shadmans Musings  

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Col 3:1-2) In the previous chapter, starting at verse 8, Paul began encouraging the Colossians not to allow themselves to be deceived by anything that would exalt itself above Christ. The world is full of false philosophies and false teachers who will do everything in their power to entice them away from their devotion to God they had previously received.  When a person puts their faith in Christ Jesus, then that person is joined to Christ so strongly that they are separated from their former self and are now dead to the world. Our union with Christ is in both His death and His resurrection. In this chapter, Paul moves on to urging believers to pursue a practical Christian life. As MacArthur said, “Paradoxically, before Christians can reach the world, they must first leave it.” [1]...

  (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? (23) These 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.   (2:20-23) As we come to the end of Chapter 2, Paul strikes out against the final error attacking the Colossian church, asceticism. It was and is still defined as, “... a religious philosophy which teaches that depriving the body of its normal desires is a means of achieving greater holiness and approval from God.” [1] Unfortunately, it will become a problem that has plagued the Church to this day. Even today, far too many Christians believe that some form...