The Wise Man Built…
Opening Prayer
Thank the Lord for what Christ has done for you and for what he means to you today.
Read Colossians 2:6-15
[6] So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. [8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. [11] In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does Paul say about Christ?When my brother and sister were baptized, I wrote verses 6 and 7 on the cards I gave them. Although Paul mixes his metaphors, the image of roots that go deep (to feed and stabilize a plant) and that of a building (which has Christ as the foundation) are helpful pictures of what the process of faith is like. Verse 8 is a picture of what it is not like. Verse 8 is an outright condemnation of any idea, tradition, or form of spirituality that is not Christ-focused. Paul is clear about the origins, content, and result of such beliefs–they are man-made and worldly. Not only that, but also they are empty of truth and they enslave instead of bring freedom. Paul then continues in his defense of faith against elements of the Colossian heresy. First, Christ embodies the fullness of God, so Christians are complete in Christ, rather than lacking in any way (9,10). Then Paul links circumcision with baptism, refuting the idea that circumcision was necessary for salvation (11,12). Finally (for this passage) he looks at the total triumph of Christ over anything or anyone that attempts to attract believers away from him (15).
Apply
If you had to draw a picture to represent your faith in Christ, what might it look like, and why?
Closing prayer
Use the images of roots and buildings to help you pray for yourself or anyone you know who is young in faith.
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