…rather than on Christ.
Summary: As we come to the end of this verse, Paul points us, once again, to the only one who can save us: Jesus.
Wait a minute! How did we get here again?
Let’s review:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
In this one sentence, Paul has outlined a major threat to those of us who believe in Jesus. A “hollow and deceptive philosophy” is a persuasive argument that looks substantial on the outside but inside is empty, void of any real value.
Of course, this is not Satan’s only line of attack. There are many! Among them, he uses:
- Persecution
- Suffering
- False Teaching
- Deception
- Temptation
- Sin
- Apathy
All of these lead believers to question Jesus. If they are not rooted firmly in the Lord, they ultimately lead us to reject him. The evidence of this falling away is fighting and disunity, the very opposite of the things that Jesus said would define his church! (John 17:23)
A “hollow and deceptive philosophy” combines false teaching with deception. We deceive ourselves when we think we are smart enough to figure God out. Any time we find ourselves believing that man has the ability to understand God, we are in danger of going down the wrong path.
Theologians, in particular, are prone to fall into this trap. True theology is understanding what God has revealed about himself in his Word. False theology is any human construct that depends on what we humans think about God’s Word instead of God’s Word itself.
The history of this insidious trap is seen in the history of the church itself. For the first five hundred years, the church embodied the hallmark of Christ’s vision of his church; unity. Then, due to theological and political differences, the church began to divide.
Today, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of cracks and divisions in what was once a unified vessel for the Word and the Holy Spirit, the church. If we are ever going to find unity again, each of us will have to let go of our “hollow and deceptive philosophy.”
It will be hard!
Change never comes easy.
Especially, change that is the result of willing submission to our Lord Jesus Christ. We have to put aside our pride and focus on one thing: Jesus.
Application: Strive for unity in Christ.
Food for Thought: Where is the dividing line between trying to understand God and trying to explain him?
Something New! — I’ve attached a “Deep Dive” into today’s topic here.
Well I suppose if we understand God’s word rightly and understand God rightly based on His word, we are more apt to describe Him rightly to someone else.
2 Timothy 2: 14 – 21 and Paul’s instruction to Timothy could apply here: Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
The challenge to unity and having divisions is really as old as the church itself. Paul dealt with this very early on. So to me it appears to be in our nature and must be guarded against. I kind of see everyone as a theologian. What we believe about God is our theology.
1 Corinthians 1: 10 – 17: I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, a in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas b ”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Thank you, Rich!
Well said!
The only thing I would add is that when you say “I kind of see everyone as a theologian. What we believe about God is our theology” I agree as long as it is part of one’s personal journey.
The difference I see is the difference between having a personal theology and those who are trying to force others to agree with theirs. I don’t mind someone trying to persuade me to accept their ideas, but being told I have to agree or risk going to hell is a big leap.
Agreed. Thanks brother
Where is the dividing line between trying to understand God and trying to explain him?
The moment we accept Jesus Christ.
God has called all believers to repent, turn from this world AND become more Christlike, as each allows Jesus Christ to minister through them as He choses.
Repent, then, AND turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins AND purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
The time has come,” He said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent AND believe the good news!” Mark 1:15
Create in me a clean heart, O God, AND renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17,
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. AND do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2,
John 15:16, Ephesians 5:16, Matthew 5:16,1 Peter 1:16, Romans 12:2,
Believers are to die to self and allow Him to begin working through us.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Colossians 3:5
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11
Thank you, Ron!
You put together a powerful presentation on what it means to come to Christ. As Rich pointed out, true theology is personal. You have put the exclamation point to that.
I often hear about theology and I actually find it confusing. But when I read,
“I have been crucified with Christ;” and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
I know that in Christ, my desires to please myself and people of this world are dead. The life in me now is Christ. I hear many people say what they do for Christ, while I continue on the path of dieing to self interest as Jesus ministers to others through me. I also know this new life and the ministering of Jesus through me began the same day I received Christ. I simply could not contain what had occurred in my life.
Thanks Ron!
Once again, you make a powerful point. Tomorrow’s blog post will explore this in more detail. You can let me know if you think we are both running down the same track. 🙂
All great answers….. well thought out and very long comments/add-ons/deep dives and it was stated 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Thanks, Tim!
That is a GREAT dividing line! 🙂