Colossians 1:5 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

Navigator

Colossians 1:5

Comments

Thirdly, the new life is a life of anticipation. When you see the word ‘hope’, you should know that it translates the Greek word which means anticipation. Today, hope is a vague word, a mere possibility. Hope used much more to mean anticipation in the days of the King James translators: something certain which you are looking forward to, the anticipation, ‘which is laid up for you in heaven.’Here is another sign of conversion and blessing, there is a new perspective in life, there is a new objective. What is your life in practical terms? ‘Oh, I am anxious about food and clothing and a shelter, a home for me and my family.’ And many people are concerned about leisure and enjoyment: ‘How terrible the lockdown is! Who can stand it? I must have some light, some variation, and some activity and leisure. These are the concerns that fill our horizons: career, business, acclaim, fame, and fortune. But at conversion all this changes. Faith in Christ has led to a new life, and top of the list is now the great objective. So what is the believer’s life for? For heaven, for the ultimate goal of life. Everything is done against that day. Every day is lived against heaven. I see life differently now. Do I have burdens to bear? Oh yes, but it is nothing by comparison with the eternal bliss, the eternal future. Am I called upon to make sacrifices? Of course, but one day all sacrifices will be compensated for, all comfort will abound. My perspective is different, my objective is different. Do I want happiness? Yes, but this life is happiness mixed with woe; the next life is all happiness. Do I thirst for knowledge? Do I want all the problems to be solved and great issues of faith to be understood more clearly? One day everything will be so crystal clear. The day of crowning of all knowledge. The day of seeing Christ, the day of unspeakable beauties and wonders, when we shall be relieved of all sin. We will be divested of everything of that kind, and we shall be clothed with such purity and splendour. Now is the struggle against sin, then is the day of triumph, the exploration of the Godhead, the exploration of creation, and perfect companionship, no parting anymore. So the believer has a profound hope of heaven. ‘The word of the truth of the gospel’ – the gospel, he says, is the word of truth, veracity, absolutely reliable. He is already beginning to hint, ‘Don’t listen to people who say, “You shouldn’t take any notice of the Scripture; join with us and our cult and you’ll have a higher knowledge and you will see and grasp all sorts of wonderful things.” No, you have heard the truth of the Gospel,’ says the apostle.

Application

Does hope fade away? You say, ‘I have been a Christian so many years; the hope of heaven has faded, hope of glory does not move me as it should.’ Well that is because I have left off contemplating, reflecting, thinking about it, praising God for it, enjoying the reading of it in the word. I have lost my sense of indebtedness and I need to restore it speedily for I should be living constantly under the glory of heaven.

This reliance on the word of truth is being changed today. People are trying to build churches on music which bombards the senses, giving emotional delight in rhythmic music and other sensory experiences. Hearing, says the apostle, and dependence on prayer in the power of the Spirit – that is what brings people to salvation. Oh no, say some, you have got to do friendship evangelism, you have got to smother people with friendship. Just have lots of little meetings (and that would be a good idea for simply introducing people but they go further), if you get people into a little cell and you smother them with friendship, then you ‘friendship’ them in. Signs and wonders, says another. Knock them over with signs and wonders and then they will believe. Healing, says another, it’s got to be healing, that’s the only way we can win people these days. Hearing, says the apostle Paul, not all kinds of human devices and techniques.

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Colossians 1:5 Commentary and Bible Study