Colossians 2: So Walk In Him

Paul begins chapter 2 by listing his concerns for the people of Colossae and Laodicea, a city near Colossae and closely connected to the church there.  First, he desires that their hearts would be encouraged.  The word "encouraged" (according to Strong's concordance) means "to strengthen, instruct, teach, comfort, console".  He wants them to be encouraged in their walk with Christ.  Second, he wishes for them to be knit together in love.  The phrase "knit together" means "joined together, united, to coalesce".

I love the word "coalesce" because it makes me think of cooking or baking.  When the ingredients you are mixing coalesce, they join together so you can't tell where one ingredient begins and another ingredient ends.  They are all one.  That is how we are to be in Christ.  Finally, Paul hopes they will "reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery" (verse 2).  2 Peter 3:18 explains that we need to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ", because true wisdom is found in Christ alone.

Paul then warns the Colossians about false teachings.  In verse 8, he says that "philosophy and empty deceit" are "of the world, and not according to Christ".  He tells us not to be taken captive by these lies.  The phrase "to take captive" means "to carry off or lead away from the truth and subject to one's sway, to spoil".  He also warns them not to let others judge them for what they eat or drink or whether or not they follow every Jewish observance completely.  These customs and practices are not essential to our spiritual progress, because they are not divine, but human rules.

Verse 23 says these things have the "appearance of wisdom", but they are "of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh".  Matthew 23:28 says, "So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."  Christ had warned the Jews, especially the Pharisees, that the customs, rules, and regulations they required were merely outward appearances of righteousness, while their hearts remained deceitful.  2 Corinthians 11 says it another way:

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds."

Did you catch that phrase in verse 14 - "even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light".  We must be careful, brothers and sisters in Christ, because even Satan disguises himself with the appearance of wisdom.  Verse 23 also warns us about "self-made religion".  Strong's concordance explains it as "worship which one prescribes and devises for himself, contrary to the contents and nature of faith which ought to be directed to Christ, misdirected zeal".  So, how can we, as Christians, avoid being trapped or held captive by these lies?

Paul says in verse 6, "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him".  He uses the imagery of a tree and a building, explaining that we need to be "rooted and built up in Him" (verse 7).  A tree that is rooted in weak soil will not survive, just as a building laid on a weak foundation will crumble.  In the same way, if our lives are not built on the firm foundation of Christ, we will fall.  The word "walk" used hear means "to regulate one's life, to conduct one's self, to progress, to live, to make one's way".  I need to regulate and conduct my life to make my way towards Christ, that I might be more like Him and less like the world.  Is your life rooted and built on a firm foundation?