Which Hope We Have As An Anchor of the Soul - Part 966

When we continually read His Word for our wisdom and knowledge, we can be assured of the hope and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. As well, we can be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ -- in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

"And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the Spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:4-7)

But note that the Word states that we are not to do so in ignorance. Indeed, we are instructed to "beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

Why? "For in Him dwelleth ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Read that verse again. In whom? In Christ -- for in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 

And as such, "ye are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power, in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:9-12) 

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:13-15)

This explains why as believers in Jesus Christ by faith, seeking His righteousness, we are to "let no man therefore judge [us] in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come ... but the body is of Christ." 

Moreover, the Word states: "let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." (Colossians 2:16-19)

Instead, know that "if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not; taste not; handle not, which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?" (Colossians 2:20-23)

This is why we diligently study His Word to show ourselves approved -- so that we do not become misled, and therefore, sadly entangled again with the religious traditions and affairs of this world, wherein we too often find the following:

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome ..." (II Peter 2:19-21)

It also explains why we as believers in Jesus willingly stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.  (Galatians 5:1) Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage, regardless of who is speaking, because "if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5:18) Stand in the offering plate.