11. Your Church Life – O Happy Day! (2)

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Hymns: RHC 106 Christ Liveth In Me 115 Constantly Abiding 116 High Ground

Colossians 2:16-23

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Col. 2:11-23 KJV)

In your Church-Life – O Happy Day! (2)

OUTLINE

  • Consecrated and Baptised (v11-15)
  • Worldly Influence Creeping Into the Church (v16-23)

…Continue

(2)Worldly Influence Creeping Into the Church (v16-23) 

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 

Paul now takes up a direct and incisive criticism of many features of the variant teaching at Colosse. His basic complaint is that these heretics have lost their connection to Christ by replacing him with their syncretistic practices and calling on angels. This group of believers within the church at Colosse are, in fact, judging and demeaning others who do not subscribe to their teachings (Colossians 2:18, 20). The language of this passage (esp. the Greek pronoun tis, “a certain person”), may point to an influential teacher—perhaps a shaman-like figure—who is ringleader of this emerging faction.[1]

A religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day (2:16). These are distinctively Jewish observances found together repeatedly in the Old Testament and ardently advocated by the proponents of the Colossian “philosophy.” There is evidence in Josephus and from inscriptions that Sabbath observance was important to the Jews of Asia Minor. There is also testimony from the inscriptions that Jews in Asia Minor customarily observed the important Jewish festivals (such as Passover and Pentecost). The adherents of “the philosophy” are apparently not law-abiding Jews from the local synagogue. They are Christians (some of whom are ethnically Jewish) who are holding on to certain aspects of the Jewish law and yet combining it with local folk beliefs. It is even possible that they are giving these festivals and observances a new interpretation. Religious festivals of various kinds were important in the local religions of Colosse. 

Also, the observance of the New Moon was integral to the performance of certain mystery initiation rituals. A popular deity in the region (also attested in the coins of Colosse) was the moon god Memn. The various phases of the moon were important to the worship of this god. Interestingly, another deity worshiped at Colosse was the goddess Selene. Her name, in fact, is the Greek word for the moon; she was closely associated with Artemis and Hekate. In popular belief these three goddesses were believed to protect their worshipers from hostile spirits.

17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

The Jewish festivals and observances, as they were taught in the Old Testament, were essentially a foretaste of a future reality, realized now in the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:1).[2]

Hebrews 10:1 (KJV) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 

The word “beguile” literally means “rob of a prize”, depriving of spiritual reward, disqualify, judge unworthy. It is in the imperative, a command to be vigilant continually. An athlete who did not receive a favourable decision by the judge could be disqualified or deprived of the prize. Paul hereby says that the people involved in this church faction have no right to set themselves up as judges over the Colossian believers. Rather, they should resist the insistence of these teachers to invoke angels and engage in ascetic practices, in spite of their visionary claims.[3]

Voluntary humility (2:18). The word “voluntary” is not in the Greek text, but it is inferred from the context. In Jewish texts, the word for “humility” could be used for fasting and may refer to that discipline here. In both Jewish and pagan circles, fasting is seen as important for driving off evil spirits. One Jewish text illustrates this well: “But a pure fast is what I created, with a pure heart and pure hands. It releases sin. It heals diseases. It casts out demons.” Fasting was also a precondition in many religious contexts for successful visionary experience (something we know was part of the Colossian “philosophy”).[4]

Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16: “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” 

Fasting is a valuable aspect of Christian living in forging a closer walk with God. It is the laying aside of the common necessity of food and drink for a short season for the purpose of spending more uninterrupted time of communion with God in prayer and study of His Word. There are divine blessings from fasting. Daniel fasted that he may obtain wisdom to understanding God’s will for His people, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes” (Dan 9:3). It is an earnest and sincere humbling of self to let God be pre-eminent in our hearts. 

However, we must not have the mistaken notion that we can become more spiritual by punishing our bodies through abstaining from food and drink. This religious exercise must not be used to judge whether a Christian is more spiritual. This is the third religious duty highlighted in this chapter after works of charity and prayer. This third duty is often abused by the scribes and Pharisees. 

The hypocrites fasted for the wrong reason of wanting to appear to be more religious than others! They would look sad and neglect their usual dressing to depict feelings that are not in their hearts. They are like the “professional” mourners that can be hired to give an appearance of great mourning. They do so to win the praise of men and not of God. It shows forth a very shallow and earth bound religiosity. Our Lord Jesus stresses emphatically that true spirituality must live in the heart. It cannot just take on an external form. 

Fasting is a personal matter between an individual and his Lord. Help me, Lord, to fully understand the doctrine of fasting. 

That the whole man may be more thoroughly humbled before God, and more fervent in prayer.

Jesus also taught in Matthew 6:17-18: “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” 

The secret of true fasting is to fast secretly. It is not the act of fasting but the true spirit of fasting that our Lord wants to teach us. We must endeavour to correct the malady of our heart and establish them firmly on correct principles of piety that please God. Jesus teaches that fasting in secret is pleasing to the Father and He has promised to bestow blessings for such consecration. 

Fasting in secret and not in ostentation will speed us along the path of true devotion. This is the life lived by faith and not by sight. We do not need the approval of man to authenticate our spiritual vitality. True spiritual vitality comes not from man but from God. Therefore, we are to keep, watch and guard our hearts with all diligence for out of it flows our woe or reward. Our Lord wants us to examine our hearts. We must realize how important it is to protect and to preserve the purity of our hearts from the pollutions of the depraved nature that still resides within us. The way we go about our religion will give away the true condition of our hearts. Fasting is such an acid test. 

Hear this testimony of a pious minister of God, “A day of fasting is of great assistance to the soul, for the better performing of holy duties, such as meditations, reading, and hearing the word, prayer, examining, judging, and reforming a person’s self; both because his spirits are better disposed, when he is fasting, to serious devotion; and the mind being so long taken wholly off from the thoughts, cares and pleasures of this life, he may be more intent and earnest in seeking of God.” 

Fasting renews our peace with God. Thank Thee, Lord, for teaching us how to keep a fast that is acceptable to Thee. 

The worshipping of angels (2:18). This expression provides us with a significant insight into an important feature of the deviant teaching at Colosse. Although some have suggested that we need to interpret it in terms of the angels performing the worship, it makes better sense to view the angels as the object of the veneration. 

The group in Colosse is apparently calling on angels for assistance and protection from evil spirits. This was the way people commonly sought angels in the first century—in folk Judaism, in local folk belief, and later, even in segments of early Christianity. It is doubtful that the group had splintered off from the church and were worshiping angels as they would worship God and Christ. Rather, the unique word for “worship” (thrēskeia) should be understood in the sense of “invoking” or “calling on.”[5]

 There are many inscriptions from Asia Minor mentioning angels. Most of these are invocations to angels for protection, deliverance, or assistance. An inscribed amulet found near the city of Cyzicus illustrates this tendency:Michael, Gabriel, Ouriel, Raphael, protect the one who wears this. Holy, holy, holy. PIPI RPSS. Angel, Araaph, flee O hated one. Solomon pursues you.Another inscription found on a tablet in Patras (Achaia) illustrates the same tendency in a way that highlights the connection to daily life:O angels, protect the household and lives of John and Georgia … Sabaōth, Eloeein, Ariēl, Gabriēl, Michaēl, Raphaēl, Thelchiēl, Sisiēl, Ouriēl, Raphaēl, Daniēl, Ouriēl, Boreēl, Iaō, Sabaōth, Chariēl … O power of these angels and characters, give victory and favour to John and Georgia and this household while they live.[6] 

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 

By departing from the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, there is no true nourishment for the body of Christ. Only in adhering to the truth will the believer grow in true grace and knowledge.

Jesus says in John 15:1-2 (KJV) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:4-5 (KJV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If the body takes in toxins, it will be harmed. These factions sought to disrupt the healthy growth of the church by pushing deviant ways contrary to the doctrine of Christ. 

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 

Romans 6:2-11 (KJV) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likenessof his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Having become a Christian by God’s grace, let us be grateful for this new life in Christ. Receiving pardon for sin, being freed from the bondage of sin, sin does not have a stranglehold on our lives, we are “dead to sin“.

The Apostle Paul reasoned with us that we should not continue in sin, like a dog going back to its own vomit. Our life as a Christian, forward-looking, must not be still plagued with the ravages of sin. Just because we receive the pardon from sin by God’s grace does not mean that we should delight in sin since pardon is forthcoming each time. The Christian life ought to understand the blessing of living in the beauty of holiness. The sinning Christian is a misnomer because he is not making spiritual progress. Borrowing the Malay word “Hentak Kaki” in marching drills meaning “marching on the spot” to help us see the sad plight of the Christian making no spiritual progress, still being entangled with sin.

Many Christians are in this state. The Apostle Paul understood “their struggles”. He will now help them to see the causes and the hindrances to their spiritual progress so that many reading this epistle may be helped in the journey of sanctification.

The Christian ought to be vibrant and filled with the vitality of godliness for he is walking in newness of life. 

Here, he is not speaking of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life which we know consist the new birth. Rather, he described how the Christian baptism with water, identifies a believer with the death of Christ.The old life of sin is crucified with Christ on the cross, buried, done away with. It also signifying the triumph over sin and death by Christ’s resurrection from the dead three days later. This is wrought by the glory of the Father to signify that God gets all the praise for this work. We are undeserving sinners whom God saved!

Indeed, when Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples after His resurrection they were pleasantly surprised. This resurrection life that triumphs over sin and death is a life worth living. He reminds the Christian of his new nature and how vital to walk therein. Thank God for this new life. May we cherish it and live it to the fullest

Galatians 2:19-20 (KJV) For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 

Let us refrain and restrain ourselves from those deviant influences that sought to influence us in our table-talks that are not the doctrines of Christ. That’s how these enter the church, during these chit-chat sessions, off-line, but very disturbing to the peace in the church. The members are warned to stay clear of such characters in the church.

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 

Such man-centred ideas and approaches to spiritual life will bound to fail. It is dangerous following these individuals who sought to governize influence in the church through their unsolicited influences to unknowing members. Therefore, the Apostle Paul had to warn against this “too-free” individuals to stop harassing the people of God!

23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

“Will worship” refers to self-made religion or self-willed religion. If there god is themselves and their wealth, they will lead others to follow their deviant practice.

An shew or appearance of wisdom (2:23). The kind of “wisdom” exhibited by the leaders of the faction is not traditional Jewish wisdom (of the type recorded in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom of Solomon, or Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach), nor is it a traditional Greek form of wisdom as represented by the philosophers. 

This was esoteric wisdom for dealing with spiritual powers. There was a strong tradition within folk Judaism of a wisdom for handling evil spirits that purportedly went back to Solomon. This tradition of Solomon’s great wisdom for dealing with evil spirits is best illustrated by Josephus:

Now so great was the prudence and wisdom which God granted Solomon that he surpassed the ancients, and even the Egyptians, who are said to excel all men in understanding, were not only, when compared with him, a little inferior but proved to fall far short of the king in sagacity.… There was no form of nature with which he was not acquainted or which he passed over without examining, but he studied them all philosophically and revealed the most complete knowledge of their several properties. And God granted him knowledge of the art used against demons for the benefit and healing of men. He also composed incantations by which illnesses are relieved, and left behind forms of exorcisms with which those possessed by demons drive them out, never to return. And this kind of cure is of very great power among us to this day, for I have seen a certain Eleazar, a countryman of mine, in the presence of Vespasian, his sons, tribunes and a number of other soldiers, free men possessed by demons, and this was the manner of the cure.… And when this was done, the understanding and wisdom of Solomon were clearly revealed.[7]

Perhaps this was imbibed in their past and now having not be truly sanctified, bring in these deviant thoughts to influence the people of God. The Apostle Paul had to expose them.

CONCLUSION 

Indeed, to continue teaching of the doctrines of Christ is paramount to the safety and protection of God’s flock whom Christ bought by His very life. Having come into the church, they are to beware of such deviant factious groups arising. Amen.

[1] Arnold, C. E. (2002). Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon. (Vol. 3, p. 388-389). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Arnold, C. E. (2002). Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon. (Vol. 3, pp. 389–390). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[4] Arnold, C. E. (2002). Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon. (Vol. 3, p. 389). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[5] Arnold, C. E. (2002). Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon. (Vol. 3, p. 389). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Arnold, C. E. (2002). Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon. (Vol. 3, pp. 392–393). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.