Colossians 2 | Staying Rooted in Christ Amidst Deception

I mentioned Men of Iron at the end of today's episode. If you are interested in finding a mentor, click here. 

In Colossians 2, Paul addresses the church at Colossae, encouraging them to remain steadfast in Christ and resist false teachings. He begins by expressing his deep concern for their spiritual well-being, urging them to remain united in love and understanding, and warning against being swayed by plausible but misleading arguments. Paul emphasizes the importance of living "rooted and built up in Christ," highlighting that believers have everything they need in Jesus, who embodies all wisdom and knowledge. He also stresses the fullness of Christ's deity and reminds them that their identity in Christ is their greatest defense against spiritual deception.

Paul addresses two primary threats: philosophical deception and legalistic practices. He warns against human traditions and elemental spiritual forces that could captivate and lead them away from the true gospel. Paul emphasizes that believers have been made alive in Christ and freed from the legalistic demands of the old Jewish customs. He critiques those who impose religious rules about food, drink, and religious observances, arguing that these are mere shadows of what was to come and now find fulfillment in Christ.

Additionally, Paul condemns ascetic practices, such as severe self-discipline or worship of angels, which he describes as stemming from pride and a sensuous mind rather than holding fast to Christ, the head of the Church. These practices, while appearing wise, have no real power to restrain sin. He calls believers to focus solely on Christ, who has already triumphed over all rulers and authorities, and in whom all fullness dwells.

Finally, Paul exhorts the church to continue in their faith journey with thanksgiving, rooted in the reality that they have been set free from condemnation. He urges them to walk in the Spirit, not relying on human regulations but on the new life they have in Christ. This chapter underscores the freedom and completeness found in Jesus, reminding believers that they are no longer bound by the old ways but are alive in Christ, who canceled the debt against them by His sacrifice on the cross.

Paul’s message in Colossians 2 encourages believers to remain grounded in their faith, resist false doctrines, and recognize their freedom and new identity in Christ. The chapter is a pow

Transcript

 Colossians 2

Colossians 2

[00:00:00] Hey everyone, welcome to God's Plan, Your Part, Year Two, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire New Testament, one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's Plan and your part in it. If you're listening in live time, one, we appreciate you, and two, happy Friday.

Today we are rounding out the week with Colossians chapter two. And we could not get this episode started for the life of us, so I guess I'm talking first. So anyway, uh, today we are Getting a little bit more into chapter two, which is Paul's letter to the Colossian church. Remember, there's only like a four chapter, I don't know, four, how do I say that?

Four chapter book. There you go. Ooh, that was hard. Um, so this is like halfway through already. So this chapter is interesting because it pulls out some of Paul's Colossian church, although he's very thankful for them. And they're, I guess like infant. State, I [00:01:00] guess, because they're quite a new church. Um, also one that Paul kind of just like stumbled upon because he was rubbing shoulders with a path.

Thank you. A path for us anyway. So he is starting to give a little bit of like pointed direction to them about some of the things that is concerning to him because it's nothing new. Like we've heard this problem before, but there are false leads. teachers that he wants them to be aware of so that they are not overcome by them.

Um, he again is encouraging them about how they are, um, alive in Christ. That's what one of the titles is of, of this chapter. But then finally, he's also like, Hey, because of that, because of that nature that you have alive in Christ, you have been brought to this place of being his disciples and his people.

Don't. Let yourself feel like you're insignificant in any way, continue with the mission that's going ahead of you and don't fall to these false teachers. Yeah, I think that's, that's an excellent breakdown, uh, which [00:02:00] Jenny doesn't normally do and she's sort of uncertain about doing it. I'm so confused. Um, it's an excellent breakdown of what's going on here.

Um, Paul is writing to this church from prison. He's basically trying to support a path for as well, who is the actual pastor of this city church. And here in chapter two, he's just reminding these people about the centrality of Christ, like how important Jesus is to their lives. And one of my favorite.

Favorite things that he says, which I think is a favorite of Paul, uh, chapter two, verse six, therefore, as you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught abounding in Thanksgiving. Um, I guess I'm in a habit of giving away your part early.

That's a great your part. Yeah. Like walk in Christ and, and yes, Paul is reminding the Christians and Colossae and, and then by extension Laodicea, uh, to walk in Christ, but I'm encouraging you to walk in Christ and be built [00:03:00] up on a strong foundation of faith. Following Jesus. Uh, I love this like idea of forward progression, forward movement.

Like you don't walk, uh, you cannot by nature walk and stay in the same place. Uh, most people tend to walk forward, not backward. Obviously it's possible to walk backwards. Um, but the idea is like. Man, continue to progress in Christ, continue to grow, continue to move ahead and move forward. And then he's going to transition.

I guess I should also recognize that he's saying right up front that a key piece is abounding in Thanksgiving. I will say, uh, that any time that I tend to not be thankful, actually, as I'm saying this in lifetime, maybe it's a good encouragement for me today. Uh, anytime I tend not to be thankful, I end up in a weird place.

So he's saying like, Hey, walk in Christ. And be thankful. It's going to help you, uh, in the, in the way that you represent Christ, but it's also just going to help you in your discipleship journey. So something else that I've kind of picked up from this as well, [00:04:00] well, just, I guess in general with Paul's letters, specifically this one to the Colossian church.

He reminds me of like a father figure so much and I think what I'm reminded of and like just things that are going on in our own lives, how important it is to have someone who is more mature than you, who has gone through a lot of, um, not just life, but like spiritual Maturing that can speak into situations that you are dealing with and what seems like maybe little problems to the Colossians or just like things that they're going through, Paul is speaking into like, Hey, no, that's actually a pretty big thing and I really want to help guide you in that.

So I think if nothing else, I really appreciate this, like mentoring idea. That Paul is doing. I mean, even for the actual, like, pastor himself, Epaphras. I love that he is kind of going to bat for him in a way like, Hey church, like your pastor, [00:05:00] like, continue to listen to him. I'm supporting him, but also at the same time, continue to grow in the Lord yourselves.

Uh, so I really like that part. But then some of the things that he calls out, again, Paul is not shy about the things that he's going to call out. So in verse eight, I love how he says to it, see that no one takes you captive. I love that word because it just like, you know, captives, captivity. Don't want to be there ever.

He's actually writing from captivity. Yeah. So like, it's just, it's really a powerful image in my mind. Like let no one take you captive by philosophy and evil deceit, according to human tradition, excuse me, empty, excuse me, what did I say? Evil. Anyway, empty to see according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of this world and not according to Christ.

So, I mean, we've, we've talked about this in the past, in the podcast, where it's like, we live in a spiritual world where there is evil. And there is light, like there is Christ and anything outside of that, anything outside of Christ is going to be these things that are very willing [00:06:00] to lead you astray, um, with these ridiculous philosophies or empty to see things that seem plausible in verse four, it says, be careful of these like plausible things that seem right and like really watch out for them.

So I love that he's just out with it because I think. A lot of that stuff applies to even to us today. Um, things that seem like, well, that sounds good. That sounds right. But is it actually, is it of that darkness and evil or is it of the light in Christ? Okay. So I want to speak directly to that because my favorite scapegoat is some guy on tick talk.

I don't have actually any real person in mind, but I love to say like, Hey, listen, if Any number of times throughout the day, you could open your phone and some guy on TikTok will tell you what to believe. So, there is a thriving business out there, uh, for people who are willing to tell you what to think, what to believe, how to act.

Because it sounds plausible. Exactly. And there are many, many, uh, deceitful, uh, human [00:07:00] traditions. Um, empty philosophies. There are many things out there, false teachings that are going to take you captive. And one of the things that I think is tongue in cheek hilarious is that Jenny and I also are one of those guys on Tik TOK essentially.

So like we, we do have an online internet platform where we are telling you what to believe. And it's really important. I say this all the time, very much on purpose. God's word is way more important than our words. So I don't mind if you look at me as like. Man, you're just some other guy on the internet.

Tell me what to believe. That's fine. Uh, please compare what we are speaking and what we're saying to what the Bible is revealing. That is like, like when Paul is cautioning this Colossian church and this Laodicean church, uh, not to be taken captive by deceitful schemes. And, and, um, I mean, I keep forgetting the actual terms, false philosophies.

Um, The only way that you can be defended against those kinds of things is to be very aware of what [00:08:00] God's word teaches. That's why Paul's throwing in on this church saying, Hey, focus on Christ. Well, how does he know about Christ? Well, he was like, he was taught by Christ. Christ appeared to him personally.

Uh, and then he, he had been prepared in that by like all of the uh, He says that he was a Pharisee, a Hebrew of Hebrews. Like he had done extensive study of God's word. And so when Jesus revealed himself, he was able to, I mean, one, supernaturally be drawn to Jesus, but also discern like, wow, like all of this is speaking to Jesus.

So he's reminding this church, walk in Christ, make Christ the central figure of your lives. And as you make Christ the central figure of your lives, you will be defended against these empty schemes. Um, and so we want to encourage you to do the same thing. Walk in Christ, focus on Christ. How do you learn more about Christ?

You read his word. Certainly if you're a believer, you have the Holy spirit in you, uh, leading you and directing you and giving you discernment, all those things. So you want to be [00:09:00] attentive to the Holy spirit in your own life. Um, but the Holy spirit is never going to reveal something to you. That's not already.

Uh, readily available in God's word. So one of the primary ways that we evaluate what is a deceitful scheme is we come right back to God's word and we figure out what it says and if that person is leading us the right way or not, and apply that to us first and foremost, and then everybody else too. Um, also something interesting about the end of the chapter is, um, so my mind immediately goes when I think of these, um, like false teachers or, um, philosophies, whatever.

It automatically goes to things outside of what would typically be like the faith or, um, like religious things. I instantly think of like more philosophical, like of the time kind of nature. However, the end of the chapter is also talking about, Hey, not just that, but don't be overcome by the idea that.

You have [00:10:00] to stick to certain, like, law type things under the old covenant. So, in verse, let's see, um, do do do, sorry. Verse 16 is essentially where it starts. Um, but he is saying like food, drink, festivals, new moons, or Sabbath. False teachers are also, um, some of those people that were, that were including Jewish ceremonies in like what was absolutely required for you to become closer to God.

Um, so it's really interesting that. It feels like these churches are being bombarded by all things on all sides, um, whether it be kind of that Jewish, have to do this in order to be saved, or even just like, believe this because it seems like it's right. The Greek, the Greek thing. Right. It's like, it's both of those things that are coming at them and Paul does not shy away from.

Be aware of both. There are still in our world today, very influential Jewish thought and [00:11:00] thinkers and teachers, uh, and very influential Greek thought and teachers and speakers. Um, sometimes we're not very good at readily identifying that that's actually, what's at the root of things. Or mishmashing the two together.

Yes. And those were the challenges facing the Colossian church. And those are challenges that still face us today. So it is radically important that we build our lives and center our lives on Christ. Um, because it is Christ who represents us before God, uh, and it is Christ in whom we have right relationship with God.

And you can't accomplish that any other way. Anytime you're adding anything to Christ, um, you're beginning to teach a false gospel. And I think Paul's drawing attention to that right here. So I think he is really alluding to that in verse 18, where he just says like, let no one disqualify you. So I think that encompasses all of them, but he's specifically talking about some of those older, like.

More strict laws on holidays, foods, drinks, all that stuff. Um, so overall this chapter feels like a [00:12:00] little bit of reorienting and it feels like he's kind of bringing them back to kind of what you said for the year apart for today, like. Always rely on Christ first. Okay. Like always plant yourself there.

The other things are just there to honestly try to distract you and pull you away from what is central, which is Christ. So do you want to like beautify that anymore? I don't feel the need to beautify it anymore. Um, it does seem like we've been saying a lot lately, like build your life on Christ. Um, if you've been a Christian for a long time, it's important to kind of temper your, your thoughts because that's not a cliche.

That's not an empty promise. That is central to what we believe. So we do want to build our lives on Christ. We don't ever want to get tired of doing that, that, or feel like it's like immature to remind ourselves of that. That is important and that is critical, um, for what it's worth. I will give a shameless shout out because Jenny was just talking earlier about the importance of mentorship.

Uh, every time we bring up mentorship, it feels odd not to [00:13:00] shout it out. Uh, I do have a full time gig. This podcast is very much on the side for us. Uh, but my full time gig is with a. Organization called men of iron and men of iron, uh, focuses explicitly on men's mentorships. We have some other programs that support that.

Uh, but if you are a man out there that regularly listens to the podcast and you would benefit from being connected to an older, wiser man, do not think of like a 90 year old guy with a flowing beard or something, just think of somebody who is a season or two ahead of you. Um, I am a huge believer in what.

Men of iron does, uh, thankfully, because I do work there. Um, and I think that what they do is very beneficial. And I do think that if you are looking for a mentor, you should get in contact with us. So if you're interested, uh, in men of iron, go check out men of iron. org and reach out to us. I can put a link in our description from these, uh, show notes from this episode.

Um, but I do believe that organization, and I do believe that if you would like to be connected with a mentor, uh, we would be the right organization to contact to be able to do that. [00:14:00] So. If you're a guy and you need a mentor, reach out to us. We'll be happy to help you out. Uh, outside of that, happy Friday.

Uh, we hope that you are enjoying this trip through Colossians. Uh, we'll be back again on Monday with Colossians chapter three. We'll see you then. Thanks for joining today's episode of God's plan. Your part, as always, please consider partnering with us as we are a listener supported podcast that we hope to continue to grow with support from listeners just like you we've made.

It's super easy to partner with us and you can support us by following the link in our show notes. Or our description, you can support us with as little as 3 a month. Every little bit of this helps so much and we're so thankful for your support. With that in mind, here's today's reading. Colossians chapter 2.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom [00:15:00] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus in the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of Deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head, and the rule, and the authority.

In him also you were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you also were raised with him through [00:16:00] faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you who were dead in your trespasses in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with legal demands.

This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Let no one disqualify you insisting on ascetitism or the worship of angels, going on in details about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the head. from whom the whole body nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments grows with a growth that is from God.

If with [00:17:00] Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you are still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations? Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch, referring to things that all perish as they are used, according to human precepts and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self made religion and aestheticism, and severity to the body.

But they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's Plan, Your Part. Don't forget, you can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube. Let us know what you thought of today's episode, and if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there.

You can also reach out to us directly at GodsPlanYourPart at gmail. com. As always, If you don't have a Bible, or if you'd like to use the one that we use, uh, reach out to us via email and we'll be happy to send one to you. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again [00:18:00] tomorrow.