Walking in Christ: Colossians 2 (6)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 126.1, 2
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”

Sing Psalm 126.1, 2
(Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
When God restored our fortunes all, we were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled, made Him our constant song and theme.

Read Colossians 2.20-23

Preparation
1. From what did the death of Christ deliver us?

2. What’s wrong with a religion that consists primarily of outward appearances?

Meditation
Two dangers confronted the Colossians. First, false teachers were adding to faith in Jesus by requiring practices that looked good but had no Biblical basis. These practices related to certain dietary regulations and feast days, as well as circumcision. Paul previously described these as the shadow rather than the substance of Christ. Here he goes further, saying they are “principles of the world” (v. 20).

What he means is that, in the world, religion was a matter of externals merely. That’s why the Greeks, for example, had so many idols and roadside altars and religious protocols. Being religious meant being seen to be religious (cf. Acts 17.16-23). This was the second danger. The Colossians might become so fastidious about the outward appearance of faith – so that people would accept them as part of the “true group” – that they would lose the inner substance of life in Christ. They might look wise and religious, but they would be empty of power to resist fleshly indulgences (v. 23)

Those who have died with Christ to the outward appearances of this world (v. 20) will show through the life of Christ in them the true substance of faith in obedience to the Word of God only, not the “commandments and doctrines of men” (v. 21). They will be seen to be faithful saints and loving followers of Jesus, not just people who dotted all the “i’s” and crossed all the “t’s” of religion.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
If we are saved… (John 3.16)
If we belong to Christ… (Is. 43.1)
If we have tasted of His goodness… (Ps. 34.8)
If we have joy everlasting… (John 15.11; 17.13)
If we died with Christ to the world… (Col. 2. 20)

Why would we ever feel lost?
Why would we try so hard to fit in with other’s demands on us?
Why would we seek nourishment from the world and its appearances?
Why would we be unhappy?
Why would we seek the living among the dead? (Lk. 24.5, 6)

“Since you died, as it were, with Christ and
this has set you free from following the principles of the world concerning how to be saved – by doing good and obeying various rules –
why do you keep right on following them anyway,
still bound by such rules as not eating, tasting, or even touching certain foods?

Such rules are mere human teachings,
for food was made to be eaten and used up.
These rules may seem good,
for rules of this kind require strong devotion and are humiliating and hard on the body,
but they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires.

They only make one proud” (Col. 2.20-23 TLB).

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15.57).

Reflection
1. How does following human appearances and the principles of the world rob us of the reality of our salvation?

2. How can we tell whether we’re living with a view to Christ and His glory rather than for appearances?

3. What are the best ways to keep from falling into the trap of human appearances?

He sets aside, by a twofold argument, the enactments of which he has made mention ― because they make religion consist in things outward and frail, which have no connection with the spiritual kingdom of God; and secondly, because they are from men, not from God. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Colossians 2.22

Lord, let my faith be only in Jesus, and only according to Your Word, so that I…

Closing Prayer: Psalm 126.3-6
Pray that God will revive and keep you in the true faith, and that He will use you to sow that faith in the souls of others today.

Sing Psalm 126.2-6
(Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
Then the astonished nations said, “The Lord has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done, Whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!

Restore our fortunes, Lord our King! Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing who sow while yet they weep and wail.

They who in tears of sorrow sow and cast their seed on every hand,
with joy shall reach their heav’nly home, and bring the harvest of their land.

T. M. and Susie Moore

You can listen to last week’s summary of our study in Colossians by clicking here.

Restoring All Things
For a more thorough study of Christ’s work of restoration, download the five installments in our ReVision series, “Restoring the Reconciled World,” by clicking here.

Such a Great Salvation!
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Except as indicated, all Scripture are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.