Self-Made Religion

Reading:  Colossians 2:20-23
    
    Some people are troubling the Colossians by appeals to philosophy (Col 2:8) and Jewish worship (Col 2:16-17) that do not come from Jesus.  “Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God”(Col 2:18-19).  Asceticism is the practice of strict, rigorous treatment of the body.  The combination of asceticism, angel-worship, and fixation on spiritual visions concerns Paul because it springs from someone’s “sensuous mind” instead of from Jesus.  Not everything that seems spiritual or wise or worthwhile truly is.  We can only trust what comes from Christ.

    Paul insists that our new life in Christ means we are no longer subject to regulations that come from man (“according to human precepts and teachings”, Col 2:22).  He specifically mentions rules like “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch”(Col 2:21).  The general tone is that we could avoid sin by limiting our exposure to certain objects or substances.  Jesus, however, teaches us that it is not anything outside us that defiles us, but what comes from our hearts (Mark 7:20-23).  So what about these rules?  “These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh”(Col 2:23).  Such practices appear to be wise but are not effective.  It is only through the Spirit of Christ that we have success in stopping our indulgence.  Making our own religion is not just disloyal; it also doesn’t work.  

    Christians must distinguish between service to God that goes above and beyond to please him and service that merely originates with ourselves.  Certainly it is not wrong for us to think about how to apply Jesus’ words and draw specific plans of action to live them out.  Yet our belief and practice does not originate with men.  Self-made religion is a move away from Christ.  Christians don’t get to make our own religion; it comes from Jesus.

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One Thing to Think About: In what areas am I tempted to listen to myself rather than Jesus?  Why? 

One Thing to Pray For:   The spiritual nourishment that comes from Jesus
 

Shadow and Substance

Reading:  Colossians 2:11-19
    
    Paul is reassuring that the Colossians have all that they need in Christ, so they don’t need to seek knowledge, experience, or rules for life outside of him.  It is in Jesus that they have had their formative spiritual experience:  “in him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead”(Col 2:11-12).  Just as Abraham’s circumcision signaled a connection with God by cutting off part of his body, so our “circumcision” in Christ connects us to him as we discard our old sinful life.  We also reenact his burial and resurrection as we are “buried with him in baptism,” confident that God will give us new life though we are in the “grave.”  And he has!  “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of our flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven all our trespasses”(Col 2:13).  It is only in Christ that we have found this transformation, forgiveness, and regeneration.

    This also changes the way we live going forward.  Since he has “(canceled) the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands”(Col 2:14), we no longer live obligated to a law that condemns us.  Paul seems to have the Law of Moses in mind particularly here:  “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.  These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ”(Col 2:16-17).  Paul refers to several actions involved in keeping Moses’ Law (food, drink, festivals, new moons, Sabbaths) and insists that the Colossians not let others judge them for not observing them.  Christians need not live as Jews.  The power of Moses’ Law is in its reflection of Christ, but we already have the substance of Christ.

    Moses’ Law pointed to a greater reality, hinting that God had a greater, higher, and more complete salvation to offer.  It was the shadow, but Christ is the substance.  In Christ, those allusions find their fulfillment in a richer, Spirit-empowered life.  Only in Christ do we have all that we need.

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One Thing to Think About: Why do we often find rules like these (v. 16) appealing? 

One Thing to Pray For:   Stronger remembrance of how Jesus has saved me from my sins
 

All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge

Reading:  Colossians 2:1-10
    
    His heart once again on his sleeve, Paul shares his concerns for the Colossians:  “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”(Col 2:1-3).  Paul yearns for those Christians whom he has not personally met because he wants them too to grow to maturity—especially in courage, maturity, and confidence.  But his special concern here is that new believers discover that in Jesus “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Jesus is the source of everything we really need to know to live life well and find eternal life.  

    The reason this is so important is that other people are peddling knowledge that does not come from Jesus.  It is clear Paul is concerned with these influences throughout the letter:  some may “delude you with plausible arguments”(Col 2:4) or “(take) you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition”(Col 2:8) or “disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels”(Col 2:18).  All of these approaches rest on a claim of knowledge or wisdom, yet all are bankrupt because they do not come from Jesus.  “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving”(Col 2:6-7).  We do not grow away from Jesus, but deeper into him so that we are strongly rooted and firmly established.  “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority”(Col 2:9-10).  Since Jesus is the fullness of God, it is only in him that we can be filled with all that we need.  

    These verses may seem abstract, but the point is essential.  So many voices vie for our attention.  Scientists, politicians, celebrities, internet stars, and family members all offer some measure of wisdom and knowledge.  Do we really believe that we find all the wisdom and knowledge we need in Jesus?  Or do we keep seeking real wisdom for living in other places?  

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One Thing to Think About: How can I listen to others’ thoughts without being “deluded” or taken “captive” by them? 

One Thing to Pray For:   To be encouraged and knit together in love with my brothers and sister

Mature in Christ

Reading:  Colossians 1:24-29
    
    As God has begun the great project of “(reconciling) to himself all things”(Col 1:20) through Jesus, he has included mere men like Paul in the process.  “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known”(Col 1:24-25).  Paul is writing this letter from prison (Col 4:3), so his “sufferings” are not merely mental.  Yet he rejoices because his endurance can benefit the church, of which he is a steward and servant (“minister”).  His willingness to suffer bodily for the cause reminds everyone that the gospel is real, powerful, and worth hurting for.  That gospel also contains the great “mystery”(Col 1:26, 27), hidden from generations, that God wanted to save Jews and Gentiles together through Jesus.  God has done a new thing that blesses more people and brings glory to himself, so Paul is willing to suffer to tell others about it.

    It also explains Paul’s intense dedication to teaching the gospel even to believers.  “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.  For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me”(Col 1:28-29).  Paul teaches people about Jesus over and over again, doling out warnings and wisdom, because it will help them mature.  Just as physical growth demands time and nourishment, so spiritual growth requires a consistent diet of Jesus.  And just as Jesus wants to “present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him”(Col 1:21), so Paul wants to “present everyone mature in Christ”(Col 1:28).  He pictures Jesus inspecting his bride as Paul brings her to him—and finding her pure, strong, and mature.  “For this I toil”; this “presentation” fuels Paul’s great drive, along with the power of Jesus working within him.

    God’s will for his people is not that they simply “make a decision” for Jesus; it is that they grow into the image of Jesus.  God wants us to mature.  He wants us to learn to make wise choices in everyday living; he wants us to grow into loving, peaceful, patient people; he wants us to tell others about Jesus; he wants us to learn to give and not simply take.  This is the reason we study, pray, worship, and serve together:  so that someday we will be found mature in Christ. 

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One Thing to Think About: Am I motivated by helping my brothers and sisters grow? 

One Thing to Pray For:   The energy of Jesus working powerfully within me to accomplish his will
 

The Firstborn

Reading:  Colossians 1:15-23
    
    Before he can correct some of the issues troubling the Colossian church, Paul must first impress them with Jesus’ greatness.  He employs the word “firstborn” to describe two different dimensions of Jesus’ power.  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him”(Col 1:15-16).  Jesus is creator of all things, including the very powers that oppress his people.  This makes him “firstborn over all creation”—meaning not that he is part of the creation, but emphasizing his rank and dominion over it. Like a firstborn son, he ranks above everything in creation. “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together”(Col 1:17).  As firstborn, he ensures the continuing function of the universe as we know it.  

    Yet he has also begun a new creation in his people.  “And he is the head of the body, the church.  He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent”(Col 1:18).  This firstborn speaks to how Jesus has emerged from the grave, ensuring that many more will follow him.  He is “the first to rise from the dead”(Acts 26:23).  Something new is beginning in him as he acts to “reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross”(Col 1:20).  There is peace, reconciliation, and hope despite the death we observe.  We partake in this new creation because he has also reconciled us to God (Col 1:22) and longs to “present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him”(Col 1:22).  As firstborn from the dead, Jesus gives direction to everything in our lives.  We are headed for resurrection.

    Paul wants Jesus’ disciples to share in his lofty view of Jesus.  He is more than a mere man, a path to wisdom, a noble teacher, or a kind healer.  He is over all creation, holding it together at every moment.  He is lord over death, having broken its clutches from the inside out.  He has all the answers and all the power—and he has reached out to me in love.  My job is merely to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast”(Col 1:23).

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One Thing to Think About: What might it mean for Jesus to “reconcile to himself all things”?

One Thing to Pray For:   The strength to “continue in the faith”