READ Colossians 2:16-19

Today’s lesson aim is to help us break free from the rituals that keep us from a true worship of Christ.

Throughout time, Satan has utilized the tools of rules, rituals, and spiritism to hinder believers in their worship of God.  But God has provided us what we need to counter the ploys of Satan.  This passage pits Christ against two false teachings that have impacted people through the ages.

1.  CHRIST NEGATES OUR NEED TO KEEP RITUALS – vs. 16-17.

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

The words in verse 16 are Jewish in nature, i.e., meat, drink, holyday, new moon, or sabbath days.  All these things were not as much substantive as they were symbolic of things to come.  What is important is to understand Christ is foremost.  He fulfilled the law in its entirety.  Christ is to be our focus, not meat, drink, holyday, new moon, or sabbath days.

2.   CHRIST SET AGAINST SPIRITISM – vs. 18-19

“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19And 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.”

Paul warns about being beguiled, “robbed or cheated” of your reward by heeding the false teaching of others promoting alternative ways to God.  Spiritism, angel worship, and false humility are never the method by which man gains access to God or His favor.

Many of the cults demote the person of Christ and claim special revelation outside of the Bible.  It is only through Christ, God’s appointed Head, that we are knit together and nourished throughout our lives.

Be very careful not to get entangled by rituals and spiritistic teachings.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  What are some rituals practiced by certain churches that shift the focus away from Christ?

2.  What is God's intent for rules and rituals?  Why do some people fail to understand His intent?  What happens to a Christian believer when he loses his focus on Christ?

3.  What is a false approach to God?  What is the correct way to approach God?

4.  Do you believe it is possible for believers to be cheated out of their reward by false teachers?  Why or why not?