Colossians 2:13-23
Reflect
Imagine if someone approached you one day and said, “You’re not actually Christian until you’ve had this vision from God.” How would you react? Would you begin to second guess yourself or remain unshaken in your convictions? Many false teachers insisted that deeper experiences and mystical visions were needed and necessary in order for the people of Colosse to be truly spiritual.
According to Paul, chasing after this type of mystical experience or spiritual quest would prove to be a dangerous distraction as they would not be “...holding fast to the Head.” And if Jesus becomes secondary, then our ground becomes shaky, which is why we begin to feel robbed of our assurance. We feel as if we need something extra or that we feel unspiritual because these things take precedent over faith in the person and work of Jesus.
Christ is central, not spiritual encounters or visions. Christ.
Paul then spurs his audience to move towards maturity and leave their elementary spirituality behind or else they would inevitably be disqualified. Their growth would be stunted and eventually smothered by false teaching and works.
Apply
Have there been times where you felt like you needed a spiritual encounter to validate and test the genuineness of your faith?
Find a Bible verse to validate God’s truth for yourself: “once saved, always saved.”
Pastor Nathanael
Pray
- Pray for our childcare team, the children and their families this week. Pray for the Director, Angie Clark.
- Pray for our Lead Team Pastor, Terry Okken and his family.