Climbing Ladders

Introduction

Whether we say it or not we can get discouraged by what other people say to us or what Satan can bring our way to make us question our salvation. So, in order to prove everyone wrong we put all of our worth in our works. We pride ourselves in them. We work, work, work, to make people see what we are doing and to please God with our right actions. But many times we can make these things a God, just like the people Paul was telling the Colossian Church to stay away from. We can create our own or follow after a false teaching that tells us or that we convince ourselves that we can earn it. Whether we say it or not that’s how we really feel. And that sets us up for so much failure, despair, and incorrect thinking that leads to doubt of our salvation, our position in Christ, and our position in the Kingdom. You can’t earn your salvation, and nobody can take it away from you.

Let No One Judge You (v.16-17)

At first we all agree with this statement because this seems to be the theme of our generation. That nobody should judge or guide you and you should just live your life the way that you want to and nobody can tell you otherwise. This can really throw us for into a spiral downward because although its true when people are trying to cast judgment towards you and their stance is unbiblical, it makes you reject the accountability of community that God intended for the church. Do not allow others to pass judgment on you or tell you that you’re excluded from the body of Christ if you have salvation.

Like we learned last week, The basis of your freedom is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. These believers in Colossae were like those at Galatia, they had never been part of the Jewish culture but Paul knew if they weren’t warned to stay away from legalism then they would fall into that trap. Paul is saying that those who judge believers for not living under Jewish laws is really judging Christ. Christ’s finished work on the cross is not enough for salvation if you revert to trying to fulfill the law. Outwardly those who do this act righteous but they are really inwardly accomplishing nothing.

Legalism is bondage. Peter calls legalism a “yoke upon the neck” in Acts 15:10 and Paul tells the Galatians “Stand fast therefore in the liberty that Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Gal. 5:1) The judgment Paul was talking about was Old Testament law that dealt with clean and unclean foods, but Jesus himself made it clear that food itself is neutral, but it was what came out of the heart that made a person spiritual or unspiritual. (Matt. 15:1-20). The yearly festivals and feast days were special occasions which had its purposes under the old covenant but the new covenant under Christ meant those things were not a permanent or necessary part. Does this mean that the law has no ministry to New Testament Christians?? No! The law still reveals the holiness of God, and in the law Jesus Christ can be seen (Luke 24:27) The law reveals sin and warns of the consequences of sin (death) but it has no power to prevent sin or redeem the sinner. Only grace can do that.

Grace is enough. The law is but a shadow; but in Christ we have the reality. (Hebrews 10:1) Paul is saying that the festivals, the food laws, keeping the sabbath in legalism to earn God’s favor is just outward service with no inward life change. THE LAW CANNOT CHANGE YOUR HEART ONLY JESUS CAN!!!

Let Nobody Disqualify You (18-19)

All of the false teachers were puffed up in their own knowledge. There is no humility there in their lives. They were trying to disqualify these young believers from the ministry that they were doing in their city by getting them caught up in other things. Have you ever or are you dealing with that right now? Are you distracted from your purpose that God has given you because you’re too wrapped up in something else? The false teachers appealed to the Christians pride. They wanted them consumed with themselves instead of serving others. The scripture tells us that these false teachers may have worshipped angels and seen visions but none of it was connected to God, the Word, or prayer. It was completely man-made and they opened themselves up to so much spiritual evil when they did that and Paul called it out for what it was. He told them that those false teachers were NOT HOLDING FAST TO THE HEAD.

Are you holding fast to Christ? The Body of Christ is essential and we minister to each other. Part of holding fast to Christ is being plugged into the body of Christ. There is NOWHERE in the New Testament that says that promotes or even talks about “isolated saints.” The Bible doesn’t teach a fully individualized faith. Your faith is your own but it is part of a whole body that works together, prays together, and spurs each other along to accomplish God’s purpose and will on earth. The spiritual body grows by nutrition, not addition. Every part of the Body of Christ has a purpose and has a way to benefit the body. WHATEVER YOUR TALENTS ARE, YOU HAVE A PURPOSE AND YOU ARE IMPORTANT.

True spiritual experience with Christ leads to submission and service. When Job met the Lord he said “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen You. Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6) Peter fell down on his face before the Lord and said “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8) in Isaiah 6 Isaiah saw the Lord and confessed how sinful he was, and in Revelation 1:17 John saw the risen Christ, he fell at His feet like a dead man. When God shows up in your life it leads to obedience. “Unless the members of the local assembly abide in Christ, yield to the Spirit, and obey the Word, they cannot experience the life of the Head, Jesus Christ.” -Warren Wiersbe

Let Nobody Enslave You

Paul was speaking against the idea of bodily harm that led to bodily control. Think of a monk that would go days, weeks, months, or even years without speaking to tame their tongue, that would fast for months in order to tame the body, would even deprive themselves of sleep to tame their minds, etc. This is what Paul is speaking about. He is telling them of just another rung on the ladder that leads to self sufficiency and self dependence on pleasing God and making it to God. Paul is exposing that there is no connection between this discipline and holiness if there is no Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is not dwelling within you and you do not have faith in Jesus all of these things lead you to nothing but a dead end. It’s like a road to nowhere. Better yet its just a foggy road leading to a cliffside.

Christians need control over their bodies. But the power of Christ in the life of the believer does more than merely restrain the desires of the flesh; it puts new desires within him. Your nature determines appetite. 2 Peter 1:4 says that the Christian has the very nature of God within, and this means he has godly ambitions and desires. Is God continually changing your desires? Is he pushing you to hate your sin more and more? Are you seeking him and falling in love with Jesus more and more each day?

Conclusion

Illustration with ladder. Inspired by Dan Lian.