immoral world came this one little man, and turned the Roman Empire upside down.

My goodness, I think that if anyone of us could do just part of what Paul did, we’d see a different country. But nevertheless he went into that kind of a thing, and this is why he’s always mentioning, “This is what you once were.”

Colossians 3:5b-6

“…(you were in) fornication, uncleanness, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6. For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:”

Now I always have to qualify, remember all the things that have taken place over the last thousands of years throughout human history are not the wrath of God, that is still future. The wrath of God will be poured out when the Tribulation begins, or at least the last half of it. So the world really hasn’t tasted the wrath of God. Now of course the people who are lost, when they die they immediately enter into their lost state, then I guess you could say, that the wrath of God is already evident. But as we normally think of God’s wrath, is in that future period of time. I’ve said this before, but I think it bears repeating. People ask me, “Well Les why should this final generation suffer such horrific events that we know are going to come to pass during the Tribulation?” It’s numbers. There are more people living on the planet right now, and we’re multiplying at a very high rate each day. So today there’s more people alive on the planet than lived in total, going at least back to Noah’s flood. So when God pours His wrath out on this generation He will be judging the vast majority of people who have ever lived previously. So that’s why the world is rushing to judgment. That’s why we’re seeing a population exploding. The wrath of God is going to be poured out on these multitudes of Christ-rejecting people.

Hopefully you saw in our closing moment in the last program, “God brought down His judgments on those tribes of Canaan because of their immoral practices, and He called them an abomination.” Well listen, we’re not under the Law of Leviticus, but the God that designated those things as abominable has not changed, and those things are still an abomination, and don’t you ever forget it. God is not going to put up with it forever. The day is coming, when He finally says, “I’ve had enough!” At that time the Age of Grace will come to an end, and then His wrath will be poured out. Now let’s move on quickly then to verse7.

Colossians 3:7

“In the which (that horrific lifestyle) ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”

Isn’t it amazing? So where did these people come from? Out of that wicked lifestyle. My, we had such a tremendous testimony in our McAlester class last week, and I’m sure the gentlemen won’t mind my sharing it. Jerry I think you were there. We’ve got a gentlemen who was a football player in years back with one of our large universities, and like he says, “When you’re in that kind of situation, big man on campus, you can just about do as you please.” And he said, “I did. I did it all.” Well a few weeks ago he went back home to visit some of his family, and one of his brothers took him into a sports bar, and he said, “All I could think of was, this is what I used to be. The language and smell of the cigarette smoke, the booze was wicked, and I couldn’t wait to get out of there.” He said when I got back out on the street, I had to stop and think, “That’s what I was, before salvation. Thanks to God and you who opened my eyes, now I’m clean!” That’s the words he used. “Now I’m clean!”

Well that’s exactly what Paul was telling these people. “Well this is what you were, but now they had been washed, and no longer walk in those things.” And along with the ones he listed in verse 6, he lists some more in verse 8.

Colossians 3:8-9a

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9. Lie not one to another,…”

See, that’s typical of the unsaved world. They don’t mind lying, they never worry about getting caught, and even if they do, they’re just going to lie some more to get out of it. So Paul says, “That’s not for us. We don’t lie, we tell the truth.” So this is all admonition for the Christian lifestyle.

Colossians 3:9

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man (or the old Adamic nature) with his deeds:”

What does the Lord Jesus say concerning Satan? “He is a liar from the beginning!” And he is the god of this world, so naturally follows the world out there are going to be liars. But Paul tells us, “You’re not like the world.” Do you see that? Now verse 10

Colossians 3:10a

“And have put on the new man,…” (the new Adam, the new Divine nature)

Come back with me to II Corinthians chapter 5. It’s been a long time since we’ve been back in those earlier epistles. And let’s just drop in at verse 14.

II Corinthians 5:14

“For the love of Christ constraineth us: because we thus judge, (or conclude) that if one died for all, then were all dead:” What does he mean by that?

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;”

Other than Christ who was not a sinner, not a person has ever not come short of the glory of God. So here he repeats it II Corinthians. “That if one died for all, then we’re all dead.”Remember in Hebrews a couple of lessons back, how many did He taste death for? “Every man!” Well if that’s the case, then they were all dead, that is Spiritually.

II Corinthians 5:15-16

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth (from the time of their new birth, their salvation) live unto themselves, (seek those things which are above, and not the things here on the earth) but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, (that is His earthly ministry) yet now henceforth know we him no more,”

Because now we’re tied to His resurrection! Now here it comes in verse 17.

II Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, (if we’re in the Body of Christ. If we’re hid in Christ in God, if that has happened then) he is a new creature: (creation) old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

And I guess most of us have experienced that, haven’t we? The things that use to appeal to us, now we wonder, how in the world did we put up with it. The things we used to hate, now becomes our whole life. We just can’t get enough of it. Well that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Now verse 18.

II Corinthians 5:18

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Well this is all that concept that comes from the pen of the apostle Paul, with regard to our new nature, as against the old Adamic nature. Now back to Colossians chapter 3, and verse 10 again.

Colossians 3:10

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in (full) knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

In other words, Christ becomes our goal, He becomes our pattern, He becomes everything that we hope for. Now talking about the Body of Christ we find the following in verse 11.

Colossians 3:11

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond or free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

Now we’re living in a time where there are some groups that are trying to put back the Jews in a separate place from the Gentiles. But the Scripture, as revealed to Paul says, “there is no difference!” A Jew has to be saved just like a Gentile, and his keeping the feast days or the Sabbath won’t do him any good, any more than it will anybody else. So we have to understand that the Jewish people today have to consider themselves as lost sinners. They’re in the same boat with lost Gentiles. But when they do become believers they come into the same Body of Christ as the Gentile does, and we become one in Christ when we become then a member of the Body of Christ. Looking at verse 11 again.

Colossians 3:11

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

He is the great field leveler. We like to talk about a level playing field, and that’s what Christ does, He levels the playing field and there is no difference in any segment of society. Once we’re in the Body of Christ we are all on with Him. Now verse 12.

Colossians 3:12-13b

“Put on therefore, (as a result of all that Christ has done) as the elect of God, (the ones that God has saved by His Grace) holy (set apart) and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (now verse 13. This is part of the Christian Grace.) 13. Forbearing one another, …”

You know what I’ve always said? You don’t have to like everybody, but you’ve got to love them. I mean there are some people that you like to be with a lot more than others, and that’s perfectly normal. But whether we like them or not, we’re to forbear them, and not be all angered and upset and have nothing to do with them, because everyone of us that have things that irritate others. I know I probably irritate people, but I thank God that they forbear with me, and that’s what we have to do with others. But the one thing we can never compromise is our love. We love them regardless, see? Now reading on in verse 13, I’m going to go rather quickly now, because I think we can finish Colossians this lesson. These are all just plain logical, common sense admonitions from the pen of the apostle as to how to walk and live with a child of God.

Colossians 3:13

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: (and we’re going to, because we’re human. We’re going to have differences of opinion. We’re going to have some unhappy situations, but don’t let it destroy your relations. And if you have a quarrel,) even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Now what does that tell you? We’re forgiven, we’re totally forgiven, and I don’t have to go back everyday and say, “Oh God forgive me.” That’s all done, it was done at the cross. A lot of people can’t quite agree with me on that, and that’s all right, but forgiveness is a done deal. Now I know we have to still recognize our sins, and see them as God does. And I think we have to ask God for cleansing, and my whole approach to that is, the night that the Lord was washing Peter’s feet. He came to Peter and what did Peter say?

John 11:8-10

“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10. Jesus saith to him, he that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit and ye are clean, but not all.

Peter had already been saved. He’d had his bath already, but by virtue of walking from that bath house to his home in the ancients, the streets were fixity, and before he could go into his own home he would have to wash his feet. Well the picture of course is where we are. We’ve been saved, we’re forgiven, we’re cleansed, but we’re still in this old world, and as we go though this world our feet are getting dirty, and so what do we need? Cleaning!

We don’t need forgiveness, that’s all done, but we need cleansing, and how do we cleanse? I just told somebody on the phone yesterday. How do you wash a strainer? A gravy strainer or a tea strainer, how do you wash it? You certainly can’t run a piece of cloth through every little opening, so how do you wash a strainer? Oh you just swish it through the water, isn’t that right? You just simply cleanse it with the washing of water. Now that’s what Paul uses in Ephesians, and this is what we have to do. We get daily cleansing, by the washing of the water, but what does Paul say the water is? The Word of God! Do you see that? Boy isn’t that beautiful,? We don’t have to come crawling to God every time we do something that is wrong, and plead that He forgive us. He must get tired of that, and tells us, “I’ve forgiven you!” But we do need cleansing. We have to see our sin as He sees it and then be cleansed from it by the Word of God. Now let’s move on to verse 14. So we’re to forgive as Christ forgave us.

Colossians 3:14

“And above all these things put on charity, (love) which is the bond of perfectness.”

Remember the word perfect in the New Testament means mature. Love then is the sign of our Spiritual maturity. Now verse 15.

Colossians 3:15a

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,…”

A lot of people don’t have the peace of God. A lot of Christians are in turmoil because they do not except the fact that God has justified them from all things, He has forgiven them, and so consequently they can’t enjoy the peace that God wants them to have. And all they have to do is recognize where they are. God is full of Grace, God is ready to cleanse, and there is no need for Christians to go through life with not having this peace of God.

Colossians 3:15b

“…to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

See there it is again, the Body of Christ, which all believers of the Paul’s gospel is a part of. If you haven’t used works for salvation but only believed, then you’re in the Body of Christ! Now verse 16, and let’s go quickly till we get to the end.

Colossians 3:16a

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;…”

Now I’ve got to take you back to chapter 1. I could take you also to Ephesians, but I’ll make it easy on you, so just turn back a page in Colossians1:9. This is Paul’s prayer on behalf of the Colossi believers.

Colossians 1:9-10

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, (that they had become believers) do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:”

To be able to search the Scriptures and dig these things out, and put them into daily practice, because how many times have I said, “Christianity is the most practical thing on earth.” And I mean that. Christianity is what makes people a good citizen. Christianity is what makes a person a good neighbor. Christianity makes a person a good parent. Christianity makes a person a good teenager, Christianity is what makes an honest person a good businessman. So all the way through Christianity is so practical. It’s not pie in the sky, or some foolishness over here, but just simple practical everyday living. And that’s what God is looking for. Now verse 10.

Colossians 1:10

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, (we don’t have to be like sandpaper to people who are around us. However they must also realize that we’re different than the world) being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Oh listen, when I realize how ignorant so many so-called Christians are, how it must grieve the heart of God that they haven’t learned. Remember ignorance is not a lack of brain power, that has nothing to do with it. Ignorance is a lack of teaching. Now that may be of their own free will, some don’t want to be taught, but many times it’s just simply they’ve never thought about it. But to be willingly ignorant of what the Scripture says, means that you simply don’t want to learn, so remember that. God wants you to increase in the knowledge of His Word and Himself. Now back to Colossians chapter 3, verse 17 for some more of just practical admonition.

Colossians 3:17

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Now there’s the process again, as Paul also gave it in Ephesians on how we’re to pray. I still have people ask, “Are we still supposed to pray in the name of Jesus?” Absolutely! Come back with me to Ephesians chapter 5. You’ll see this is plain English, this is the process.

Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father (how?) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Now that’s the Scriptural instructions, and Paul says the same thing here in Colossians. Now looking at Colossians again.

Colossians 3:17

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

By the Lord Jesus, because after all He’s the One that’s at the right hand of the Father, He’s the One that’s the advocate, He’s the One that is the intercessor, and it only makes common sense. In fact another verse comes to mind in I Timothy chapter 2. Again it’s a good admonition for all of us.

I Timothy 2:1-5

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2. For kings, (our government) and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honestly. 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. 4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of truth. 5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

Oh aren’t you glad you don’t have to go through a priest, or a religion, but you have clear access into the throne room. Oh boy, only 1 minute left, so let’s come back to Colossians quickly. I know we didn’t finish the Book, but this will still wind up Colossians , I can tell folks to just read chapter 4, because it has a lot of greeting in it, but now Paul has one more strong admonition for the family in verse 18.

Colossians 3:18-21

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20. Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” 21. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”

We have to use common sense as fathers. Then he comes down to employees with regards to their employer, and all of this is just plain practical common sense instructions for a child of God.

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 3 * PART 3 * BOOK 41

Colossians 2:14 – 4:18

Well in our last lesson we finished Colossians chapter 2, so we’re ready to begin chapter 3. I have to admit when I first started teaching this series in Paul’s letters, I thought, now I know that Paul repeats a lot of things and I’m afraid that I’m not going to keep people’s interested by going verse by verse. But every time I start a new letter like Colossians, the mail comes rolling in, and the response is, “Oh Colossians is the best one yet.” So we just have to feel that the Lord is in it, and He’s the One using His Word. After all, as I’ve said so often, this is just an informal class, we’re not tied to any group, and all we try to do is get people from whatever background, just to simply search the Scriptures and see what we say is true. All right now verse 1 of chapter 3 of Colossians.

Colossians 3:1a

“If ye then be risen with Christ,…” What’s the if for? If you’re a true believer! If you’re not a believer then none of these things apply. This is only for true believers, not a professor, but a true believer. So that’s why the little prepositional “if” is there.

Colossians 3:1a

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,…”

I think 99% of us can hardly wait for the Lord to come, because we understand the glory that’s waiting for us. We’re not tied to this old world as beautiful as it is in places. I’ve always said that I love my cattle, and I’ve got as good as they come, but they pale in insufficiencies when I think of eternity, and going into the Lord’s presence. So we do, we seek those things which are above.

Colossians 3:1b

“…where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (positionally)

Now again, you know I had someone ask one time, and I can’t blame people for wondering, “You mean He’s just up there seated on a chair next to God the Father for the last 2000 years?” Well hardly. But positionally, He there, and this is what we have to see, that positionally He’s at the Father’s right hand interceding for us. Of course that’s not just a Pauline concept, so come all the way back to the Book of Psalms 110:1. This is way back a thousand years before the birth of Christ. This is David’s Psalm, and this is good for people to realize. This isn’t so deep that you’re got to have 4 or 5 degrees to understand it.

Psalms 110:1

“The Lord, (the Father) said unto my Lord, (the Son) Sit thou at my right hand, until (that’s a time word) I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

Positionally then when Christ finished the work of the cross, He ascended and went right into the very throne room of heaven, and positionally is at the Father’s right hand interceding for us. Now come on back to the New Testament and we can go to Hebrews chapter 1, and we have that same comment. Now all these things substantiate, and that’s why we repeat things. We’ve got to lock it in, that this isn’t just some fluff. You lock it in, because Scripture has repeated it over and over. Let’s start with verse 1.

Hebrews 1:1

“God, (the triune God) who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets,” Now what that speaking about? The nation of Israel back in those days of antiquity. He spoke to the nation of Israel by the prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all the rest. Now verse 2.

Hebrews 1:2

“Hath in these last days (what are the last days in God’s program? His first advent on. From Christ this direction are the last days. God has already) spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he (the Son) made the worlds;” Now verse 3.

Hebrews 1:3

“Who being the brightness of his glory, (see He never was less than God) and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, (see how that fits with Colossians chapter 1 where it says, ‘by Him all things consist.’) when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

It’s the same kind of language of Psalms 110:1, but it’s a positional term. It’s like Paul tells us “we’re citizens of heaven.” Well we’re still down here, but our citizenship is up there positionally. Do you see that? Now let’s look at another one in I John chapter 2.

I John 2:1

“My little children, (so even here, who is John writing to? Believers. This doesn’t apply to the unbeliever.) these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

Now John doesn’t refer to Him as setting at the right hand of the Father, but according to the rest of Scriptures isn’t that where He is? Sure He’s our advocate. Every time we fail, every time we sin, He’s right there, and He is confronting the Father, as he says, “Yes he sinned, but he under the blood, I’ve paid for that sin.” And this is our comfort that we have. Now come back to Colossians chapter 3. If we’re a believer, and if we’ve experienced that death, burial, and resurrection, we’ve been identified with His finished work of the cross, then we realize that our advocate is seated at the right hand of the Father. Now since that’s our position then we should automatically do the following.

Colossians 3:2

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Now there’s nothing wrong with things. God doesn’t tell us that we have to live without things. God doesn’t tell us that we have to just barely get by, God doesn’t tell us that we have to just simply exist because we’re Christians. But what’s the word? Priority. That’s the word Iris and I are always using on the kids. Get your priorities straight. There’s nothing wrong with things if they’re in right level of priority. But what should be number one? Heaven, where our citizenship is, and where we’re soon going to be going.

Colossians 3:2

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Now here are two verses that I just love in verses 3 and 4.

Colossians 3:3

“For ye are dead, (to the old Adam, to the old flesh, the natural. You’re dead,) and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

It’s hard for us to comprehend death and life in the same sentence. But, do you ever realize that throughout all of nature you can’t get life until there’s death, you know that. Every seed you put in the ground, before it can have new life, must die. The Lord Himself used the same analogy so beautifully back in John chapter 12.

John 12:20

“And there were certain Greeks (non Jews, Gentiles) among them that came up to worship at the feast:…”

Now it doesn’t say that these Gentiles were worshippers, but they were there watching all the activity that was going on. Every time we go to Jerusalem, and the temple mount, naturally we go to the Wailing Wall. We, as tourists, stand back and watch those Jewish people holding their bahmitzvah and so forth as they worship. We’re just on lookers as I think these Gentiles were. They were alluded by all the activity of these thousands and thousands of Jews gathering for the feast days, so they were just among them. So these Greeks came to Philip.

John 12:21

“The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

And remember Jesus had already told them back in Matthew 10:5 “that they could not go to the non-Jew, but only to the lost sheep of Israel.” They had never ministered to the non-Jew, nor do they this time. But these Gentiles came up to Philip and said, “We’ve been hearing about this Jesus of Nazareth. Take us to Him.” How do you suppose old Philip thought he could handle this? He didn’t want Jesus to embarrass everybody by just telling those Greeks that He didn’t want to have anything to do with them. But he didn’t want to take full responsibility so what does he do? He comes and tells Andrew. Now can’t you just put that conversation in your mind? I’m sure he tells Andrew, “There’s some Gentiles out here, and they want to talk to Jesus, and we know that He’s not going to talk to them, but what are we going to do?” So Andrew says, “Well we shouldn’t take the responsibility ourselves. Let’s go in and ask Him.” So they find the Lord Jesus, and I always picture Him probably in one of the buildings in the temple complex, but whatever.

John 12:22

“Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.” Hey there are Gentiles out here that want to see you’ Does Jesus say, “Bring them in?” No, but He gives the reason.

John 12:23-24

“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come (this is a matter of hours before His crucifixion) that the Son of Man should be glorified. (that will happen at His resurrection)24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

Of course the seed kernel dies, and up comes the blade, and hopefully produces at least a hundred kernels. Here in John, He’s referring to His own death, burial, and resurrection. And the Gentiles would have no object of faith until He would accomplish that death, burial and resurrection. So that’s why He didn’t invite them in. They could not come and partake of Him until He had finished the work of the cross. So this is exactly then what Paul is talking about in Colossians 3:3

Colossians 3:3

“For ye are dead, (like that seed we just read about, we have died to that old Adam) and your (new) life is hid with Christ in God.”

Now I’m going to use the board to draw some circles, and here we are way down in the recesses of the Godhead. Out here at the outer circle we have God the Father, and in the inner circle we have Christ the Son, and here we are way down in the middle. Now there is nothing that can touch any one of us believers, without coming all the way through the Father, and the Son. and that’s impossible. Now isn’t that comforting? That’s where we are tonight.

In my classes in Oklahoma I use the example of the old black walnut, as we have a lot of them around here. That old big black walnut with that thick outer shell, that no one wants to fool with really, but if you want to get to the meat of that walnut, you’ll clean that outer shell off, and then you’ll get to the hard part, that hard shell of the walnut. My little wife is good at cracking walnut. She puts them on a piece of concrete and beats them with a sledge hammer until they crack. Then down in the crevice is where the goodies are. So every time I break a black walnut I can’t help but think, “That’s where we are in God.” We are hidden in Christ, and Christ is hidden in God, and listen, there’s no way possible for you to get out of there once you’re in there. Now a lot of people have never really gotten there, but once you’ve really believed Paul’s gospel for your salvation, God secures you forever. You’re safe, and nothing can touch you, because you are hidden with Christ in God. Now that’s what the Book says. That’s our position, that’s our safety, once we become true believers. Now verse 4. Oh it just keeps getting better.

Colossians 3:4

“When Christ, who is our life, (the One who not only saved us, not only keeps us, but now He gives us eternal promises) shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Now Romans 8. This is enough to even excite young people. I know when we’re young we’ve got our life ahead of us, and the hope of ambitions of being successful and having a family and all that, but as rotten as the world is becoming I hope that young people realize that there’s not much good future left on this planet, so you’d better start looking at eternal things. Let’s get started with verse 14.

Romans 8:14-15a

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (or born ones) of God. 15. For ye (if you’ve been born of God) have not received the spirit of bondage (legalism)again to fear;…”

Have you ever realized that every religion of the world (such as the followers of Buddhist and Mohammed) is basically scared to death. They’re superstitious about doing anything contrary to their religion, lest they lose the hope of whatever they’re looking for. I don’t care what religion you get involved in it’s going to be a bondage.

It’s going to be a constant fear, even in Protestantism and Catholicism here in America, if you’re going to depend on works for salvation there is that bondage of fear that you’re not working quite hard enough. For those who have a concept of eternal doom, they are scared to death in their superstitious legalism, and consequently they can’t have this liberty that we have. So if you’ve living under bondage and fear you’re in a works religion. Verse 15 again.

Romans 8:15-17

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear (see the two go together) but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (we have been placed, by virtue of our salvation, into a position into the Body of Christ) 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are (not hope to be, but rather it’s a done deal) the children of God: 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

If we’re His children, then we’re going to be glorified together with Him. We’re going to be united with Him, we’re going to be joint-heirs with Him, like a husband and wife today, and everything that is Christ’s will one day be ours and all of glory is going to be ours to enjoy. There will be no limits. You know what I like to think? If we want to go to Pluto we can be there in a split second. We’re going to have that new resurrected body that won’t be confined by time and space, we’re going to have absolute freedom, and full knowledge. We won’t need computers to project our travel, we’ll be able to just about do anything that you can imagine, and we’ll have total freedom. Now that’s just a little glimpse. Now back to Colossians chapter 3, and with all that as a prospect, then for goodness sake –

Colossians 3:5a

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

The things of the flesh. Of course there’s only one place a human being can put these things to death, and that is the cross. 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 Christians that this not part of our lifestyle, and we’re not to have any part of it. And what are they? The same things as before.

Colossians 3:5b

“…fornication, (sexual immorality) uncleanness, inordinate affection, (affection that is not normal) evil concupiscence, (evil double meanings) and covetousness, which is idolatry:”In other words you don’t covet something unless you intend to idolize it. Now verse 6.

Colossians 3:6

“For which things’ sake the wrath of God (these are the things that bring on the wrath of God) cometh on the children of disobedience:”

Come back with me to Leviticus 18. Even though it’s Scripture the language is such that I’m not going to read it in a mixed group, but you can read it in the privacy of your own home. We don’t have time to also go back to Genesis chapter 15, but if you will remember that in that chapter God told Abraham that his offspring Israel would have to wait 400 years before the iniquities of the Amorites would be full so that He could destroy them, and let Israel have the Promised Land. Do you remember that? So the Amorites live another 400 years and then they got so wicked, and immoral that God told Joshua to destroy every one of them regardless of their age because of their wickedness. All right now look at the conclusion in Leviticus 18. After He lists all the immoral things that we’re reading about everyday in our paper lately, and God has one word for them, “abomination.” Now look what He says in verse 24.

Leviticus 18:24

“Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things; (that He’s written in the previous verses) for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:” Now, I’ve got to take you up to verse 30.

Leviticus 18:30

“Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.”

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 3 * PART 2 * BOOK 41

The Cross Abolished all Legalism – Part 2

Colossians 2:14 – 4:18

Now as we begin this lesson we’re in chapter 2, and our next verse is 15. Remember now in the last half hour, how we saw the Law, the Ten Commandments were nailed to His cross. In other words, the Love of God which sent Him to the cross finished the power of the Ten Commandments over us as believers. Now for the world in general, yes it’s still a criteria for society. We know that the world needs something like that, but for us as believers it is no longer a valid thing, it’s been ended by nailing it to the cross of Christ. Now not only in verse 14 did He nail the Law to cross and all the things pertaining to it, but now in verse 15 we find that He also defeated Satan.

Colossians 2:15

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

In other words none of this was done in a corner, it was all done in the open, and He became victorious over them in his finished work of the cross. Now let’s go back to Genesis 3:15. It’s been a long time since we’ve even mentioned Genesis in the programs. The years have been going by and we’ve been spending a lot of time of course in Paul’s epistles, and we’ll continue to spend a lot of time there because after all that’s where it’s at for us today in the Church age. This is the chapter of course where Adam and Eve have disobeyed and partaken of the fruit of the tree. They’ve fallen, and now are sin natured, but God comes right back immediately with the potential remedy. Here the Lord Himself is speaking to Satan.

Genesis 3:15a

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;…”

Now of course we have to pick up from other portions of Scripture that He’s referring to the Seed of the woman that Paul says in Galatians is Christ. So what you have here way back here in the chapter of the fall is the promise of a coming Redeemer in the Seed of the woman. Now the Lord continues to speak as we finish the verse.

Genesis 3:15b

“…it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.”

Now remember the Lord is talking to Satan who has embodied a serpent. And how do you utterly defeat and crush a serpent? You crush it’s head. So that’s the implication that God literally crushed the head of the serpent or Satan, but remember that Satan would also get his licks in by causing Christ to suffer, which is implied in the bruising of His heel. So way back here immediately after the fall, we have the promise then of a coming plan of redemption. Now I guess the other verse that comes to mind is in Romans chapter 8. My where should we start. I hate to just jump in on one verse so let’s start with verse 20. Remember what I want you to see is, that when Paul says in Colossians that He defeated these forces of Satan, and He did it openly. So utterly defeated the powers that were against Him. Paul looks at it in a little different light beginning in verse 20.

Romans 8:20

“For the creature (creation) was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected (or inundated the whole creation) the same in hope.”

Now you see as soon as Adam plunged everything in creation under the curse by his disobedience, God came right back in Genesis 3:15 with the promise of the Seed of the woman, and that was what? Hope. So for the last 6 thousand years, all of creation has been living in hope of that which was accomplished of course at the cross, when the Seed of the woman then became the victorious One over Satan and his minions. Now verse 21.

Romans 8:21

“Because the creature (creation) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption (the curse) into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

Which I feel look all the way forward to our resurrected state when we’ll rule and reign with Him in the Kingdom age.

Romans 8:22-23

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit the redemption of our body.”

When we will totally in union with Him in our resurrected state. Now then another one I’d like to have you look at is in the Book of Hebrews chapter 2. And let’s just drop down to verse 14, and this is all backing up the statement that he made that Christ triumphed over the principalities and powers of Satan, and the demonic world.

Hebrews 2:14

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; (He became flesh as Paul says in Colossians chapter 1. He became the visible image of the invisible God) that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil;”

And so the devil was utterly defeated, and operationally destroyed when Christ arose victoriously over sin and death on the resurrection morning. Now coming back to Colossians again. Remember we have to understand constantly that it wasn’t just another crucifixion, or another death, but Christ actually defeated all of the horrendous satanic powers, and the dominions and principalities that are under Satan’s rule, and He triumphed over them. Now verse 16. Since now everything has been done, since the Law has been crucified and nailed to His cross, and we can rest assured that He was victorious over sin and death, and Satan, and here we are as believers. Now remember Paul is writing to believers, so here we are set totally at liberty, and we’re free. Now look at our situation we find ourselves in today.

Colossians 2:16a

“Let no man therefore judge you…”

I had a fellow call the other day that he was getting involved with a group that wanted to put him under the Saturday Sabbath, and the next thing they wanted him to do was quit eating pork. I said can’t you see their putting you under the Law? And we’re not under Law, we’re under Grace. Now here it is. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can are can not do.

Colossians 2:16a

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, (you’re free from all of that. You’re going to let the Holy Spirit help you decide what’s good for you and what’s not. We’re not under a set of rules like the Law demanded, and this is what Paul is talking about) or in respect of an holyday,…”

Now you’ve got to know definitions, so what’s the definition for holy? Well it isn’t something supernatural perfect and righteous, but rather holy meant “set aside for God’s purposes.” So these holy days were simply days in Judaism and the Jewish economy that were indeed set apart for God’s purposes. You had the Passover, and all the Feast days, but you see in this age of Grace we’re not under any of that. We don’t have days set aside for special treatment.

Colossians 2:16b

“…or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:”

See where Paul puts Sabbath days? It’s frivolous, it has no use for us whatsoever, and don’t let anybody try to tell you “that you’re going to hell because you don’t keep the Saturday Sabbath.” I hear that all the time from our listeners. “Oh the preacher said today, “That if we don’t keep the Saturday Sabbath we’re going to go to hell.” How awful when you have verses like this that contradicts that completely. Don’t you let anybody tell you what day you have to worship God. Now those things were valid, they did have a purpose in the Old Testament economy because they were a shadow of that which was to come. That was their purpose, they were to show forth something that was coming. Now even Israel didn’t understand what they were, but God knew so He was showing it. Now let me show you another verse in Hebrews that says basically the same thing. Oh I can hardly wait till we get into the Book of Hebrews even though it was written to Jewish believers and not necessarily the Body of Christ, nevertheless there is so much that we can learn from that Book, and here is one of them. Paul is reviewing all of the aspects of the temple worship, or the tabernacle out in the wilderness or whatever.

Hebrews 9:6-7

“Now when these things were thus ordained, (that is the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, and all these things) the priests went always into the first tabernacle, (the first room what we normally call the sanctuary) accomplishing the service of God. 7. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, (on the day of atonement) not without blood, which he offered for himself, (then he would have to go back out a kill the second animal and offer it’s blood) and for the errors of the people:”

Hebrews 9:8

“The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all (the very throne room of heaven there behind the vial) was not yet made manifest, (no man dared to go into the presence of God except the high priest once a year) while as the first tabernacle was yet standing.” Now here’s the reason we came here in verse 9 and 10. All those practices of Israel’s temple worship were just a picture of things to come.

Hebrews 9:9-10

“Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10. Which stood only in meats and drinks, (in other words their various offerings) and divers washings, (baptisms) and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”

They were forced to worship this way. All these things were forced on the children of Israel as part of their obedience to a Holy God who was not operating in Grace, but rather God was operating under the severity of the Law. Now when I say the Law was severe, what do I mean? If someone was caught in the act of adultery, what was the sentence? Death! There were no ifs ands or buts, no matter what the excuses. It was death, and on top of that it wasn’t instant death, but death by stoning, it was awful. The Law was severe, but it was also a picture of that which was to come. Now when I say that the Law was severe and hurtful as putting to death by stoning is, but remember this was a picture of the work of the cross. And what happened at the cross? Christ suffered beyond human comprehension, and for what purpose? Because He loved the human race, and it comes down to that same concept that the work of the cross was precipitated by the love and mercy and Grace of a Holy and Righteous God!

Now come on back to Colossians chapter 2, and verse 17. I would be willing to bet my ranch that 9 out 10 Church going Christians do not see the last few words of this verse. Look at it. All of these things in the Hebrew religion, everything, the holy of holies, the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, the day of atonement, the brazen alter, the table of showbread, and all the things that pertain to the temple and tabernacle were just a preview of things to come for what group of people? The Body of Christ. Did you ever see that before? Look at it.

Colossians 2:17

“Which are a shadow of things to come; but (the flip side) the body is of Christ.”

Now that’s what it was all pointing to. The day when Christ because of His finished work of the cross, could call out sinners from every point on the globe. Jew or Gentile, black or white, rich or poor, and He could save them by Grace and bring them into the Body of Christ. I had a gentlemen the other night that that we had a nice friendly discussion with and I made mention of the fact that there are people in almost every group where there are true believers. Depending of course on how much Gospel of I Corinthians 15:1-4 they have preached at them. I said it doesn’t matter whether they’re Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist or whatever, if they’re a true believer then they’re in the Body of Christ. His eyes got that big, and said you mean that you think that people can be saved even though they’re not in our Church? I won’t say which one he said, you probably know already.

But listen, that’s not according to the Book. The Body of Christ is that composite of believers from whatever back ground that have been saved by the Grace of God when they simply believed the Gospel for their Salvation. And that Gospel is that Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose from the dead. That comprises then the Body of Christ, which was the fulfillment of everything that had been taken place for over 2000 years. Now let’s move on to the next verse. Boy I wanted to finished Colossians today, I really did because that would wind up one whole tape series, and we may yet. Now verse 18. And just like in our last taping, Jerry put a perfect heading on part II of this particular book. “Paul Warns The Church,” and here’s another one.

Colossians 2:18a

“Let no man beguile (or deceive, or trick) you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels,…”

My goodness, someone sent me a little booklet the other day, and again I don’t have to name the group that had given this little booklet to this person. But they had given this booklet to their little 6 or 7 year old child, and just asked them all to read it. Well they sent it on to me and I opened the very first page and there it was, “before God made anything He created a special angel, and that angel He designated to create everything else. That angel that God had created in the booklet was a reference to what Christ would do.” That made Christ nothing more than a created angel. That is so contrary to what the Word of God says concerning Jesus Christ. Now here is a warning to the Church. Don’t be taken in by that kind of thing, don’t establish a false humility and then try to worship something less then the Christ of glory. Now continuing on with the verse.

Colossians 2:18b

“…intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”

See that’s the new age movement. They have to appeal to the flesh, because there is no power of the Holy Spirit in it. So that’s what they do, they will appeal to the flesh, and with their high convoluted statements. My I read one of them again the other day that someone had sent me. It is a combination of higher intellectual, highly educated people you could tell that, but there’s not an ounce of truth in what they write, and yet people are falling for it. Here Paul is warning us, “Don’t fall for these things.” Now verse 19.

Colossians 2:19a

“And not holding the Head…”

Now in our last taping, I said the Body goes up to here just below the Head, and that’s where we are, we’re members of the Body, but Christ is the Head. It’s from Christ that the central nervous system in the analogy would come from. It’s the Head that controls the Body, and that’s what Paul is saying. “Don’t beguile by something that will turn you from the Headship of Christ.”

Colossians 2:19b

“And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishments ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” But where does it all originate? Christ the Head of the Body, that’s where it has to come from. Now verse 20

Colossians 2:20

“Wherefore (because of our union with Christ) if ye be dead with Christ (dead to that old sin nature of Adam, and you have considered him dead, and God has considered him crucified with Christ) from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,“

What happened to those ordinances? They were nailed to the cross. Why try to resurrect them and put yourself under them, and what are they?

Colossians 2:21

“(Touch not; taste not; handle not;”

Do you see that? Oh that’s what the legalists try to tell you to do. Oh the legal one will always say, “You can’t do that, or this, and you’ve got to do this or that.” And that is what Paul is calling beguilement, it’s deception, and we’re not under that set of circumstances. Now maybe I can finish the chapter.

Colossians 2:22a

“Which all are to perish with the using;)…” In other words these works of the flesh, all will perish with the using.

Colossians 2:22b

“…after the commandments and doctrines of men?”

Now you look at all the religions of the world, and way at the top they have one or two top kick men. And the whole group goes by what one man has decreed, even though it may not line up with Scripture. Now verse 23.

Colossians 2:23

“Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, (remember, this is all in the flesh) and humility, (when they try to show humility in the flesh, what kind of humility is it? It’s a false humility. It’s the kind of humility that people will say, “I’m proud of the fact that I’m humble!” Isn’t that right? That’s the flesh. The flesh can say, “I’m proud that I’m so humble.”) and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

Now to bring that around to where we can understand it, what Paul is really saying is, “These kind of people do all of this to satisfy the flesh,” but they don’t bring any glory to God by doing it because they are always going to come back and say what? “Look what I’ve done. Look what I’ve accomplished.” And listen, none of us can ever say that. I can’t say it. You can’t say it. Because if we have accomplished something, it is still not us. It’s God working in through us.

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 3 * PART 1 * BOOK 41

The Cross Abolished all Legalism

Colossians 2:14 – 4:18

Now we pray that as we labour, the Lord will continue to open hearts and lives. If you could just hear people tell us how they are learning, and how the Lord is just opening their eyes. But we don’t take any credit for that, because that’s the Lord’s doing. You’ve heard me say that as I pray, I ask the Lord to give me Lydias today, whether they’re men or women, boys or girls, because, like Lydia, the Lord must open your heart before you can understand.

Now we’ll begin with Colossians 2:14 today, but we’ll read the previous verse. I’ve said so often that Paul only writes to believers, and the whole purpose is if we can equip the believer with right thinking, then you’re going to go out and share it with others. Now I maintain that this is why most Christians are scared to death to open their mouth. They’re afraid that if someone comes right back and asks them a question they can’t answer it, then they’re embarrassed. So this is the whole idea of teaching, to become skilled.

Don’t just take it in like the Dead Sea. See the Dead Sea is dead because all does is take beautiful fresh water in from the north from the Jordan River. But as soon as it reaches the Dead Sea, it can’t go any further, so it becomes dead. So the fresh part of the water evaporates, and all the other stuff is left behind. Well it’s the same way with Christians. If all you do is take it in without ever giving it out, then you’re going to be a stale Christian. So learn to use the Scriptures even if you don’t know all of them. You know these people that come to your door, aren’t you aware of what Scriptures they’re going to use? And they know how to use them, and that’s why they can hook so many people. Well you be the same way, only get it right when you share. Then you can have the thrill of winning someone to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I might add there’s no greater thrill. Now for our study.

Colossians 2:13a

“And you, being dead in your sins (in the old Adamic part of us) and the uncircumcision of your flesh, (in other words, Paul is writing primarily to Gentiles) hath he quickened (or made alive, and brought us out of that Spiritual deadness) together with him,…” We were crucified with Him, we were in the tomb with Him, and we’re resurrected with Him. Identification is the whole concept of Scripture. That as He died, we died, as He was buried, we were buried, and as He was raised in resurrection power so are we raised. So this is exactly what Paul is putting together. Now to continue the verse.

Colossians 2:13b

“…having forgiven you all trespasses;”

Now that’s hard for people to swallow. Yet every sin of every person that ever lived was forgiven by virtue of that work of the cross. Hebrews says that Christ tasted death, not just for believers, but for how many? For every man. Yes a Hitler, or Stalin, or any of the other horrible persons that have gone across the stage of human history, he tasted death for every one of them. And why couldn’t they cash in? Because they never believed it! And so this is the problem with the human race even right around us where ever we live. It’s all been done, but they will not appropriate it by faith, and that’s what we have to do. Take it by faith. Now verse 14, and here we’ll get into the meat of this 30 minute study anyway. This is one of my favorite verses, because I’m always separating Law and Grace. You’re not under the Law, you’re not under the Ten Commandments, but rather under Grace. Look what this verse says.

Colossians 2:14a

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (rules and regulations) that was against us, which was contrary to us,…”

Now stop for a moment. What is the first thing that happens to the human make up and especially when they’re young when you say, “You can’t do that.” What’s the first thought that comes into their minds? Why not? You know I’ve used the illustration over and over, you put a wet paint sign on the wall, and 99 out of 100 people that walk by it are going to say, “I’ve got to find out.” Isn’t that right? All right now that’s what the Law did. Just as soon as the Law said, “Thou shalt not steal,” what’s the first human reaction? Well why not? Now the Law was against us, it was contrary to us.

Colossians 2:14b

“… and took it out of the way, (and how did He do away with it? By) nailing it to the cross.”

Now isn’t that plain language? Now I’m always teaching that when the Lord gave Moses those Ten Commandments, He put them on tables of stone. Moses brings them down to the nation of Israel, that is after he wrecked the first set, and got the second one. Any how he brings them to Israel, and you’ve heard me put it this way more than once, “they were strictly on tables of cold stone. Those Ten Commandments had no power whatsoever, and all they could do was point the finger of condemnation.” Condemn was all they could, and so from God’s point of view, yes it was perfect, it was the perfect constitution for human living all wrapped up in those Ten Commandments. But for man to keep them it was weak and fleshly, because it was contrary to human nature, and they had no power to help us keep them. So consequently what happened to Israel under the Law? Oh they failed miserably over and over. I think maybe that’s why they were prone to fall into pagan worship, because that was easy compared to keeping the Law. Keeping those Ten Commandments was severe, it was a tough go because it was so demanding, and commanding.

Now along comes to work of the cross, and this will be a good time to come back to Romans chapter 3. See this is so hard for the run of the mill Church member to get through their head. Most of them are of the thinking that if I keep the Commandments, if I do the best I can surely God will accept me, and nothing could be further from the truth. In fact I had a young lady just the other night that was almost depressed. She’d had a class of some of her peers for the past two years, and had been using our tapes and herself explaining how we’re not under Law, but rather Grace. Then she asked one of her students about her salvation and where she would spend eternity if she died? Do you know what her answer still was? “Well I’m keeping the Commandments the best I can, and I doing the best I can.” The teaching lady said, “That’s enough to make you scream. How could she be hearing this for two years and still make that statement? She’s heard over and over that it’s by simply believing Paul’s Gospel that Christ died and rose from the dead!”

Well that’s the human race, and unless the Lord does like He did with Lydia, and opens their understanding, that’s what we’re up against. We just sort of beat a concrete wall until the Lord opens their understanding. But here we are in Romans chapter 3, and Paul is telling us exactly how the Law operated. Verse 19.

Romans 3:19a

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, (sometimes the Law will mean the whole gamut of what we now call Judaism. The civil law, the worship law, and the moral law. The moral Law being the Ten Commandments. That’s the Law he’s talking about here) saith to them who are under the law;”

Now who was under the Law? The Jews were, the nation of Israel. The Gentiles had no contact with Israel’s Ten Commandments. But in the mind of God now, it went beyond Israel, and it didn’t just stop the nation of Israel, but it went to the whole human race.

Romans 3:19b

“…that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world (not just Israel) may become guilty before God.”

And see that’s all the Law can do. It can only point the finger of condemnation whether Jew or Gentile, and it says, “You’re guilty!” The little Book of James written to Jews says, “If you’ve broken one of the Laws, you’re guilty of breaking all of them.” So there’s no way you can win. The Law is something that you can’t beat. We can’t keep from breaking it, and there’s nothing we can do short of what Christ has done, and we’re going to see that in just a moment.

Romans 3:20

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: (and here’s the reason.) for by the law is (not the knowledge of salvation, but rather) the knowledge of sin.”

All the Ten Commandments can do is point the finger of condemnation. It can’t save anybody! But oh, how the world thinks that if they at least try to keep the Ten Commandments, that somehow they’ll merit favor with God. No Way! God never intended the Law to do that, but rather all He intended the Law to do was to show what His mind was concerning human behavior. So human behavior couldn’t be affected by the Law because there was no power of the Holy Spirit behind it. Consequently when Christ went by the way of the cross – now to follow up on that thought come with me on over to chapter 7 here in Romans. This shows what we’ve been talking about that the Law has been nailed to His cross. And this is why it was cold stone, without power to help anybody keep it.

Romans 7:4a

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead….”

Now you see you and I can have no connection with Jesus of Nazareth as He walked in Galilee. He told Andrew and Philip that He couldn’t have anything to do with Gentiles until He had been put to death, buried, and raised again. So it’s only the crucified, risen again Christ that you and I now as believers in the Age of Grace can have any union with. The Jesus of Nazareth and His earthly ministry was only to the nation of Israel, it was still under the Law, and now this is why Paul says, “You have become dead to the Law.” It’s a done deal, and we’ll see that in another verse in just a minute, but first let’s finish this verse.

Romans 7:4b

“…that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”

We’re to be soul winners after becoming believers. Now let’s keep going in Romans and come on over to chapter 13, and maybe this will nail it to the cross as he says in Colossians 2:14.

Romans 13:8

“Owe (or defraud) no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

Now just stop and think a moment. What was the crowning word concerning the work of the cross? What put Christ on the cross? His love! It was His love for lost humanity that drove Him to the cross. And consequently Paul can say, “that love now then is the fulfilling or ending of the Law.” Then Paul goes on to say that he doesn’t give us license to do the things that the Ten Commandment forbids. No, but rather it’s under a whole new economy, now it’s love rather than Law. And if you truly love somebody you won’t want to do the following:

Romans 13:9

“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt not Covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” So once we’ve experienced that love of Christ that was epitomized at the cross, we don’t have to worry about keeping the commandments, as they become secondary. Now verse 10.

Romans 13:10

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Do you see how simple all that is? All right now let’s come back quickly to Colossians and maybe this statement of Paul will make a little more sense. As He died on that Roman cross, fulfilling all the demands of those Ten Commandments, and was capping it with love, now to settle the question completely, what does He do with it? He crucifies it, He nails it to His cross. Now we know that the Law as such was an inanimate thing. But Spiritually it certainly wasn’t, and yet when He finished the work of the cross He could say the Law had been nailed to cross in the person of Christ, and what does that mean? It’s dead. It no longer has any power over the human race, because the cross settled it. I don’t know how anybody can over look that. When you nail something to the cross and crucify it, then it’s done! It’s finished, and you can’t continue to say, “Well I’m trying to do the best I can.”

Now don’t misunderstand me, for the unsaved world, those Ten Commandments are still the criteria for behavior, we know that. But once you become a believer the Law means nothing, it’s dead, it’s crucified. You ask, “Does that mean that I can do as I please?” No, Grace is not license. But instead of having the heavy hand of Law keeping me from committing adultery or stealing, now we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, and that indwelling Spirit will never tell a believer to break one of the commandments which of course is part of our whole social structure.

Just stop and think, What if everybody in a society constantly broke all the commandments? What would you have? We’d have anarchy. You wouldn’t have a society, it would be pandemonium. Well the Ten Commandments are still the basic structure of human behavior but the difference is for you and I as believers we’re not under that condemnation that if we’ve broken one, we’ve broken them all. But rather we’re over here under Grace, and the Law has been crucified. It has been set aside, and we are now free! Speaking of being free, let’s just back up a couple of pages to the Book of Galatians for one of my favorite verses. And this is all because we’re not under the Law. I trust that you all understand that Grace is that unmerited favor that was poured out in the term of mercy and compassion and that of course was God’s prerogative.

Galatians 5:1a

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,…” Now the Law didn’t give anybody liberty. The Law, as I’ve said so often, was severe. Back when it was in full force, if someone broke these Ten Commandments what was the sentence? Death. But since that has now been set aside and nailed to His cross, we now stand in liberty. Total freedom! Then the apostle goes on to say –

Galatians 5:1b

“…and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

You’ve been set free, and all the binding power of Satan has been severed, along with all the binding power of the Ten Commandments have been served. I mean, you’ve been set totally free. Then why try to come back under those Ten Commandments and say, “Tie me up again!” And that’s exactly what people do. Enjoy the freedom and the liberty that we have under the Grace of God. Then looking at verse 2 he tells us that as soon as you start doing things tied to legalism or anything you can do in the flesh, then Paul makes this tremendous statement. Now of course circumcision was the big factor back in the Galatian Churches, but it can be anything that you can do in the flesh, I don’t care what it is.

Galatians 5:2

“Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, (or anything else that you can do for salvation) Christ shall profit you nothing.”

And yet this is where most people are putting themselves, as for salvation they say, “Well I’ve got to do this or that.” Boy, I had the most exciting phone call early this morning from a fellow out east, and he had seen it for the first time. He was a pastor he was just elated. He said, “I’ve never seen it before, but now I can see how you separate Law and Grace, and when I did, I just shouted,’ hallelujah’” I knew what kind of a pastor he was as we talked a couple of weeks ago. So I asked him, you mean the Lord has opened your eyes in the past couple of weeks? He said, “Totally!” But oh listen, when people can finally see it, you just wonder why did it take so long? But it’s so evident and so plain.

Galatians 5:3

“For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.”

Now you see since the temple is destroyed, that leaves the whole human race in a dilemma doesn’t it? Because you can’t keep the whole Law unless there is temple worship, sacrifices, and a priesthood., and none of that is available. So when someone says, “I’m going to keep the Ten Commandments for salvation,” they’re barking up the wrong tree, as it just won’t fly. Because there is no way you can keep the whole Law. All the things which pertain to the Law have been aside, and they’re no longer operating, so if it weren’t for Grace, we’d be in a dilemma. But we don’t have to worry about any of that because we are set free, we’re under Grace.

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 2 * PART 4 * BOOK 41

Colossians 2:1-13 – Part 2

I had a letter from one of our listeners yesterday who said, “My husband and I watch the program sitting on the back row of your class in our recliners” Well that’s a nice way to put it. They’re actually not back there, but they are whether they’re watching us. We like to hear comments like that, and how we appreciate your letters. I think the thing that thrills us the most is for example a couple made the comment last week, “you have turned our Bibles into something that was collecting dust, to where we study them now everyday, and are wearing them out.” We just want people to realize that this is the greatest Book ever written. You can’t plum the depths of it or exhaust it.

Now back to where we left off in Colossians chapter 2. You know I didn’t finish my thoughts in the two verses 11 and 13 dealing with circumcision and our being dead in sins, but now we are circumcised Spiritually and we’ve been made alive Spiritually. So come back with me to verse 11 and 13 and let’s read verse 13 again first.

Colossians 2:13

“And you being dead in your sins (a Spiritual death) and the uncircumcision of your flesh, (that’s where we were genetically. We’re not in the family of Abraham, but rather we were Gentiles) hath he (God) quickened (or made us alive) together with him, (which of course ties us to His death, burial, and resurrection. And the moment we beloved that Gospel of Salvation, God forgave us.) having forgiven you all trespasses:” Now we’ll come back to forgiveness a little later, but for now let’s also look at verse 11.

Colossians 2:11

“In whom (Christ Who is the fullness of the Godhead of verse 9) also ye are circumcised (now we are circumcised, not in the flesh, but Spiritually) with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh (remember circumcision depicts a cutting off of that which was superfluous. So for the believer now we have had something cut off which is no longer necessary and it is the old Adam.) by the circumcision of (or by) Christ:”

Now I’ve put this much on the board for starters. Body, Soul and Spirit, and I don’t know how I can best approach this, but let’s try. See when Adam was created, he was a complete entity of body, soul, and spirit. The soul was that personality of mind, will, and emotions, but it was in tune with his Creator. The spirit was the communicating part with his Creator, and the body of course enjoyed all the ramifications of this beautiful relationship with God Himself. But the moment Adam ate of that tree in disobedience to God this soul became a sin nature. All it could think was that which was contrary to that which is Holy and Spiritual and God. Adam’s spirit of course immediately died when he ate. The body of Adam began to die (the Lord still let him live 930 years). So that’s what happened the moment Adam sinned.

Now we come along as Gentiles on the other side of the cross, and now Paul teaches that the moment we believe for our salvation that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead in power and victory over the adversary, then all we have to do is believe it with all our heart. Because we recognize before believing that this is our state, that we’re sinners, we’re enemies of God and the moment we believe Paul’s Gospel, God reckons old Adam as crucified with Christ. Now in our old Adam is where our Spiritual circumcision comes into play. God reckons old Adam as dead, and in his place the power of God has now given us a new nature which is Spiritual, it’s the very nature of God Himself. This then comprises that circumcision by Jesus the Christ where He cuts off that old adamic sin nature and replaces it with a new nature. And at the same time He regenerates our Spirit, and that’s the best word to use, He regenerates it.

I once gave the illustration of a car battery. If you leave your lights on all night and get to the car the next morning, you’ll find the battery dead. It’s useless, and has absolutely no power whatsoever. I gave the illustration that you could go out with a pan and some hot soapy water and really clean up that battery to where it would look brand new. But when you get in the car what happens? Nothing. And see that’s what most of Christendom is trying to do today. They’re trying to simply clean up the outside with the effort of the flesh, but they’re still dead.

I read the other day, and I’m not going to say I agree with it, but someone was of the opinion that probably 60% of American Church members are lost. Well I’m not going to say he’s wrong and I’m not going to say he’s right, but I know what a lot of those Church members are doing. They’re just simply trying to clean up the outside. There’s nothing wrong with being good. My the world needs good people, but that’s not going to prepare you for eternity. So the only way we can get that car battery to where it’s worth what it’s suppose to be is to what? Regenerate it! And where do you get the power to regenerate it? From an outside source. And that’s exactly what has happened here. God now with His outside power has regenerated our dead spirit. He has now crucified old Adam, He’s cut him off, and He has given us a new nature, and these two entities now of course have their effect of the body, and how we behave as believers.

That’s what these two verses are showing. On one hand we’re Gentiles in the flesh, and on the other hand we were spiritually dead until the power of the Gospel made us come alive the moment we believed. For those of you who doubt me, we have a long list of verses covering that. We send them out constantly to people on how to be saved and there is not one word in there about doing anything but believe for salvation. Now under Law yes, works were required for salvation, but under this age of Grace through the writings of the apostle Paul, you must only believe.

Romans 1:16a

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;…”

I Corinthians 1:18

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved (by believing) it is the power of God.” (unto salvation)

Romans 10:9-10a

“That if thou shalt confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness….” (becomes right with God)

The world is constantly trying to say just like they did in Paul’s day. “That’s not enough. You’ve also got to do this or that.” Paul’s Gospel says, “Christ did it all!” It’s done, it’s complete, and we dare not try to add to it. Remember Galatians tells us that if you add to it, then you cancel it! But that’s what so many do. Ok, back to Colossians 2 verses 11 and 13, which now make a little more sense.

Colossians 2:11

“In whom (in Christ by virtue of our believing the Gospel and we’ve been placed in Christ by the Holy Spirit, which you’ll to see in verse 12) also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (spiritual. The cutting off of our old Adam. That which defeats us every time we turn around. But he’s been taken away so far as his influence) in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:” Then down to verse 13.

Colossians 2:13

“And you, being dead in your sins (absolutely, we were as under the control of the old nature, our spirit was completely out of fellowship with God and so that’s what Paul says we were in the world. We were dead in sin) and the uncircumcision of your flesh (by virtue of being Gentiles) but hath he (God) quickened (has regenerated our spirit. He has crucified old Adam and has given us a new nature. A divine nature) together with him, having (already) forgiven you all trespasses.”

Now let’s look at Colossians 3:13. And again, Paul repeats this twice in two chapters to drive it home. And oh, most of Christendom has a hard time swallowing this, I know they do. But here it is again.

Colossians 3:13

“Forbearing one another, (remember, he’s writing to believers congregated in an assembly) and forgiving one another, if any may have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Now look at that verse very carefully. Is there any demand in that verse that you forgive your enemy before you can be saved? NO! That’s already done by the Grace of God. You’re forgiven. But now since you and I are forgiven, what should we be ready to do? Forgive whoever we have ought against, whether it’s in the Church or neighborhood or whatever. There is nothing stipulated in Paul’s Gospel, nor his writings that first we have to forgive everybody before we can be forgiven like the Lord Jesus said during His earthly ministry under Law. For example, The Lord’s Prayer isn’t appropriate for us today. The Lord’s Prayer was under Law. It was to Israel. And it says “forgive us our trespasses (when?) as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Now that’s Law. And absolutely a Jew could not be forgiven until he went and forgave his neighbor. But that doesn’t hold true today. We’re forgiven by the Grace of God. And if we’re forgiven, then why in the world can’t we forgive our neighbor? That’s the teaching. So twice in two chapters he says we have been forgiven of all our trespasses and all our sins. Now let’s go back to Ephesians 2:1.

Ephesians 2:1-6

“And you (writing to these Ephesian believers) hath he (Christ) quickened (made alive. Same concept. As soon as we believe the Gospel, God imparted to us that new divine nature. He gave us the regeneration of the spirit. It’s divine, eternal life that we are now partakers of) who were dead in trespasses and sins: 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world (everyone did) according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. 3. Among whom also we all (he included himself) had our conversation (manner of living) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (doing what comes naturally like everybody else.) 4. But (the flip side) God (not me, not I, but God) who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved:) 6. Hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (see our position now as believers?) Now verse 8.

Ephesians 2:8

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; (plus how much? NOTHING! There’s nothing else listed here. It’s by grace through faith) and that not of yourselves; it is the (what?) gift of God:” How much work do you do for a gift? NONE! But, people are having all this stuff laid on them. There is nothing in here that says you’ve got to do such and such except believe that Christ has already done it. It’s finished! And we can’t add to it.

Now, back to Colossians 2:12. I’m going to repeat something that I said on my program years ago and I’ll repeat it again and for years to come if the Lord’s tarries. There is probably no other one thing in all of Christendom that will cause enmity and will just make the hair stand up on the back of people’s necks like baptism. I’ve learned it first hand, over and over. You disagree with somebody on baptism and you may have had the best friend in the world, but he is no more. It simply puts a division between people and there’s more arguing and more controversy over baptism and who should be baptized and how they should be baptized and it almost gets disconcerting. It’s not in Paul’s instruction to the Church age believer. It is not to be something that should be divisive. Verse 12.

Colossians 2:12

“Buried with him (with Christ) in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Let’s read it again. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Now, I don’t know which way to start. Should I start with the Holy Spirit, or should I start over in here. Let’s start with the Holy Spirit. And go to I Corinthians chapter 12 and we’ll start at verse 12. And I guess you all know this is still Paul writing to the believers at Corinth who had a lot of problems. We covered all that when we taught the Corinthian letters.

I Corinthians 12:12

“For as the body (this body that we live in) is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, (still one body) are one body: so also is Christ.”

I have put this over and over on the board that the Body which is the Church, is strictly a Pauline term. Nobody, nobody – the Lord didn’t, Peter didn’t, the other disciples didn’t, the Old Testament, Revelation doesn’t – speaks of the Body of Christ but Paul. Check me out. Search the Scriptures. You’ll never find the term, “The Body of Christ” except Romans through Philemon. If you want to go on through Hebrews, and I feel Paul wrote it, although he wrote it as it says, to the Hebrews. But never does anybody use the term “The Body of Christ”except Paul. So here is another instance that he’s using this as an example. Our physical body which is composed of everything from the little toe that usually no one ever sees, to our facial features which everyone sees. Now, that’s the Body of Christ.

We’re all functioning in a different area of the Body and yet we are all intrinsically important to the function of the body. But remember, the body stops here. The rest is what? Head! And who’s the head of the body? Christ is. He is the nerve center of the Body, which is the church. Now that again, is all part and parcel of Paul’s language – that Christ, by virtue of His finished work of the cross, by His justifying us by faith and faith alone, He in turn places us into this living, spiritual organism that Paul calls the Body of Christ. Now, how do we get in to the body of Christ? You can’t buy your way in. You can’t work your way in. So you have to do something else and what is it? Nothing except believe! Now let’s look at verse 13.

I Corinthians 12:13

“For by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) are we (what’s the next word?) all (not just the elite, nor the clergy, not the deacons, not just the good people, but every believer, whatever his station in life, whatever his behavior as a believer. He may be rather carnal like the Corinthians were, but every believer. And what’s the next word?) baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

Look at the first two words of verse 13. They’re prepositions. “For by one Spirit.” Not by a denomination, or by a preacher, or by some cult leader. There is only one valid baptizer in the Church Age and that is the Holy Spirit. And this is the Holy Spirit baptism that Paul teaches, and it happens the moment we believe. Now let me show you in Ephesians, chapter 1 and verse 13.

Ephesians 1:13

“In whom ye also trusted, (or placed your faith) after that ye heard the word of truth, gospel of your salvation: (what did you do with it?) in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”

I’m not doing any violence to Scripture to say at that same moment you were baptized by the Holy Spirit and thereby God branded us as His own. And so the only valid baptism, spiritually speaking, is when the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christ. Now the reason I have to emphasize that is because of Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 4. Oh, this is hard for people to swallow but it is so plain and simple in the Book. Just as simple as it can be.

Ephesians 4:4-5

“There is one body, ( not 1500. I read somewhere the other day that there were 1500 Christian denominations in California alone. But there isn’t.) and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: 5. One Lord, one faith, one (what?) baptism.” (And what is it? The Holy Spirit. It’s the only one that counts. Now I don’t forbid water baptism. All I tell people is that it has nothing to do with your eternal destiny because the only baptism that counts for eternity is, “have you been placed into the Body of Christ by the baptizing power of the Holy Spirit?” If you haven’t had that, you’re doomed. I don’t care how many times you’re baptized in water, it’s the Holy Spirit baptism that settles it for eternity.