We are going through Colossians 2 in our Bible study and I had some thoughts on the passages we read last week.

First there's this:
8 See 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.

Which seems to be in accordance with what you might hear preached on a regular basis. Don't let men's ideas about philosophy about life, the universe, and everything steer you off course. (Sorry Sid. ;-)) But that's not what stood out. Let's move on a bit.

18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. 20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21"Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" 22(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)--in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

This is some good meat right here. This is talking about what I often refer to as religiosity. "Don't drink, don't smoke, don't chew, don't associate with girls who do." I think people who build up false ideas about resisting temptation via self denial are in the crosshairs here. Now that's not to say that there aren't things we as Christians should avoid. Certainly there are things that aren't beneficial. However the idea that the road to sanctification, becoming more holy, lies in flagellation, lengthy fasting, and wearing sackcloth seems to have neglected these verses.

Also we shouldn't forget that this passage, in fact this whole chapter also seems to be encouraging us not to be "that guy". You know, the one that is actively pressing on others the need to eat/not eat, party/not party, observe the Sabbath, etc because we think it's "good for them". Again that's not to say that we should be ignoring the activities of our brothers and sisters. We do have a responsibility to one another, but that must be exercised in love.

And what's that prize of which Paul is speaking? I don't think that it's salvation per se. If you do fall into this trap (and I have, believe me) then you don't put your soul on the line, at least not eternally. I think you put your joy on the line. I think you may put off your sanctification, which is denying your personal spiritual development including the fruits of the spirit. So what should we do?

Chapter 3 says 1Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

What does that mean to you?