Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit
posted On: October 17th, 2011 at 11:11am Today's blog post was inspired by a conversation that I was having with someone regarding some of the observations that we have seen in the Church Body, and some of the doctrine that has influenced or affected some throughout the ages.We look to Colossians 2 in order to see Paul the Apostle writing about the same topic, and we will focus primarily on verse 8, where he lists some things that we need to "beware" of.
The first thing he teaches us to "beware of", is that we need to be careful not to let anyone cheat us...or "rob us" from the truth of salvation, and the fullness or completeness of Jesus' sacrifice for us. Basically...beware of false teachers.
You see...for many years, there have been many that try to teach that it takes "Jesus plus this or that" or that it takes a lot of works, deeds, or personal effort to gain His merit. We will continue to look at the other things that Paul is warning us about, before reading the next two verses.
So continuing in the same verse, we see next that he warns against philosophy and empty deceit. Philosophy is considered "the love of wisdom", and many were using it to boast of this "higher knowledge" they had attained, which was equal to "empty deceit", or "worthless deception" to others. Which brings us to the next point..."tradition of men".
Ever hear someone tell you that you need to light candles for dead relatives in order to "give them light"? Or how about any other tradition that people try to teach which is not according to Christ Jesus? Most of these "traditions" are just human precepts, are usually very "works" oriented, and gives a believer false hopes that are built on heresy, while denying the precepts of God, and Jesus' completed work for us.
Last but not least, Paul teaches us to be careful of the "basic principles"... the things of this world, that are not according to Christ. This point touches on simple, elementary, immature, worldly doctrines, based on speculations, ideologies, sensationalism, etc... that the fallen world and Satan have invented.
Ok...NOW we look at verses 9 and 10...
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power".
So...it is not Jesus PLUS my works, nor Jesus PLUS anything else...we are made complete...whole...a new creation through Christ Jesus and nothing else. Hallelujah!
Pastor Guido