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Thursday, January 19, 2012

01-16-12 "Truth; God's Pathway to Freedom" Colossians 2:1-12


The passage I read was Colossians 2:1-12
You can find that passage here:

The verse that most stood out to me:
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

As I reflect:
Hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The Lord give clear direction here through Paul.  He is telling us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are “hidden” in Christ.  Take for example the many who study the Good Book without a relationship with Christ.  They see a book of wise statements, many contradictions, and a bunch of made up stories.  They cannot see that book the way we see it because they have not the Author in their lives.  When I look at websites that claim to list the contradictions in the Word of God, I feel for those that write such things because every contradiction they list is in fact not a contradiction and often not even related topics.  They simply have no understanding of the Author, no wisdom, no sight.  They only look at words (and usually only in English too).  We don’t look at mere words, but when we look into the Bible, we are looking to hear from our Lord and so we pray before hand and we look with opened eyes on the mysteries that are not made known to the rest of the world.  Paul is talking about this when he says “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  We can only find these treasures with Christ.  Without Him, we are blind. 

Don’t be deceived.
Paul continues on that we not only find these treasures in Christ, but also that we are not to be deceived by “fine-sounding arguments”.  He has given us the end to avoid and the means by which to avoid it.  So many people are deceived by big “name it and claim it” preachers out there that claim we all ought to be rich if we truly trust in God and that there isn’t only one way to Heaven, there are many roads.  Joel Osteen is a perfect example of this with the millions of followers globe wide who fall hook line and sinker for his pleasant speeches much like the majority who voted for Obama for the same reason.  We can easily see from these two examples alone that a good speech doesn’t in anyway indicate truth.  Joel Osteen has said numerous things that are not Biblical and in fact directly contradict what God has said.  But how would you know that if you don’t know God and seek out His Word day and night?  That’s the point Paul is making here.  Stay in the Word so that you may have the wisdom and knowledge (that only comes from God) so that you may not be led astray by these “fine-sounding” speakers. 

Continue to live in Him.
He continues in verse 6 and 7 to say “continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  In verse 8 he picks back up the deceptiveness of the world with a warning not to be taken captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.  It is only because of the wisdom and knowledge of Christ that I was not pulled into the medicine wheel studies from years ago with some Native American friends who had fine sounding arguments regarding our relation to and connection with elements, minerals, animals, and spirits other than God.  It is likewise for the Mormons who attempted to pull me into their deceptions (Jesus and Satan as brothers – spirit children – God having started out as man – spirit children) that were in direct contradiction to the word of God,  and for the wiccans who were greatly blinded to the truth of the One True God and not worshiping any other gods before Him.  The list goes on.  We have got to stay in Christ and stay deeply planted in His word day and night and in prayer to be able to see and avoid the many traps that Satan has already pulled billions into. 

Separated from the old flesh.
In the last portion of this passage Paul continues his guidance by telling the believers in Colossi that they have been set apart, completely circumcised from their whole self who was ruled by the flesh, having been buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Christ in faith and by the working of God.  It is no different with us.  If we are circumcised from our flesh by God, then we look into the Good book, we see with open eyes, and when we look at other religions or worldly traditional beliefs we also see with open eyes.  Our flesh is no longer aloud to blind us by falling for “fine sounding arguments.”  Let us look to God in every decision and look through His eyes, listening to the wisdom and knowledge He has given us in His Word. 

My response to the Lord:
Lord, thank you for the interpretation that you Holy Spirit alone provides.  I am grateful eternally for the truth you have revealed in your written word.  I am grateful for discernment and for open eyes as only you can provide removing the scales that Satan once used to blind me.  Thank you Lord.  I pray your Holy spirit speak clearly and guide me strongly and that my ears and eyes be open always to your lead.  Lord, keep me from falling into the enemy’s traps.  Keep me from being led astray by worldly traditions Father God.  Keep me from being taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy and fine-sounding arguments.  For nothing should sound so fine as your truth.  In Jesus’ name.  

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