Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:11-13
The best way to confront falsehood is to declare the truth. In Colossians, in order to rectify false teaching, Paul exalts the truth about Christ. Christ is lauded as the Creator of all things, Lord of all things, head of the church, and the revelation of God because in Christ the fullness of deity resides.
In today's passage we see the truth of Christ's salvation. Colossians 2:11-13 describe what Christ has done in Christians and 2;14,15 describe what Christ has done for Christians.
Using two analogies, verses 11-13 focus on the nature of conversion. One analogy is circumcision and the second analogy is baptism. Both analogies reveal that conversion from spiritual death to spiritual life is a profound work of God in someone's heart … a marked and permanent change.
Becoming a Christian is not a matter of external ritual, but is a matter of having one's heart changed at the deepest level by God. This is the meaning of the reference to a "circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh" (Col 2:11). The other comparison here is that Christians have been buried with Christ and have been raised with Christ, pictured in baptism (Col 2:12).
In conversion Christians are "made alive together with him [Christ]" (Col 2:13). Whereas our hearts were dead, concerning affections for God, now our hearts beat with zeal and love for Him. There is no greater delight.
