CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations such as “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch?”– Colossians 2:20.
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as:
“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations such as “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch?”– Colossians 2:20.
IN CONTEXT
Colossians 2:16, “So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about Jewish customs (festivals, New Moon celebrations, or Sabbath days). Verse 17. In the past, these things were like a shadow that showed what was coming. But the new things that were coming are found in Christ. Verse 18. Some people enjoy acting as if they are humble and love to worship angels. They always talk about the visions they have seen. Don’t listen to them when they say you are wrong because you don’t do these things. It is so foolish for them to feel such pride, because it is all based on their own human ideas. Verse 19. They don’t keep themselves under the control of the head. Christ is the head, and the whole body depends on him. Because of Christ, all the parts of the body care for each other and help each other. So the body is made stronger and held together as God causes it to grow.
Verse 20. You died with Christ and were made free from the powers that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these: Verse 21. “Don’t eat this,” “Don’t taste that,” “Don’t touch that”? Verse 22. These rules are talking about earthly things that are gone after they are used. They are only human commands and teachings. Verse 23. These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop doing the evil that the sinful self wants to do. (Colossians 2:16-23 – Easy to Read version).
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
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“Therefore, if Idied with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do I subject myself to regulations such as “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch?”– Colossians 2:20.
(MY COMMENTS)
This teaching is primarily referring to extra-Biblical practices, superstitions, man-made or made-up religious sounding activities. These often come from false religions or errant ideologies.
Jesus said, in Matthew 24:4, “See to it that no one misleads you, for many will come in my Name saying …” This has become an extensive problem in the church today. People saying “God told me…”, thereby promoting rituals and practices such as how you should think or what you should or should not eat or the requirement to speak in tongues to prove your salvation.
There are so-called pastors, rogue church leaders, errant theologians and many self-appointed people in the churches who claim or promote extra-Biblical insights such as life after death experiences, going to heaven and returning to life, having new revelations or new prophecies from visions and dreams, deviating from worshiping Christ (God) alone, practicing odd and weird behaviors (violent shaking, barking, seeing angel dust, meditative soaking on graves), prohibiting eating of meat or of marrying, endorsing aberrant sexual or homosexual preferences or activities.
There is a Light that shines and darkness cannot overcome it.
Despite what scientist are speculating and theorizing about the possibility of “multiple alternate universes” there are only two known worlds, “existences” or “realities”.
I will call them “The Natural World” and the “Spiritual World” for convenience and relatability. These two words may be called by various other names, depending on who is speaking, whether a scientist, a medical physician, a psychiatrist or a theologian. But the longest standing document with the most extensive teaching and examples on these matters is the Bible. So I will be speaking and writing from the Biblical view.
The Natural World, is of that which is “seen” or knowable. This includes all observable and known matter of space, time, all that is present within the cosmos. (And even what is “not yet seen”, either because of its distance from the natural observer or perhaps because of its infinitesimally small structure or nature or from the fact that we are not familiar with how to observe it, yet we know it exists).
The natural world, all that already exists, is the product of, or put another way, a manifestation from the “Spiritual World” – the world which is unseen. (“Unseen” because it is “unseeable” by the natural eye or mind).
Everything that exists in the Natural World comes into existence, has its time of existence, then it fades away and ceases to exist in its current form or ceases to exist altogether – it dissipates into nothingness. (Although scientists speculate that matter cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms. Therefore, while matter may transform into different states or components, it does not cease to exist entirely. (See NationalGeograpic.org).
On a practical level, this can be important for the person who struggles with the state of their natural life, the sufferings, the hardships, trials and tribulations of this natural world. This person may try to navigate their “troubles” of life by natural means, and this method may work for a short time, but will never offer a permanent solution of relief. Even for those who say they have “the easy life” of success, good health, an abundance of abilities and provisions, there always comes the time they will struggle, suffer and eventually die. So, is there ever a solution for the matters of troubles in life? Are there any permanent solutions?
If you can put your biases aside for a moment, I would like to propose a solution that has existed, according to the Bible, since creation. Although this solution is recorded in the Bible, unfortunately it has been mystified by contemporary interpretations of the Bible, and it has been modified from its original context and now codified by religious people, theologians and so-called Bible students and teachers. (They may have made honest and diligent efforts to understand, translate and explain certain principles, applications and effects in the Bible, but they have done it through a humanistic perspective. Their grand interpretations of the oracles of the Bible, especially when it comes to the matters of life and death, can be beneficial, but if they are “from and for the natural mind”, their effectiveness is marginal temporal at best.
Ephesians 6 underscores the weakness of temporal nature of the Natural when it says, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood (natural and earthly means), but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, (we are to) take up the full armor of God (which are Spiritual in nature), so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
We must, as Jesus has taught and demonstrated, live and direct our lives as we are IN THIS WORLD but as we are NOT OF THIS WORLD.
Teach as He did and try as He might, He was still frustrated with His disciple’s inability to grasp and apply what He has showing them. He remarked on occasion, “Oh, you of little faith” and “Oh, you unbelieving generation, how much longer must I put up with you?” (There were some, albeit infrequent times, the Apostles would see these Kingdom principles work in their lives).
Conversely, however, the Spiritual World, offers permanency. It is eternal, or as the Bible states it, “as it was, it is and so it shall forever be”. This is one reason Jesus says in the prayer He taught, “Thy Kingdom come, it shall be done on ‘earth’ as it is ‘in heaven’.” Jesus is teaching us that “The Kingdom of Heaven”, the Spiritual realm, possesses the answers to all of our questions and challenges.
For the natural person, it is as if he or she is standing at an impenetrable wall, unable to pass through to the Kingdom of God; unable to cross over to His Realm.
But just as God told Joshua, in the Supremely prophetic words “arise, now, and cross over”, He is telling us, His spiritual children, those of us who have been born by The Spirit of God, to “arise, now, and cross over” to the land which I promised Moses and I have given to you and to all the (future) children of God. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. Everyplace that the sole of your foot treads, I have (already) given to you – just as I told Moses! Only be strong and courageous. Do all I have commanded. Do not turn to the right or to the left (do not turn to other ideas or remedies), so that you will be successful. (See Joshua 1).
MEDITATE ON THIS DAY AND NIGHT and be careful and diligent, allow these words to dwell in you, so you will be able to do all that is written. “Then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success (in these matters). Once again, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
We are separated from God and His Kingdom because of our lack of faith, our lack of understanding and our sin. (SIN – from the Greek word ‘hamartia’ – literally means to be without a share in; to miss the mark. To miss the mark both of all that God has intended for your life and all that He has for you now, and for all eternity).
This is important because we are at that time that the prophet Joel spoke of. (see Joel 2). And again the Apostle Peter said has come to pass. (see Acts 2:14-21). This is a direct reference to THE LAST DAYS. These LAST DAYS had begun at or around the birth of Jesus and throughout the time of John of Patmos (2 B.C. through 95 A.D.), and continues to this day.
These are also known as “the birth pain seals” or the tribulation seals One through FIVE: Matthew 24:4-8, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people.And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.”
It is our time to rise up and cross over our Jordan (which, from the Hebrew) translates as “this decline or declension” or “these low places”, and enter into the land God promised. A land not made of natural things, such as sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, (of which we have been forewarned, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God).
Please understand that the Bible clearly teaches that it is from the heart, from the “LEB” (Hebrew word for heart), that springs the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). So if your eye, the lamp to your spirit is bad, your entire body (your outward experience) is full of darkness. But if your eye is clear (a state of moral and spiritual clarity or purity), then your whole body (your outward experience) will be full of light (spiritual illumination or moral clarity, reflecting the divine light that guides and transforms believers).
But our promised land is a land of the Spirit of God. A land where the love of God rules. A land where we enter into a joy that comes only from God. A land of peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the SUCCESS and PROSPERITY that God speaks of. It is from this state of mind, this state of spirit, and this attitude that all material things manifest in and around our lives are the promises of God.
Let’s set our eyes, our minds and our heart upon the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things will be added to us. (Matthew 6:33).
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15).
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as:
Bible Verse – “But if youbite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15).
IN CONTEXT
Galatians5:13,“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. Verse 14. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Verse 15. But if youbite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Verse 16. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Verse 17. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. Verse 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Verse 19. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, verse 20, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, verse 21, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, verse 23, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Verse 24. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Verse 25. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. Verse 26. Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“But if Ibite and devour another, I must beware lest we are consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15).
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MY COMMENTS:
This, “biting and devouring one another” describes harmful or destructive behavior, particularly in the context of interpersonal relationships within the Christian community such as being consumed by emotions or being destroyed by enemies. Metaphorically, it is to wound the soul, cut, lacerate, rend with reproaches.
This is a sign either of immaturity or more tragically are the actions of the “tares” or “goats” as described in the Bible.
This is truly a stark and deadly warning made in love by the Apostle Paul when he says “I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Ultimately, nothing will justify an ongoing behavior of “biting and devouring one another”. Just as Jesus instructs that “if you eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away, for it is better to be without a body part than to spend an eternity in hell”, Paul is instructing us to put this sin away before we find ourselves in the outer darkness, from where this is no return.
Let’s “so far as depends on you, be at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18-19).
