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Monthly Archives: January 2024

The Peace of Christ

31 Jan
The Peace of Christ

We’re continuing through the book of Colossians. For the last few posts, I was talking about our spiritual clothing if we allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in us. Now Paul is bringing this section to a conclusion.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 NIV

Let me start out with a disclaimer. I’ve heard many teaching about this verse. The majority of which deal with decision making. They say that if you have a major decision to make, just go with the choice that you’re at peace with.

I know that this sounds good, but it’s based upon the way word meanings have changed throughout church history. However, one thing that doesn’t change is the context of Scripture. So, at the risk of getting some people upset at me, I’m going with the context.

The first thing we need to understand is this word, peace. The problem is that the Greek language has a couple of different words that are translated as peace in English. I’ve heard people teach that it’s calm, quietness – like when Jesus said, “Peace. Be still”; and He calmed the storm. This isn’t that Greek word.

The word used for peace in this verse means harmony between two parties. In other words, it’s the opposite of war. This is something that can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

Again, we need to look at the context in which we find this verse. Paul has just gone through a list of virtues that affect our relationships. It’s how we treat one another and live in a spirit of unity.

Even in this very verse the Apostle tells us that as members of one body, we are called to have harmony between us. That’s not even taking into account the fact that he just talked about forgiveness, love, compassion, and patience.

The other word we need to look at is the word, rule. I’ve heard it taught that if you follow where your heart has peace, you’ll always make the right decision. Is that true?

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not always peaceful about God’s will for my life. He sometimes calls me to do things I’m not comfortable with. I don’t think Jonah had peace concerning going to Nineveh.

Understanding this word, rule, is important. It comes from a Greek word that literally means the umpire of a contest, who awards the prize. That brings a whole new light to this verse.

In the context of how we treat one another in the body of Christ, peace is the umpire. I allow the Holy Spirit to work His will in me with all of these virtues. Then, when I see the peace of God active in me – a harmony between me and other believers – that’s the proof that I’m qualified for the prize.

That brings me to the final sentence of this verse. Paul didn’t just add a random comment to the end of this. The word “and” should tell you that this is all one sentence in the original.

That word, grateful, has a primary meaning of being well-favored. If we follow through on Paul’s exhortation in verses 12-15, then we will be well-favored. Not only by God, but by our brothers and sisters around us.

So, as I’ve said before, context is everything. I hope you’ve had an open mind while reading this post. And I hope that it’s a blessing to you. My prayer is that by receiving it, you’ll be well-favored.

Question: How well do you allow the Holy Spirit to work His peace in your relationships?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 31, 2024 in Fellowship, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Your New Clothes (Part 4)

29 Jan
Your New Clothes (Part 4)

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul talks about our spiritual clothing in Christ. In my last few posts I talked about some of these. I spoke last time about bearing with and forgiving one another.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:14 NIV

Paul now tells us that the bottom line of how we treat one another is love. There’s no way around that. He says that love is the glue that holds all these pieces together.

Usually, we like to teach everything separately. I did that over the previous posts. We looked at compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness. But the fact is that none of these virtues exist in a vacuum. Love makes them work in unity.

However, love is probably one of the most misunderstood concepts among Christians. Of course, that’s to be expected in our society. The media throws that word around with no clue as to what they’re talking about.

The love that Paul talks about is the Greek word, agape, which has a very specific meaning. This is not something that you can just do by accident. It has to be a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.

Probably the best description given was by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. If you’re able, you should read through it before continuing with this post. Let me quote a small section for you.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

Think about what this passage is saying. Especially in the light of what Jesus told us. He commanded us, as His disciples to love one another (John 13:34-35). That statement alone should show us the fallacy of the world’s view of love.

This kind of love has nothing at all to do with our emotions. It’s purely a choice that we make in our treatment of others. It also includes action. It’s impossible to love this way by simply saying it or thinking it. God’s kind of love has to be visible.

But what do I really have to do to show love to someone? By looking at the above verse, it’s clear that there’s a group of people I actually want to treat like this. They’re my friends. I want to show them how much I like them.

There you have it; love means that you treat everyone as if you like them, whether you do or not. After all, isn’t that the teaching that Jesus left us with?

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Luke 6:27-28 NIV

This is why we need the power of the Holy Spirit operating in us. Loving our enemies is not natural to our human make-up.

“I love them, but I just don’t like them.”

Wait a minute. I didn’t tell you the best part of all this. Not only do you have to treat everyone as if you like them – even your enemies, there’s more. You have to treat them this way whether they’re physically present or not.

After all, you wouldn’t gossip, slander, or speak evil about a friend of yours. Love deals with the total package of how we treat others. Whether they know about it or not isn’t the issue. The God kind of love is a lifestyle.

This is why Paul tells us that it’s the binding agent for all the other virtues in our Christian walk. We need to spend quality time in the Father’s presence. That’s the only way to let Him cultivate His love in us.

Question: How well do you see God’s love operating through you?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 29, 2024 in Fellowship, Power of God, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Your New Clothes (Part 3)

26 Jan
Your New Clothes (Part 3)

For the past couple of posts, I’ve been talking about our spiritual clothing. Paul was writing about it in his letter to the Colossian church. So far, we’ve looked at compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 NIV

This is probably one of the most difficult to master. We definitely need the strength of the Holy Spirit in us to accomplish it.

Bearing with each other. The original meaning of this is simply, putting up with each other.

It seems this ability has been lost in our generation. So many times I’ve seen people who don’t like what someone said or did. Their first response is to leave the church. They either leave that congregation or leave the Church altogether. That seems to be what so many have done in our society.

The Scripture makes it clear. It’s not just talking about a mistake someone made. The word translated, grievances, means something done that was wrong. They can be blamed for something.

Forgiveness. You have to understand that the church is made up of imperfect people. That includes the leadership. We can’t expect everyone to live up to our standards 100% of the time.

What’s the answer to this? Paul says it three times in this one verse. Forgiveness, plain and simple. Well, simple but not easy.

Know this, the command to forgive is a New Covenant truth. But nowhere in the Old Testament is there a command for people to forgive each other. Why? Because forgiveness is more than just feeling better about someone.

That brings me to a definition that I found in Webster’s Dictionary.

“To cease to demand the penalty for, to pardon.”

That’s what God did for us in Christ. He paid the penalty for all the sin of mankind. That’s why we can receive His full and clear forgiveness. A while back, I did a series of posts on the forgiveness of God. To see that series, click here.

Here’s the difficult part. The above verse says that you need to forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s very tough for me to cease to demand the penalty for a wrong done against me. That’s especially true when the person in the wrong is a brother or sister in Christ. After all, they should have known better.

However, when we look at the forgiveness that God showed to us in Christ, the biggest difficulty becomes apparent. We are called to forgive before the guilty party ever admits they were wrong. Sometimes, before they even know they did something wrong.

We can’t live like the world. Society says that you must admit you were wrong and ask for forgiveness. Then, if I believe you’re serious and won’t do it again, maybe I’ll forgive you.

I’m glad that God doesn’t operate like that! His forgiveness was perfected before I was born. Without even knowing it, I was forgiven before I ever sinned. Of course, I didn’t reap the benefit of His forgiveness until I openly asked for and received it.

As God’s people, we need a deeper understanding of the forgiveness of God. Only in that way, will we understand how to treat others the way God want us to. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to clothe us with this ability to bear with and forgive others.

Question: How well have you exemplified God’s forgiveness to those around you?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 26, 2024 in Fellowship, Relationships, Revival, The Church, The Gospel

 

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Your New Clothes (Part 2)

24 Jan
Your New Clothes (Part 2)

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul talks about our spiritual clothing in Christ. In my last post I talked about some of these. I looked at compassion, kindness, and humility. In today’s post, I’ll continue this teaching.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12 NIV

I’ll start where I left off in my last post.

Gentleness. This is a word that’s translated as meekness in other parts of Scripture. We don’t like using this word, because many people associate meekness with weakness.

However, nothing can be further from the truth. If you look up meekness in the Scripture, you find that just the opposite is true. A good example of this is found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church.

What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

1 Corinthians 4:21 NIV

Paul had the authority, boldness, and strength to “clean house” in the church at Corinth. But that’s not what he desired to do. He wanted to follow the Holy Spirit in showing them love and forgiveness.

That brings me to a good working definition of meekness. In reality, true meekness is my strength under God’s control.

Too often, older Christians want to prove their authority by trying to control and manipulate others to “fall in line”. That’s not how Christ operates.

We need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our treatment of others. The walk of love is more powerful than intimidation.

Patience. Here’s another word that we get a wrong idea about. Contrary to public opinion, patience is not merely the ability to stand in a long line without getting irritated.

As with all of these characteristics, patience deals with how we treat others. The Greek word means long passioned. In other words, your anger doesn’t flare up as quickly as those without Christ.

The Apostle Peter wrote about this as well. He used this word in reference to the Lord concerning the coming judgment of the earth.

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

2 Peter 3:15 NIV

God could very easily call an end to all the chaos on earth. Christ could return and rain judgment down upon all the wicked. Instead, through His patience, more and more people are being saved by the knowledge of the cross.

If that’s how God operates, can we do any less. Too often I hear believers say something like, “They deserve to burn in hell. I can’t wait to see them judged.”

Please hear me. That statement is the most unchristian thing to say. The truth is that all of us – me included – deserve to burn in hell. But Christ, in His love, patience, and grace, allowed me the time to turn to Him in repentance.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

This is the essence of true patience.

Question: How well do you see gentleness and patience in your life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 24, 2024 in Ministry, Return of Christ, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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Your New Clothes (Part 1)

22 Jan
Your New Clothes (Part 1)

Going through the book of Colossians, Paul has been writing about the changes God accomplishes in us. In my last post I looked at who we are in Christ. Today we’ll see what we’ve been endued with.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12 NIV

One thing that I want to point out from the start is the fact that the apostle says clothe yourselves. This is not something that we just sit back and wait for the Lord to do. I have to initiate it.

I’ve talked about this many times in the past. It happens as we pray in the spirit. These things are the characteristics of a walk in the spirit.

Compassion. This is a very important concept. The literal Greek words used for this is bowels of mercies.

That might not sound good to our modern ears. To the ancient people, the bowels spoke of the seat of our emotions. It’s a lot like we use the word, heart, today.

Many times, we don’t understand the way the word mercy is used in the Bible. In the past, I’ve talked about it in great detail. To see my series on mercy, click here.

To sum it up, mercy is God’s blessing on our obedience. However, unlike how we see things, the Lord even blesses us based upon our future obedience.

That’s where this comes into play in our ministries. I have to allow myself to be emotionally moved to see the potential in someone’s life. I need to see them through the eyes of faith – serving God at their best.

Even if they’re not where they should be right now, mercy can be a blessing and encouragement to them. It may spur them forward to a deeper walk with the Lord.

Kindness. This characteristic goes right along the same lines as compassion. If you study how this word is used in Scripture, you’ll come to the conclusion that kindness is blessing those who don’t deserve it.

Paul talked about this in the book of Romans in the context of not judging others.

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

Romans 1:32 NIV

With God, He wasn’t kind to us after we repented, but before, when we were undeserving of His grace. That’s how we need to treat others.

Of course, that’s why we need the power of God in our lives. Blessing people who we believe don’t deserve it goes against human nature.

Humility. This is another one that I’ve talked about in the past. There are many who get the wrong idea of humility. They think that it’s holy to put themselves down.

“I’m not where I should be in Christ.”

“I’m not mature enough to serve.”

Humility has nothing to do with any of this.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 NIV

True humility is not about putting yourself down. It has everything to do with how you view others. Your desire should be to lift others up.

In my next post, I’ll continue with these characteristics.

Question: How well do you see these play out in your life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 22, 2024 in Faith, Legalism, Ministry, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk

 

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Your New Look

19 Jan
Your New Look

We’re going through Paul’s letter to the Colossians. In my last post, we saw that we needed to clothe ourselves in the new man. In today’s, I want to show what these new “clothes” look like. But it will take me a couple of posts to get there.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12 NIV

But, before he shows us what these clothes look like, Paul tells us who we are. That’s important, because it explains who these clothes are fitted to. Paul explains three aspects of who we are in Christ.

First, he calls us God’s chosen people. I think that too often we overlook what this means. This says that I’m God’s special selection.

Sometimes, the problem is our church language. We say, “I accepted Christ.” or “When did you accept Christ?” While there’s nothing wrong with saying these things, there’s a chance that we miss the point.

Yes, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. But, at the same time, He accepted – selected – me for His own, treasured possession. Never lose sight of that. God wants you to be a part of His family.

Next, he says that we’re holy. We need to constantly be reminded of this. Holiness has a two-part meaning with us. At the start, it means that God has set us apart for His use. He has taken me out of the world and placed me in His kingdom.

My purpose has been transformed. I used to live for myself. Now, I’m set apart for the Lord’s will to be accomplished in me.

Then there’s the second part of this holiness. God took me out of the world, but some of that junk is still clinging to me. So, the Holy Spirit has an ongoing work of cleaning me to make me ready to fulfill the purpose for which God has chosen me.

So, I am holy, but I’m also being made holy. You will find both of those descriptions throughout Scripture. It’s up to us to participate with this process.

Finally, we’re called dearly loved. God loves us. We say that all the time, but do we really understand it?

This word for love is the Greek word, agape. I’ve talked about it before, but it bears repeating. This type of love has no emotion associated with it. It’s not about God feeling good about us.

This is a choice that God made. If you look at the Scriptures that use this word, you come to a conclusion. This type of love is a choice that’s made to actively participate in someone’s life for their good.

When I bowed my knee to Christ, God took it upon Himself to begin actively participating in my life. Whether I see it or not, God is working things out for my good.

From my perspective, I question it sometimes. Of course, I don’t see the whole picture the way the Lord does. However, when I look back, I can only say that God is faithful. His way is the best way.

This is who we are in Christ. It’s a work God has done and is doing in us. That’s the only reason I can fit in His new clothes for me. In my next post I’ll begin talking about these clothes in detail.

Question: How do you see yourself in Christ?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 19, 2024 in Encouragement, Power of God, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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A Change of Clothing

17 Jan
A Change of Clothing

As we go through the book of Colossians, Paul is giving practical insight in serving God. In my last post we saw that we can put to death the misdeeds of the flesh through the spirit.

We have to move forward with this understanding.

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Colossians 3:7-8 NIV

We cannot just take these verses out of context. This is not just a set of rules for how we are to speak to one another. As I said in the previous posts, trying to follow the rules doesn’t change your behavior.

It’s clear from this passage, that Paul is speaking about the sins of our mouths. We need to change our speech patterns. However, we know from Scripture that controlling our speech is beyond our ability (James 3:7-8). Victory over our tongue can only be accomplished in the spirit.

The apostle now shows us the only clear path ahead.

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:9-10 NIV

In these simple verses we’re shown the best way to change for the better. It involves two important words. In this passage they’re translated taken off and put on.

Both of these words, in the Greek, deal with clothing. The first means to step out of your clothing. The second means to sink into them. That’s important.

In the natural it would be silly for me to tell you that you have to take off what you’re wearing, in order to put on something new. But that’s not the case in the church.

There are many believers who desperately try to hang on to their old way of life. At the same time they want to “wear” some of the blessings found in Christ. That doesn’t work.

We have to submit to the working of the Holy Spirit in us. As we pray in the spirit, the Lord is able to remove the old, dead way of life we were living. Then, as we continue in Him, He clothes us in the new man, renewing our mind day by day.

His goal is that we show forth His glory. God wants the world to see His image active and working through us. That’s what will draw people to the Lord.

The good news is that it has nothing to do with who you were. The past has no bearing on your future.

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Colossians 3:11 NIV

Everything is washed clean under the blood of Christ. How you were brought up has no hold on you. Your past life with all of its baggage, burdens and bondage can’t hold you back. That is, if you’re willing to change your old “clothes” for the new set in Christ.

Allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in your life. It will make you a whole new person.

Question: How has your life changed by the spirit?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 17, 2024 in Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk

 

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From Death to Glory

15 Jan
From Death to Glory

We’re going through the book of Colossians. Paul is writing to them about their walk with Christ. It’s a relationship that changes everything about them…and us.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:4 NIV

In my last post, I talked about having an upward attitude. That’s because we know how it will all end. We win! In Christ there is the expectation of the final victory.

But what about here and now. Paul tells us how to live with this knowledge.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

Colossians 3:5-6 NIV

This is an important truth. Please read this carefully. Paul did NOT tell these people to stop doing these things. I know from experience that you can’t just make a New Year’s resolution and live perfectly forever after.

It’s not as easy as simply making a decision to live right. We need to draw on supernatural power. That’s what Paul is referring to here. He wrote about it to the Roman church.

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live…

Romans 8:13 NIV

This is a very interesting verse. That’s because it contains the word, “if”. This verse is telling us something we either could do, or we could choose to ignore.

There’s a battle that rages in my being. Even though I’m saved, my flesh is still subject to its sin nature. I find that even though I’m dead to sin in Christ, I continue to fall to the temptations that come before me. Paul wrote about this struggle that we all face. How do I overcome this dilemma?

Many people try differing methods to bring about the victory. Some try to live right in their own strength. I’ve found that if I live trying to use my flesh to overcome my flesh, by shear will power, I’ll fail miserably. The above verse tells us that if I use my flesh, then death will reign in me. The problem is, to use a computer term, there’s a virus in the software.

The good news is that I can use the power of God’s Spirit. I can use my spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the flesh. This is a truth that we’ve missed in the modern church. You can use your spirit to change your flesh.

In simple terms, as you pray in the spirit, you place a demand on the Holy Spirit and it will change the way you live. This is a powerful change because you’re allowing God to change you from the inside out.

I’ve to come to the understanding that I can take authority over the flesh by the power of the spirit. This is the key to a whole new level of living.

This work is only accomplished in the spirit. The misdeeds of my body will never be put to death by any decision that I make – no matter how much I desire it. I can try and try in my own strength. The work is a spiritual breakthrough and only comes as I yield my spirit to the Holy Spirit.

The church needs to once again learn this truth. We need to submit to the Holy Spirit to perform the change in our hearts. Only then will the world see the difference that will draw them to the cross of Christ. Only then will we experience the revival that we so desperately hunger for.

Question: How often do you pray in the spirit?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 15, 2024 in Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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An Upward Attitude

12 Jan
An Upward Attitude

We’re continuing our walk through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last couple of posts, the apostle has been dealing with following rules to get closer to God.

He shows that this approach doesn’t work. It’s all about relationship. He closed chapter two by reminding them that they died with Christ. Now, the world’s system doesn’t work for them.

Now he continues with that thought.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

Because we died with Christ, we’ve also been raised with Him. That’s the basis of an overcoming life. Sin doesn’t have the hold on us that it used to have.

Abraham learned this lesson.

And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Hebrews 11:12 NIV

That phrase; as good as dead, means to deaden. In the natural, Abraham saw himself as becoming deader and deader.

We all must acknowledge that the power of God will change us. Our walk, attitudes, habits, likes & dislikes, friends, etc. are all affected. This is all a part of the deadening process.

We desire to put to death the things of the flesh because we now have a higher calling. We kill off the desires of the world in order to seek the eternal.

That’s where we need to focus our attention. Paul says this in two ways. He tells us, set your hearts and set your minds on things above. Those phrases literally mean to diligently seek and obsess on things above, respectively. Our attitude should reflect an upward vision.

This is a very important truth. We receive from God when we seek the eternal. The writer of the book of Hebrews understood this.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

Hebrews 11:14-15 NIV

Eternally minded people search for, crave, demand a home town. That’s why Jesus told us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We’re not looking for the temporary high that the world offers us.

Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16 NIV

The final result of this attitude is that God is not ashamed to be called their God. That’s interesting. Are there times when God is ashamed to be called someone’s God? I think this verse implies that He could be.

Before we pick up this eternally minded attitude, we’re only accomplishing what a man can do. Is God satisfied with what is merely possible – even without His help? Of course not. He expects us to do a God sized work.

When that happens; the world can see His glory. God’s people need to stop chasing the temporary pleasures of the world and focus in on the eternal glory of God. Let Him accomplish what He desires in you.

Question: How do you stay eternally focused?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 12, 2024 in Faith, Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Rules vs. Relationship

10 Jan
Rules vs. Relationship

As we go through Colossians, Paul is now dealing with the subject of legalism. When the rules of life become more important than relationship with the Father, there’s something wrong.

Paul continues with this thought.

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?

Colossians 2:20-21 NIV

Paul brings us to the heart of the matter. We died with Christ. We’re a new creation. We don’t live according to the old way of life.

The world system has a way of doing things. It establishes rules for everything. Some of these rules are good and beneficial.

Go to work every day. Brush your teeth. Clean your room.

But then, there are other rules that society tries to place on us. Rules about what’s right and wrong. Rules about how to treat people. (“I can be mean to them if they’re mean to me.”)

Of course, there are religious rules. Read your Bible, pray, tithe, go to church. While all of these are good things, they don’t define a deep spiritual walk.

Paul talks about the rules of don’t handle, taste, or touch. None of that is relationship.

For instance, in the book of Genesis, God created Adam and Eve and told them not to eat of the certain tree. When Eve explained it to the serpent, she said they weren’t supposed to touch the tree (Genesis 3:3).

That change may have sounded good to her, but it didn’t stop her from eating it. That’s because the focus went to the tree, instead of her relationship with God. Paul tells us that this happens the same way with us.

These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Colossians 2:22-23 NIV

Setting up rules for ourselves sounds like the logical thing to do. The problem is that they don’t change behavior.

I can tell you this from my own experience. I’ve gone on a lot of diets over the years. They all promised great results if you follow their eating rules. However, they all fell short of changing my behavior.

I do notice something else. The more I hang out with my friends, the more I become like them. I start to speak and think like they do. The truth is that relationships change who you are.

That’s the key. The more time you spend with the Lord through the Holy Spirit, the more you’ll see your life change for the better. Relationship with God always wins out over rules.

Question: How strong is your relationship with the Lord?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on January 10, 2024 in Legalism, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk

 

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