Think Like Heaven

Setting our mind on heaven means we have to think like heaven thinks.  Do you think the hosts of heaven are anxious and insecure about the future of planet earth?  If they are not, we should not be either.  Setting your mind on heaven means we are not upset by the events on earth.  That doesn’t mean we ignore life on earth.  It simply means we don’t look to earth for our security, our comfort, our knowledge, or our hope.  For those things we must look to heaven alone.

Commentary from Dr. David Jeremiah, What Do You Think Bible study.

The image of the invisible

Jesus Christ is the perfect image – the exact likeness – of God and is in the very form of God (Phil. 2:6), and has been so from all eternity.  By describing Jesus in this manner, Paul emphasizes that He is both the representation and manifestation of God.  Thus, He is fully God in every way (John 8:58; 10:30-33; Heb 1:8).  Firstborn in this context means highest in rank, not first created.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 1:15.

Gracious and purifying

To speak with grace is to speak what is spiritual, wholesome, fitting, kind, sensitive, purposeful, complimentary, gentle, truthful, loving, and thoughtful.  Just as salt not only flavors, but prevents corruption, the Christian’s speech should act not only as a blessing to others, but as a purifying influence within the decaying society of the world.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 4:6.

Redeeming Time

Those “outside” refers to unbelievers.  Believers are called to so live that they establish the credibility of the Christian faith and that they make the most of every evangelistic opportunity.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 4:5.

Courageous Persistence

The Greek word for continuing earnestly means “to be courageously persistent” or “to hold fast and not let go” and refers here to persistent prayer (Acts 1:14; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Being vigilant in its most general sense means to stay awake while praying.  But Paul has in mind the broader implication of staying alert for specific needs about which to pray, rather than being vague and unfocused.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 4:2.

The Next Step

To walk in Christ is to live a life patterned after His.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 2:6.

All things were created through Him and for Him~Colossians 1:16~

As God, Jesus created the material and spiritual universe for His pleasure and glory.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 1:16.

Walk in Him

“Walk” is the familiar New Testament term denoting the believer’s daily conduct.  To walk in Christ is to live a life patterned after His.  See Colossians 1:10; 4:5; Romans 6:4; 8:1,4; 13:13; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 10:3; 12:18; Galatians 5:16,25; 6:16; Ephesians 2:10; 4:1,17; 5:2,8,15; Philippians 3:16-18; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 4:1,12; 2 Thessalonians 3:11; 1 John 1:6,7; 2:6; 2 John 6; and 3 John 3,4.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 2:6.