See That No One Takes You Captive

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

What sets believers apart from church goers?  Think about that for a moment.  Would you believe me if I wrote that not all church goers are believers – not all the baptized are born again (Christians).  I know that in some denominations – in some churches – that would be heresy.  I mean – there are some churches that believe when a baby is baptized they are saved – they become a Christian – but that just doesn’t stand the test of Biblical examination.  There are some so called Christian churches today that teach their traditions rather than Biblical truth.  There are some churches that believe their understanding of what is sin and what is acceptable supersedes what the Bible says. Today we begin a series – that will stretch over several weeks (not consecutive days) spending time debunking some myths in the church as we examine Scripture together.

Paul spent much of his time teaching true doctrine in the 1^st generation of the church.  There were heresies at that time and there are heresies today.  Here is today’s passage in partial context.  Colossians 2:1-15 – 1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Paul writes that his task was to encourage the hearts of fellow believers.  He writes to instruct his readers in Biblical truth.  Even in the 1^st generation of the church there were false teachings so one should not be surprised that in the year 2013 there are a number of imbedded false teachings even in the church family where you belong.  I should say at this time – do not believe anything I write simply because I write it but rather search the Word of God and find out for yourself if I am writing truth or not.  Read and discern what is truth and what is not comparing what is written with the Word of God!

Stay tuned for the rest of this series.  From time to time I will write on a topic where I believe the church has based their doctrine or standard not on the Bible but rather on some tradition that has been passed down or simply thought up.  I would love to read your comments as we go so have at it.  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.