 |
 |
| COLOSSIANS |
| page 2 |
| taught, were fine for beginners, but for the "deep things of God," well, some further steps would be required. The Best Defense Paul doesn't give a complete glossary of the "hollow and deceptive philosophy" the Colossians were sorting through. From his arguments, we can gather that the philosophy must have included strains of Jewish legalism mixed in with angel worship, Greek philosophy, and strict self-denial. The best defense is a good offense. Rather than attacking each peculiar belief point by point, Paul countered with a positive theology. The principles he outlines in this book can be used today to judge new cults. "Christ is enough," Paul declares. He is God, the fullness of God, the one who made the world, the reason that everything exists. All the mystery and treasure and wisdom you could ask for are found in the person of Jesus Christ; there is no need to look elsewhere. Approach God Directly Because Jesus bridged the chasm between God and us, we don't have to approach God indirectly, through a ladder of angels or other gods. We have no need to prove our worth through superior behavior. We can come to God directly and boldly because of Christ. As for Jewish practices, they were mere shadows, made obsolete by Christ's coming. Why not concentate on the actual image that God sent to earth? Before Christ, Paul grants, a mystery was kept hidden for many centuries (1:26). But with Christ, everything broke out into the open. The fulness of God lived, died, and came back from death in broad daylight. Why settle for counterfeits? |