Episodes
Monday Mar 20, 2017
Putting Christ First: The Root of Righteousness, Colossians 2:16-23
Monday Mar 20, 2017
Monday Mar 20, 2017
Putting Christ First: The Root of Righteousness
Colossians 2:16-23
Wrong Judgments (v. 16-17)
- Because of the spiritual fullness that we have in Christ alone
- Paul urges us not let anyone impose a means of spiritual growth that does not have Christ at its heart
- This false judgment is based in:
- What we eat/drink
- Or refrain from
- “A real Christian doesn’t…”
- This could be a reference to the dietary law
- But that does not prohibit the drinking of anything
- What we celebrate
- Or refrain from
- “Christians shouldn’t celebrate…”
- This included the OT holidays
- Sabbath & new moons
- “Shadows of things to come”: They were meant to point to Jesus
- But also pagan-based celebrations
- Or refrain from
- Or refrain from
- What we eat/drink
Wrong Priorities (v. 18-19)
- Paul warns against ‘false humility’
- Which can mean self-deprecation for the purpose of actually drawing attention to oneself
- Or, extreme asceticism
- Prolonged fasting, abject poverty, etc.
- To gain some sense of self-righteousness
- Paul warns against ‘the worship of angels’
- Which can mean worshipping angels
- Rather than God Himself
- Or worshipping with angels
- Claiming some sort of ‘greater’ worship experience
- Paul warns against those who claim special spiritual experiences
- Including visions
- All of these things lead to a false sense of spiritual importance
- This line of thinking is the result of not being rooted in Jesus
- We cannot add to the work of Jesus with anything expect more of Jesus’ work in us
- Which can mean worshipping angels
Wrong Logic (v. 20-23)
- Paul points out that this way of thinking is illogical
- Since we are no longer to find understanding from the ‘basic elements of this world’ (see v. 8)
- Then we should also not use those elements to gain righteousness
- These ascetic rules which some would put upon Christians:
- Are man-made
- Appear wise
- But have no spiritual value
- Because they cannot help us overcome our sinful desires
- Only Jesus can do that!
So What?
- What guides us?
- Human rules and regulations
- Or the Spirit of Jesus
- Are we known for what we avoid?
- Or the good we do
Meditation Verse: Colossians 2:16
Version: 20240320
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