2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Jeremiah 6:16-8:7 ESV, Colossians 2:8-23 ESV, Psalm 78:1-31 ESV, Proverbs 24:26 ESV
Daily Verse: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 ESV)
PHILOSOPHIA (5385): “Used once in the NT of the theology, or rather theosophy, of certain Jewish Christian ascetics, which busied itself with refined and speculative enquiries into the nature and classes of angels, into the ritual of the Mosaic law and the regulations of Jewish tradition respecting practical life (Col. 2:8).”[1]
Speculative enquiries.
Paul’s not condemning all philosophy, just the one the Colossians adopted; the word never gets used again in the New Testament. The apostle gave three reasons the Colossians shouldn’t succumb to the lies.
First, the pagan traditions prevalent in their culture mislead the people. Secondly, the philosophy depended on the “spirits of the world,” which contrast Jesus’ teachings, and third, the Colossian thinking didn’t base itself on Christ.
Hollow and deceptive.
Our world compares to the Colossians as far as false philosophy. People fall for the same things the Colossians did. One of my biggest heartbreaks over the past few years happened because of people’s lack of faith.
“When 9/11 happened, the churches overflowed. Twenty years later, when a crisis hit, we closed the churches.” Pastor in Myrtle Beach
Camping in Myrtle Beach, Ron and I attended Lakewood Campground’s church service. In an old amphitheater, a picture window framed the ocean, sun shining through the pains, highlighting the cross which stood behind the pastor.
As the service started, my critical spirit doubted I would learn anything. But the elderly pastor taught me much. We didn’t meet, but his words changed my life and made me aware of the truth he spoke. People didn’t turn to Jesus in the crisis of 2020.
And so, since that day, I’ve done what the pastor instructed us to do. Every day, I try to love people for Jesus to the best of my ability, introducing them to the Savior of the world by my actions. Many times I’ve faltered, but each day I try again.
If we want people’s eyes opened to Jesus, we must love them for Him. Christ changed the world; we can do the same if we live for Him.
[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 264-5) Thomas Nelson
