Knowing and Growing in Christ- Col. 2:1-5 (Part 2)

We spent our time last week beginning our sermon by discussing that odd neighbor who would move piles of dirt around his yard day after day and week after week and year after year. His inquisitive neighbors finally asked him why he did this, and the man replied, “I don’t trust dirt…it’s always covering something up.”

Although we may disagree with the man’s reasoning, it does help us understand why he did what he did.

Likewise, Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, offers two reasons why he labored so intensely, and endured persecutions and hardships, for these dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

We looked at the first reason Paul labored for these brothers and sisters, many of whom he has never physically met. He wanted to see them become fully mature disciples. He wanted them to be unified in their faith, despite their differences.

He wanted them to be anchored in their faith as well. That is, he wanted them to know God and make Him known, which naturally produces an assurance, thus the idea of an anchor.

He wanted fully mature disciples. But there is a second reason Paul labored so intently, and we will consider that reason as well as Paul’s response to God’s work in their lives.

II. Paul wanted Fully Aware Disciples- 2:4

Paul writes in verse 4 with, “I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.” Within this verse we see two sides of the same terrible coin, both helpful for developing fully aware disciples.

The first is the fact, the sad fact, that they are capable of being deceived.

A. They are capable of being deceived- 2:4a

We need to remember, even though we are believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, that we are capable of being deceived. That is, we are able to be lied to, to fall for false beliefs, to trust in teachings that are unbiblical.

We see this in the New Testament. One of the reasons Paul wrote his letter to the Galatian believers is that they were believing a lie:

Galatians 1:6–9 NASB95

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

We see it here in the letter to the Colossians as well.

The identity or motives of these deceivers, unfortunately, is not know. We have some glimpses, but nothing to provide any clear picture.

Either way, we know that in order to become fully mature disciples, we need to be aware that we are capable of being deceived.

Christian history is replete with example after example of believers (or, apparent believers) being deceived. But more present day examples might prove more beneficial.

Joseph Smith, Jr. is credited with beginning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or more commonly known as Mormons.

There is a fascinating history behind this religion but that is outside our focus this morning. What is important is to note that, although Mormons use the Bible we have, and language similar to that of orthodox Christianity, they are not Christians. Yet, they claim to be. How can this be?

Because of deception. They use words that sound biblical, they speak of themselves as Christians, though distinct from Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Christians.

They have an expanded canon to include the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

We could dive into detail on this subject, but the phrase that is often used in the Book of Mormon is, “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

People have been deceived by the Mormons and, if they believe what the Mormons teach, they will die and go to hell. They teach a works-based salvation, and they have and are deceiving millions.

How can we avoid being deceived?

How to Avoid Deception

1. Grow in Doctrinal Knowledge

Well, as we grow into being fully mature disciples, we will grow in our knowledge. For example, Paul’s warning to the Galatian church about people preaching another Gospel is a healthy antidote to the poisonous teaching of the Mormons. They literally preach another Gospel.

So as we grow in our knowledge of God, we are able to spot false teaching more quickly. This is one of the reasons, by the way, that so many writers of the New Testament emphasis true doctrine. It is not a secondary issue, it is primary.

Another example that may be helpful is found in Timothy, specifically 1 Timothy 4:1-5. There were false teachers who were forbidding marriage and telling people to abstain from certain foods. But Paul uses the doctrine of creation to anchor the believers to the goodness of creation, including marriage and good.

But there is a second way to avoid deception.

2. Grow in Your Christlikeness

We see this taught clearly in James 1:22

James 1:22 NASB95

22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

A built-in-protection against deception is a faithful life. A believer who lives inconsistently is a believer subject to deception. Likewise, a believer who lives faithfully is protected against deception.

For example, let’s say you have a guy who is doctrinally minded. He likes listening to good, deep sermons, reading theological books, etc. He also can talk the talk, and knows all the Christianese to speak well. But if this man does not live in godliness, he is deceiving himself.

So trials come into his life and he starts believing lies like, “God doesn’t love you, or else this wouldn’t be happening.” Or he may listen to a sermon by a false teacher and, because he is deceiving himself, be more prone toward the false teaching.

A faithful Christian life (not a perfect Christian life, by the way) is like a healthy immune system. It is not that the person will never get sick, but that it is rare and the recovery is much quicker.

Failing to live a Christian life is like pumping your body with ultra processed foods and never setting foot outdoors or getting off the couch. The immune system of such a person will be susceptible to all sorts of infections and diseases.

This is one side of the coin of fully aware disciples—they are capable of being deceived. The second side, and one that will demand considerably less time, is that there are capable deceivers

B. There are capable deceivers- 2:4b

They are able to use “persuasive arguments.” In other words, they can reason with you to arrive at a false conclusion.

It is to our detriment to forget that we are living in a war. Ever since his fall, the devil has been attempting to undermine human beings generally and Christians specifically with persuasive arguments.

Was it not a persuasive argument against God that the serpent raised in the Garden of Eden, “Yea, hath God said…?”

Was it not a persuasive argument against God when Pharaoh told Moses that only the men should leave Egypt?

Was it not a persuasive argument when Peter told Christ not to go the cross?

We could go on, but the fact we need to remember is that there are capable deceivers, like Joseph Smith Jr. They exist, and they serve a master, even if they do not know his name. They are smart, gifted, good-looking, etc., and they are able to present arguments that make sense (at least on the human level).

Simply being aware of this causes us to be on guard. If we were warned that there was a traitor in our midsts, the chances are our senses would be heightened, we would notice things more, be more observant, more watchful. That is how Christians should live, and that is how fully mature disciples do live.

What happens when we have fully mature disciples? Well, they are unified and anchored in their faith and aware of deception. How does Paul response to the fruit God gave him in the Colossians?

III. Paul was thankful for Growing Disciples- 2:5

Paul was excited, although he was absent, about the work of God in the church at Colossae. He was grateful for two actions of these brothers and sisters.

A. Growing Disciples are Disciplined

The idea of “good discipline” is orderly, arranged fittingly. A growing disciple is always being arranged in an orderly manner.

Like the craftsman in his shed noticing a tool out of place, the growing disciple arranges their lives in accordance with the teachings of Scripture.

Notice that Paul does not say, “perfect Christians” or “Christians that have finally obtained perfection.” Paul was grateful for their “good discipline,” they consistent growth by the grace of God.

Paul was also grateful for their stability in Christ.

B. Growing Disciples are Stable

We will not belabor this point, but it encouraged Paul. It encourages believers who are serious about their faith when they witness a fellow brother or sister are stable in their faith in Christ.

Will you grow in Christ?

Will you be saved?