Colossians 2:8-15

Read Colossians 2:8-15

Helpful Background Information: 

• From our sermon passage, we see that Jesus came to set the captives free. Without the grace of God, not only is humanity bound to sin, but it is also captive to Satanic powers. The Bible describes Satan as “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). He has much influence over the current world system - sin, rebellion, and spiritual blindness. Likewise, people in the world are described as “under the sway of the evil one.” 

• However, on Christmas, God invaded the world by being born into it. Christ grew up to perform miracles and to break the stronghold of the evil one. He cast out demons, he freed people from demonic possession, and showed his authority over them at various times. And on the cross, we see from Colossians 2:8-15 that not only did Christ take on the sins of his people, but also won a cosmic victory. 

• In Colossians 2:8-15, Paul explains the goodness of the Christian life. Because Jesus died and was raised, we have union with Christ. We have been filled with him, and we lack nothing necessary for spiritual maturity. We have been circumcised at heart, meaning that our hearts have been made new, and we can experience full fellowship with God. God has made us alive, he rescued us from spiritual death, and he has given us complete forgiveness of our sins. 

• And then, in verses 14-15, we see Paul wonderfully explain the atonement of Christ, which is the foundation of the Christian life,  the work that was necessary for God to grant us all these glorious privileges. The record of debt is God’s holy law condemning sinners. Yet Christ bore the penalty; he took the record of debt and satisfied its demands. However, in verse 15, we see again that Christ’s death is a cosmic victory, disarming demonic and worldly powers. By removing the legal basis of accusation, Christ exposes these powers as defeated. Satan and his forces are humiliated and are powerless to halt the spread of the Gospel. 

Reflection Questions: 

• How does thinking of the cross as not only forgiveness, but also a cosmic victory over demonic powers, expand or deepen your understanding of the Gospel?

• How should Christ’s disarming of the powers shape your spiritual battles: fear, temptation, anxiety, accusation?

• How might remembering Christ’s cosmic victory change the way you pray for yourself, for others, or for the world?