The apostle Paul, in exposing and refuting the Colossian heresies (legalisms and gnosticism, which are very similar to New Age heresies of today), shows the Church the greatness and all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ throughout the whole letter to the Colossians. In Col. 1:15-19 Paul portrays seven superiority’s of Christ in His pre-eminent Supremacy. In this letter Paul continually portrays Christ as the only true revelation of God to point both the believer and the unbeliever to God through Him and into true spirituality acceptable to the Father.
In the scriptures under consideration Paul shows us the total completeness of the believer in Christ. Christ’s victory over sin in the suffering on the cross and victory over the power of death being raised to life again from the grave to set the believer free in every aspect of life.
- Made whole and protected in Christ’s exalted position.
Col. 2:10-“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
- Set free from the body of sins of the flesh.
Col. 2:11-“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:”
- Died in Christ and raised with Him by the Holy Spirit.
Col. 2:12-“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.”
- Forgiven and set free from guilt and fear.
Col. 2:13-“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; ” (c.f. Rom. 8:15)
- Freedom from the accusation of the Law.
Col. 2:14-“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”
- Freedom through the victory of Christ.
Col. 2:15-“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” – “Christ spoiled, stripped and triumphed over all principalities and powers through the sacrifice of His blood of His cross.”
- Freedom from the domination of man made ceremonies.
Col. 2:16-“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:
The Believer’s Freedom
Christ secured our relationship with His Father in His Blood (Rom. 3:25)
Further Scripture references:
- Complete in Christ’s exalted position: Col. 2: 10
Ephesians 1:6–To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein He has made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 2:6–And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
1 Corinthians 1:30–But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
- Set free from the body of sins of the body of flesh: Col. 2:11
Romans 7:6–But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Romans 7:23, 25–But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
- Died in Christ and Raised with Him by the Holy Spirit: Col. 2:12
Romans 6:4, 5, 8–Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:.
2 Corinthians 5:17–Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.
- Forgiven and set free from guilt and fear: Col. 2:13
Romans 8:15–For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 3:24–Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
2 Corinthians 5:21–For He (God) has made him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
- Freedom from the accusation of the Law: Col. 2:14
Romans 10:4–For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.
Romans 3:28–Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
- Freedom from demonic oppression: Col. 2:15
Hebrews 2:14–For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might dethrone him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Colossians 1:13–Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto himself; by Him, whether things in earth, or things in heaven.
2 Corinthians 2:14—“Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ . . . .”
1 Cor. 15:57–But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Freedom from the dominion of man made rituals: Col. 2:16
Romans 14:10–But why does you judge your brother? or why do you show contempt for your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:24–Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.