Word@Work Col25 - Colossians 2:18-19
Published: Mon, 06/27/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
POWERFUL ILLUSION
Colossians 2:18-19 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (NIV)
People influence us because we allow them to do so. They may appear wise and spiritual, and we may be fascinated by their stories and ideas, but how do we know who is true? The Early Church was at risk from people who seemed to be spiritual, but were false. Some of these were legalistic religionists (Colossians 2:16-17) and others, as in today's passage, were mystics. They were spiritually false because they lost connection with Jesus Christ, even though they were still in the church.
Such people can be recognised by six characteristics. They make a show of being humble and eager to listen, but they are not servant-hearted. They are fascinated by angels and even worship them, which the Bible forbids (Revelation 22:8-9). They are guided by their personal experience rather than by the Word of God. They boast of their revelations and consider themselves spiritually superior. Their spiritual life is not rooted exclusively in Jesus Christ. They inhibit the true growth of the church. Such people may be sincere but are deluded, and they also lead others away from trusting in Christ alone. Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), so it is not surprising that he distracts believers into believing that angels are more powerfully immediate than Christ Himself.
The church still needs to beware of such people. Saving faith and true connection with God depends upon Christ alone. Without trusting Him alone, there can be no organic growth or maturity in the church. This passage has been preserved so that we will not be deceived by apparently 'super-spiritual' people (1 John 4:1-3). The key to spiritual wisdom is to be connected to the Lord Jesus Christ. Where He is central, the church will grow with every member functioning well. Although we may not want to offend people by rejecting what they say, it is much more important to not offend Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all, so He must be superior to everything and central to our faith.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord. Thank You that we are not called to chase after the experiences of others, but to have a personal relationship with You through Jesus Christ. Forgive me when I have found other ideas to be more satisfying than Your Word. Help me to be steady in my faith, refusing to be deflected from Christ Jesus as my anchor, rock and hope. Help me to trust His unchanging character, knowing that He loves me still. However much I may crave for immediate guidance, may I resist everything that does not accept Christ as Lord of all. And help me to be a wise counsellor to those who are searching for a way: may I point them to Jesus alone. In His Name. Amen.
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
People influence us because we allow them to do so. They may appear wise and spiritual, and we may be fascinated by their stories and ideas, but how do we know who is true? The Early Church was at risk from people who seemed to be spiritual, but were false. Some of these were legalistic religionists (Colossians 2:16-17) and others, as in today's passage, were mystics. They were spiritually false because they lost connection with Jesus Christ, even though they were still in the church.
Such people can be recognised by six characteristics. They make a show of being humble and eager to listen, but they are not servant-hearted. They are fascinated by angels and even worship them, which the Bible forbids (Revelation 22:8-9). They are guided by their personal experience rather than by the Word of God. They boast of their revelations and consider themselves spiritually superior. Their spiritual life is not rooted exclusively in Jesus Christ. They inhibit the true growth of the church. Such people may be sincere but are deluded, and they also lead others away from trusting in Christ alone. Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), so it is not surprising that he distracts believers into believing that angels are more powerfully immediate than Christ Himself.
The church still needs to beware of such people. Saving faith and true connection with God depends upon Christ alone. Without trusting Him alone, there can be no organic growth or maturity in the church. This passage has been preserved so that we will not be deceived by apparently 'super-spiritual' people (1 John 4:1-3). The key to spiritual wisdom is to be connected to the Lord Jesus Christ. Where He is central, the church will grow with every member functioning well. Although we may not want to offend people by rejecting what they say, it is much more important to not offend Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all, so He must be superior to everything and central to our faith.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord. Thank You that we are not called to chase after the experiences of others, but to have a personal relationship with You through Jesus Christ. Forgive me when I have found other ideas to be more satisfying than Your Word. Help me to be steady in my faith, refusing to be deflected from Christ Jesus as my anchor, rock and hope. Help me to trust His unchanging character, knowing that He loves me still. However much I may crave for immediate guidance, may I resist everything that does not accept Christ as Lord of all. And help me to be a wise counsellor to those who are searching for a way: may I point them to Jesus alone. In His Name. Amen.
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
W@WCol25 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2011 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group