Thursday, 18th May 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: CHRIST IS THE MESSAGE
THEME SCRIPTURE: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” – Colossians 2:8
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What must the believer be aware of that can sway him from the graces of God?
- What does the scriptures mean by human traditions and philosophy?
I recently read a story about Munich clown Karl Valentin and one of his famous stage scenes. This scene features Valentin on a dark stage with a solitary circle light. He walks around the stage's circle of light, desperately looking for something. Then another person enters the scene. It was a policeman. He asks Valentin, “What have you lost, sir?" "My house key”, replied the clown [Valentin]. The policeman joins the search out of sympathy. The policeman eventually asks, "Are you sure you lost the key here?" Valentin replies, “No, over there”, pointing to a dark corner. "Then what business do you have looking for it here?" the policeman asks in shock. Then Valentin (the clown) replied, "Can’t you see—there is no light over there?"
Precious One, many believers live like Valentin: we follow any light promised.
We respond to explanations that sound appealing, and comforting. We are looking for something, but in the wrong place and often, in the wrong way. We’d rather be incited by promises than search for the truth. All the time, we want to hear what we want to hear. Paul wrote that men would not tolerate sound doctrine in the end times. They will pile on teachers with itching ears (2 Tim 4:3) due to their lust. Implying that men who need God's help would want to dictate the message.
However, the faith we have received is about a person, not a philosophy.
Hegel said the philosophy of any time is its spirit expressed in abstract thought. Our Christian faith is a revelation of the one who existed before time, not the philosophy of men. "Beware that no one distracts you in their attempt to lead you away from Christ's fullness by pretence and full of endless arguments of human logic," Paul warned the Colossians. (Col 2:8). That person is Jesus Christ.
The faith we have received is a person, not protocols.
The human mind easily trusts in man's protocols and traditions, such as "7 Steps to Enlightenment" or "Don't eat this, don't touch that" (Col 2: 21). Beloved, our faith is not rooted in rituals and ceremonies. Rather, our faith is rooted in a person, and that person is Jesus Christ.
He is the express image of the invisible God, and we are complete in him (Col 2:10). To know this person is to know Truth; to love this person is to love life; to follow this person is to follow the light; to revere this person is to come to wisdom and understanding. Beloved, look up to Jesus. He is the theme and the message. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Without Him, we can do nothing. Purpose to know Christ alone and Him crucified. God bless you more.
FURTHER READING – 2 Peter 3:17
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How are you investing in knowing no other but Christ and Him crucified?
PRAYER
I affirm that my completeness is found in Christ. I am completely filled with God as Christ's fullness overflows within me. I look up to none but Jesus. I trust in no works but the finished works of Christ. Jesus is my Shepherd and Him do I hearken.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Joshua 2; Isaiah 8; 1 Thessalonians 3; 1 Thessalonians 4
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