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 “elementary principles 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 holding everything together
(Colossians 2:9-10, 19). 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.
Verses to Memorize-
Colossians 2:9-10, 19
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