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Accepted in Christ
Where Do We Rest? (Accepted In Christ) (Colossians 2: 6-23)
As the gospel message spread throughout the ancient world, new followers of Jesus faced some pretty big obstacles. Some of these obstacles were secular, such as discrimination and persecution by unbelievers and government; some were religious, such as false teaching and holdovers from previous belief systems. In this letter, Paul writes words of encouragement and instruction to the new Christians in Colosse, where some people are confused by outdated traditions and teaching influenced by worldly philosophies. We modern Christians, who face similar obstacles, can learn much from this letter.
Although Paul doesnât specify the false teaching and âhollow and deceptive philosophyâ he opposes, we can glean much about the âColossian Heresyâ from the specific beliefs and behaviors he refutes: ceremonialism (including permitted food and drink, religious festivals, and circumcision), asceticism, angel worship, depreciation of Christ, secret knowledge, and a reliance on human wisdom and tradition. The Colossian church was confused by this mixture of extreme Judaism and early Gnosticism. Were they supposed to celebrate certain festivals as they had in the past? Abstain from certain foods? No, Paul says. âTherefore do not let anyone judge by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come,â but the Messiah has come, and you are now living in the reality that was prophesied in the past.
Donât worry about legalistic regulations, he says. They give the appearance of wisdom and piety, but in truth they have no effect on curtailing sin. Only Jesus, who died for us, is capable of both clearing away our past sins and helping us to refrain from sinning again. And we are complete in Christ, who himself is perfect, whole, and complete, so donât let anyone try to convince you that you need anything but him for your salvation and sanctification. Even as sinners, we are accepted in Christ and made clean and whole, so we can rest in him and know that we are enough, because he is enough.
In our modern times, we also encounter a mixture of religious beliefs and behaviors that we, by knowledge of scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, can and should refute. Many people who call themselves Christians (and fully believe that they are) actually practice a religion that blends belief in Jesus with New Age tenets, various philosophies, and other false teachings. Such a belief system is not Christianity. The tenets of the Christian faith are simple: we are all sinners who deserve death and eternal separation from God, but because God loves us he sent Jesus to die in our place, so that we can be reunited with God for all eternity. It is only by his grace that we can be saved. We are accepted, just as we are, by God in Christ. Let us, then, find rest in him.
Click here to listen.
http://www.westview.org/wp-content/uploads/PODCAST2016/FindRest/10-30-16podcast.mp3 | Open Player in New Window
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By Westview Church Waukee Iowa RCAWhere Do We Rest? (Accepted In Christ) (Colossians 2: 6-23)
As the gospel message spread throughout the ancient world, new followers of Jesus faced some pretty big obstacles. Some of these obstacles were secular, such as discrimination and persecution by unbelievers and government; some were religious, such as false teaching and holdovers from previous belief systems. In this letter, Paul writes words of encouragement and instruction to the new Christians in Colosse, where some people are confused by outdated traditions and teaching influenced by worldly philosophies. We modern Christians, who face similar obstacles, can learn much from this letter.
Although Paul doesnât specify the false teaching and âhollow and deceptive philosophyâ he opposes, we can glean much about the âColossian Heresyâ from the specific beliefs and behaviors he refutes: ceremonialism (including permitted food and drink, religious festivals, and circumcision), asceticism, angel worship, depreciation of Christ, secret knowledge, and a reliance on human wisdom and tradition. The Colossian church was confused by this mixture of extreme Judaism and early Gnosticism. Were they supposed to celebrate certain festivals as they had in the past? Abstain from certain foods? No, Paul says. âTherefore do not let anyone judge by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come,â but the Messiah has come, and you are now living in the reality that was prophesied in the past.
Donât worry about legalistic regulations, he says. They give the appearance of wisdom and piety, but in truth they have no effect on curtailing sin. Only Jesus, who died for us, is capable of both clearing away our past sins and helping us to refrain from sinning again. And we are complete in Christ, who himself is perfect, whole, and complete, so donât let anyone try to convince you that you need anything but him for your salvation and sanctification. Even as sinners, we are accepted in Christ and made clean and whole, so we can rest in him and know that we are enough, because he is enough.
In our modern times, we also encounter a mixture of religious beliefs and behaviors that we, by knowledge of scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, can and should refute. Many people who call themselves Christians (and fully believe that they are) actually practice a religion that blends belief in Jesus with New Age tenets, various philosophies, and other false teachings. Such a belief system is not Christianity. The tenets of the Christian faith are simple: we are all sinners who deserve death and eternal separation from God, but because God loves us he sent Jesus to die in our place, so that we can be reunited with God for all eternity. It is only by his grace that we can be saved. We are accepted, just as we are, by God in Christ. Let us, then, find rest in him.
Click here to listen.
http://www.westview.org/wp-content/uploads/PODCAST2016/FindRest/10-30-16podcast.mp3 | Open Player in New Window