Everyday as we walk through this life, many voices compete for our attention. So many of them carry a message that sounds good and deceptively oh-so "right".
While reading Colossians 2:8-10 recently, these words jumped off the page.
"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."
"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." (NKJV)
Then when I read the following commentary in the overview pages of my bible, the words from Colossians further gripped my heart. I've read little else that seems so pertinent to the church TODAY… and this excerpt was written over 21 years ago:
"Because this is an age of … diluting of truth for the sake of unity, Christ's lordship is deemed irrelevant by many religious groups that believe one religion is as good as the other. His preeminence is denied by others that place the Christian stamp upon a fusion of beliefs.… Hailed as an advance beyond apostolic Christianity, this blend promises self-fulfillment and freedom without surrender to Christ."
"JESUS IS LORD" is the church's earliest confession."
"It remains the abiding test of authentic Christianity. Neither the church, nor the individual believer can afford to compromise Christ's deity. In His sovereignty lies His sufficiency. He will be Lord of everything, or not Lord at all." (1)
The first word in Colossians 2:8 stands out: "Beware."
This is not a time to be slack or unaware, or to allow ourselves to be numbed by the constant barrage of the noise of all those voices clamoring to be heard. Over and over, these phrases keep ringing in my ears…
"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!" (2)
"Blessed is that servant whom the Lord finds watching when He returns." (3)
Jesus, help us to be watchful and to walk wisely in this life. Help us to continually yield to your Lordship, and to not waiver from Your truth.
From Rod's pen
(October, 2012 from Guatemala)
References
1. Spirit-Filled Life Bible, NKJV, p. 1811; Thomas Nelson, 1991 – The Book of Colossians overview
2. Amos 6:1
3. Luke 12:37
