Nero was adopted by his grand-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54 following Claudius’ death.
Nero focused much of his attention on diplomacy, trade and enhancing the cultural life of the Empire, but according to the historian Tacitus he was viewed by the Roman people as compulsive and corrupt. He ordered theatres built and promoted athletic games.
During his reign, the redoubtable general Corbulo conducted a successful war and negotiated peace with the Parthian Empire. His general Suetonius Paulinus crushed a revolt in Britain. Nero annexed the Bosporan Kingdom to the Empire and began the First Jewish–Roman War.
The U.S. Secret Service has a website telling us how to detect counterfeit money before we’re swindled. The key is knowing the qualities of genuine bills, the lifelike nature of the portrait, the distinctive depiction of the seal, the fine lines of the border, the singular style of the serial numbers, and the tiny fibers embedded in the paper. By knowing the genuine article, we can spot forgeries.
In the same way, we detect heresy by knowing true biblical doctrine. That’s the approach Paul took in this little letter of four chapters.
A man named Epaphras had planted the Colossian church during Paul’s prolonged ministry in Ephesus. Some years later, Epaphras grew distressed when error crept into the church.
By then Paul was imprisoned in Rome, so Epaphras visited him to share his heartache. In response, Paul wrote this letter in which he went on theological offense, describing Jesus Christ in all His glory, declaring that Christ is the image of the invisible God.
Paul proclaimed that Christ alone is enough. No other person, knowledge, or system is needed.
- The first two chapters of Colossians are theological in nature;
- the last two are practical, telling us how to live out the truth of Christ in daily life by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The right truth leads to the right testimony. Correct doctrine leads to a winning walk. The more we focus on Jesus, the more our hearts overflow with the reality that in all things He must have the preeminence.
Key Thought:
Jesus Christ is Lord of all, sufficient for all our needs and worthy of all our worship and obedience.
Key Verses:
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Col 1:15,18).
Key Action:
Since we’ve been raised with Christ, we must set our hearts on things above, where Christ reigns (Col 3:1).