Small Man To The Sacred Family In VIllage Of Giants Colossians

¹⁸Do not permit anyone to talk you out of what the Chosen One has done for you. That kind of humility is only a mask to fool you into humbling yourselves before wayward spirit-messengers. The visions they claim to have seen are only puffed-up images that come from their own prideful imaginations and weak ways of thinking.

¹⁹These people have lost their way because they did not hold on firmly to the Chosen One, who is the head of his body, the sacred family. When the members of this body depend on the Chosen One, they are nourished and held together by the body’s joints and tendons. This is how Creator helps them grow into maturity.

²⁰If you have died with the Chosen One to the powers and ideas that rule the ways of this world, why would you follow the kind of rules these people require? ²¹Rules like, “Do not handle this! Do not taste that! Do not go near this!” ²²The problem is, these things they make rules about eventually get used up and ultimately fade away, because they are only rules and instructions made up by weak human beings. ²³They may put on a show of wisdom and humble, self-imposed spirituality, along with harsh treatment of their bodies, but these rules are without honor and have no power to keep us from following our broken human ways.

¹Since you have been raised up to a new life with the Chosen One, then keep looking upward toward him into the spirit-world above, where he sits in the place of greatest honor at Creator’s right hand. ²Keep your thoughts and desires centered on the spirit-world above, not on the things from the earth below.

³You died with the Chosen One, and now your life is hidden with the Chosen One in the Great Spirit. ⁴When the Chosen One is revealed, then you will be revealed with him and share in his beauty and honor.

⁵So let the death of the Chosen One kill in you all that is of the ways of this world. These are things such as improper sexual desires, spiritual impurity, uncontrolled emotions that lead to wrong desires, evil ways, and always wanting more than you need. These desires come from listening to lying spirits.7 ⁶It is things such as these that will bring down the great anger of Creator on the ones who refuse to follow his ways.

⁷All of you once followed this dark path when you walked in these ways, ⁸but it is now time to walk away from these things, things such as uncontrolled anger that turns into rage, dark selfish desires, speaking lies against others, and insulting them with foul words from mouths that have no respect. ⁹So stop lying to each other and speaking with forked tongues!

These bad-hearted ways must come to an end, for they no longer represent who you are. The person you were has died, so quit walking the path like that worn-out person you used to be. ¹⁰Instead, begin to walk in the ways of the new person you have been created to be. This new person is being created to look like the Great Spirit and to think his thoughts.

¹¹In the Chosen One there are no longer Insiders or Outsiders,8 or those who ceremonially cut the flesh and those who do not. We no longer see ourselves or others as uncivilized, ruffians,9 slaves or free. For there is only the Chosen One. All are in him, and he is in all!

¹²The Great Spirit has chosen you to be his holy and deeply loved children, so put on the new regalia he has provided for you. Put on deep feeling for the pain of others, kindness, humbleness of heart, gentleness of spirit, and be patient with one another. ¹³If there are any complaints against each other, then carry that burden basket and learn to forgive. For we must forgive others in the same manner that our Honored Chief has freely forgiven us.

¹⁴When all this new regalia is in place, let the love of the Great Spirit gather all the loose threads and braid them together in unity with one another. ¹⁵Let the Chosen One guide you on the path of peace and harmony, and then as his one body this peace will be the guiding light in your hearts as you give thanks to the Great Spirit.

¹⁶Let the message of the Chosen One become a deep watering hole inside you. It will then become a refreshing spring as you teach and guide one another with wisdom and understanding. You will sing traditional prayers, sacred chants, and spiritual songs, as you dance your prayers before the Great Spirit with glad and thankful hearts.

¹⁷Every step taken and each word spoken should be done to represent our Honored Chief Creator Sets Free (Jesus), as you dance your prayers and give thanks through him to our Father the Creator.

¹⁸Wives, listen to and follow the loving guidance of your husbands, for this is a good thing in Creator’s sight. ¹⁹Husbands, love your wives in the same manner that Creator loves you, and never let bitter roots grow in your heart toward them.

²⁰Children, follow the wise guidance of your parents in all you do, for this will make Creator’s heart glad. ²¹Fathers, do not push your children too hard, for this may make their hearts fall to the ground.

²²If you are a slave, then do everything your earthly master tells you to do, not just when he has his eye on you but from a good heart and out of deep respect for the Great Spirit. ²³Do everything from a strong heart, knowing you are serving our Creator and not weak human beings. ²⁴For you know it is our Honored Chief, the Chosen One, whom you serve, who will honor you with all that he has promised. ²⁵It does not matter whether one is master or slave: if wrong is done, then wrong will come back—full circle. Creator will not favor one over another.

¹If you are a master, then treat your slaves in Creator’s right ways, with respect and honor, for you know that you also have a Master in the spirit-world above.

²When you send your voice to the Great Spirit, stay alert and never give up praying and giving thanks. ^3-4Keep us in your thoughts and prayers also. Ask Creator to open the way for our message to be heard, and that I would clearly make known the mystery of the Chosen One. It is for this reason that I have been captured and put in chains.

⁵Use great wisdom as you walk among those who are not yet part of the sacred family, and make full use of every opportunity as you represent our Honored Chief. ⁶Think before you speak and let your words be clear. Then, like salt that brings out the good flavor, you will know how to give each person the right answer.

^7-8I am sending He Is at Ease (Tychicus) to you, a much-loved spiritual brother, one who faithfully serves our Honored Chief by also serving others. I am sending him to bring you news about me, so you will know how we are doing and that your hearts may be lifted up and made strong. ⁹Along with him is He Is Helpful (Onesimus), a much-loved and faithful spiritual brother, who is also from the sacred family that meets in your village. They will give you a full report about everything here.

¹⁰I send you greetings from Good Chief (Aristarchus), who is in prison with me. War Club (Mark), the cousin of Son of Comfort (Barnabas), also sends his greetings. He is the one I already instructed you about. If he comes to you, welcome him. ¹¹Creator Rescues (Jesus), who is also named Stands Upright (Justus), also sends his greetings. These are the only Tribal Members who walk with me on Creator’s good road, working with me side by side. They have been a great comfort to me.

¹²Walks in Beauty (Epaphras), who is a member of the sacred family of your village,10 sends his greetings also. He is a true servant of the Chosen One, Creator Sets Free (Jesus). He wrestles for you in his prayers, that you will stand strong and walk Creator’s path with firm steps as you grow into mature human beings. ¹³I speak from my heart, he has worked with all his strength for you and for those who live in the village of The People Will Decide (Laodicea) and in Medicine Village (Hierapolis).

¹⁴Our much-loved friend Shining Light (Luke), the medicine man, sends you his greetings, along with Leader of the People (Demas).

¹⁵Send my greetings to the sacred family members in the village of The People Will Decide (Laodicea), to Bride Woman (Nympha), and to the sacred family members that gather in her home.

¹⁶After you who live in Village of Giants (Colossae) have read this message from me, make sure it is also read by the sacred family at The People Will Decide (Laodicea), and then you can also read the message I sent to them.

¹⁷Give this message to Horse Chief (Archippus), “See to it that you finish the work our Honored Chief entrusted to you.”

¹⁸I, Small Man (Paul), write this greeting with my own hand. Remember me in my chains! May the gift of Creator’s great kindness rest on you.

Aho! May it be so!