Sweet Freedom in Christ

When I used to read Colossians, I always got nudged a little when I read two verses in Colossians, chapter 2. I love the book of Colossians in the New Testament because it teaches us about the completeness we have in Christ. It is about God saying to us "trust me, you're mine" and yet these two warnings are written right in the middle of the book!

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Colossians 2:18-19

People can be cheated out of the wonderful rewards and blessings of knowing the truth by well-meaning people religious or otherwise. We can't stop thinking when it comes to God, ever! Religion is designed by man as a way to worship God.  Religion can be right and religion can be wrong! The 'voluntary humility' stuff can be very deceiving. Sometimes the false philosophy of political correctness or should I say, religious correctness, tries to reign in people from saying anything to the contrary of religious tradition. We should not tolerate being pushed by those who go about establishing their own 'isms'. We don't have to be mean about it, but in fact, if we don't speak up about truth, that is the ultimate of meanness! There is so much to be said about ' increasing with the increase of God. We must 'hold the head', the doctrine of Jesus Christ as our lord and savior. He truly does save!

Throughout several years, I had been inundated by what seemed like a huge theological and ecumenical miasma and I wanted to scream at the pressure the confusion caused. Have you ever felt blocked in and pushed down? Praying works better than screaming. God knows our need and sends in the troops of precise, appropriate and ongoing relief! Yes, there were some things each of us needs to confront with the word as it is light that dispels darkness, but God makes it easy. God showers multiple blessings to clear out the disorder and open doors of opportunity to love truthfully! It is that simple! God is real and he designed the whole Lordship of Christ thing. That is real too! We don't need to muster up voluntary humility or allow fleshy wisdom to permeate and control our space. No one can take over the Lordship of Jesus Christ in each of our lives. We are free. We can breathe and help others to breathe the sweet air of freedom in Christ when we lean into him.