Distraction is deception's close ally. The easiest way for deception to trick us with the counterfeit is for distraction to turn our attention away from what is essential. Determined vigilance is essential.
"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument ... See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:1-4,8)
The plan is incredibly simple, but perhaps the problem arises out of its sheer simplicity. God's plan - His mystery (something once hidden but now revealed) - is that we each live in vital relationship with His Son, Jesus. God has reserved His wealth of understanding and wisdom for this relationship, for He has "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" in Him. All that God eagerly desires us to know of Him is found through Jesus His Son. Jesus is the Teacher who literally open our minds to understand the Scriptures even as He did the first disciples (Luke 24:45).
Perhaps it is our desire for things more complex that leads us away from God's simple plan. In our restlessness we are seduced by other things that take the rightful place of relationship with Jesus - books, entertainment, philosophy, even "religion". Such was the problem with the churches at Colossae and Laodicea that Paul writes to and prays for: they had moved from relationship with Christ to a legalistic system of "do's" and "don'ts".
I'm not likely to return to the old system of animal sacrifices and grain offerings, but I can easily worship at my own altar of "righteousness". A good way of reading and studying the Bible and praying becomes the only way. I all too easily become a rigid wine-skin that no longer flexes and stretches with the dynamic new wine of relationship with Christ. Rather than bending and stretching, I resist and risk loss.
There is much "philosophy and empty deception" that is packaged and promoted to subtly take the rightful place of relationship with Christ. Much of it even looks and sounds "Christian". The only way to avoid its deception is a vital relationship with Jesus in which He opens our minds to Scripture and reveals the Father to us.
It really is that simple but don't overlook the value of God's "mystery" because of its simplicity. May you live today and each day in awe of the power and effectiveness of God's simple plan.
Steve
"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument ... See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:1-4,8)
The plan is incredibly simple, but perhaps the problem arises out of its sheer simplicity. God's plan - His mystery (something once hidden but now revealed) - is that we each live in vital relationship with His Son, Jesus. God has reserved His wealth of understanding and wisdom for this relationship, for He has "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" in Him. All that God eagerly desires us to know of Him is found through Jesus His Son. Jesus is the Teacher who literally open our minds to understand the Scriptures even as He did the first disciples (Luke 24:45).
Perhaps it is our desire for things more complex that leads us away from God's simple plan. In our restlessness we are seduced by other things that take the rightful place of relationship with Jesus - books, entertainment, philosophy, even "religion". Such was the problem with the churches at Colossae and Laodicea that Paul writes to and prays for: they had moved from relationship with Christ to a legalistic system of "do's" and "don'ts".
I'm not likely to return to the old system of animal sacrifices and grain offerings, but I can easily worship at my own altar of "righteousness". A good way of reading and studying the Bible and praying becomes the only way. I all too easily become a rigid wine-skin that no longer flexes and stretches with the dynamic new wine of relationship with Christ. Rather than bending and stretching, I resist and risk loss.
There is much "philosophy and empty deception" that is packaged and promoted to subtly take the rightful place of relationship with Christ. Much of it even looks and sounds "Christian". The only way to avoid its deception is a vital relationship with Jesus in which He opens our minds to Scripture and reveals the Father to us.
It really is that simple but don't overlook the value of God's "mystery" because of its simplicity. May you live today and each day in awe of the power and effectiveness of God's simple plan.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:25 AM
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