Looking Through to the Foundations of a Truth
[4] I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. [5] For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
[6] Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7] rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
[8] See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. [9] For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, [10] and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
Colossians 2:4–10 ESV
There is no shortage of great ideas. Some people come up with great ideas like Rich Mullins could come up with songs. The world champions the serial entrepreneur like Richard Branson that starts one great company after another. We are excited about the Kickstarter invention that changes the world and brings in ten times the budget they originally planned.
With all of these great ideas going around, it is easy to be washed away with one thing or another, believing this thing, and then another. Paul was writing to the early church as they were first figuring out how to live for Christ in a pagan world. His encouragement was to stay rooted and steady on the basics. “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, that’s how you should walk in Him.”
As we came to faith and believed Jesus died for our sins, take every idea, dream, calling, vision, passion, need, and want through that filter.
Knowing that Jesus died for my sins, how should I do this job?
Knowing that Jesus died for my sins, how do I respond to that neighbor?
Knowing that Jesus died for my sins, what do I think about the way that company treats their workers?
Don’t be taken captive by empty deceit. Empty deceit is the kind of thing that is deep in your culture, or in a family tradition, but when questioned or corrected shows to be foolish and without a foundation. Racism and economic prejudice are easy targets. The idea that people can believe whatever they want and everyone’s imagination is equally true is another one.
Jesus, the head of all rule and authority in the whole world (that means governments, kingdoms, social systems, everything!) is full of God’s deity and has likewise filled you. Be established and rooted in Christ. Then you’ll be able to discern the empty deceit from the fullness of Truth.