Absent in Body, Present in Spirit
(Revelation 3:14–22)

1For I wish you to know how great a conflict I have in behalf of you, and those in Laodicea, and so many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2in order that their hearts may be comforted, being knitted together in divine love, and in all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the perfect knowledge of the mystery of God, of Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I say this in order that no one may deceive you with a persuasive speech. 5For if I am absent in the flesh, but I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the establishment of your faith toward Christ.

Alive with Christ
(Ephesians 2:1–10)

6Therefore as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk about in him, 7having been rooted and grounded in him, and confirmed in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8See that no one shall be deceiving you through philosophy and empty delusion, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ, 9because in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, 10and you are complete in him, who is the head of all government and authority: 11in whom you are also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of depravity, in the circumcision of Christ; 12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you are also raised by the faith of the operation of God, who raised him from the dead: 13and you, being dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your depravity, has he created life in you along with himself, having forgiven us all transgressions, 14having blotted out the handwriting which was against us in ordinances, which was antagonistical to us: and took it out from the midst, having nailed it to the cross; 15having destroyed governments and authorities, he made a public exhibition of them triumphing over them on it.

16Therefore let no one judge you in meat, or in drink, or in the participation of a feast, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath: 17which things are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18Let no one purposely rob you of your prize by humiliation and worship of the angels, trusting in those things which he has seen, being vainly puffed up by the mind of his depravity, 19and not holding the Head, from which the entire body, by joints and ligaments being supplied and knitted together, increases the increase of God.

20If along with Christ you are dead from the elements of the world, why are you dogmatized as living in the world, 21Touch not, taste not, handle not, 22those things which are all unto destruction by use according to the commandments and teachings of the people? 23Which indeed are having a word of wisdom in will worship, and humiliation, and austerity of the body; not in any value against the indulgence of the flesh.