2/16/03 - E6 INI Col. 2:1-10

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Who said to His Father, "Your word is truth," and of Himself, "I AM the truth,"

Over 450 years ago in England, Lady Walsh hired a tutor for her children. Being a student of the Bible and Luther's writings, the tutor became convinced that the Church of Rome was in error. When he told Lady Walsh of his convictions, she had this to say: "Bishops and abbots have a yearly income of hundreds of pounds. They do not agree with you. Do you think it is reasonable that we believe you before them?"

This way of thinking is so human. How can this or that teacher know the truth when those who disagree with his teaching and faith are well-known leaders in the churches and make more money than he does? In this way the authority of the Word of God is denied, while the word of men is accepted. But when the Word of God is lost, then faith and salvation also are lost!

This was Paul's concern for the Christians of Colossae and Laodicea. They had never seen the apostle in the flesh. But he had sent Epaphras to them with the gospel of Christ (Acts 19:10,26) Paul had a tender pastoral concern for them. He was experiencing "great conflict" in his heart over them; he was afraid that those who had been instructed in Christ might be robbed of their faith and salvation because of the persuasive arguments of men.

It's the devil who uses men to take us captive. Notice

the emphasis that Paul places on men as deceivers in vs. 4 and 8. This warning certainly applies to our age. We are bombarded with the idea that "science" and human reason are "Truth," while simple faith in the teachings of the Bible is ignorance and superstition.

The teaching that there is a real devil who desires the eternal suffering of all people is regarded as a carry-over from the "Dark Ages." Many who do believe the devil exists, think they are safe from his treachery if they stay away from witchcraft and the Satanic Cults of our day.

But Satan is"the Father of Lies," the "Master of Deceit." He knows that the best way to snatch the souls of sinners is not by a making public appearance on the Larry King Show, but by turning hearts away from the Word of God. That's what he did in the beginning. Did Satan appear openly to man in the Garden? No! He embodied the serpent and went to the woman, enticing her to question the truth of God's Word to her. Then, when the beautiful Eve had fallen, Satan used her to get to Adam!

Satan continues to tempt us through the our fellow human beings. The Bible says that Satan is able to appear as "an angel of light." Shouldn't we then expect him to do his best work through those people who appear to be the most righteous, the most honorable, the best educated, or the most famous in our society?

Who are they who spread the lie that homosexual behavior is not sinful, but natural? -- Some of the best educated and most famous people in our nation!

Who are they who claim to stand for the "rights of children" while favoring the "right" of a mother to murder her child through abortion? -- Many in high places of the U.S. government!

God's word is clear in denying the ordination of women in the public ministry of the gospel. But Satan is perfectly capable of using women, who preach entertaining sermons, to convince church-goers to swallow the forbidden fruit!

Ask our young people taking confirmation classes. They will tell you that to "believe in God" means to trust His Word. But the Devil uses respected men and women to argue us away from trusting God's Word, so that we lose our faith a little at a time. What is our reward for joining the modern and elite philosophers and thinkers in their rejection of God's Word? We lose the way Adam and Eve lost! -- only the paradise we lose is the eternal bliss of heaven!

Men use "persuasive words" of "philosophy" and "empty deceit" that are not in agreement with Christ and His Word. Paul warns us about this philosophy and empty deceit which is "according to the tradition of men and the basic principles of this world." Paul is talking about a religious persuasion or appeal that is easily understood by people because it comes from their nature. Their natural tradition tells them that, if they try to live according to the voice of their conscience, God will be pleased with them.

But what does our conscience often do? It accuses us of falling short of God's will. It accuses us of wrong-doing and sin. So, in order to get around an accusing conscience, men add their own self-prescribed duties, which involve them with the physical elements or principles of this world. For example, they refuse to eat certain meats, they fast, they neglect the body. Or they live as "holy hermits," abstain from marriage, and the like.

The false teachers threatening the Colossians were preaching obedience to such rules about the physical things of this world. They were presenting their system of attaining godliness as being in accord with Christ -- as an addition to the gospel of Christ, in order to complete the Christian's salvation and make it more certain!

Many teach the same in our day. "Faith in Christ is a good start," they say. "But now you must add some things to this faith: You must abstain from alcoholic dink, smoking, and certain meats. You must keep the O.T. Saturday-Sabbath. In order to be certain of your standing with Gd, you must not taste this or handle that! Unless we accept their ideas and their observances, as it they have something "mysterious" and necessary to add to our faith in Christ, they will suggest that either we are not Christians at all, or that we are certainly inferior to them. What should be our reaction to all such false teachers? Paul says: "Don't let them take you in -- don't be deceived by them!" For

We've been made complete in Christ! By faith we are connected to our Savior, Jesus Christ, we are connected to "all the fulness of God."We are made full to the limit! Christ is the God-Man. He does not fill us in part, leaving something to be added by the works we perform according to the natural, self-righteous traditions and philosophy of men.

Were you not redeemed with the holy precious blood of God Himself in bodily form? Did not God Himself descend into hell and make an open show of His victory over all the powers and rulers of darkness which held you captive because of sin? (I Peter 3:18 ff.) "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:1) Christ is the "head of all principality and power" so that no man, no earthly king, Satan himself can declare our salvation incomplete!

If Satan, working through men, wants you to swallow forbidden fruit, he will offer it to you as a "mystery" -- something that promises to make you a "better or more enlightened Christian." But we, dear friends, are like the Colossian Christians. We have already come to "the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (vs. 2-3)

"Hidden treasures" are yet to be found in God's Word. Why don't you search there even more, instead of thinking that you know it all and have learned it all? The Holy Spirit has instructed us and is instructing us through nothing but the Word of Christ, our Savior. Let's take deep root in that Word, so that we may become built up in Christ into an ever more certain knowledge of the Truth. And, if the most godly preacher, or the most famous, loved, and respected people we know, bring any teaching to us that is contrary to Christ's Word, let us recognize them as the most dangerous deceivers. For poison is always more dangerous when mixed and hidden with good food!

Oh let us not walk about each day as if we are missing something; rather let us present to the people around us a life of celebration and thanksgiving that reveals the completeness we enjoy in our Christ! So Paul says to us: "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving!" Amen.