Colossians 2
Religion or Relationship?
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, December 4.
It is my greatest desire that you will be a follower of Jesus!
Paul explains in Colossians 2:20-23, “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, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 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.”
Paul states the uselessness of “self-made religion,” and to be completely transparent, I’m not interested in leading us in, or passing on to others, that which does not work, simply for the sake of tradition. Only Jesus saves!
So, as Paul did for the followers of Jesus in Colossae, I pray Paul’s prayer from Colossians 2:6-10 for you today: “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”
Seize the moment and follow Jesus. Spend time with Him today.
May we each, through time spent with the Living God in prayer and study of His Word, know the difference between the trappings of man-made religion and the promises of God-given relationship.
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.