Almost Free (revisiting an old sermon)

Colossians 2:20-23, "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations — 'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch' (referring to things that all perish as they are used) — according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."

Several years ago, someone sent me an online test that was meant to evaluate a person’s worldview. After answering several questions you would be able to see just how biblical your worldview was in respect to their rankings. This type of questioning intrigued me so I decided to participate. Honestly, I was interested as to how I would rank against the person who sent me the test as I figured that their score would be much higher than mine. While I felt that I had a strong biblical worldview, I was sure that theirs would be much stronger. This person lived a life of separation in how they raised their kids, what they participated in, etc. In other words, they were much more “conservative” in their approach to the Bible. When I finished the test I was shocked to find out that my biblical worldview was much higher than the other person. It wasn’t 100% but it wasn’t far off.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson: You cannot always judge a book by its cover. Just because an individual seems more godly because of their lifestyle, it does not mean that they have a more biblical approach to life. How is that possible? It’s possible because some of our actions can be tied to the wrong mindset. This type of thinking is what led Paul to write the church at Colossae. They had come to faith in Christ through the ministry of Paul’s disciples. Although he had not personally visited the church there, he felt the necessity to write to them concerning the faith. In particular, he wanted to deal with some mindsets that had entered the church. Sophisty – a type of philosophy with roots in Judaism and a Greek worldview had persuaded many of the believers to live a life of Asceticism (describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals. They practiced asceticism not because the practices themselves are virtuous, but as an aid in the pursuit of salvation or liberation).

Greeks commonly divided all things into an invisible spirit world, generally considered good and sacred, and a visible material world, generally considered frivolous and profane. A version of Christianity shaped within this religious environment would tend to understand devotion to Christ as a negative response to earth's elements--that is, as an ascetic lifestyle, which demands strict injunctions against the earth's elements. The results of this type of thinking? Legalism, Pride, Devaluing of other believers, etc. Verses 20-23 teaches us why a life with the wrong mindset cannot produce true godliness.

So...HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? How is it possible that we can be set free and yet find ourselves being controlled in other areas? How can we be free in one part of our lives but not in the whole? The answer is quite simple: While we may be free from the power and penalty of sin, we have not allowed ourselves to be set free from religion.

This is why verse 6 is such a key in understanding how to live in the grace and power of God.
Paul’s instructions to a church: “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him...”
THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE IN THE GRACE OF GOD IS TO:

1) Walk in Christ [2:6-7]
- rooted in Him
- built up in Him
- established in Him

2) Put off the Old Self [3:1-9]
- the former way of life

3) Put on the New Self [3:10]
- which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator
*This is where we learn to live from our testimony rather than our history!!!

How often do you find yourself running to a religious mindset or a lifestyle that keeps people from seeing the real you?
How quickly do you lay down your freedom because of the fear of what others may think?
Have you allowed yourself to be rooted, built up, and established in Christ?
Don't you think it's time to be completely FREE?

Your spirituality is not measured by the things you give up but by how fully you trust in the finished work of Christ. Enjoy the journey!