Kollel BeChukotei

Kollel BeChukotei

Colossians 3 & 4

If you have not read the introduction to Colossians preceding chapter one last week, please do so.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:1 If then you were raised together with Messiah, seek the things that are above, where Messiah is, seated on the right hand of Elohim.

Col 3:2  Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Col 3:3  For you died, and your life is hidden with Messiah in Elohim.

Col 3:4  When Messiah, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

Either at the Parousia, for obedient believers, or at the Resurrection of the Tribulation Saints (known to the sages as the “Resurrection of the Just”)  for those who repent and are saved during the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:5  Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

Col 3:6  for which things’ sake the wrath of Elohim comes on the children of disobedience.

It’s doesn’t matter if one professes a faith in Yeshua as “Lord and Savior” if one decides to cast off the Commandments of Elohim – those who refuse to obey will not be included in the Parousia or Resurrection of the Just.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:7  You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;

Col 3:8  but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

Col 3:9  Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

Col 3:10  and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

Col 3:11  where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Messiah is all, and in all.

Whereas the Cheredi Rabbis make a distinction between all of these, and consider non-ultra-orthodox Jews and Geniles to be lesser human beings than themselves (or not real humans at all!), we are commanded the exact opposite (as were they, but they have chosen to ignore this).  We are all created in Elohom’s image – there are no “lesser” human beings.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as Elohim’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

Col 3:13  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Messiah forgave you, so you also do.

Measure for measure, again.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:14  Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

Col 3:15  And let the shalom of Elohim rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Col 3:16  Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to Adonai.

As opposed to popular music of the secular/humanist culture, which is often lauding themes and situations which are not acceptable to Elohim.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:17  Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of Adonai Yeshua, giving thanks to Elohim the Father, through him.

Sinning in the name of Yeshua isn’t a good plan, though.  With Elohim, there is no such thing as the end justifying the means.  Sin is sin, and we are commanded to be holy, because He is holy.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:18  Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in Adonai.

Col 3:19  Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.

Col 3:20  Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases Adonai.

Col 3:21  Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

Even in a democracy of two somebody has to be in charge when an agreement cannot be reached.  A wife is commanded to defer, regardless of modern feminist teachings on the subject.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:22  Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing Elohim.

Applies equally to employees, businessmen and volunteers of any kind.

Colossians, continued:

Col 3:23  And whatever you do, work heartily, as for Adonai, and not for men,

Col 3:24  knowing that from Adonai you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve Adonai Messiah.

Col 3:25  But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

Col 4:1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Elohim is the ultimate judge of everything we do – and even obedient believers will not get off scott-free for their violations of Torah or lack of charity or generosity.  One thing repentance cannot do is take away the after-effects of our sins and mistakes from the world.  What we have done affects other people, other situations.  No matter how sorry we are later, the damage is already done.   Measure for measure, our works will be assayed.

First Corinthians 3:12  But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble;   First Co 3:13  each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is.    First Co 3:14  If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.   1Co 3:15  If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.

Colossians, continued:

Col 4:2  Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

Col 4:3  praying together for us also, that Elohim may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Messiah, for which I am also in bonds;

Col 4:4  that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

Col 4:5  Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Col 4:6  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

The only effective way to answer challenges to Torah and observance and belief in Messiah is to know the Bible – inside, outside, and upside down!  Underline, annotate, read a different translation every year, read books by Spirit-filled authors, go to lectures, watch DVDs, listen to audio, take classes – do whatever it takes to learn it.   It’s an active process – the template is in your heart and in your mind, but you have to actively pursue bringing it to your conscious mind.  That’s why we are told:

Second Timothy 2:15 Give diligence [study – KJV] to present yourself approved by Elohim, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

Colossians, continued:

Col 4:7  All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in Adonai.

Col 4:8  I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances   and comfort your hearts,

Col 4:9  together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

Col 4:10  Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Bar-Nabba (concerning whom you received mitzvot, “if he comes to you, receive him”),

Col 4:11  and Yeshua who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of Elohim, men who have been a comfort to me.

Col 4:12  Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Messiah, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of Elohim.

As we see above, that means repentance, generosity, and obedience.

Colossians, continued:

Col 4:13  For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

Col 4:14  Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.

Col 4:15  Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.

Col 4:16  When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Col 4:17  Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in Adonai, that you fulfill it.”

It’s important to remember that Elohim has given each of us gifts of the Spirit, that we are supposed to be using for the furtherance of the Kingdom.  It is up to us, however, to act using those skills and talents – to take some initiative.  Letting your gifts fall by the wayside is an insult to the Spirit that gave them to you.

Col 4:18  The salutation of me, Sha’ul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amein.

Next week:  Parashat BeMidbar.