God's way, not your way......

I have been in the book of Colossians this week and plan to stay there until I get all that God has for me to learn from this book.  Paul wrote to the folk in Colossae from his prison cell.  He was of course imprisoned for spreading the Gospel. He was writing to the people of Colossae because he had heard that they were being influenced by false ideas and practices instead of operating and trusting in Christ.

 I will focus today on Colossians 2:8:  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.


We often times are like the people of Colossae.  We follow whatever teaching our Pastors and other leaders tell us.  We cling to their words instead of the word of God. We must be careful as adults and as young people to know the word of God for ourselves.  Pastors and leaders are usually very well meaning, but are also human.  They are open to the same attacks as we are as it relates to keeping our eyes on Jesus and His teaching. You must know the word of God in order to match it up to what you are being taught or told, to verify its validity.  Oftentimes we choose to believe that what we are being taught is true because it appeals to the way that we are already operating.  We must be careful to do what God says and commands because it is what is best for us.  We should not lean to our own way of doing things because we feel as if God isn't moving fast enough or isn't delivering the "quick" results that we desire. This command in Colossians 2:8 is applicable to ALL areas of our lives and all areas in the life of the Church - relationships, trials and tribulations, money.  It is an all inclusive Gospel message.

I urge you to not sit back and allow deceptive philosophy to be taught and implemented in the form of programs and campaigns in your church and in your life.  Speak up and out, respectfully and with grace, using the scripture to gently lead those promoting these deceptive philosophies back into a right relationship and order with God.  We cannot depend on human tradition.  We MUST do things in accordance with the word of God, with no exception.   Proverbs 14:12 tells us: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.  If we continue to do things the way that seems right to us, it will certainly end in death.  Jesus is all sufficient.  Everything we need is found in Him.  You do not have to rack your brain trying to come up with solutions to the areas in your life that are problematic.  He already has the answer.  Lean on and trust in Him.  Choose the God's way -- His way is found in His Word.  


May God bless you and keep you!  Stay in the Word of God.....