Dear Friends,
Last week, I wrote to you about love from Paul’s letter to the Colossian church, in which he says he is praying for them that they will be united in love with the goal that “they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” (Col. 2:2-3 NIV). And, I pointed out that, in Paul’s understanding, if we want to be wise, we must first of all learn to love. This will lead us to knowing Jesus, in whom is contained all wisdom and knowledge. From here, Paul goes on to say, “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments,” (Col. 2:4 NIV) and, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ,” (Col. 2:8 NIV).
What fine-sounding arguments and hollow philosophy is Paul concerned about? First, Paul assures his readers that Jesus is in fact fully God, the highest of all authorities. And he assures them that, in Jesus, Satan is fully defeated, their sins are entirely forgiven, and they are fully alive. Then he explains the philosophy based on human tradition and the world’s false spirituality that the Colossians are to steer clear of, saying, “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,” (Col. 2:16 NIV).
Christians, Paul says, are not to deny themselves certain foods, imagining that this will please God. They are not to observe special religious holidays and ceremonies, imagining that by doing so they will draw near to God. They are not to imagine God wants them to treat one day of the week differently than another. None of these things matter. None of this is true wisdom.
None of these rules that God gave to the people of Israel many generations in the past apply to those who are now in Jesus. Rather, “They are a shadow of the things that were to come,” (Col. 2:17a NIV). They served a purpose during a past time, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus. But now, Jesus, the real thing that these laws awaited has come. As Paul goes on to say, “the reality, however, is found in Christ,” (Col. 2:17b NIV). It is with this in mind that Paul urges his readers not to be duped into trying to pursue God through rules, holidays, and ceremonies. No matter how many wise-sounding arguments may be presented to the contrary, rules about what to eat or touch, holiday celebrations, and even resting on the seventh day of the week are not the way to know God! The way to know God is through loving. And Jesus has come to lead people into the love of God.
In many ways, not much has changed since Paul wrote this letter. Many people desiring to know Jesus, who have read these words of Paul again and again, are still taken in by what has been foisted off on the world as knowledge. They imagine that following man-made rules, following a religious calendar, and celebrating religious holidays will please God. Most commonly, many Christians believe God wants them to do one thing and not another on Sundays and that obeying human rules about a Sabbath day will produce connection with God. But it is as true today as it was when this letter was written that the way to know God is love. All of these other things are distractions that the devil would have us focus on to draw us away from true fellowship with Jesus, fellowship that is found in participation in his great love.
A prayer for this week,
Jesus, do not let me be distracted by hollow human philosophies, imagining that you care about superficial things. Turn me instead toward you and toward your love. Help me to be genuinely good to everyone around me, those like me and those different from me, those whose company I enjoy and those who irritate and even repulse me. Let me see them as you see them. Teach me to value the wellbeing of others, loving and caring for them just as I desire to be loved and cared for. Give me your eyes and your heart and cause me to know you in the beauty of your love. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Michelle
