Strong Words

Col. 2:8-15

Paul minces no words as he issued this warning! Beware of philosophy and empty deceit, endless discussions about the minutia of  human thought, human traditions, and the elemental spirits of the world! Why? Because these things have the power to take our minds captive. Satan has crafted them to be his agents of slavery. For the Christian this is serious business! Christ did not save us to have us be captives of foolish, earthly thought. 

In fact, Christ's power is much greater than Satan's. In Him is the whole fullness of God, and amazingly, we have been filled in Him. God has designed it so that there are no empty spaces left for foolishness. Since Christ is the head of all rule and authority, he has canceled the debt that stood against us with its legal demands. How? Not by judicial order which He could have done, but by His willing and humbling sacrifice on the cross.When He died, He disarmed rulers and authorities triumphing over them. He revealed their true identity and put them to open shame. This is our Christ, the One who has filled us with Himself! So why would we open the door to be a slave of a conquered ruler? Pure Foolishness!

His death on the cross canceled our debt of sin by His taking our place and our penalty. He also circumcised our hearts with a circumcision not by human hands by putting off the body of our flesh and freeing us from the power of Satan. In baptism, we are buried with Christ, and then rise up with Him in faith. Even though we were dead in our sins and the uncircumcision of our hearts, God made us alive together with Christ with our sins forgiven and our debt of sin canceled. All of this through the powerful working of God who also raised Christ from the dead. This same power that raised Christ from the dead is resident within us! Amazing Grace! So in light of all this, why would we allow philosophy and empty deceit to make us captives? Foolishness! It is just that, empty! 

Father,

Thank You for blessing my life with You and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for forgiving my sin and canceling my debt of sin. Thank You for filling me with Your Son and circumcising my heart. Thank You for removing the power of sin in my life, for freeing me from its slavery. Thank You!

In Jesus name,

Amen