Colossians 2
-Paul reaches out to his readers in Colossae so that they
may be encouraged being unified together in love in order to reach all the
riches of completed assurance of understanding and knowledge of God’s mystery,
which is Jesus Christ, the Head of the church (Colossians 2:2). It appears from
the text that there are some who are attempting to bring in false teaching to
take these new converts away from true and unadulterated faith in the Lord
(Colossians 2:1, 3-5). Paul is wanting to make sure they walk in the truth of
Christ and not be wrapped up in human traditions, worldly philosophy, empty
deceit, food and drink, festivals, new moon, or Sabbath traditions according to
the elemental spirits of the world (Colossians 2:8-9, 16-17). He speaks out
against any form of extreme asceticism (rigorous self-denial and active
self-restraint, the doctrine that through renunciation of worldly
pleasures it is possible to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state)
and the worship of angels, false visions, and a puffed up mind that is sensuous
(appealing to or gratifying the senses) (Colossians 2:18). What Paul is doing
is making a case for the simplicity of life in Christ as the Head of His body
the church who is in them and instructing them for righteousness and sanctification
apart from “elemental spirits of the world (Colossians 2:8, 11-15, 20).” In
Christ all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form and believers have been
filled with Him who is the Head of all rule and authority (Colossians 2:9-10).
He sets us free from the legalism of human precepts, teachings, traditions, and
regulations “such as do not handle, do not taste, do not touch (Colossians
2:20-22).” These things may have “the appearance of wisdom in promoting
self-made religion” through self-sacrifice, “but they are of NO VALUE in
stopping the indulgence of the flesh (Colossians 2:23).” *Application* The
overriding admonition of Scripture is to simply follow Christ Jesus and live as
He did by the Spirit of the Living God. This frees us from the bondage of human
traditions and regulations that restrict us in so many ways. It is not rules
that make us righteous, but accepting Christ’s righteousness, which was worked
out for us and completed on the cross of Calvary through His shed blood, death,
and eventual resurrection three days later. Where we were dead in our trespasses
and sin, Christ prevailed by nailing our dysfunction to the cross and forgave
us through His love and grace activated by our faith. He canceled the debt that
stood against us with its legal demands and gave us complete victory being made
alive by God (Colossians 2:13-15). This is certainly something worth giving Him
thanks and sharing with everyone you know. Don’t get sidetracked from the main
thing, which is trusting in Christ and living in His power. This is an inward focus
rather than an external qualification.
Verse to Memorize-
Colossians 2:13)
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