Scripture:
Colossians 2:4-10 NKJV
[4] Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. [5] For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. [6] As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, [7] rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. [8] Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. [9] For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; [10] and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Observation:
I came to know Jesus Christ as my LORD and SAVIOR about 15 years ago. It’s been a long road so far and clearly it’s not over. In that time I have had the opportunity to listen to and sit under several gifted teachers and pastors. But I’m going to be totally honest: the Holy Spirit is the best teacher there is. However, you can’t know what HE teaches if you are not in GOD’S living word. Having had the opportunity to read through it several times one thing I see over and over again is the phrase that we see here in the letter to the church in Colossians. That warns us about deception and how persuasive it is. As teachers rise up and the word of GOD is spoken, men are deceived by the clever way it is torn apart and taken out of context. One of the prayers I have been consistently bringing to the altar over the last 15 or so years is,” Father don’t let me be deceived.” The reason I pray that prayer regularly is that the words “do not be deceived” are repeated throughout the New Testament, so I believe it’s more important than ever to spend time in GOD’S word. Paul is a teacher of this biblical principle, not to mention it’s said more than once by our LORD as well. The phrase is said about 16 times in the bible. Right here in Colossians chapter 2, we find that it is tied to the word persuasive. This phrase put me on high alert. The word persuasive means it sounds good. It sounds right and may even include some bible. But even though it may sound right, it’s a little off. Paul had a heart for the church and he wanted them to join him in heaven when it is all said and done. In fact, just a little before where we picked up this morning, he mentioned how even though he is not there in person, it doesn’t change his desire to see the church knit together in unity. “Attaining all the riches of the full assurance of the Father and of Christ.” Even though he was not physically with them, he was with them in spirit. Reassuring them that everything they need is found in their relationship with Christ. I find Paul’s instructions very interesting. Verses 6 and 7 carry a note of something different, ” As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk in HIM, being rooted and built up in HIM and established as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. I believe what Paul is saying is to allow the sanctification process to take place. That’s how grace is designed. In saying that I believe it’s important to understand the grace of GOD. The bible tells us not to frustrate it. So I believe we need to know more about it so that as we walk in Christ, in whom we have received, we don’t do just that. In other words, it’s our responsibility to keep in step with what GOD is doing in our lives. As Paul continues to teach this, we found the words “beware,” clearly a warning, ” Lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, there is that phrase again. “Deceit” comes with a warning. What I believe Paul is teaching us is that the changes that are made in our lives are made due to the relationship we have with Christ, not by our own power. As he continues to explain what he is talking about. He tells us the secret, verses 9 and 10 are a key, In Christ is the fullness of the Godhead; and you are complete in HIM, who is the head of all principality and power. That is authority.
Application:
Can I tell you something? Jesus Christ has completed you. In HIM you have everything you need to obtain all that GOD has to offer. That last phrase that Paul spoke says it all Christ is the ultimate authority, and HE lives in you. Stop living a defeated life when you have been given victory. Stop doing the same things expecting something different. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in YOU. HE is the HEAD of ALL principality. What is being said is that you have the authority over those things that keep dragging you into the pit. GOD’S grace is not designed to leave you in your sin. HE loves you too much to leave you in the hell HE found you in. HE has called you out of the darkness into the marvelous light. It’s over. As you surrender your life to HIM. HE will separate you from the things that used to keep you trapped. You are no longer the person you used to be. Keep putting that man in the tomb. Jeep is in step with the spirit. GOD has more for you than you could ever imagine. If you keep surrendering to defeat, you will be defeated, but if you surrender to Christ, you get to live in the victory HE has won when HE walked out of the grave. The cross showed us HIS willingness the empty tomb gave us the victory. Let HIM have HIS fullness in you. I feel like it’s important to simplify it. Have you ever tried to stop doing something you knew was not pleasing to GOD? I have, and in my own power, I have failed miserably. I have tried to stop smoking cigarettes many times and have been unsuccessful. However, the day I surrendered that to Christ was the last day I smoked, I believe that was over 5 years ago. My meth addiction was the same way. Christ is the head of “ALL” principality. HE has “ALL” authority, and HE is alive in you. I hope you realize what that means. The battle has been won. It is finished. The work is done. You are complete in HIM. All those things you used to look for to complete you can be set aside. Just pick up Jesus Christ and clothe yourself in HIM. Put off the old man and put on Christ. You are a new creation. Do you believe that??? Then walk in it. Surrender your sin to Christ. Allowing HIM to set you apart. HE has work for you to do that HE has prepared before time began. Please don’t believe me. Read it for yourself. It’s all in the bible.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for completing us. You have given us everything we need for a life of godliness through a relationship with your son. We surrender to the victory that you have given us and again just like yesterday all we are left to say is thank you. You have honestly thought of everything. As we train our ears to hear your voice. Continue to build in us a desire to know you more. We desire more of you and less of us. We want our lives to reflect the fact that we have been in your presence and have been filled with your Holy Spirit. Shape us mold us and root us in your son. Its in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.