ROOTED IN FAITH VS. SEDUCED BY MEN

As we continue our journey through Colossians, Paul warns the believers to stand firm in the faith and not fall for the teachings of men who appeal to the flesh and/or stray from the foundation of the truth of God’s word.

Colossians 2:6-7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

This is Paul’s way of saying that your actions should prove your faith.  He agreed with the truth declared by James.

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

To receive Christ Jesus as Lord is a declaration that you have accepted Him as the ruling authority in your life.  It is a commitment to serve Him in faith and obedience.  This is a reasonable response from one who has received Jesus as their Savior.  

Paul goes on to detail the characteristics of a person who has given their life to Christ as Lord.

• He is rooted and built up in Christ. – Rooted is a reference to stability, and built up is a reference to growing in strength and confidence as a servant of Christ. 

• He is established in the faith. – This is a reference to being sure and steadfast, resolute and not wavering in one’s conviction of the truth of God’s word.  Paul makes it clear that the church at Colosse had received sound biblical instruction regarding the truth of scripture.

• He is profusely thankful. – One who has been blessed with the gift of salvation and forgiveness of their sin is bound to be thankful—not just thankful, but ecstatic about it.  This was a very convicting thought.  I know God knows my heart, and I am truly thankful for His precious gift of salvation.  But my life should reflect a thankfulness that cannot be contained and that cannot help but be observed by others.  I know my family and close friends are exposed to many expressions of my thankfulness to the Lord, but I’m not sure it is always that obvious to others around me.  I truly want my life to radiate joy and thankfulness to the Lord that is infectious to others. 

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Paul continues to instruct the believers at Colosse and warn them about false teachers who are skilled in rhetoric with deceitful intent.  They teach that the traditions of men and worldly reasoning are superior to the teachings of Christ. 

The enemy has been so adept at deceit.  The Jews began to turn more and more away from the truth of scripture and regard the teachings of their spiritual leaders as superior to God’s.  They strayed far from the intent of the law and totally embraced man’s adulteration of that law.  They regarded the traditions of men as superior to the scripture.  That is one of the main reasons that they didn’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah.  This is also one of the main fallacies in the Catholic Church.  They regard the traditions of men as superior to the Word of God.  They have adulterated the truth of God’s word for political purpose.  This always happens when man applies worldly reasoning to scripture rather than seeking instruction from the Holy Spirit.  Man’s reasoning will always be influenced by selfish motivation. 

More recently in the professing church today there seems to be an increasing number of men in leadership who are leading people to embrace experience(s) that do not align with the teaching of God’s word.  They present these teachings under the guise of attaining greater spiritual intimacy with the Lord.  Also ongoing but it seems with greater intensity than ever is the continued attack on the veracity of scripture.  These attacks are always presented so as to promote specific agendas and are often presented in the context of conforming with a loving God’s response to a continually changing culture.  Acting with the love of God is the foundation of the social gospel so popular today.  Christians are being encouraged to join hands with those of other religions to meet the needs of suffering humanity while laying aside religious differences.  They don’t realize that this type of ministry brings no glory to God if it is not accompanied with the truth of the gospel message and the hope that can be theirs through faith in Christ.

I believe this is what Christ meant when He said, “without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).  Obviously, you can provide for one’s physical well being in many different ways.   Without Christ, however, you can do nothing for their spirit—nothing to give them hope beyond this life.

(to be continued...)