Freedom from Human Regulation
Colossians 2:6-10
6. As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, 7. rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8. See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9. For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, 10. and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
The Gnostics were actively preaching a false doctrine to the Colossians and others during this time. They believed and taught that for salvation, one must not only have faith in Christ, but must have acquired a secret knowledge and abide by man-made regulations, including circumcision, eating and drinking, and observance of religious festivals. Really, these false teachings are not so different than what we are told today.
Ever seen that car commercial that ends with “It’s not more than you deserve, it’s just more than you’re used to.”? That’s a real zinger! And I can relate to that—I just bought my first brand new car in over 20 years! We’ve had some newer (2 years old or so) vehicles, but have not had a brand new one since the kids were born! And I really LOVE my car. It’s not top of the line, and doesn’t have EVERY bell and whistle, but it has more than I had hoped for, and certainly more than I planned to have—because the price was right and the financing was arranged so that it worked within my pre-determined budget. And I have found myself from time to time reassuring myself I deserve it—I’ve worked hard my whole life! Never took anything from anyone; never expected to receive anything more than I earned myself. So I understand the mentality behind that commercial. And I understand the appeal of that contention to the viewers.
But do I covet that car? Would my world end if it were totaled? Would I be able to live without it? Well, for a split second I would grieve—okay for longer than that! But that’s not the point! Most of the time we don’t even stop to think about deservedness! We are a society weaned on entitlement and privilege. Wealth is the measure of a man (and woman). Power is the weapon of the entitled.
But woe to us! The Gnostics may not be around any more, but there are sure a lot of false prophets and teachers of false truths in our world! I have a real problem accepting that the latest wedding plans of Brittney Spears are the lead story on the evening news. I am quite concerned that our President wants access to the membership rolls of churches. I am mortified that the entire continent of Africa is dying of AIDS or on any given day in America over 5,000 people are homeless and we don’t hear about that on Sixty Minutes or Weekend Edition, or Fox News.
I’m distressed and discouraged that the media is for the most part controlled by the wealthy and the powerful. And that those of us who know another truth are left to our own resources! But that is the way of God’s people throughout history. The prophets of old must have been perceived as fools by many of their contemporaries. Jesus himself was shunned and scorned. So where does that leave us?
“See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9. For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, 10. and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Go to church. Read the bible. Surround yourself with godly friends. Seek to live a holy and righteous life. I’m not advancing or endorsing a political agenda – Democrat, Republican, whatever—there’s plenty of good and bad to go around! That’s not what matters. What matter is that we listen to everything we hear and we reflect on everything we see and ask ourselves what it means from a heavenly perspective.
My prayer today is that you join me the whole fullness of God, made real to us in Christ Jesus, and who is the head of all rule and authority.
Mary
