Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Colossians 2:8
False philosophy and legality have entered the church and caused disillusionment in the body of Christ. These philosophies have no real value and are misleading people in the body away from Christ. It sounds good to hear but it does not address the real issues of life. Basic rudiments of the world are acts of worship to something other than Christ. The apostle Paul was conveying the danger of the practice of asceticism. Asceticism is the strict self-denial of the avoidance of all forms of indulgence. Forms of self-denial is a spiritual discipline to gain a new height in self-control of a bad behavior.
Philosophy and Legality is the human way of looking at things in the natural world. The Renaissance period brought humanism in teaching rational thinking. How to solve human problems such as hunger, housing, and basic education. Humanism is centered upon human interests and values. It is based upon specific policies within government. Humanism does not address the life after death. Any practice of asceticism does not work to cure completely those who are bound by drugs, alcohol, and other sensual acts.
The truth of Christ being preached is the way to life, but any other teachings cannot cure any physical pain from addictions totally. Men’s desires have overtaken them to extreme actions. Extreme actions in war, gaining riches, gaining recognition, or going after something to meet a desire that cannot be met. Some take joy in watching others struggle in their own distress. We must have a way out of the mire of our own distress. We must find help. There are those around us that are in need of a physician, but not all will find the cure for what ails them. We need God’s presence of peace and not destruction.
We must remember that we as Christians are complete in him. Christ “is the head of all principality and power,” [see Colossians 2:10]. We have made peace by repenting of our own sins.
Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.”
Colossians 2:20-21
It is Christ death that has taken the barrier away between God and the world. God can show us mercy and grace as we receive Christ atonement. Christ resurrection power will free us from the power of Satan. God did miracles through the hands of the apostle Paul to free many from sickness and disease.
So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.”
Acts 19:12
How amazing was the works of God through Paul that handkerchiefs and aprons were the anointing power of God to remove diseases and evil spirits. Any kind of philosophy and legality could not bring this kind of result. I remember reading about Martin Luther trying to exercise his own selfish desires by sleeping outside in the cold to where his feet got frostbite. He was trying within his own self to work out and rid himself of specific desires that led him to sin. The gift of God is grace through faith in His Son. Through the blood of Christ, we are reconciled back to God. Sin does not hold us any longer because we have repented and been baptized into Christ.
We should continue in the faith grounded and settled as Paul stated in Colossians 1:23. We should not be moved away from the hope of the Gospel. Christ is our only hope for redemption. Christ paid the prize for all humanity. We do not follow the traditions of men, we follow Christ our savior, redeemer, and healer. Listen to what Paul told the Colossians.
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:”
Colossians 2:11Circumcision made without our hands. The putting off the body of the sins of the flesh is by the circumcision of Christ. Circumcision means to cut off something. To cut off sin through the blood of Christ. Look at verse 12 of Colossians chapter 2. “Buried with him in baptism, in which also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God., who hath raised him from the dead.”
The operation of God is operated through faith and not working it out through our own flesh. Faith is believing in God’s son. Faith comes from reading God’s word. Faith is knowing that all things are possible with God.
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.”
Romans 10:4
We cannot live on a philosophy where man is the center of attraction, for that is vain deceit. . We need the operation of God, and the manifestation of God within our own bodies to free us from the guilt of our own sins. We need one atonement for all sin to conquer evil. Christ is the end of the law, for the law reveals that we are not able to keep it. Through Christ we are freed from the guilt of sin and selfishness by surrendering ourselves to him and allowing His spirit to dwell in us.
