GenX Dicipleship Group | Fighting Fair

Fighting Fair

colossians 1:21 “21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,”

little background or situation in the text so we are clear

Paul writing to the Church at Colossae about how they used to be used strong language

to describe how these people used to be before coming to Christ

want to spend a little time going through and dissecting the text

Formerly Alienated (Greek word means estranged to belong to another or excluded) ἀπαλλοτριόω

formerly changes the meaning being estranged or excluded

difference between being alienated by design from being that way on purpose

message bible says: At one time you all had your backs turned to God

you are the cause of your alienation because of sin

Colossians 1:21 (NASB95)

21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,

hostile (Greek word means Hated, unfriendly, antagonistic) ἐχθρός

This is the strongest terms possible. showing dislike or opposition

so it refers to deep seated hatred for God. We were enemies of God

Romans 8:7 “7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,” Uses the same Greek Word

We had no desire for him

This hostility in this text takes place in the mind! not the physical brain but the critical thinking part

so this text is saying we were actually strangers, alienated, separated belonging to another

and also hostile in our thinking process towards God

this condition of the mind caused us to engaged in evil deeds (works of the flesh)

Hostile Mind

indicator of some kind of war or struggle

Mankind’s struggle against God in the Mind

what is Man’s way of handling hostility against him?

what does it mean to Fight fair?

you can attract more bees with honey than you can with vinegar

Romans 5:8 “8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”