The World and Truth

Colossians 2:8-15

While the apostle Paul never visited Colosse, which in New Testament times was a prosperous commercial center, he wrote them this letter, the book of Colossians.  These new Christians were coming under the influence of false teaching that blended Greek philosophy, cultic practices, Christianity and Jewish speculations.   Jesus was seen as one of many deities through which one could approach the Divine.

Paul warned against this false teaching.  In verse 8 he says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

What would Paul say to the church today?  Would he watch us as we are assaulted 24/7 by 'hollow and deceptive philosophies?'  Would he call us back to a right relationship with Jesus?

 Thanks Be to God that we have the scriptures, and we can claim the promises that God made through his word - those promises are the same for us today as they were for those new Christians in Colosse!

We can claim the truth of verses 13 and 14 for ourselves!

when you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

Paul didn't have an iphone.  He didn't have the internet.  He didn't have cable.  He didn't have wifi.  But he knew what it was like to struggle with putting God first.  He encouraged these new Christians to put their faith, their hope, and their trust in the only One who will last.  And we have that same hope today.

Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus.  Help me trust in him and not in the things of this world.  Amen.