Just as they did in the time of the Colossians, three main evils threaten the spiritual health and testimony of the individual Christian and the local church today. The Apostle Paul addresed them in Colossians chapter two.
Worldly philosophies - in our time, especially in the form of postmodernism - have many in the church doubting their beliefs, and believing their doubts.
Legalism - the false teaching that you have to conform to a list of do’s and don’ts that you won’t find in the Bible, and don’t have clear Biblcial authority, in order to gain merit or favor with God - has many Christians and churches in bondage.
Man-made doctrines - today promoted by Roman Catholicism, the cults, the Purpose-Driven Church movement, the Emergent Church movement, prosperity gospel preachers, the charismatic movement, and teachers of the Federal Vision and the New Perspective on Paul - twist Scripture to the peril of souls and churches.
How can Christians defend themselves against Satan's triple threat? Paul delivers a threefold exhortation: "Let no one deceive you with persuasive words" (2:4). "Let no one judge you" in things "which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ" (2:17). "Let no one cheat you of your reward" by causing you to subject yourself "to the commandments and doctrines of men" (2:20-21). Focus, he says, on the preeminent Christ and His Word.
He is our focus this week as we continue our series, Christ Above All: Studies in Colossians. |
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