Maturing SPIRITUALLY

[WISDOM]

Take a look at Colossians 2:1-8.  Interesting, isn't it?  The Colossian Believers were under attack by FALSE teachers.  If you back up one chapter to Colossians 1:28, you'll see where the Apostle Paul had already expressed his desire "to present every man perfect (mature) in CHRIST JESUS".  This was not just a desire of his, for he had also put forth much effort to help bring them into maturity (1:29).

Paul was a master discipler.  One reason our FATHER used him so mightily in leading Believers to maturity was his warm and loving heart.  Helping people grow in CHRIST should never be cold, academic, and mechanical.  The Gospel MUST be taught with BOTH the head AND the heart, because it is more "caught" than taught.  If you read Colossians 2:1-8 by now, there is something I want to address.  In the first verse Paul expresses his concern for the Colossian believers, "For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you...."

The word translated "conflict" (AGONA) is the Greek work from which we get our English word "agony".  In other words, Paul's heart AGONIZED over the confusion that the Gnostics had caused the Colossian believers.  Paul was also concerned for those in Laodicea.  Laodicea was about twelve miles north of Colosse, and was also being invaded by the Gnostics.  Isn't that just like Satan?  Give him a inch, he'll take a foot!  Paul agonized in prayer for people he had NEVER met!  He had never personally been to Colosse.  Apart from Epaphras and Philemon, Paul had never even seen the Colossians.  He had no idea what they looked like, he knew nothing of their personalities, AND YET his loving concern for them was such that his heart agonized for them.

His old hard heart that smiled when Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7:58) had been replaced with the love of the LORD.  You and I as Christians MUST BE CONCERNED about other Believers and have Believers who are concerned about us.  Paul went on to say "that their hearts may be encouraged...."  The word "encouraged" translates a Greek word which means "to be called to one's side".  It refers to coming to one's side for CONSOLATION DURING SORROW or encouragement during CONFUSION and DISCOURAGEMENT.  

Paul prayed that the "hearts" of the Colossians would be encouraged because he knew the number one reason for spiritual fatalities IS NOT drunkenness, adultery, or another gross sin.  Rather, it is discouragement.  The average believer (you and I) DOESN'T need to understand MORE THEOLOGY or have the depths of some Bible passage explained to them.  More than anything else, Believers need ENCOURAGEMENT.  The Evil One NEVER gives up!!  Sometimes the "battle" causes YOU and I to get tired and discouraged.  We wonder to ourselves why are we even going through all of this?!!  Doubts and weariness takes it's toll.  That's why it is soooooo very, VERY important for ALL Christians to grab a hold  on Hebrews 10:25, and never, I repeat, NEVER Let Go of it!!!!  We need each other for rejuvenation!

Let's look at Paul again as he prayed that the Colossians would be "knit together in love...."  The first thing that happens when a Christian gets discouraged is he/she loses their COMPASSION for other Believers.  Fact!  When we get discouraged we no longer have time for other people and their needs.  We don't have time to teach a Sunday school class.  We don't have time to pray for others (we get good at going through the motions).  It is NEVER convenient to invite fellow believers into our home (we're good at making excuses, aren't we).

Discouragement in a Christian's life KILLS compassion!  We've ALL been there, so take that "holier-than-thou" look off your face.  You can fool everyone, EXCEPT our FATHER!!!  HE was there all the time you were discouraged.  HE knows how the Devil will work some serious overtime to keep us discouraged.  Therefore, Paul prayed that the believers in Colosse would be knit together in love (2:2).  There is no greater contradiction to the Gospel message than Christians who CAN'T get along with each other.  This is NOT what our LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST wants among HIS followers and our influence on the world around us (John 17:21).  The word, LOVE here is translated from the Greek word, AGAPE, which is the strongest love in ALL the universe.

This kind of love IS NOT a thought or an emotion; it is an ACTION.  When was the last time YOU made a sacrifice to help someone grow in CHRIST?  When was the last time YOU made a sacrifice for ANYONE for ANY REASON??  Whenever and whatever it was, that was the LAST TIME YOU loved with AGAPE love.  Back to Paul.....he knew that if the Colossians were to mature spiritually they MUST have CONFIDENCE in what was theirs in CHRIST (NOT themselves).  Therefore, he prayed that they would attain "full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of GOD, both of the FATHER and of CHRIST".  Paul wanted them to have a constantly increasing knowledge of the mystery of CHRIST indwelling HIS people.

The Apostle Paul continues in verse 3, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge".  This was a BLOW to the Gnostics who claimed to have a higher level of wisdom and knowledge.  But Paul makes it clear that ALL spiritual wisdom and knowledge is found in JESUS CHRIST!  Since in CHRIST we have ALL spiritual wisdom and knowledge, we DON'T need the visions of any popular television preacher or the writings of ANY cult leader.  As Christians we should NEVER listen to ANYONE who claims to have "additional spiritual knowledge" NOT found in the Bible, and we should NEVER read such materials.  Paul expresses the reason for this in verse 4, "lest ANYONE should DECEIVE you with persuasive words."

The Gnostics have their "descendents" in EVERY generation, and their clever arguments/lies lead many astray......EVEN TODAY!!

They had caused the Colossians to have second thoughts about what they had received in CHRIST and what they had been taught.  Paul wanted them to be confident that in CHRIST and the Word of our FATHER, they had been taught ALL spiritual truth.  ALL FALSE RELIGIONS and CULTS throughout history have denied the authority and completeness of the Bible.  Paul warned the Colossians of the dangers of listening to those who would add to the Gospel, and then praised them for not doing so, "For though I am absent in the flesh, YET I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in CHRIST" (2:5).

The phrase "good order" translates a military term which pictures an orderly group of well-disciplined soldiers.  The word "steadfastness" is also a translation of a military term that means "firm" or "stable".  Basically, Paul saw the Colossians as an army under attack, and rejoices over the fact that their lines are UNBROKEN, their discipline SOUND, and their Faith in CHRIST in tact.  The Gnostics offered "deeper knowledge".  They had presented themselves as "wiser", more "informed believers" who would lift the Colossian believers from their "baby faith" to a "higher level".  In verse 6, Paul goes on the offense against these AND ALL FALSE TEACHERS by saying, "As you therefore have received CHRIST JESUS the LORD, so walk in HIM."  And how did WE receive HIM???  BY FAITH!!

In verse 7 Paul uses four analogies to describe maturing in CHRIST.  First, he says we should be "rooted"....in HIM.  YOU and I are NOT to be tumbleweeds, having no roots and blown about by "every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).  We are not in an old wild western shoot 'em up rolling around in the wind!  Incidently, the word "rooted" is a participle that literally means "having been rooted."  This means that it began in the past BUT continues IN THE PRESENT.  The height of every tree is determined by the depth of its roots.  The same is true of spiritual growth.  The degree of our spiritual maturity is determined by the depth of our spiritual roots in CHRIST.  Like a tree with deep roots, we should draw our nourishment from CHRIST (Psalm 1).

The Word says You and I should be "established in the faith, as you have ben taught" (2:7).  The word translated "established" (BEBAIOO) means "to make firm, or secure".  It is not enough to place a brick upon a wall; it must be mortared or anchored in place (you brickmasons KNOW what I'm talking about).  My thoughts?  The "mortar" that holds a Christian in place is the "Faith", which refers to the body of truth contained in the Gospel.  As someone has said, "love brings people in the church; SOUND DOCTRINE keeps them in."  For people to be established in the faith they MUST KNOW what they believe about the Bible, salvation, the PERSON of JESUS CHRIST, our FATHER, etc

A maturing Christian overflows with praise and gratitude.  Thankfulness is a good test of our spiritual condition.  Why?  Because FALSE TEACHERS will have little success with THANKFUL BELIEVERS.  It is a BIG sign of maturity to give ALL the credit for your success to WHOM it is due....our FATHER and LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.  Paul warns in verse 8, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through PHILOSOPHY and EMPTY DECEIT, according to THE TRADITION of MEN, according to the BASIC PRINCIPLES of the World, AND NOT according to CHRIST."  The Greek word translated "cheat" is also a military word that literally means "plunder you" or "take you captive".  

Christians are in constant danger of being taken captive by FALSE TEACHING.  Paul says one real threat is "philosophy".  It comes from two Greek words which mean, "the love of wisdom".  I don't believe Paul is undermining all philosophy or intellectual growth.  However, there are some VERY DANGEROUS philosophies today, such as:  "If it feels good do it," "we are what we acquire", "YOU only go around once in life, so go for ALL the gusto you can," and "it's alright if it doesn't hurt anybody."  Everything from the "playboy" philosophy to Secular Humanisn is seeking to take our minds captive and MANIPULATE our behavior.

However, probably the most dangerous philosophies in the world are religious!  If you study the cults of our day, you will discover that EVERY ONE OF THEM was started by a religious philosopher, who ADDED HIS OWN philosophy to the Gospel!!  FALSE TEACHERS are always clever and enticing, AS WERE THE GNOSTICS.  What they say sounds logical and convincing.  If you make a counterfeit dollar bill, you do not cut a triangle out of purple cardboard, put a picture of Mickey Mouse on it, and try to pass it off as the real thing!  You make it AS CLOSE TO THE REAL THING AS POSSIBLE!!

Be mature enough to always understand that FALSE TEACHING always looks authentic, but it NEVER lines up with Scripture (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

[Guest Boron]

Another excellent post, Wisdom.  Especially about the last paragraph about finding a false teaching either directly taught in the New Testament, or whether it was practiced by the early Church.  I believe that most victims are brought into a false teaching, especially by many TV evangelists, because the do not know what is in their Bible.  Therefore, they can be led around by those who promise them something. That the most reasonable factor that can be discerned is that many of them are coveteous, and with the Kundalini spirit let loose today, (II Thess. 2:1-12) I have my doubts that many of them are actually in the kingdom being deceived into believing that they are.

[traveller]

Paul prayed that the "hearts" of the Colossians would be encouraged because he knew the number one reason for spiritual fatalities IS NOT drunkenness, adultery, or another gross sin.