Psalm 119:130-144

 

Psalm 119:129-136 Pe:  Commit to soul-obedience to God’s word.

The life-goal of the believer is to be like Jesus Christ (Ro. 8:29-30).  This likeness is not merely external but goes to the depth of our being.  We think like Christ; we desire what He desires.  It is a soul-likeness.

Perhaps this stanza has this in mind.  He speaks of soul-obedience to God’s wonderful testimonies (129).  Wonderful is the same word used of the Christ, the Living Word in Isa. 9:6.  Our love for and obedience to the testimonies of God is equivalent to our love for the Master.   “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

The soul in Hebrew has to do with the essential life of living creatures.  While animals are living souls (Gen. 1:20-24,30)  humans have been created in the image of God.  Thus man lives and moves out of his soul, his deepest thoughts and passions being anchored there. 

The preceding references to the “soul” in Psalm 119 have indicated man’s deep struggle in affliction (20,25,28,81,109).  His soul breaks with longing, melts with heaviness, and faints for salvation.  One may be reminded of David’s brokenness (Psalm 51) or Peter’s bitter tears (Lk. 22:62) when they came to the end of themselves.  Yet both were restored to service.  Like the Psalmist who pants for God’s commands (131) and weeps over disobedience (136), their souls were changed.  Nothing would come between them and God, neither sin (133) nor oppressor (134).  Truly their obedience was from the soul.

For this deep likeness to Christ the Psalmist prays that God’s eyes would look upon him in mercy (132) and that His face would shine upon him (135).  God does this as His word enters our lives.  It is a light (130) reaching every corner of the soul.  As Heb. 4:12-13 affirms, God’s word permeates the dividing of soul and spirit, revealing and cleansing the sin (cf. also Eph. 5:27).

Today, allow the Word to penetrate deeply as you contemplate the obedience of your soul.  Do you see hesitation, reluctance or resistance to God’s revealed will?  Confess the sins that no one else knows but you and your Lord.  Allow the light of His word to shine on you that you might truly walk in the light.  That is soul-obedience.  That is Christ-likeness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 119:137-144 Tsadde:  Affirm God’s righteousness in your trial.

Evidence that one is learning God’s lessons in affliction is often indicated by the saint’s confession that God is righteous.  This was common among God’s men in the time of the Babylonian exile.  Many questioned God’s promises since Jerusalem was destroyed and Israel was removed from the land.  Yet those who knew God recognized that they were the sinners and God was right in all that He had done.

 (See this in the confessions of Ezra, Ezra 9:15; Nehemiah, Neh. 9:33; Daniel, Dan. 9:7,14.  It also is central to the unfolding judgment on the world in Revelation where men criticize God but angels proclaim His justice, Rev. 15:3-4; 16:7; 19:2).

The Psalmist, enduring a great time of affliction, yet affirms the righteousness of God (137) and His word (138).  The great value of a God who is righteous is seen in the attending words used in this stanza.

o 137: righteous and upright or straight.  God’s word, coming from a righteous God, is correct in it’s judgments.

o 138: righteous and very faithful.  His word is enduring.

o 140: righteous and pure.  His word is tested, proven.

o 142,144: everlasting righteousness.  His word is right in all ages.

o 142: righteousness and truth.  His word is without error.

To affirm our sin and His righteousness in our times of difficulty is critical if we are to maintain our perspective.  Though the enemy forgets God’s word the saint is confident and bold (139).  Though small and despised by the world, and perhaps even in his own eyes, yet he continues in God’s precepts and knows he will be proven right (141).  No wonder he delights in His commandments (143). 

The story of Job is a struggle with this very issue.  He desires to speak with God because he is sure God has brought difficulty on the wrong person.  In the end, when confronted by the Sovereign God, Job can only say “I am vile … I abhor myself” (40:3-5; 42:1-6).  He has run squarely into the righteousness of God and knows he has sinned in questioning God’s plan.

It has become almost popular for those in affliction to go through phases of anger at God.  Perhaps this is normal, but if you are at that point in your trial be very clear: you have not come to the end of your journey.  God is right.  If you take issue with Him, then you are wrong.  Affirm His righteousness today.

Col. 1:19-23; Acts 9:10-16, Colossians Bible Study (6)

12.    1:19: What two things pleased the Father?

That in the Christ, in Jesus of Nazareth, the fullness of deity would dwell.

That through the work (death) of Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, there would be fullness of reconciliation.

·       What is reconciled?  “All things” on earth and in heaven.  The fall of Man in Genesis 3 did not just bring sin and death on the Man.  It created issues in the entirety of creation, in all the universe(s).

·       How is it reconciled?  “By Him/the blood of the cross.” 

·       1:21-23: Even sinners?  Yes!  All have been reconciled so that the preaching of the gospel is a declaration of this reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21).  The reconciliation has been secured, but it is only realized by faith.  The good news is that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” The implication of this good news is, “we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”  The sinner must receive the reconciliation by faith!

·       1:22: “In His sight.”  All that matters is how God sees a person.  It is not your own self-assessment but His!

Summary to this point:

The heresy Paul is dealing with says that having Christ is good but not sufficient; you need more!  To this point Paul has made it clear: Jesus the Christ is the fullness of God (He is complete) and His work is complete.  But perhaps the heretic would try to tell them that they had not received the full message, and that Paul’s ministry was “inadequate.”  Further, they might say that the faith of the Colossians was not “true faith,” that their faith was in some way inadequate.  The full and complete gospel must be delivered fully and it must be received fully.  What does that mean?  That is where Paul takes us now, first to explain the fullness of his ministry (1:24-29), and then to confirm the fullness of their faith (2:1-5).

Here is one additional thought on the “fullness” and “preeminence” of Christ.  There were two heresies in NT times.  Judaism sought to deny Jesus’ deity.  To them it was blasphemy that a Man could be God, that the Word became flesh!  The Greeks, and particularly Gnosticism, sought to deny Jesus’ humanity.  To them it was blasphemy to think that God would have such contact with this world.  The “gods” were above us, different than us, and would cease to be “god” if they came into contact with the physical and temporal world.  Paul’s letter to the Colossians enables us to contradict both of these heresies.  Both His true Deity and true Humanity are true and essential for us to have a Reconciler who can reconcile all things!

Col. 1:13-19; Ex. 13:11-16, Colossians Bible Study (5)

8.    1:12: What does it mean to be “qualified” to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints?

For any inheritance one must be an “heir.”  We have been made “heirs” because God has made us “sons.”  Here are important scriptures on this subject: John 1:12; Rom. 8:14,19; Eph. 1:5; Gal. 3:26; 4:4-7; 1 John 3:1-2; Heb. 12:5.

9.    1:13: Therefore, what did God do so we could partake of the inheritance?

The inheritance of the Father belongs to Christ.  He is the “heir of all things” Heb. 1:2).  As Romans 8 says, we are “co-heirs” with Christ.  It all depends on our relationship with Christ.  Thus God has “conveyed” us (simply “to transfer from one place to another”) into the kingdom of His Son.  Rom. 5:20-21 speaks to this transfer from the kingdom where sin reigns in death to the kingdom where grace reigns to eternal life (5:12-19 is talking about this transfer in detail, should you want to dive deeper into the subject.)

10.    1:14: Why does Paul speak of “redemption” and not salvation, reconciliation, justification or some other work of the cross?  This is not a trivial question; it speaks to the precision of God’s word.

In the Bible there are two pictures of “redemption:” the redemption by the kinsman redeemer (Ruth) and the redemption of the firstborn (Exodus 13:11-16).  Paul has in mind the latter as he describes Jesus as the “Firstborn” of the Father.  In Exodus the firstborn of men or animals belonged to the Lord and was given to Him as an offering.  But the Law allowed for a substitute for the firstborn of men.  Jesus was both the Firstborn (see Col. 1:15,18) and the Substitute Passover Lamb who died in place of all the firstborn sons from families that placed the blood over their doors.  In Colossians Jesus is our Passover Lamb. 

“In Him” was redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  It does not say “by Him” or “through Him” but “in Him.”  Believers in Christ have a right to the inheritance of the Firstborn because they are “in Him.”  Thus, God is our “Portion” (our part of the inheritance, as the Psalmist said in Psa. 73:26). 

11.    1:15-19: Paul says Jesus has “the preeminence” in all things.  What two titles grant Him this preeminence?  What is involved in these two realities?

He is the “firstborn over all creation” (1:15-17).

He is the “firstborn from the dead” (1:18).

Following is a diagram and a chart relating to Col. 1:15-23.  Jesus has the preeminence because He is the Christ, and the Christ is the Son of God to whom has been said He is the heir of all things.  He is Lord of Creation and of the New Creation.  Remember that the “completion” of the Old Testament people of faith did not become a reality until the cross and resurrection of Christ and the resulting New Covenant (Heb. 11:13,39-40; 1 Peter 1:12).  Thus all the “people of God,” Old Testament and New Testament times, the tree of Romans 11 to which the Gentiles have been grafted into and into which future saved Israel will be grafted, all are under the Lordship of the Christ who is the King of Israel to rule from David’s throne in Zion and who is the Head of the Church, His Body!

 

Fullness of Christ, Col. 1:12-19	Fullness of Christ’s Work, Col. 1:19-23
Col. 1:12: What does it take to be qualified to be partakers of an inheritance?	John 1:12; Rom. 8:14,19; Eph. 1:5; Gal. 3:26; 4:4-7; 1 John 3:1-2; Heb. 12:5
Col. 1:13: What did God do so we could partake of the inheritance?	He “brought us out” to “bring us in” Conveyed: transferred from one place to another Partake: to have a part or portion of an inheritance
Col. 1:14: Why does he speak of redemption and not salvation or reconciliation or some other blessing of the cross? What is important about redemption “in” Him rather than “by” or “through” Him?	Exodus 13:11-16: the Law of the Firstborn Passover     Joshua 13:33; Psalm 73:26

Col. 1:9-12; Titus 3:1-8, Colossians Bible Study (4)

 

e.     In all pleasing: Don’t fail to note that we have one of those key words here, “all.”  As we are filled with the full knowledge of His will in all its practical applications, we are led to walk a walk that is worthy of belonging to Christ.  That walk is able to please God in all things.  This is not a walk “doing the best that we can” because in the flesh we cannot please God (Rom. 8:8).  I believe this phrase is explained by the following three phrases.

f.    In every good work being fruitful and increasing in the knowledge of God: Our good works are intended to bear fruit (John 15:16; Rom. 6:21-22 and 7:4-5).  But also, as we do these good works we come to know God more and more.  We come to learn what it means that “God is love,” for example, as we see His love at work in our hearts (1 John 3:16-19).  Likewise, we learn His forgiveness as we forgive others (Matt. 18:21-35).  In the process of making sure we have a faith without works that saves us (Eph. 2:8-9), remember that good works are an essential product of our new life in Christ.

g.     In all might made mighty by His power: In the flesh we cannot please God.  But when our strength is “in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10-20) we are strengthened by His power.  That pleases God.  If my good works are my best effort I am seeking to please myself.  Other passages to consider: 2 Cor. 10:3-5 (the weapons of our warfare) and 2 Chron. 20 (Jehoshaphat’s prayer: “we don’t know what to do but our eyes are on You).

h.    In all endurance and long-suffering with joy, giving thanks: In the wilderness wanderings of Israel they often grumbled and complained in their trials.  That did not please God.  But the worthy walk that pleases God has joy and thanksgiving in trials.  As Jeremiah said in Lamentations (3:21-29), he came to the place where, in hope, he would “hope and wait quietly.”  He realized that it was a good thing to bear the yoke of affliction.

i.     Now let me add something profound about this prayer.  Paul said he was thankful for the faith, hope and love in the Colossian believers.  But now he has prayed that they be filled with the full knowledge of God’s will so that they might walk the worthy walk that pleases God. That “walk” involves good works (acts of love) energized by God’s power (done in faith) and carried out with joy and thanksgiving (the essence of hope).  He is praying these things will increase.  This prayer embodies the basics of sanctification.  It is lived in submission to Christ, meaning it is dependent on the work of the Helper (the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent) in conjunction with the word of God.  It is good to take time in the Bible Study on this prayer.  In Christ we have what we need to please God.  We need nothing more than Christ!

Col. 1:9-12; Psalm 19:7-14, Colossians Bible Study (3)

Here are some helps on each phrase in the diagram of Col. 1:9-12a.

a.     Filled:

                   i.      The key terms in Colossians are words like this: filled, fullness, complete/perfect, all, every, always, and so forth.  The teaching being reproved tried to say that having Christ was good but not sufficient, that there was more the believers needed beyond Christ and the Bible.

                ii.      The meaning of this word is illustrated in Acts 20 by Paul’s teaching continuing until midnight, and then to daybreak; in Acts 17 by the Jews in Berea who searched the Scriptures daily; and in 1 Thess. 2:13: receiving the Word not as the words of men but as it is in truth, the Word of God!

b.    The full knowledge of His will:

                   i.      This is a specific word used by Paul.  Most English translations translate this as “knowledge,” which is why we use the literal translation.  It is the Greek word for “knowledge” with a prefix “epi” which indicates it is the full knowledge.  These believers did not need something else from outside the Bible, the Word of God, but they needed to understand the “full” knowledge. 

                ii.      To facilitate this the Apostle Paul, in his ministry, kept back nothing that was helpful (Ac. 20:20), taught publicly and from house to house (Ac. 20:20), and preached “the whole counsel of God” (Ac. 20:27).

             iii.      It is important to note that this is the only “prayer request” in Paul’s prayer.  Everything else (the worthy walk that pleases God) is the result of the fulfillment of this request.

c.     All spiritual wisdom and understanding: The Bible (the source of knowing what is the will of God) must be understood in terms of its practical application.  These two words, wisdom and understanding, tell us this.  As we learn Scripture, the Holy Spirit must be allowed to show us where Scripture reproves and corrects us and instructs us in righteousness so that we might mature in our Christian life (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  This calls for study of God’s word but also meditation on God’s word whereby we reflect on what we study.  Consider what God’s word can do for the believer in Psalm 19:7-14.  It is intended not only to help us think differently but to act and talk differently and to have different goals in life.  Heb. 4:12 speaks to this also.  This approach to Scripture will help us …

d.    To walk worthy of the Lord: The worthy walk is what we as Christians are called to walk (Eph. 4:1). It is the Christ-life for He alone is worthy (Rev. 4:11).

Col. 1:3-8; 1 Thess. 1:1-5, Colossians Bible Study (2)

5.    1:3-8: What three qualities in the lives of the believers at Colossae caused Paul to give thanks?

The answer is, of course, faith, hope and love.  These qualities are mentioned by Paul in several places in the NT.  One question is, “how could Paul see these things in these Christians?”  The answer is in 1 Thess 1:3: the doing of good works is evidence of faith (James 2:14-26); the labor (striving, sacrifice) often necessary in these good works is evidence of love; the persevering or patience whereby we do not give up in these things is evidence of hope.  (For the sake of personal study … we did not take time to read these in our study … here are additional references to these three qualities in Paul’s writings, including Hebrews, and once in Peter’s first epistle as Peter learned a lot from Paul: 1 Cor. 13:13 (foundational), Rom. 2:2-5 (theological), Gal. 5:5-6, Eph. 1:15-19, Col. 1:3-8, 1 Th. 1:3; 5:8, 2 Th. 1:3-4, Hb. 10:22-24 and 1 Pt. 1:21-22.)  Obvious application questions might involve the presence of these in our own lives or the life of our local church.  Paul’s prayer in 1:9-12 will address how Christ produces these qualities in His Church.

6.    1:7: What does it mean to know “the grace of God in truth?”  How might one know the grace of God in error?

This is an important question as this letter is dealing with a heretical doctrine some were trying to bring into the Colossian church.  Col. 2:8,16-17,18-19 can be read to see this.  Jude 1:4, Rom. 3:8 and 6:1 are other illustrations of “corruptions” of grace that occurred in the early Church.  How are these seen today?  (If there are no answers to this question, it is a question to be asked when you reach the end of Col. 2.)

7.    1:9-12a: Paul presents his requests for the Colossian Church. 

For clarity, I like to use a “literal” English translation for this passage, such as Youngs Literal Translation, which reads as follows, along with a diagram that I believe makes clear what Paul was praying for. I have also included a blank copy of the diagram should this be useful.  (I would suggest printing this diagram and the YLT translation for the group.  As the study continues, the diagram helps as we go phrase-by-phrase through Paul’s prayer.) (This prayer is not just valid for today; it is essential for today.  We should pray this for ourselves, and then for our loved ones and brothers and sisters in Christ.)

 

 

Col. 1:1-2; Acts 9:10-16, Colossians Bible Study (1)

We recently were blessed to lead a home Bible Study, using Paul’s letter to the Colossians as our material.  I want to share our “question and answer” approach with you just to encourage your own study but also because it might be useful to use with others.  References to our blog are found at https://ronandcindy.blogspot.com/.

* * * * * * * * * *

An introduction to Colossians can be found in your favorite Study Bible or a Bible encyclopedia.  This, coupled with maps of the area should help in setting the scene.  It is important to note Paul, as far as we know, had never been to Colossae.  Ephesus was as close as he came in the record of Acts.  Ephesians and Colossians were written at the same time (which accounts for significant similarities between the two letters) and carried by the same courier, Tychicus (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7). A letter to nearby Laodicea at the same time has not been saved in Scripture (Col. 4:16).

1.    1:1: In what sense was Paul an apostle by the will of God?

Consider the historical account in Acts 9:1-9,11-16 and Paul’s commentary in 1 Cor. 15:9-11.  Other passages with commentary from Paul include Acts 26:12-23 (Paul shares the Damascus Road experience and how he obeyed the Lord’s call); 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Paul’s situation as an Apostle is unique, but every believer has a “calling” to serve the Lord.  Some discussion of spiritual gifts and the direction of the local body of believers to which we belong are usually part of that call to ministry.

2.    1:2: Are the “saints” and “faithful brethren” two classes of Christians or two descriptions of a Christian?

“Saints” means holy ones, ones set apart.  Heb. 12:14 says no one will see God without being “set apart.”  We considered this question because there were Roman Catholic issues to be considered in our group.  Our blog contains 4 posts from Sept. 22-25, 2026.

3.    1:2: Who is responsible to be “faithful”? 

As with any issue of “faith” we must “continue in the faith” (Col. 1:23), yet it is the work of God that makes this possible (Phil. 1:6; Jude 1:24-25).  It requires His work of sanctification and He is faithful to do this (1 Thess. 5:23-24).

4.    Why do we need “grace AND peace”?

We previously referred to 1 Cor. 15:9-11 where Paul explains how God’s grace works in the believer to carry out His will and ministry.  But being at peace with God (which we have as believers, Rom. 5:1-2) (inner peace as in Phil. 4:6-7) we are able to receive this grace.  Thus, one of the things Jesus provided for His disciples in John 14 was peace that would keep them from being troubled or afraid (Jn. 14:1,27).