The Colossian Heresy

Dear Class,

Today to move into the books of Philemon and Colossians.

We will just take a brief look at the problem at Colossae, which is often known as the Colossian Heresy. The heart of the issue seems to be addressed in Col 2:8.
Bro Lipscomb wrote on this,"....Some of those who eagerly expressed their faith in Christ brought with them many of the cherished ideas of the time, partly Jewish and partly pagan, which they saw no reason to discard but which they were ready to defend as an important, indeed essential, part of God's message to man. They endeavoured to prove that the old faith could live with the new; that a man might become a Christian without discarding any of his principles or prejuidices. The result was that the gospel was soon in imminent danger of being submerged by a rising tide of non-Christian beliefs and practices."

There were 3 major issues:
1) Denial of the fullness of Godhead dwelling in Christ (2:9)
2) Denial of completeness in Christ (2:10)
3) Adding to New Testament Christianity the old law and human traditions (2:18,22)

Point (3) is a manifestation of points (1) and (2). As a result of perceived "short-comings" the detractors sought to embellish the Christian faith with various practices, borrowed form the old law and other human beliefs/religious practices. Some of these spiritual "supplements" as described by Paul include fleshly circumcision (11-14), dietary restrictions, sabbath and feast days (16), contrived humility/piety, angel worship (18) and ascetic restrictions (21).

Jesus, some 30 years back has already taught on the dangers of mixing the old and the new (Mat 9:16,17) and also of the Pharisees who taught for doctrine the commandments of man (Mat 15:8,9).
Those who think they know better than God, need to look no further than the old testament examples. Remember King Saul? As it had been since the beginning, and so it is now and will be forever - the only thing for us to do is just trust and obey! No more, no less! (c.f. Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18,19)

Also note in v. 2:16, 20 that we need to be very careful not to misapply them, as some have to social drinking, celebrating Christmas, etc. Paul here is writing of the old law (c.f. v.17). Furthermore, the commandments do not contradict! Drinking is condemned by God (Hab 2:15; Pro 20:1; 23:31-32). It is a perpetual social curse of every known civilisation and culture! How can one say it is not relevant just as fleshly circumcision in our profession of the faith??? As for supposedly "Christian" celebrations like Easter and Christmas, they are the very things Paul is speaking (forward) against! The "voluntary humility" that is so condemned. We are commanded exactly WHEN do commemorate Christ's death (1Co 11:26, etc). Any more is extraneous and sinful!

Let us continue to be wary of the "Colossian heresy" even today and stick to the paths which the apostles and early saints have trod, turning neither to the left nor to the right. For this is the only sure way to get us to heaven.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul

Disobedience

Dear class,

As we continue to trace the wanderings of the Israelites in today's reading, one particular incident stands out: The disobedience of Moses.

Alas....the weakness of man. Even Moses, the meekest of all men (Num 12:3), whom God speaks to "mouth to mouth" (Num 12:8) and face to face (Deut 34:10) succumbed in the briefest moment of folly, as we read the account in Num 20:1-13.
Why did Moses do it? Perhaps he was just too vexed by the people. Perhaps he thought striking the rock was as good as telling it, as he once did at Horeb (Ex 17:6).
Whatever the reason, we know God was displeased. It was interesting to note that God allowed water to flow, even though Moses did not do exactly as he was told.
There are many instances in the old testament that we read of depicting God's tolerance of the failings of the people. Abraham and Isaac lying about their wives, David's adultery, Solomon's many wives, etc. Yet, even as God's plan carried through, man bore the consequences of his actions.
In this case of Moses, we read that he was not allowed to enter into the promised land (Num 20:12)

What is in this for us? God allows things to happen, but it does not mean he is pleased or it is authorised. (Remember Pharaoh?)
So many a time we have heard : since there are so many denominations today, surely God authorises every one of them. God forbid! There's only ONE faith, ONE church (Eph 4:4,5; 1Co 12:13) Sure, you can go ahead to go a whoring after those man-made organisations, just be prepared to face the consequences (2Th 1:8, 9)
God is very specific in his requirements and we would do well if we followed his commandments to the dot, without any further embellishment on our part. (Rev 22:18, 19)
God understands our failings, Jesus himself being subjected to the same temptations (Heb 2:18; 4:15), yet this is no excuse for doing wrong (Rom 6:1,2), yet we are comforted that there is always a way out (1Co 10:13) and forgiveness for the repentant(1Jo 1:9)

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul

Rebellion!

Dear Class,

In today's reading (25 Feb), the Israelites yet again rebelled against God.
The consequence was the death of more than 15000 people! (c.f. Num 16:49, plus the princes and Korah and company)

Why did this happen? Were the rebels a "mixed multitude" (c.f. Num 11:4)? Not so! We are told they were "men of renown"! (Num 16:2)
People who were supposed to be held in respect, holding a certain amount of authority.
Yet, they had fell prey to the pride of life (remember 1Jhn 2:16?) and chose to pit themselves against God and his chosen. Certainly reminds us of 1Co 10:12; 1Co 9:27.

Notice yet again, when the rebels were miraculously destroyed in what would have been a most dramatic and impactful manner, the people did not repent but murmured against Moses and Aaron! (Num 16:41) The result was the plagued that killed 14700 people and would have been more if Aaron had not made atonement immediately.

Yet as we shake our heads in disbelief at the foolishness and stubbornness of the Israelites, we need to constantly look at ourselves.
Bearing in mind this is not a mere story for us to enjoy, but an example for us to take heed.
Are we at times "stiff-necked and uncircumcised"? meaning stubborn and profane? Have we time and again let God down, even though he continues to bless us again and again?
True, the Israelites had first hand account of the hand of God, but we have the COMPLETE WORD revealed, of which even the angels desired to look upon! (1Pe 1:12)
What is our excuse for not following the Word of God?

We note:
1Co 10:1  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
1Co 10:5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Furthermore:
Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Heb 3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Heb 3:16  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
Heb 3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
Heb 3:18  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
Heb 3:19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Dear brethren, let us always, ALWAYS be reminded of our ultimate goal in life and exhort one another to press on unto perfection.

in Him

1 Land, 12 Spies, 2 Views

Dear class,

Yet another interesting read for the day! 12 spies that were sent to check out the land of Canaan.

Just when we thought the Israelites had learnt their lesson from the quail incident, they yet again provoked the Lord to the extent of near total annihilation (Num  14:11,12).

This is a classic case of what we often say seeing a cup half empty or half full. The same land, yet the spies brought back 2 contrasting reports.
Caleb and Joshua, the only 2 faithful spies who would also be the only 2 men, as we are told, of that generation that will enter into the promised land (Num 14:30), brought back an exceedingly good report, believing that God will deliver Canaan to them (Num 14:8) yet the rest chose to focus on the negative aspects, totally throwing their confidence in God into the wind. Unfortunately, the rest of the congregation were caught up in their fear and resentment.

How many times in life have we caught ourselves in a similar situation?
Are we focusing on the good things and putting our confidence in the Lord? (Pro 3:5,6) Or choosing to dwell in the bad and wallow in self-pity?
Are we resentful of our Christian life, with all the "restrictions" and "obligations" and seemingly unsurmountable odds?
Lest we forget, as bro Yong Yaw mentioned last week, the "EXCEEDING GREAT and PRECIOUS promises" (2Pe 1:4).
Let's us strive to be the spiritual Caleb and Joshua, take heed and press on in our Christian walk with joy and resolve. (1Co 10:12; 1Tim 4:16; Phi 3:14)

The Lord bless us in this day ahead.

in Him
Paul

Sweet Savour

Dear class,

3rd day into the reading of Leviticus. Some of us could be wondering why are we trudging through this dry and boring book.
Remember Rom 15:4! As we read, try to see how it applies/relates to the Christian dispensation.

Just like to highlight this concept of sweet savour as it relates to sacrifice, which is the primary focus of Leviticus and Numbers.

Found some 44 times in the bible, only once in NT. In Leviticus alone: 17 times and Numbers:18 times.
Basically meaning pleasant smell or aroma.
Acceptable sacrifice is like a sweet savour to God. Today, even without animal sacrifices, the concept is the same.
Paul wrote - "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ..." (2Co 2:15)
We offer "sacrifice of praise" (Heb 13:15)
We are a "living sacrifice"! (Rom 12:1)

As we go about our daily duties, what sweet savour have we offered?

May you have a blessed day ahead

in Him

Paul

I Will Harden Pharoah's Heart

Dear Class,

As we move on to the beginning of the 10 plagues in Exodus in the daily bible reading, let's us dwell on this "heart hardening" process.

First mentioned in Ex 4:21
And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

Mentioned another 18 times in the plague incident. (Ex 7:3,13,14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 12, 34, 35; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8, 17)

Some of them similar in expression to Ex 4:21 (verses in bold)
Which may cause people to wonder: does God control our thoughts? Was Pharoah and his servants victimised?

First of all let us understand the concept of "God wills"
As we have read in Job, God is in control of everything. Satan had to be authorised by God to strike disaster upon Job.
In James 4:15, we are reminded that only when God wills, can things take place.
If we apply this concept to the Pharoah, we see that "God wills" for his and his servants' hearts to be hardened. Or God authorised the possibility of their hearts being hardened.

Secondly, did Pharoah have a choice? YES! 10 times over! Even after the death of the firstborn, he did not repent of his actions, resulting in the demise of his army.
How do we know that? Look at Ex 9:27, 34; 10:16. He sinned. And what was the process leading to sin? Read Jam 1:13-15.

Thirdly, God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Eze 33:11) But that all will come to repentance (Eze 33:11; Mat 9:13; 2Pe 3:9)
God is gracious to both good and evil! (Mat 5:45) God is no respecter of persons (Rom 2:11). Everyone has an equal opportunity.

Thus, God authorised the possibility of Pharoah and his servants to turn a blind eye to the facts. God gave him 10 chances, but he CHOSE to blow each one of them.

To give a loose analogy: The government ALLOWS drivers to exceed the speed limit. In what way you say? Well, the fact that cars are made to go above the speed limit. If the government would not ALLOW, it could render all cars to not go above 90kmh and use a jamming signal to prevent cars from exceeding specific speed limits. The fact that it is not. Would we say that the government CAUSED us to speed because it allows our cars to go above 90kmh? Obviously not! We speed because we CHOOSE to. And when caught or when an accident happens as result of the bad choice, we pay the consequence.

This reminds us of what I mentioned in class about God's plan and the free will of man.
What if Pharoah had did the right thing by letting the Israelites go? Bearing in mind Ex 7:5, etc. The purpose was to show the supremacy of God to the Egyptians.
In that case of course the people would have been convinced without suffering the plagues! Or perhaps in order to still have the "wow" effect (for the sake of neighbouring countries, c.f. Jos 2:9), it could have been a non-invasive or even productive form (remember the 7 plenteous years in Joseph's time?).
God's plan will be fulfilled regardless! BUT man has to bear the consequences. Just as Judas did.

The application here is this: God DOES NOT control our free will. Although God allows us to be tested. (c.f. Job, Jesus, etc) We need to make the right choices and not fall into the trap of sin, not allow our hearts to be hardened (Heb 3:13)
How do we know the right choices? Study the Word of God! And make sure in dwells in our very fibers of being such that it becomes 2nd nature. (c.f. Col 3:16)

May you have a blessed day ahead.

in Him
Paul