Setting – Paul states the errors of what the Colossians were following
Content – Paul advises the Colossians to not succumb to the pressure of others who were judging them because they weren’t following specific rituals (v. 16 NLT) “So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths” and (v. 18a NLT) “Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial”. These celebrations and festivals were foreshadowing of what occurred with Christ (v. 17 NLT) “For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself.” Paul points out that they died to the old principles of human effort to be good (v. 20-21) “You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the evil powers of this world. So why do you keep on following rules of the world, such as, ‘Don't handle, don't eat, don't touch.’” These types of teachings are not from God, but from man, (v. 22 NLT) “Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them.” This type of human effort seems to align to godly effort, but in reality they are an empty effort (v. 23 NLT) “These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.” Or how NASB puts it “the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement”
Application – Paul confronts the problem with mixing man’s religion with God’s plan of salvation; mixing man’s efforts with God’s plan has no benefit to our growth in Christ. Doing things to better ourselves must come back to the basic’s of our relationship with Christ. Rather then performing ministry out of obligation, service/ministry should stem from our love for Christ. God looks at the heart and from the heart is where He is honored. We do see that God can accomplish His will regardless of a persons intentions (Phil 1:18 NLT) “But whether or not their motives are pure, the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.” But if we want to please God we need to check our motives of why we are doing what we are doing. Do we follow Christ commandments because we love him or are we trying to prove we love him by doing his commandments (Jn 14:15 NASB) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”
Then a question of should someone stop doing my ministry if I don’t feel like it can come about? This is where love as an action and not a feeling. Do we continue loving our family, friends and others, when we aren’t wanting to? We do it because we know it’s the right thing to do and because we know that we do love them and want the best for them.
A true sacrifice to God is (Ps. 51:16-17 NASB) “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
Content – Paul advises the Colossians to not succumb to the pressure of others who were judging them because they weren’t following specific rituals (v. 16 NLT) “So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths” and (v. 18a NLT) “Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial”. These celebrations and festivals were foreshadowing of what occurred with Christ (v. 17 NLT) “For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself.” Paul points out that they died to the old principles of human effort to be good (v. 20-21) “You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the evil powers of this world. So why do you keep on following rules of the world, such as, ‘Don't handle, don't eat, don't touch.’” These types of teachings are not from God, but from man, (v. 22 NLT) “Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them.” This type of human effort seems to align to godly effort, but in reality they are an empty effort (v. 23 NLT) “These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.” Or how NASB puts it “the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement”
Application – Paul confronts the problem with mixing man’s religion with God’s plan of salvation; mixing man’s efforts with God’s plan has no benefit to our growth in Christ. Doing things to better ourselves must come back to the basic’s of our relationship with Christ. Rather then performing ministry out of obligation, service/ministry should stem from our love for Christ. God looks at the heart and from the heart is where He is honored. We do see that God can accomplish His will regardless of a persons intentions (Phil 1:18 NLT) “But whether or not their motives are pure, the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.” But if we want to please God we need to check our motives of why we are doing what we are doing. Do we follow Christ commandments because we love him or are we trying to prove we love him by doing his commandments (Jn 14:15 NASB) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”
Then a question of should someone stop doing my ministry if I don’t feel like it can come about? This is where love as an action and not a feeling. Do we continue loving our family, friends and others, when we aren’t wanting to? We do it because we know it’s the right thing to do and because we know that we do love them and want the best for them.
A true sacrifice to God is (Ps. 51:16-17 NASB) “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
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