Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
--Colossians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on July 13, 2013 of Psalm 119:81-88; Colossians 2:6-3:4; 1 Chronicles 16:7-17:15.
Colosse was located east of Ephesus near Laodicea (see Revelation 3:14-22 for Christ's letter to the church there) and Hierapolis, and was an ancient commercial center that was now, at the time of this letter, in decline. Epaphras apparently founded the churches in these cities and played the major role in their evangelism and growth, because it is evident from verses 1:4 and 2:1 that Paul had not visited there but had only heard of the churches from Epaphras. Indeed, Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians as he did to the Ephesians, while imprisoned in Rome. Epaphras must have filled Paul in on some of the activities in the church in Colosse that were not in keeping with his and Paul's teachings, for Paul writes to them to specifically address issues noted there, as indicated in verse 2:1. The church was falling prey to a worldly blend of Jewish legalism (probably from Judaizers), Greek philosophy, and Oriental mysticism. Paul cautions the people not to allow themselves to be cheated by any of this nonsense because it does not conform to what they have been taught about Christ. He effectively counters the false teaching arising from this witch's brew by using some of their own lingo and buzzwords (like "basic principles of the world") to belittle their arguments (such as referring to their philosophy as an "empty deceit").
To combat the heresy at Colosse, Paul emphasizes the significance of Christ as the Lord of all creation and the Head of the church. The beauty of verse 2:9 exemplifies this. "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." All the divine attributes and nature of God, all His power and wisdom and mercy and sovereignty, everything that is God came to earth in the human form and body of Jesus Christ. Though He came to us as a humble servant, Jesus had all the authority of God and could have exercised that power at any time, yet He chose not to but rather to set the example of how we should live.
The world enjoys its philosophies and mysticisms. New rages in ways of thinking come and go on a regular basis, sometimes returning for repeat performances because they were so popular the last time around. Like fad diets, we are told we must eat this or do that or believe in only this if we want to find true happiness or fulfillment or enlightenment. Bosh! All are nothing more than empty deceits, designed to draw us away with impossible promises from our only hope. They tell us there is no black and white, no absolute right and wrong, only shades of gray. But we who believe know better. We know evil exists in this world, that there are rights and wrongs. Jesus is right, Lucifer is wrong, and anything shaded in gray is Satan's attempt to confuse us. We must trust in Jesus, for in Him all the fullness of God dwells, then and now and forevermore. Amen.
Lord Jesus, Son of God and Master of all, You and You alone provide our means for true enlightenment and fulfillment. The world will lie to us, confuse us, make promises it can never keep, just to lure us away from You. Keep us strong in our faith, O Lord, that we might resist Satan's pull. In Your glorious name, Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
To combat the heresy at Colosse, Paul emphasizes the significance of Christ as the Lord of all creation and the Head of the church. The beauty of verse 2:9 exemplifies this. "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." All the divine attributes and nature of God, all His power and wisdom and mercy and sovereignty, everything that is God came to earth in the human form and body of Jesus Christ. Though He came to us as a humble servant, Jesus had all the authority of God and could have exercised that power at any time, yet He chose not to but rather to set the example of how we should live.
The world enjoys its philosophies and mysticisms. New rages in ways of thinking come and go on a regular basis, sometimes returning for repeat performances because they were so popular the last time around. Like fad diets, we are told we must eat this or do that or believe in only this if we want to find true happiness or fulfillment or enlightenment. Bosh! All are nothing more than empty deceits, designed to draw us away with impossible promises from our only hope. They tell us there is no black and white, no absolute right and wrong, only shades of gray. But we who believe know better. We know evil exists in this world, that there are rights and wrongs. Jesus is right, Lucifer is wrong, and anything shaded in gray is Satan's attempt to confuse us. We must trust in Jesus, for in Him all the fullness of God dwells, then and now and forevermore. Amen.
Lord Jesus, Son of God and Master of all, You and You alone provide our means for true enlightenment and fulfillment. The world will lie to us, confuse us, make promises it can never keep, just to lure us away from You. Keep us strong in our faith, O Lord, that we might resist Satan's pull. In Your glorious name, Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
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