Hagios, holy ones - Colossians 1:2

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Syncretism - have you thought about it? The combining of ideas, philosophies to come up with your own ideas. Some may call this eclectic, taking many ideas to create your own. Is this bad? Not necessarily so, unless you begin compromising our LORD and Savior.

Colossians 1:2 "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

To the saints, Gr: hagios, speaks of their divine relationship. It means "holy ones," born again believers, not some special group. It also means "separated ones"; separated to God, separated by God, and separated from the world.

The main idea is not excellence of character, but separation to God, for His purpose and for His service.

And faithful brethren - believing brethren. They were loyal to Christ; full of faith, trustful and trustworthy. God has one spiritual family and all are equal.

In Christ speaks of the spiritual position of believers in union with Christ. We have a brotherly relationship to other believers as well as our relationship to God.

Grace - grace gives us what we do not deserve; mercy withholds from us what we do deserve. Grace always precedes peace.

And peace - peace with God and the peace of God. Peace speaks of the calm tranquility of heart amidst disturbing circumstances.

From God, who is the source of Grace and peace.

History: The city of Colosse was 100 miles east of Ephesus on the Lycus River. It was a trading center, a crossroads for ideas and religion. Colosse had a large Jewish population; ones who fled Jerusalem due to the persecution of Antiochus III and IV. Paul had not yet visited this church, but he wrote to counter the heretical teachings about Christ that had been causing confusion among the Christians there.

Mixed ideas and teachings about Christ, God, the Bible. Does this ring a bell of somewhere else? Possibly the U.S.A.? So, what are we to do? Pray and stay strong in the Word of God. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny