You can't save yourself. You can put a band-aide on it; you can mask the symptoms, but you cannot remove the disease. The self help industry is a billion dollar lie industry. They paint a world that people can never achieve. They can wall paper and even apply a bit of paint but the rotten structure underneath is still there. We need someone of greater authority than ourselves to take away the disease, to rebuild our structure. This person is Jesus.
Millions of people on this planet have discovered this truth but not everyone lives it. You may not even be living it. We accept the gift of Jesus and he does remove the disease and rebuild the structure but we live as if we are still the ones who have to find the solution. There is no more disease but we are still applying band-aides. Apostle Paul asks the questions:
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? (Colossians 2:20-21)
We need to take a good long look at our attitude toward certain things we do and why. Jesus saved us, end of story. There is nothing we do that can make us more saved. We do not read our Bible to be saved but to grow in knowledge of God. We do not pray to be saved but to participate in God's work. We do not worship to be saved but to glorify God in all his works. We do not serve to be saved but to obey what we have been commanded. We do not sacrifice to be saved but to participate in the suffering of Christ.
The basic principles of this world no longer apply to us. We do not have to do what everyone around us is doing because we answer to a higher authority. We don't belong here any more but are citizens of God's Kingdom. Our values, priorities, perspective and way of thinking no longer match the world's. The Word tells us all the "do's" and "dont's" of this world are fading away, all the trappings of religion are falling away:
These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. (Colossians 2:22)
The self-help style of religion, earning our salvation, has nothing to do with us; because of Jesus we aren't even on the map with such things:
Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Colossians 2:23)
Nothing is going to get rid of the disease of our human nature except for Jesus. He is the only one with the power and authority. A blind man cannot help himself see; neither can another blind man help him see. Nothing we do and nothing anyone else does for us can save us. We need to pay attention to this because sometimes the attitude can creep back in without us knowing. A friend reminded me of what Charles Spurgeon once said. I will paraphrase: We grow in grace but we will never be more saved than the first day we accepted Jesus Christ. Remember, there is nothing you do that saves yourself.
Showing posts with label Colossians 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colossians 2. Show all posts
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Don'T Let Someone's Opinion Shape You
We are free in Jesus and yet we allow ourselves to be enslaved by the opinions and words of other people. It is amazing and sad to watch people who know the Word allowing themselves to be swayed by someone who doesn't. There is something about man's traditions that still pull at us. Man's traditions tend to lean more to salvation by works than salvation by grace and such an attitude will kill you.
We have been set free from such things so don't allow yourself to be enslaved again just because people do not know the Word. Your freedom is in Jesus and Jesus alone. Apostle Paul warned:
Therefore do not let anyone judge you 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; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)
Anything that God had established before Jesus was just a poor reflection. a mere shadow, of what is found in Jesus. The Temple, the sacrifices, the festivals conveyed a reality that we find in Jesus. So when we have Jesus we have it all. This is why the apostles taught that there is no longer any value in circumcision of the body when Jesus brings a circumcision of the heart. Before Jesus, there was one day set aside to celebrate God. The other days of the week there was not much thought other than work. Now, through Jesus, we are in the presence of God seven days a week and every day is a celebration of our God.
There are some Christians who do not observe Christmas or Easter. They celebrate the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus every day. A person is not more holy if he celebrates them and less holy if he doesn't. The only thing that matters is that everyone is alive in Jesus because everything is made complete in him. The celebrations of festivals is not what matters; it's the relationship with Jesus that does. The day of the week that believers meet together is not what is important; it's the meeting together to celebrate Jesus that does.
Traditions are hard to break out of because they are something tangible, concrete, measurable. We like things that are measurable; money in bank accounts, completed to do lists, report cards. We like to have our works and accomplishments measured and recorded. Our problem with Jesus is that he is all about relationship. Although there are some things that are slightly measurable in a relationship, like the time spent together, much of the quality of a relationship cannot be measured. This is why we measure it through acts of devotions, festivals, observances and traditions. But what was purposed for the enhancement of our relationship often takes away from it as it begins to replace the relationship.
It is like a husband and wife who set aside one night a week for a date night. The idea is to be a little more romantic and have some quality time together. But soon it becomes about the restaurant they choose or which movie to watch. The rest of the week they ignore each other, relying on that one night to make up for it. The purpose of that night, the building of a relationship, soon becomes the destroyer of the relationship.
Our Father completed the relationship through Jesus. We do not need any enhancements. If you are alive in Jesus you already have everything you need. Don't allow someone's opinion to add on to it. Don't let someone's lack of understanding over burden you. Don't permit someone's judgement effect your freedom in Jesus. To have Jesus is to have it all; you don't need anything else.
We have been set free from such things so don't allow yourself to be enslaved again just because people do not know the Word. Your freedom is in Jesus and Jesus alone. Apostle Paul warned:
Therefore do not let anyone judge you 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; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)
Anything that God had established before Jesus was just a poor reflection. a mere shadow, of what is found in Jesus. The Temple, the sacrifices, the festivals conveyed a reality that we find in Jesus. So when we have Jesus we have it all. This is why the apostles taught that there is no longer any value in circumcision of the body when Jesus brings a circumcision of the heart. Before Jesus, there was one day set aside to celebrate God. The other days of the week there was not much thought other than work. Now, through Jesus, we are in the presence of God seven days a week and every day is a celebration of our God.
There are some Christians who do not observe Christmas or Easter. They celebrate the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus every day. A person is not more holy if he celebrates them and less holy if he doesn't. The only thing that matters is that everyone is alive in Jesus because everything is made complete in him. The celebrations of festivals is not what matters; it's the relationship with Jesus that does. The day of the week that believers meet together is not what is important; it's the meeting together to celebrate Jesus that does.
Traditions are hard to break out of because they are something tangible, concrete, measurable. We like things that are measurable; money in bank accounts, completed to do lists, report cards. We like to have our works and accomplishments measured and recorded. Our problem with Jesus is that he is all about relationship. Although there are some things that are slightly measurable in a relationship, like the time spent together, much of the quality of a relationship cannot be measured. This is why we measure it through acts of devotions, festivals, observances and traditions. But what was purposed for the enhancement of our relationship often takes away from it as it begins to replace the relationship.
It is like a husband and wife who set aside one night a week for a date night. The idea is to be a little more romantic and have some quality time together. But soon it becomes about the restaurant they choose or which movie to watch. The rest of the week they ignore each other, relying on that one night to make up for it. The purpose of that night, the building of a relationship, soon becomes the destroyer of the relationship.
Our Father completed the relationship through Jesus. We do not need any enhancements. If you are alive in Jesus you already have everything you need. Don't allow someone's opinion to add on to it. Don't let someone's lack of understanding over burden you. Don't permit someone's judgement effect your freedom in Jesus. To have Jesus is to have it all; you don't need anything else.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Changing Focus For The New Year
If you have ever done any gardening you understand the concept of seeding. Gardeners start as early as they can to prepare the soil to receive the seed. Then they plant the seed and wait for something to happen. They know that something is going to happen, that the seed will change and become something more. Jesus does the same thing but includes us in the process. Let's get the focus off of what Jesus does for us for a moment and consider our role in this process of seeding.
Jesus is using us all the time to plant seeds so that he is able to produce something from them. If we are walking with Jesus daily he is using us even when we are not aware of it because it is only natural for us to plant seeds. Consider Apostle Paul for a moment (Colossians 2:2):
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love ...
Paul knew his purpose. He had purpose in every action he took, every sermon he preached, every letter he wrote. Paul was keenly aware of his purpose. That is where most of us stop. We are aware of our purpose but we have little expectation of the seeds we are planting producing anything. Paul's purpose for his letter to the Colossians and Laodiceans was that they may be encouraged and united but he knew that this was only a seed for what would follow:
... so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding ...
An encouraged heart and unity in love is not the goal but a seed because from these things comes the full riches of complete understanding. It is amazing what an understanding of God's love produces in us, a rich life beyond anything money can buy. But these riches of complete understanding are in themselves only a step in the process because from this something else is produced:
... in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ ...
Yes, the full riches of complete understanding produces a deeper relationship with Jesus. It brings us closer, into a greater intimacy with our Lord. As we come closer greater things are revealed to us, our understanding increases, our mind and heart are more spiritually inclined as we are guided and taught by the Spirit, a fuller revelation of all things Jesus is given to us so we know him more. From this relationship we have access to even greater riches:
... in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We gain wisdom and knowledge, not from the great institutions of man, but from our deepening relationship with Jesus, who is the sources of true wisdom and knowledge.
All this Paul knew would come from the seeds of encouragement and unity in love he was planting with his letter. He expected things to happen when seeds were planted through him. He expected Jesus would cause things to be produced from these seeds, as should we.
We may never get to see the finished product or even what is produced from the seeds we plant but we can have faith that something will come from it. Speak that word of encouragement, demonstrate those acts of kindness, make sacrifices in love, tell someone about Jesus, write that status, give your testimony, smile at the stranger, buy your co-worker lunch, and expect it will produce something. You are not responsible for the producing, only the planting, so don't worry about what follows, but expect something will follow. Whatever we do in Jesus' authority will have a powerful effect as the Spirit grabs hold of it and gets to work.
We are not an island. It isn't about us any more. We have work to do and seeds to plant. We don't have much time left so we need to start getting serious. Stop focusing on what you need and trust our Father to take care of that, but you need to be busy with the Kingdom work. Get focused on what Jesus is doing for others through you. Scatter those seeds and let the Spirit do the rest.
Jesus is using us all the time to plant seeds so that he is able to produce something from them. If we are walking with Jesus daily he is using us even when we are not aware of it because it is only natural for us to plant seeds. Consider Apostle Paul for a moment (Colossians 2:2):
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love ...
Paul knew his purpose. He had purpose in every action he took, every sermon he preached, every letter he wrote. Paul was keenly aware of his purpose. That is where most of us stop. We are aware of our purpose but we have little expectation of the seeds we are planting producing anything. Paul's purpose for his letter to the Colossians and Laodiceans was that they may be encouraged and united but he knew that this was only a seed for what would follow:
... so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding ...
An encouraged heart and unity in love is not the goal but a seed because from these things comes the full riches of complete understanding. It is amazing what an understanding of God's love produces in us, a rich life beyond anything money can buy. But these riches of complete understanding are in themselves only a step in the process because from this something else is produced:
... in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ ...
Yes, the full riches of complete understanding produces a deeper relationship with Jesus. It brings us closer, into a greater intimacy with our Lord. As we come closer greater things are revealed to us, our understanding increases, our mind and heart are more spiritually inclined as we are guided and taught by the Spirit, a fuller revelation of all things Jesus is given to us so we know him more. From this relationship we have access to even greater riches:
... in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We gain wisdom and knowledge, not from the great institutions of man, but from our deepening relationship with Jesus, who is the sources of true wisdom and knowledge.
All this Paul knew would come from the seeds of encouragement and unity in love he was planting with his letter. He expected things to happen when seeds were planted through him. He expected Jesus would cause things to be produced from these seeds, as should we.
We may never get to see the finished product or even what is produced from the seeds we plant but we can have faith that something will come from it. Speak that word of encouragement, demonstrate those acts of kindness, make sacrifices in love, tell someone about Jesus, write that status, give your testimony, smile at the stranger, buy your co-worker lunch, and expect it will produce something. You are not responsible for the producing, only the planting, so don't worry about what follows, but expect something will follow. Whatever we do in Jesus' authority will have a powerful effect as the Spirit grabs hold of it and gets to work.
We are not an island. It isn't about us any more. We have work to do and seeds to plant. We don't have much time left so we need to start getting serious. Stop focusing on what you need and trust our Father to take care of that, but you need to be busy with the Kingdom work. Get focused on what Jesus is doing for others through you. Scatter those seeds and let the Spirit do the rest.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Battleground Called School
School is not an easy place for a Christian. It doesn't matter which level we discuss, it is a hard place for a Christian to grow. Years ago it was mostly behaviour that parents worried about, bad influences and terrible opportunities. Now it is a place where a war is fought over the hearts and minds of our youth.
We have to remember that it is a system completely bathed in the world, having its roots in the knowledge and tradition of man. At one point the Bible was a key element of its foundation but this is no more. Now it is fully what man thinks is right and whatever is popular in society as a whole.
These glorious institutions of learning are a hostile environment for the hearts and minds of young Christians who are still trying to allow faith to get established. Maybe it is to them then that the Spirit intended these words:
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
This is why our youth need so much grounding in the Word. We need to stop trying to entertain them and help them realize the war they are thrust into every day. We need to help them develop spiritual discipline, to discuss with mature Christians what they are being taught in school, to question everything and examine it against the Word of God.
It is hard because every day they are being presented with things that appear rock solid according to the knowledge of man. It is presented as fact, black and white. If they want to make it through the system they have to learn man's knowledge and be tested on it. Those seeds are there trying to grow roots in those young minds. Even the most mature of us would find it hard to stand up under such daily assault against our faith.
The most important thing for students to remember is that God's wisdom is far beyond the knowledge and wisdom of man. Man's traditions, thinking and actions are born out a rebellion against God and take man even further from Jesus:
The wise will be put to shame;
they will be dismayed and trapped.
Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have? (Jeremiah 8:9)
Our God is so much more than man could ever imagine thinking and being:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Our students should be seen as young Daniels, facing a system that is foreign to any knowledge of God. Not only foreign to the knowledge of Jesus but hostile toward him. They need all the support, encouragement, teaching, guidance, training and prayer that we can give them. To the students I say:
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy."
We have to remember that it is a system completely bathed in the world, having its roots in the knowledge and tradition of man. At one point the Bible was a key element of its foundation but this is no more. Now it is fully what man thinks is right and whatever is popular in society as a whole.
These glorious institutions of learning are a hostile environment for the hearts and minds of young Christians who are still trying to allow faith to get established. Maybe it is to them then that the Spirit intended these words:
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
This is why our youth need so much grounding in the Word. We need to stop trying to entertain them and help them realize the war they are thrust into every day. We need to help them develop spiritual discipline, to discuss with mature Christians what they are being taught in school, to question everything and examine it against the Word of God.
It is hard because every day they are being presented with things that appear rock solid according to the knowledge of man. It is presented as fact, black and white. If they want to make it through the system they have to learn man's knowledge and be tested on it. Those seeds are there trying to grow roots in those young minds. Even the most mature of us would find it hard to stand up under such daily assault against our faith.
The most important thing for students to remember is that God's wisdom is far beyond the knowledge and wisdom of man. Man's traditions, thinking and actions are born out a rebellion against God and take man even further from Jesus:
The wise will be put to shame;
they will be dismayed and trapped.
Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have? (Jeremiah 8:9)
Our God is so much more than man could ever imagine thinking and being:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Our students should be seen as young Daniels, facing a system that is foreign to any knowledge of God. Not only foreign to the knowledge of Jesus but hostile toward him. They need all the support, encouragement, teaching, guidance, training and prayer that we can give them. To the students I say:
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy."
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
You Don't Have To Be A Mechanic To Drive A Car
We are a strange people who love to complicate simple things. There is nothing as simple as being a Christian. Sure, in the depth of what God has done for us there are some incredible things to be understood. If you study theology you will discover some very long words that describe some deep truths. Following Jesus and studying theology is like being a driver compared to a mechanic. A mechanic understands how a car works but it doesn't mean he can drive whereas a driver just enjoys the car. Sometimes, in an effort to understand the car mechanics can lose the joy of driving.
Here's what we have to do to drive the car:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)
I love what the Spirit did through Paul, revealing the deeper things but also keeping it simple so we can just enjoy the car. Let's review the elements to being a Christian.
First and foremost you have to start with Jesus. There is no other way to be a Christian, part of the Body, a member of the Church. A number of churches no longer require its members to profess Jesus, only asking them to lead a moral life. They fail to teach that without a personal relationship with Jesus we have nothing. It starts with Jesus.
Second, accepting Jesus is great but we have to continue with Jesus. It is not a one time decision. It is a daily decision to be in a relationship with Jesus, to have fellowship with him, to keep him as Lord, to obey his Word and to follow his direction. The only life we have is the one we live in Jesus and without him we have no life. We can't just say "I accept Jesus as my Saviour" and think we have bought an insurance policy for the afterlife. When we accept Jesus we enter into a relationship and a lifetime of service.
Third, we must be rooted and built up in Jesus. It means he is our only source of everything. We send our roots deep into His Word, we absorb our sustenance in prayer, we drink deeply in worship. As we grow closer to Jesus we also realize he is building us up, changing us, increasing us, transforming us into what he needs us to be in this place. What we are today is not what we will be in a month, year or 20 years from now because we experience constant growth. Jesus is our source for all things, not this world. We seek wisdom and knowledge from him, not this world. The Kingdom is not based on the principles of this world but instead on the principles of our King.
Fourth, we must allow our faith to be strengthened by Jesus. Often we think we have to have faith, which we do, but Jesus said it can be as small as a mustard seed. We just have to take the first step. We have to be willing to get out of the boat, like Peter. We have to speak to the mountain believing it will move. We just have to speak the words, we don't have to move the mountain. It is Jesus who does it. He increases our faith, lending us whatever portion we need. He comes along side and strengthens that little seed of faith so it becomes a powerhouse that moves mountains, causes the blind to see, raises the dead and gives chase to demons. We just have to have that seed to take the first step and Jesus strengthens it to do the rest.
Fifth, we must be overflowing with thankfulness. Some of us can't even be thankful let alone overflowing with it. A Christian knows and appreciates everything Jesus has done, is doing and will do. We realize that despite our circumstances here, what we have in Jesus far outweighs them all. We realize just how rich we are in Jesus and it keeps a song of praise on our lips. We are so busy counting our blessings that we don't have time to complain. It is with a heart of overflowing thankfulness that the sweetness of Jesus is able to dwell and permeate the work of our hands.
Simple, right? This is how we enjoy driving a car even if we don't understand all the mechanics of it. In this simplicity great things have been done in the authority of our King by people without education and privilege. Simple people who made a simple decision and kept making it every single day of their lives. Simple people who moved mountains and hearts and moved entire cities by a simple act of faith. That's all that Jesus is looking for, simple people who know what it is to be a follower of Jesus. You don't have to be a mechanic to know how to drive the car.
Here's what we have to do to drive the car:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)
I love what the Spirit did through Paul, revealing the deeper things but also keeping it simple so we can just enjoy the car. Let's review the elements to being a Christian.
First and foremost you have to start with Jesus. There is no other way to be a Christian, part of the Body, a member of the Church. A number of churches no longer require its members to profess Jesus, only asking them to lead a moral life. They fail to teach that without a personal relationship with Jesus we have nothing. It starts with Jesus.
Second, accepting Jesus is great but we have to continue with Jesus. It is not a one time decision. It is a daily decision to be in a relationship with Jesus, to have fellowship with him, to keep him as Lord, to obey his Word and to follow his direction. The only life we have is the one we live in Jesus and without him we have no life. We can't just say "I accept Jesus as my Saviour" and think we have bought an insurance policy for the afterlife. When we accept Jesus we enter into a relationship and a lifetime of service.
Third, we must be rooted and built up in Jesus. It means he is our only source of everything. We send our roots deep into His Word, we absorb our sustenance in prayer, we drink deeply in worship. As we grow closer to Jesus we also realize he is building us up, changing us, increasing us, transforming us into what he needs us to be in this place. What we are today is not what we will be in a month, year or 20 years from now because we experience constant growth. Jesus is our source for all things, not this world. We seek wisdom and knowledge from him, not this world. The Kingdom is not based on the principles of this world but instead on the principles of our King.
Fourth, we must allow our faith to be strengthened by Jesus. Often we think we have to have faith, which we do, but Jesus said it can be as small as a mustard seed. We just have to take the first step. We have to be willing to get out of the boat, like Peter. We have to speak to the mountain believing it will move. We just have to speak the words, we don't have to move the mountain. It is Jesus who does it. He increases our faith, lending us whatever portion we need. He comes along side and strengthens that little seed of faith so it becomes a powerhouse that moves mountains, causes the blind to see, raises the dead and gives chase to demons. We just have to have that seed to take the first step and Jesus strengthens it to do the rest.
Fifth, we must be overflowing with thankfulness. Some of us can't even be thankful let alone overflowing with it. A Christian knows and appreciates everything Jesus has done, is doing and will do. We realize that despite our circumstances here, what we have in Jesus far outweighs them all. We realize just how rich we are in Jesus and it keeps a song of praise on our lips. We are so busy counting our blessings that we don't have time to complain. It is with a heart of overflowing thankfulness that the sweetness of Jesus is able to dwell and permeate the work of our hands.
Simple, right? This is how we enjoy driving a car even if we don't understand all the mechanics of it. In this simplicity great things have been done in the authority of our King by people without education and privilege. Simple people who made a simple decision and kept making it every single day of their lives. Simple people who moved mountains and hearts and moved entire cities by a simple act of faith. That's all that Jesus is looking for, simple people who know what it is to be a follower of Jesus. You don't have to be a mechanic to know how to drive the car.
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