“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.”

Isaiah 59:20

 Israel the people abode in unbelief. Yet they can be grafted in by faith, (Rom.11:23-29). Receiving Christ Jesus, the Messiah and Saviour. Our precious Redeemer Jesus Christ whom hath bought us, redeeming us. Paying for your awful sin debt and mine with the tremendous cost of His precious blood shed upon Calvary. (John 20:30-31)

 Christ Jesus our Redeemer: (“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” I Peter 1:18-19)

 Christ Jesus our Advocate: (“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” I John 2:1)

 Christ Jesus our At-One-Ment (Atonement) with God. (“And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Rom. 5:11) (Ex. 30:10; Lev. 4:20; 16:6)

 Christ Jesus our Mediator. (“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” I Tim. 2:5-6)

 Christ Jesus our Great High Priest.(“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:14-16) (Heb. 10:19-25)

 Christ Jesus our Head. (“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Eph. 1:19-22)

 Christ Jesus our Peace with God. (“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” Eph. 2:13-14)

 Christ Jesus our Master and Lord. (“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” Matt. 23:8) (See I Cor. 6:19-20) (“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” II Cor. 5:14-15) Amen.

“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” “And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?”

Numbers 11:1,4

These are likened unto the backsliders (believers) that are worldly old goats, and the unconverted (non-believers) that may attend a Bible believing church for a short period of time or on special occasions, (“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” II Tim. 3:5) This passage also tells us: God hears what we speak and talk about (He knows our hearts) (I Sam. 16:7); the Lord is not One to stand idly by letting the wicked complain against Him (Ex. 16:7-9) and will destroy (consume) them if they turn not (repent).

 This chapter is a lesson to “Fear God.” Examine ourselves (II Cor. 13:5), repent (change our minds) (“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.” Ps. 7:11-12). Believe the glorious gospel of Christ (that He died for our sins and rose again, if you have not done so) (Rom. 10:9-13; I Cor. 15:1-4); backslider confessing your sins (I John 1:9-10), getting right with our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

 Another passage in which the Lord shows us that He does not mess around and play paddy-cakes with the wicked. (“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” I Cor. 10:6-12) We must not be high minded, but fear and ever examine our ways. Laying aside the weight and sin that easily besets us. Looking unto Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12:1-2)

 A tell-tale sign of a backslider is one who is full of himself. (“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” Prov. 14:14) Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matt. 12:34). A good man is: giving, meek and is satisfied, trusting in the Lord. Let us endeavor to be and do the same. (“A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.” Prov. 12:2

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”

Psalm 42:1

Our souls: the seat of our emotions, the real you and I, dwelling in us. Our souls can yearn, love, be at peace, sorrow, rejoice, worship, praise, glorify, hold faith, become meek, suffer, forbear, hunger and experience weariness, etc., and yes, become prideful, covetous, angry, bitter, faithless, disobedient, malicious, hateful, greedy, dishonest, etc. (Examples: Job 10:1; Prov. 27:7; Jer. 31:25; Ps. 107:9; Lev. 7:27; Mk. 7:20-23; Luke 12:19; and more)

 To be in Christ, born of the Spirit: (“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3) (See John 3; Rom. 8); One can only manifest forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness. (“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Rom. 6:13) (“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5) (John 15) Man by himself will manifest only sinful traits, even when seemingly good is done. For he is in self-righteousness and not born in Christ through the Spirit, by repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)

 David’s soul (heart) throbbed, hungered, desired, thirsted, yearned (panted), for the living God. To be ever near Him who could sustain, uphold, and comfort him. (“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Ps. 73:25) What or who is it which thy soul, my friend, doest thou desire? Fame, fortune, or money (earthly, worldly, vain, and temporal). (“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15) Nothing and no one upon this earth is worth eternity, besides our living God.

 We ought to be as David, yearning, thirsting, and panting after our living Saviour and God Jesus Christ our righteousness. Let us with our whole soul (heart) continually in every moment to look up by faith in our living God for the furtherance of His kingdom, glory, and righteousness. (“My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Ps. 42:2)

“And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Nehemiah 4:14

 No matter whether it be a conflict, a fight, a war, a hardship, a sickness, a family dispute, a church issue, or even a personal trial. Remember the Lord who is mighty to save and ready to deliver. Let us have confidence (faith) and declare as David: (“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Ps. 18:2)

 Consider our Lord is not short or weak in strength or in power. Consider His mighty works  and doings. (“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.” Ps. 33:6-7) The whole of (Ps. 33) is such a joy and blessing to read and study. David knew who the Almighty was and was able to defeat all his enemies and his fears. David: a man after God’s own heart; humble; kind; merciful; full of faith; knew the ONE who only had to speak to create all things, (“For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Ps. 33:9 David, strong in faith: We must endeavor to be the same.

 The children of Israel encamped before the Red Sea. The armies of Pharaoh chasing them from behind. The soaring of mountains enclosing them on the right and on the left. The Red Sea being the only way of escape. Man’s thinking would be: How? (“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Num. 14;13-16) It was not a marsh or bog the children of Israel marched over upon as some faithless scientists and scholars claim today. It was dry ground in the midst of the Red Sea! Where the waters were a wall to their left and to their right. Those walls of water came down and drowned the armies of the Egyptians and destroyed their chariots of war. The wheels of the chariots being found at the bottom of the Red Sea, even today.

 Example after example of the Lord’s omnipotence and of His might throughout His Word. Shall we not take courage and faith? Thy heart is the key. Keep thy heart right with all diligence unto the Lord. Remember the Lord mighty in battle, strong in deliverance, and true in all. (“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8) (See I John 1:9-10)

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

I Corinthians 6:19-20

We as saints ought not to be desiring or aspiring to gain for self, which tends to the flesh and not to the Spirit of Christ. (“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Cor. 6:20) Remembering the One who suffered, died for our great sin debt, rising for our justification and victory in Him. Giving us in our hearts the earnest of the Holy Spirit (II Cor. 1:22) and making us an holy temple. So, we may serve the Lord Christ our Saviour in reverence and godly fear.

 We ought to be as Job eschewing (to shun or avoid) evil and sin. (“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job 1:1) Crying out as the Apostle Paul: (“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 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.” Rom. 7:24-25)

 It simply boils down to whom do we fear, love, trust, and desire, manifested in our obedience. (“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Rom. 6:16) To sin is death, destruction, and ruin. Oh, how we ought to cry out to God as David, (“O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.” Ps. 38:1) and (Ps. 38:18 “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.”) We must acknowledge: God is not a big push over, whose name is Holy, who cannot not look upon sin, and our God whom will Judge in the earth and in our lives. We must confess our vileness and sin. (I John 1:9-10) Realizing our sin is not just a little boo, boo, but an horrible offense and terrible breach against our loving and just God and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Lord, forgive me).

 What is the key to victory in our lives? (“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16) (Rom. 8:13) To walk in the Spirit means: “OBEY” “YIELD” in putting down (mortify) the flesh, denying self, and to destroy (saying “NO”) to our self-will (rebellious hearts). Learning to stop (at the very moment of the thought of sin, temptation) (DO NOT PONDER IT), switch or change our mind to “PRAYER”, seeking and asking the Lord for deliverance and strength. Reciting His Word that has been hidden in our hearts. (“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps. 119:11) (Prov. 16:6) In godly fear putting down that temptation (fleshly desire) and awful sin (weight) that so often has easily beset us. Looking unto Christ our Deliverer and Our Strength. (“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;…”) (Heb. 12:1-2)

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

Colossians 3:1-4

Born again saints ought not to be looking or desiring the dry, stale, and hard husks and corn of this world or its man-made righteousness as previously studied. Following the dollar bill, the corporate ladder, the next best career or paid position, or fun in the sun, with no work, just play on easy street. This becometh not of the saint.

 It is the gospel ministry of our Saviour Jesus Christ we ought to give our most earnest heed and endeavors. We ought to be separated people, sanctified meet for our Master’s use, and separated unto a holy calling to His work and glory. (“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” Rom. 1:1) (“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” I Peter 2:9) (I Cor. 6:14-18)

 Light and darkness cannot co-exist. Neither are the things of heavenly origin with the things of this world. The things of the flesh are contrary to things of the Spirit. Whichever we give our most attention and service to will lessen the strength of the other in us. (“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Rom. 8:5-6) (“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13) Therefore, our desires, our care, our passions (affection); with our time, our energy, and our total attention ought to be in the heavenly sphere. Ministering to the saints, and furtherance of the gospel of Christ, and His kingdom. Even going off to work in this world, we serve our Lord Jesus Christ. (Col. 3:23-24; II Thess. 3:10) To be a witness and a shining light in a dark and dreary world. (“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Col. 3:2)

 We are dead with Christ. (Col. 2:20) With the Divine Holy Spirit of Christ living us, we are able to mortify the flesh, detest the things of this world, and desire things of the heavenly. (God’s Word, prayer, house of God, etc.) By and by as we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit of Christ the flesh is defeated and subdued by His grace and eventually swallowed up in the victory of His perfectness. (“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Rom. 8:13) Amen. (“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48) Therefore, our life in Christ is safe, secure, and protected (hid) with Christ Jesus our Lord in our eternal God. (“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Col. 3:3)

 We can have the comfort, the joy, the peace, and fruits of the Holy Spirit as we yield to the Spirit and serve our Lord Christ (life).By the workings of faith (life), we have this living power and guidance of the Holy Spirit of Christ. For nothing and no one other ought to be our whole all in all (love and life) but Christ Jesus our Lord. (“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12) When Christ our Lord shall appear, this speaks of our possible meeting Him in the air (rapture of the church/saints) (I Thess. 4:13-18) He shall change this vile body (flesh), to be likened unto His glorious body (heavenly). (Phil. 3:21) Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ our Saviour we shall ever be with Him in glory obtaining the eternal joy, peace, and love through Him. (“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Col. 3:4_

(“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Is. 51:11) “Christ Our Perfection”

“Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship,”

Colossians 2:20-23

Oh! My, look at all these grand church buildings, look at the way they get on their knees, bowing their faces on the ground, their hands in front or folded, and long prayers, look at their robes so beautiful, look at their self-humiliation, look at their self-denial (no pork, no meat, no marriages, paint a cross on forehead, etc.), look at the whipping of themselves, crawling on their knees, even getting on a cross, besides we meet on Saturdays to keep the sabbath and commandments, etc. (“…a shew of wisdom in will worship,…”) No honor and glory to God. Only to the pleasing of the flesh. (“Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Col. 2:23)

 We are dead. True saints of God are dead. Christians are dead. What? Yes, we are dead with Christ. What? To the rudiments of this world. We are not to live of this world, with its rudiments: worldly religions, self-humility, man-made (Lent, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Sabbath, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, Shavuot, Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, and Self-righteousness: See that box of pop can lids, I collect those to give to charity, see those trails in the woods, I clean them out every Sunday, see how much energy, time and money I give, (Wow), etc.) All of these and more, my friend, shall and will not profit thee anything, but eternal destruction in hell’s flames. True saints, we are dead with Christ to these things. If you trust in your self-righteousness, it shall end in your destruction. Our precious Saviour Jesus Christ has paid it all for us on Calvary. Amen. Trust not to thyself, look to the Lamb of God. The big show of this world: its religious rules, its seeds of deceit, its show of vanity, its vile ways, is going to end in fire. Flee from it. (“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,” Col. 2:20)

 These things of self-humility, man-made up religions, worldly deceits, and vanity, all a big show of how man in his righteousness and piety does not go there, or eat that, or even touch such low things. He keeps the holidays, the religious orders, the self-righteous observances: all commandments and doctrines of men. “(Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?” Col. 2:21-22)

 These things of self, the world, and of men give no glory, praise, or honor to our Lord Jesus Christ. (“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” James 3:15) (“not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Col. 3:23) Go not in the way of thy self-righteousness, for it shall be thy doom. (“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Rom. 10:3) Repent, turn to the Saviour in full faith, He has paid it all, He is our Righteousness. “Christ Our Perfection”

“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”

Colossians 2:18-19

Do not be hog swallowed. Otherwise, deceived. It is Christ alone who is our Redeemer, Intercessor, and Mediator. (“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” I Tim. 2:5-6) (I Tim. 2:3-6) It is not angels or the worshipping of them, as some would teach today. You don’t pray to the apostles (Catholic religion), or honor UFO’s, or get into the up and down emotional feelings and sign seeking of the Charismatics (God honors faith, Heb. 11:6), or peddle a false narrative of Santa (satan), or get spooked by ghosts, or lean on the power of Thor’s (Viking myths) hammer, or the occult, or any such liking of the supernatural.

 Also, Gnostics from the first century of Christianity did not love or honor the Lord, either. (See Webster 1828 dictionary) They even today hold Christ only at the highest in the rank of spirits and disdain His work as Creator (nature) (“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Col. 1:17); and the Lord’s redeeming blood and work upon Calvary. (Luke 24:47; Rom. 3:25) Evil! So much a sorer punishment shall they reap. Agnostics, different from Gnostics, even hold to a false narrative. Teaching there might be a God, but you cannot know Him. Wrong. (“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Phil. 3:8-10) We grow in the knowledge and the knowing of Christ as we are in His Word and doing His will in our lives. (Matt. 11:28-30) These false narratives are all sin and balderdash. (“…vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,…”) (Pride)

 The worst danger of all is this Laodicean church age: lukewarm, neo-evangelical, watered-down preaching, no need of God, rich in this world, wretched, (poor, blind, naked, miserable, and diluted spiritually), pampering people just to come and stay in church, no fear of God, apostate, heroical, cultic, and on the way to hell churches. Aye, the Lord said it would be so. (Rev. 3:14-19) The Lord calls saints to come out of it.

 Yet this writer sees on the horizon and believes it to be the last generation. The increasing of the cults, apostasy, and Roman Catholicism. The increase of persecution and death of true saints. Then shall the Lord appear in the air taking His bride, the church. Ushering in the time of Jacob’s trouble: the seven-year Tribulation Period, known also as Daniels’s Seventieth Week. God’s time dealing with His people, the Jewish nation and a time never seen upon the earth.

 Now, taking the honor and glory of Christ, giving them to another: Watch out. You turn from Christ Jesus and hold to others or to a diverse phantasmal theme, you have no Stay or Anchor for thy soul and only a devil’s hell awaits. Awful and Wicked it is! Repent, turn and hold to the precious Saviour, Jesus Christ, our righteousness. Amen.

 Beholding and holding to the Head, our Lord Jesus Christ in love, honor, and glory. Man is naturally rebellious and hates authority, or any ruling over them. We see this throughout society: employee to boss, people to governments, wife to husband, man to Creator, and even saints to church leaders, etc., all having the inclinations of guile, deceit, and rebellion. Let us examine and repent, trusting in our Saviour, committing our all unto Him. For we hold Him to be our Head for all things. (“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,” Eph. 1:22) (“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Eph. 2:19-22) (Eph. 1:22) Whereby we, saints (church) are strengthened, fed (nourished), ministered by, and enlarged (increaseth) by our Shepherd (Head), Jesus Christ our God. Ever ready with grace and salt give an answer to every man that asketh of the glorious gospel of our Saviour (reason of Hope). (“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” I Peter 3:15) Propagating the gospel throughout and holding to our Head, Jesus Christ (to the church).

 Thus, we ought not and cannot live as we would of ourselves or this world. Only to behold the perfect Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus “Christ Our Perfection”. (“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Gal. 6:14)

“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;”

 Colossians 2:14-17

There were a set of books of rules, ordinances, commandments, regulations. (“…handwriting of ordiances…”) Written for the lives of men, particularly for the Jewish people. No man could keep (James 2:10) and were a burden and a harness to them (Jews) and a block-aid to the rest (Gentiles). Yet there are even today religions (Seventh-Day Advents; etc.) that teach you must keep the Sabbath, eat only certain types of foods, etc. These teachings are unbiblical. (I Tim. 4:1-5) No different than Catholicism, in teaching celibacy and no meat on Fridays. (I Tim. 4:1-6) All these religious antics by men, placing their works above Christ and trod under foot the blood of the Son of God! Wicked! Amen! Repent, trust only in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, His righteousness, and get out of these religious cults.

 The precious Saviour suffered, bled, and died upon that Old Rugged Cross. Not so that you can make sure you get inside before the sun goes down on Friday evening, or eat no pork, and boast in thyself. He alone paid it all on Calvary for your terrible and awful sin and mine. The works of Christ alone, taking away (blotting out), abolishing those commandments, rules, ordinances, (O.T.), etc. (“…nailing it to his cross;”) (“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” Eph. 2:14-16) Glory. Amen. (Thank you, Dear Lord)

 Our Saviour in His work of Calvary destroyed, defeating the enemy of the spiritual realm. (Vs. 15) The realm that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The rulers of darkness: (“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Heb. 2:14 (Eph. 6:12) Yes, crushing (triumphing over) the powers and principalities of evil by the His wonderful work on that Old Rugged Cross. (Rom. 8:31-39)

 Let us now therefore brethren, be not concerned with them that glory in themselves and cast offenses (accusations) (Vs. 16) of keeping holydays (I Cor. 16:1-2), meats (I Tim. 4:1-5), drink (Mk. 7:15), the sabbath (Matt. 12:8; Mk. 2:27; Heb. 4), or any of such things. It is Christ Jesus our Saviour who has suffered, died, and paid all the debt for us and He hath declared, (“…It is finished.”) Amen!

 The Jewish covenant of rules, regulations, commandments, of old (O.T.) were just an image (shadow) (Vs. 17) of the gospel of Christ and of the His church (body). (Heb. 8:5-6; 9:9; 10:1) Thus upon the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day: saints remember His resurrection, honor, worship, and glorify our Blessed Saviour and Lord Jesus, “Christ Our Perfection.”

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

Colossians 2:9-13

This will be a Study of Col. 2:9-13, with the Lord’s help. There is nothing required or needed to be added to “Christ Our Perfection.” He was and shall always be the incarnate Word, the mighty God (Is. 9:6), God in the flesh: (“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” I Tim. 3:16) (“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14) Yes! Amen! The holy, undefiled, harmless, perfect, God the Son. In whom dwelleth the Godhead (main verse): God the Father (Is. 9:6; Matt. 17:5; Col. 1:19); God the Son (I John 5:20; II John 1:3); God the Divine Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1), in the person of Jesus Christ. Absolute Perfection! Amen.

 We in Christ Jesus made 100% whole, full completion in Christ. (Phil. 3:15) Our all in Christ: righteousness, eternal life, truth, life, being, perfection, complete in Him. By faith, working of the Divine Holy Spirit in us, uniting us with Christ Jesus our Salvation. Whom is the head of all. (“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” Eph. 1:21) (Col. 1:15-19; I Peter 3:22)

 Because of Christ, sins of the flesh have been cutoff (circumcision of Christ). By His death, and burial: dead to sin and the world; His resurrection: we are resurrected in Christ a new life, by faith in our hearts whereby proving we are delivered from the curse of the law. (“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Gal. 5:17) (Phil. 3:3)

 Receiving the spiritual baptism (Rom. 6:3-4; I Cor. 12:13) likened to His burial, we cry Abba, Father. (Gal. 4:6) Christ being resurrected from the dead, we also are risen with Him; being made alive in our souls, we stand through the operation of God. (Eph. 1:19-20) Such a contradiction is seen in them who have gone on into sin and the world; so sad, with hearts grown hard and cold to the Word. The Word rolling off them as water, with no feeling. (Eph. 4:19)

 God in forgiving us our sins; because of Christ’s shed blood and death upon Calvary our sins are dead (past, present, and future, all dead) (Great Salvation) (Rom. 3:25; Col. 3:13; Heb. 2:3), and we are quickened (made alive) in Christ, in our souls with Him. Even though we were dead (without feeling, without Christ), and still in sinful flesh (uncircumcised) (John 11:25). God hath quickened us together with His Son, Christ Jesus our Redeemer. (“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” Eph. 2:5) Yes! (Thank you, Dear Lord) “Christ Our Perfection”