Word@Work Col26 - Colossians 2:20-23
Published: Tue, 06/28/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
APPEARANCE OF WISDOM
Colossians 2:20-23 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (NIV)
People who follow Jesus Christ are different. They have a different reason for being alive (confidence in the gospel of God's grace), a different motivation (the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit), and a different final goal (eternity in the presence of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit). So why do some Christians think and behave like those whose hope is in themselves (and people who can help them), whose motivation is self-gain, and whose reason for life is either self-congratulation or survival?
We live according to what we believe; and we believe according to what we accept of what we are taught. If the teaching is not true to God's Word, the lifestyle will be ungodly even if it appears 'spiritual'. The Apostle Paul's plea to the Colossian church is that they should reject instruction that is based on human wisdom. Although such teachers will appear to be holy, even to the point of harshly treating themselves, their humility and worship is false because they are exalting their own ideas and not the Lord. Their teaching can never produce Christ-like living because it rejects the supreme authority of the suffering Saviour.
There is no good prize for being naïve. As individuals and churches we are responsible to follow Christ alone: it is not a route of self-imposed suffering to 'purify the body and soul', but a path of willingly accepting God's will for our lives. If suffering comes our way, He will give us strength; if we face opposition, He will give us grace. But in everything, the true believer desires the glory to go to Christ - because He alone is the source of our strength, the companion on our journey and the One who will return for us one day. True believers will reject any teaching which promises glory today through human effort. As Jesus said, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matthew 6:1).
Prayer: God of truth and love. Thank You for loving me and that Christ died for me to win my heart with His grace. I repent of my human habit of inventing other ways to gain Your approval, or for believing in a spirituality which does not resemble the life of Christ. Help me to stay true to the Apostles' teaching and to be a good example of those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Give me a fresh desire today that my life should bring glory to Him and not to myself. Help me to trust You for all that I cannot see and live sacrificially with all that You provide. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
People who follow Jesus Christ are different. They have a different reason for being alive (confidence in the gospel of God's grace), a different motivation (the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit), and a different final goal (eternity in the presence of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit). So why do some Christians think and behave like those whose hope is in themselves (and people who can help them), whose motivation is self-gain, and whose reason for life is either self-congratulation or survival?
We live according to what we believe; and we believe according to what we accept of what we are taught. If the teaching is not true to God's Word, the lifestyle will be ungodly even if it appears 'spiritual'. The Apostle Paul's plea to the Colossian church is that they should reject instruction that is based on human wisdom. Although such teachers will appear to be holy, even to the point of harshly treating themselves, their humility and worship is false because they are exalting their own ideas and not the Lord. Their teaching can never produce Christ-like living because it rejects the supreme authority of the suffering Saviour.
There is no good prize for being naïve. As individuals and churches we are responsible to follow Christ alone: it is not a route of self-imposed suffering to 'purify the body and soul', but a path of willingly accepting God's will for our lives. If suffering comes our way, He will give us strength; if we face opposition, He will give us grace. But in everything, the true believer desires the glory to go to Christ - because He alone is the source of our strength, the companion on our journey and the One who will return for us one day. True believers will reject any teaching which promises glory today through human effort. As Jesus said, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matthew 6:1).
Prayer: God of truth and love. Thank You for loving me and that Christ died for me to win my heart with His grace. I repent of my human habit of inventing other ways to gain Your approval, or for believing in a spirituality which does not resemble the life of Christ. Help me to stay true to the Apostles' teaching and to be a good example of those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Give me a fresh desire today that my life should bring glory to Him and not to myself. Help me to trust You for all that I cannot see and live sacrificially with all that You provide. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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