Just as you were taught
Contrary to what advertisers want you to believe, “newer” does not automatically mean “better”. This applies to many areas of our life, including our spiritual maturity.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it seems like the American church is always on the lookout for the Next Big Thing. Every couple of years, we jump at a slick package of formula-prayers, diets, or new techniques which claim to develop spiritual maturity. Unfortunately, it seems like most people’s idea of spiritual maturity is nothing more than being good at convincing God to give us whatever we want at the moment.
As we continue through Paul’s letter to the believers in Colossae, we find that they were also being presented with a barrage of “new” ideas and techniques that would supposedly make them spiritually mature. We’ll take a close look at each one as we come to them in this letter, but before Paul specifically addresses these other teachings, he gives the Colossians a broad statement about the true path to spiritual maturity:
Colossians 2:6-7
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Notice how Paul lays out the path before the Colossian believers – they are to root themselves and build up themselves in Jesus – just as you were taught. No new techniques, no additional rituals, no special sacrifice or vow. They don’t need a “new way” because they’ve already been shown the way, and it was up to them to walk the path laid out before them.
Many years prior, God gave a similar warning to the nation of Israel:
Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the Lord says:
Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths:
Which is the way to what is good?
Then take it and find rest for yourselves.
But they protested: We won’t!
The Israelites refused to listen to God’s timeless advice and directions for how they were to live as His people. They still belonged to God, for they were God’s chosen people. However, their refusal to acknowledge God’s rightful place as King made them rebellious children. God had shown their forefathers the path for relationship with Him and for peace in the land, but instead
Jeremiah 6:19
…they have paid no attention to My word. They have rejected My law.
The Israelites shunned God’s revelation and His previously revealed path. For their choices, they were susceptible to attack, both spiritually and physically. Keep in mind that this prophecy was given to the generation that was eventually led into captivity in Babylon.
Paul’s letter doesn’t give any direct evidence that the Colossians were rejecting God or a relationship with Him. However, the temptation was certainly there as other philosophies and human traditions were pressing in to the Colossian church. Paul gives these believers a good self-check reminder here – they need to actively consider the path they’re on. Will their actions truly lead to spiritual maturity, or are they trying to manipulate God? Are they walking in the paths just as you were taught, or are they trying something different just because it’s “new”?
Keep in mind that “new” doesn’t automatically mean wrong, either…but we must make sure it follows with what Paul said to the Colossians:
Colossians 2:6-7
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Keep Pressing,
Ken