Christ and Empty Deception

The way to “built up” yourself in Christ (v. 7) is to avoid “philosophy and empty deception” (v. 8).

Colossians 2:1- 15

I. “Built up in Christ “(2:1- 7)
1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. 6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Observations
What a “great struggles” Paul endured for the sake of Christ and his saints! How much would we be willing to endure? How much do we endure? There’s nothing to be gained by feeling guilty; let’s just look for opportunities to serve without worrying about how we have failed or what it will demand of us.
Hearts are “encouraged and knit together in love” because of the love we show them and the effort we apply to their needs. Nothing is more rewarding than this. Blessing others is far better than being blessed. I once saw a cartoon, a tramp sitting on a park bench saying, “I know it’s more blessed to give than to receive, but receiving is good enough for me.” I think there is a lesson here.
Beyond physical blessings and heart-unity, there is the “wealth that comes from full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Any price we pay to introduce a person to Christ is rewarded, both in having a new brother or sister and also in gaining a deeper walk with Christ. Such experiences knit our hearts to Christ as well as to one another; and we rejoice in the discipline and stability of faith in Christ. “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

Remarks
Its one thing to read Scriptures like this and take for granted that we understand them; it’s quite another to experience them in our hearts and lives. That’s why we should study great passages like this and allow them to mold and shape our minds until we have the mind of Christ.
Think of what Christ did for you; show your gratitude and love by helping others to understand what you have experienced.
Doesn’t it add depth to your faith and understanding when you study an important Scripture this way? Give it all you’ve got and it will give you all it has to give. This is the way to be built up.

II. Avoid “Philosophy and Empty Deception” (2:8- 15)
8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Observations
Philosophy, even religious philosophy in the form of speculative theology, is deceptive and will captivate one’s mind. Those who present these systems are deceived and deceivers who are not grounded in Christ but live “according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world.” They will take the saints captive as in war, and will plunder and spoil their possessions. We must be knowledgeable enough and strong enough to avoid their “empty deception.”
In our Lord dwells “the fullness of Deity in bodily form.” He is the head over all rule and authority. And He has disarmed all rulers and authorities and exposed them for what they were by making a public display of them in His triumph. It is foolish to allow philosophers, theologians and other deceivers to control your mind and life. Jesus won a great victory for you and set you free; walk in that freedom proudly and worship your King!
In Christ we have been made complete. We are alive with Him, having died to sin, been buried with Him in baptism, and raised up with Him through faith to walk a new life. He canceled your sin debt when He took your sins with Him to the cross.

Remarks
After a revival meeting years ago, I had a heart to heart talk with a woman, who had been very sinful, and her son of sixteen. Knowing that I would not have the opportunity to teach them further, I presented a vivid picture of Jesus being nailed to the cross for our sins. The woman cried and confesses her sins when she saw the justice of God, freely giving His Son for her sins. Her son got angry and said in a strong voice, “Wasn’t there anyone there to stick up for Him? I wish I had been there! He saw only the injustice of a Roman Mob taking the life of an innocent man. What do you see and how do you react when you see your righteous Savior nailed to a cross as a common criminal for your sins?
Avoid philosophy and empty deceit. This is the faith and practice of masses that live outside of God’s will under the traditions, taboos and imaginations of men. There were many cults in Paul’s day that lived this way, and many of their pagan views have become a prominent part of the New Age and Progressive church movement of our day. Understand what people are saying and don’t be misled by philosophy and empty deception.
Avoid your own church’s doctrine and practice if it has been elevated above the doctrine of Christ. Every time a sect or cult departs from the Word, it diminishes the Word, while elevating its human philosophy. After a time people don’t know what is in the Bible and what comes from the speculative mends of their teachers.
Avoid personal bias and judgments that are contrary to the Lord’s will. Let Christ be your only guide.