Paul wrote a letter to the Colossians correcting and encouraging them to not give way to false teaching or opinions of others.
And although we don’t live in a first century has-been city, timeless truths from Colossians can be applied to our faith journey right now.
Here are 3 faith lessons from the book of Colossians:
#1 Be Careful Not to be led astray by fine-sounding, but unsound teaching
Colossians 2:8 (NLT) Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
We like to hear what we want to hear—but when it comes to following Jesus, we can become enthralled with inspiring, funny, or even dogmatic teaching, depending on our personalities.
Is what we hear merely opinion? Religion? Philosophy? Or is it founded on sound theological truth from God’s Word?
3 questions to ask to make sure you hold onto sound teaching:
What Scripture is the person basing their life truth or religious experience on?
What other Scriptures support (or do not support) their opinions?
In light of the whole counsel of God’s Word, is what this teacher tells me true?
#2 A Relationship with God is Greater than Human-made Religion
Colossians 2:20-22 (NLT) You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
People will judge. Just let them.
In the Colossian church, believers were judging one another for either not having spiritual “experiences” with angels and visions (and who knows what)—or not following strict Jewish laws.
If we allow ourselves to try to keep up with the spiritual “Joneses”, we will constantly falter. Rather, as Paul encourages the believers, we are to root ourselves in Christ. He is the Head by which the whole Body of Christ grows. He is our focus, our purpose, our rule.
And in Christ, we are set free from rule-following and invited into a relationship with Him, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As we live by the Spirit, we will stop those things contrary to the Spirit of God, because of our relationship with God—not as a result of a cosmic checklist.
Relax—love God, love others. Do what is right—and forget all the opinions, unless it is a brother or sister in Christ who knows you well, loves you, and is correcting you for the sake of your soul.
#3 Setting Our Heart and Mind on Christ is Life Changing
We are constantly lured to set our minds on anything but Christ.
We set our minds on the morning cup of coffee as we roll out of bed. We set our minds on our high school friend’s gourmet steak dinner that she posted on Instagram. We set our minds on waiting until 5:00pm so we can close our computer.
But when it comes to setting our hearts and our minds on Christ, it seems unrealistic. “I’ve got to think about other things besides God—like what to cook for dinner.”
When Paul encouraged the Colossians to set their hearts and minds on Christ, I think it was more of the idea of orienting our total being toward being a Christ follower.
We scroll social media as a Christ follower. We eat our pasta dinner as a Christ follower. We even binge Downton Abby as a Christ follower.
When we orient our heart and minds toward Christ in everything, then we begin to “put off” our sinful ways and “put on” the ways of the Spirit. It’s not a list we check off, but a way of being we grow into as we read the Word and walk moment by moment, “in Christ.”
Colossians 2:20-22 (NLT) You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
No matter what you do, follow Jesus while doing it.
Your Turn
Which of these three faith lessons resonates with you? Why?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Catch up on Colossians:
Did you miss the series on the book of Colossians on the Podcast?
Catch up below:
THE IMAGE OF GOD (Colossians 1:15–23)
STAYING TRUE TO THE TRUTH (Colossians 2:6–10)
OUR TRIUMPH OVER SPIRITUAL FORCES (Colossians 2:13-15)
BE CAREFUL ABOUT OPINIONS (Colossians 2:13-15)
