Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15; Colossians 2:16-23
After Paul’s personal introduction that we
considered last week, both of himself, as well as the reason for his writing
this letter to the church at Colosse, he now begins to proclaim the details of
faith that this church has begun to wander away from. But just so there is no misunderstanding, he
lets the people know that he is very familiar with the worldly teaching that
has been introduced into their church, while being proclaimed deceptively as
Christian doctrine!
Paul had previously described himself as someone who
had been zealous for the law (Acts 22:4-5)! And in that zealous nature, he had become the
primary persecutor of followers of Jesus Christ. But now, his passion has turned away from the
law and into being an intense believer and disciple of Jesus and His word. And whenever he encountered false teaching,
he would do everything within his ability to expose it for all that it truly
was – nothing less than lies and inuendoes!
And in this letter that he sent to the Colossians,
that same zealous passion and love of all that Jesus had done for him and all
people throughout the world, continues to be obviously a loving hope that he
just can’t contain!
Read Colossians 2:6-15
Paul reminds the church that Jesus had always been
the basis for their faith, and that they should never forget that, while
growing ever stronger and more complete in their life with Christ Jesus. He wants the people to understand that true
faith is, above all else, established in our belief that Jesus always has been the incarnation of God Himself.
But even as faith grows and blossoms within us, the good news of Jesus
Christ must be the central point of any and all of our learning and development
as Christian disciples.
His next words of caution are obviously and
pointedly directed toward those who have been introducing worldly and pagan
ideas into the church’s teaching of faith.
He describes this approach in perverting the faith as taking the people
“captive”, and that the only hope of freedom from that imprisonment, is a
return to true faith in Jesus. And he
calls the church to also return to being “thankful” for all that the truth of
Jesus can and has done for them, and to stand firmly against all that
can never measure up to the love and way of Christ.
He tells the Colossians, as well as all who consider
themselves to be Christians, to never be deceived by the empty and devious
teachings that are based in worldly propaganda and false promises, and designed
solely to lead the faithful away from the truth of God. Remember, it is all about the Lord, and rejection
of our own desires and opinions which have no place in the Church’s teaching, or in our life of faith.
Paul writes about two different types of circumcision and wants the Church to teach that the two forms have nothing to
do with each other! But what is he actually
telling us when he writes about “the circumcision done by Christ”? In Romans 2:28-29 Paul writes that for circumcision to have any meaning for us, it must be a spiritual
cutting away within our “heart”, so that sin and worldly desires are
removed, making us clean and pure as only God can do. This ideal renders the law impotent and
worthless, and that physical works which are accomplished through the ability
and efforts of men, will never be anything that God will ever honor.
The writer continues with the thought that within
our sin, we are as good as dead and will continue to be dead until we become
complete in Christ Jesus. By Christ’s
loving act at Calvary, and God’s gift of life for His Son, as well as that for
all who trust and believe in the holy name of Jesus, we too, will be raised to life
eternal by the divine grace that comes to us by faith in our one and only Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
Read Colossians 2: 16-23
One of the tactics that the world continues to
engage in is just as Paul writes – they love to judge followers of Jesus Christ,
based solely on worldly standards and desires, and declare us all to be guilty
of failure to live the “best life” possible!
One day, there will be a judgment against the deceits and sins of the
world, but until that day, we lean on Jesus’ words that we read in John 3:16-17, that by God’s word, there will be no true
and final judgment until the day when Jesus returns, and until then, we need to
focus our lives on the redemption and salvation that comes by faith in Christ.
So Paul tells us that we have no reason to believe
or fear any judgment that is leveled at us, regardless of what it may be in
regards to. Once again, verses 16 &
17 of our reading –“ 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by
what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New
Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were
to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” We are told that
these are nothing less than “false humility” and disqualification for
receiving “the Prize of Christ”.
We also read that these thoughts come from
a “unspiritual mind” which has lost connection with the only one who is the
Head of the Church – Jesus Christ Himself.
If we have truly died WITH Christ, and await for the day when we will
also be raised into new life with Him, then we have also died to the
lies and ways of the world. We no longer
submit, or belong, or accept the rules and desires of earth, and never have to
fear their judgement and condemnation any longer!
When we compare the ways and wisdom of
God, to the concepts and ways that the world lives and judges by, it becomes
perfectly clear that following the way of Jesus is the only choice that will
ever make any eternal sense whatsoever!
And we must never acquiesce to “their”
demands. But on the other hand, should
we simply “wash our hands” of the entire matter, and agree to simply let them
go on their own way? Remember that the
Church of Christ is their only hope of ever hearing the truth of God, and if we
refuse to step out in faith to share the good news of Jesus with them, what if they
never hear the good news from anyone else!
Share with those who would judge you
guilty, for ours may be the only offering of hope that will ever lead them to eternal
life in the Lord Jesus Christ!
