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Text: Colossians 2:8 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. Beware lest any man spoil you: Paul is saying don’t let any man take you captive as in the spoils of war. Satan goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1Pe. 1:8). False teachers who knowingly pervert God’s word are his willing agents. They usually present some new wind of doctrine or practice (Ep. 4:18). If what we hear violates what we’ve been taught, then we need to do some serious digging before we jump on anybody’s bandwagon. It may look and sound good, but will it stand up to all scripture. If it doesn’t, flee. Actually when it comes to doctrine there is nothing new, it has all been kicked around since the early days of the church and has been thoroughly debated. If anyone wants to sell you something such as some concoction of holy anointing oil or miracle spring water, hold onto your wallet and flee. Our healing is through the name of Jesus as we claim the promise of Isaiah 53:5 that by His stripes we are healed. Furthermore it's free. Through philosophy and vain deceit: Some of the Jews followed a man named Philo who was a philosopher from Alexandra, Egypt. He taught that the stories of the Old Testament are all allegories that simply teach spiritual truths. That belief is still with us today and leads to much confusion. Philo was heavily influenced by Greek philosophy. It is interesting to note that the apostles for the most part were Jewish fishermen, but the early church fathers were mainly Greeks, who shaped the direction of the church after the apostles died. I wonder how the church would look today, if the original Jewish influence had remained? After the tradition of men: The church at Colosse was a mixture of folks who had come from various backgrounds: Jew, Gentile, Greek and pagan. There was a tendency to borrow a little from each of these, to keep everybody happy. That tendency is still with us today. Nobody wants to be offensive but we can’t cherry pick God’s word in an effort to keep everybody happy. Jesus said that if we break one of the least of His commandments and teach men to do likewise, we would be the least in the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:19). That’s serious business. Where will we stand if we violate His more weighty commandments? After the rudiments of the world: Some say that the rudiments of the world refer to the fact that some of the Jewish elements had a belief that assigned powers over the physical elements of the world to angelic beings. These spiritual entities divided their powers among the north, south, east and west. People would appeal to these powers for help and try to use them as intermediaries between men and God. I saw this demonstrated several years ago in Mexico. Five men danced on a platform at the top of an 80 foot pole and played a horn as they appealed to the gods of the four points of the compass. And not after Christ: The teachings of Christ are in direct conflict to the teachings of this world. The world view is listed in 1John. 2:15 - 17 as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. The world tells us that we are number one and we deserve all good things. Jesus said that if we want to find our life, we have to lose it first and let Him live His life in and through us (Mk. 16:25). Text: Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. One of the errors of the philosophers and gnostic leaning false teachers was to teach that the Deity was distributed among various angelic beings. Paul refers to these angelic entitles as principalities and powers. There are indeed hierarchies of angels and demons in the unseen spiritual realm (Da. 10:13,20). I feel it is best to leave them as unseen and concentrate on Jesus. We’ve all been in services where the devil received more mention than Jesus, and I’m sure that he enjoyed every minute of it. When we corporately lift up the name of Jesus, the devil is not going to hang around (Ja. 4:7). The deceivers taught that matter was evil and that there was no way that God would come into the world in a human body. Scripture tells us otherwise. 1Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Text: Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: We are complete in Jesus! Period! He is the eternal Word who was in the beginning with God and was God. The Word took on flesh and in Him we see the glory of the eternal, invisible, omnipotent, all knowing, and everywhere present God (Jn. 1:1,14). Jesus walked as a man and was tempted in every way that we’ve been tempted, yet without sin. He knew what it was to sweat and get dirt under His fingernails. He felt all the emotions that we feel such as hunger, pain and rejection (He. 4:15). Hebrews 2:14 ¶ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. After redeeming us by His blood, He ascended to the throne of heaven where He acts as our High Priest and Intercessor (Ro. 8:34). In addition He lives in the hearts of all who have received Him (Jn. 14:18). When we have difficulty understanding a portion of His Word, We need to simply tell Him so. His Spirit brings to our remembrance all that He taught and commanded (Jn. 14:26). If we have a problem, we don’t pray to some long dead person who was known for good works and a holy life. No, that would grieve Him greatly. He is a jealous God and He demands the preeminence in all things (Ex. 20:5; Co. 1:18) We have the privilege to come directly sto the throne of God boldly to find help in the time of need (Heb. 4:16). Jesus is just as close as the mention of His eternal name (Jn. 14:14). Song: I've Never Loved Him Better Than Today "Avoid a sugared gospel as you would shun sugar of lead. Seek the gospel which rips up and tears and cuts and wounds and hacks and even kills, for that is the gospel that makes alive again. And when you have found it, give good heed to it. Let it enter into your inmost being. As the rain soaks into the ground, so pray the Lord to let his gospel soak into your soul." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@About-Him.Com
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