Colossians 2:18-19

Colossians 2:18-19

Let no one disqualify you while taking pleasure in humility or the worship of angels, while taking a stand based up that which he has seen, while being arrogant

without cause by the mind of his flesh, and while not seizing the head – out of whom the whole body grows in the growth of God while being supported and united by ligaments and bindings.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul cautions the Colossians to make sure that nobody disqualifies them.  We need to be careful, though, to make sure that we catch Paul’s full meaning.  When Paul talks about being disqualified, he is speaking about the terms of being disqualified by not meeting the standards of worshipping angels, seeing visions, being arrogant in worldly logic, etc.  In other words, we should not make ecstatic experience take the place of God’s promise.  Just because I don’t see visions doesn’t make me less in the kingdom or even disqualified from the kingdom.  Just because you may not talk to angels doesn’t make you less in the kingdom or disqualified from the kingdom.  We are promised the kingdom through the death of Christ and through nothing else.

Do you ever feel like you are not as qualified in God’s kingdom as other people with more flamboyant gifts?  Why is it easy to feel this way?  Why is this feeling often wrong?

Second Thought:

Then Paul tells us where we should locate our thoughts towards being qualified in the kingdom: the Head.  Of course, by the Head Paul means Jesus Christ.  It is Christ who causes us to grow, not our own fleshly intelligence.  It is Christ that qualifies us for the kingdom, our relationship with God’s angels.  It is Christ that qualifies us for the kingdom, not my pride or arrogance or even self-confidence.  It is Christ that I should look to seize, not some flamboyant gift or spiritual vision.

Do you hold fast to Christ?  Do you ever feel as though you need more than simply to rely on Christ?  If so, how do you overcome such thoughts?

Third Thought:

Paul also mentions that we are supported by ligaments and other things that bind us together.  It is tough to know exactly what Paul means, but I think I can put forth a decent idea.  Our growth comes from Christ, the head.  But that growth is supported by the body – the fellowship of Christ’s disciples.  Jesus’ true followers support one another while Christ is at work.  This provides a great counterpoint to the opening verse of this section.  Paul warns about those who are looking to disqualify.  In contrast, Christ’s true followers support rather than disqualify.

Who supports you in Christ?  Why does it make sense that Christ’s followers would seek to support rather than look to tear down and disqualify?

Passage for Tomorrow: Colossians 2:20-23