Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8
We live in a world that is largely committed to self-pleasure and autonomous living. Folks are often encouraged to “take care of #1,” “please themselves at the expense of others,” etc. Feelings of self‑worth and emotions of self-love have overtaken commitments to holiness and godliness. Humanistic philosophy and media influence have directed us toward a system of judgment based upon how we feel about things, more than that which God declares on any particular matter. All too often, men judge the Word of God by the faulty standard of their human feelings and emotions. Rather, they should be judging their actions by the inerrant and eternal Word of God.
What can we do to turn this position around? The Bible reminds us that we can earnestly contend for the faith, endure trials with joy, thank God for the opportunity to suffer for righteousness sake and be an accurate ambassador for Christ. Our strength and joy will come from our own personal intimate fellowship with Christ through studying and applying His Word. In Ecclesiastes 5:8, God has promised to right all wrongs and to fulfill His obligatory promise for equity and justice in due time.
In a world that is looking to find some meaning for it all, born again believers ought to be giving a demonstration of biblical hope as well as knowing the Bible reason for that hope when folks ask, as seen in 1 Peter 3:15.
The passage shown above reminds us that we must be very careful not to be swept away by the philosophy of an unregenerate world. Natural men do not understand or desire the guidance of the Spirit by the Word. So why do we who have received Christ and been regenerated by the Spirit reject His message? Why do we kick against the Truth? Why do we struggle in resentment, resistance and rebellion?
May God help us today to be concerned about our personal faithfulness to God in sacrificial obedience to His Holy Word. Then may we execute practical faithfulness in sacrificial service to others for their eternal profit.
(c) 1986 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
Colossians 2:8
We live in a world that is largely committed to self-pleasure and autonomous living. Folks are often encouraged to “take care of #1,” “please themselves at the expense of others,” etc. Feelings of self‑worth and emotions of self-love have overtaken commitments to holiness and godliness. Humanistic philosophy and media influence have directed us toward a system of judgment based upon how we feel about things, more than that which God declares on any particular matter. All too often, men judge the Word of God by the faulty standard of their human feelings and emotions. Rather, they should be judging their actions by the inerrant and eternal Word of God.
What can we do to turn this position around? The Bible reminds us that we can earnestly contend for the faith, endure trials with joy, thank God for the opportunity to suffer for righteousness sake and be an accurate ambassador for Christ. Our strength and joy will come from our own personal intimate fellowship with Christ through studying and applying His Word. In Ecclesiastes 5:8, God has promised to right all wrongs and to fulfill His obligatory promise for equity and justice in due time.
In a world that is looking to find some meaning for it all, born again believers ought to be giving a demonstration of biblical hope as well as knowing the Bible reason for that hope when folks ask, as seen in 1 Peter 3:15.
The passage shown above reminds us that we must be very careful not to be swept away by the philosophy of an unregenerate world. Natural men do not understand or desire the guidance of the Spirit by the Word. So why do we who have received Christ and been regenerated by the Spirit reject His message? Why do we kick against the Truth? Why do we struggle in resentment, resistance and rebellion?
May God help us today to be concerned about our personal faithfulness to God in sacrificial obedience to His Holy Word. Then may we execute practical faithfulness in sacrificial service to others for their eternal profit.
(c) 1986 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
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