Quote:
Originally Posted by Baron1710
Colossians 2:21-23 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
Why is it we have elevated rules to protect people and yet the Word says they are useless in doing that very thing.
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It is interesting to see how folks read and interpret scripture - and how so many false conclusions and religious rabbit trails one can find themselves following.
Most of this thread focused on the last sentence, "These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires."
In the discussions that followed, we have the rules of men mixed with, and compared to (even equated to?) the 'rules of God'. Yet, look at the lead in sentences:
“You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world.”
It is the 'powers of the world' that is the subject of Paul's instruction, not the Laws of God. Through Christ, one has access to the Spirit of God, and by both, one can face the temptations of the flesh by refusing to surrender to those desires. One can, if they choose to do so, over come temptation and sin, we have the power of the Holy Spirit, our spiritual armor, and the support of the church - but only if we take advantage of these provisions.
“So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? “
Please note, Rabbi Sha’al clearly identifies the ineffectual rules he is concerned with,
the rules of the world, not the laws of God, as some have confuse the two. All man-made rules produce only the outward appearance (an illusion) of spiritual maturity, knowledge and wisdom, all the while they are actually producing their own brand of sin: Spiritual pride and religious arrogance, i.e. the sin of Satan. This passage is a direct reference back to
Isaiah 29:13. In the final analysis, the question becomes, “Who shall be the master of the assembly? Man, in his own wisdom (where all extra biblical wisdom originates), or God in His wisdom?”
As long as any man thinks that God needs or could even use his help, advice, counsel, and/or his supporting rules and regulations, for himself and others in order to live a righteous life before God, then God is no longer God, man is. See
1 Corinthians 2 & 3.
Then, to address the question Sha’ul (The Apostle Paul) posed in this verse:
“Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.”
That is, those who would impose their own wisdom and religious ‘good ideas’ on others reduces the legitimacy and the strength of God’s word. The result is that the power of man’s rules will, sooner or later, find themselves elevated in authority over God’s rules, by teachers who place themselves above the assembly, even aspiring to sit on the seat of Mosses (
Matthew 23). However, in the end, what has one accomplished by following (and imposing on others) these outward trappings of holiness that have been devised by men? Tested against the word of God and His Spirit, the answer is nothing!
Then, we have the last sentence where Paul brings us the bottom line. All of this legalistic stuff is only for show and provides nothing towards improving one’s current spiritual condition, nor does it contribute to one’s future spiritual growth, nor does it enhance one’s personal relationship with God – all of this human endeavor is solely for impressing one another with our exalted levels of ‘holiness’, and our hearts remain untouched, or possibility even hardened.
When confronted with a scripture and a question, it is always best to to first read and interpret the scripture first. If necessary to grasp the context and meaning of the passage, it might even require going back to the original language. This is a required step before attempting to either challenge or defend a position concerning the message in the scripture.
As an aside: Now when it is said that 'when one leaves the 'standards' they quickly backslide', you have an insight into the process. First, when someone see the hypocrisy of the false teaching and the emptiness of man-made rules verses God's commandments, they have already began to 'backslide'. That is, they begin to question everything they had become to believe in. When what is preached from the pulpit does not match up the word of God, everything is then open to question, and nothing is solid anymore. Further, since what comes across the pulpit is not open to question, but obedience, then it is a short step to leave the 'standards' (substitute for the Laws of God) and another short step to turn away from God altogether - because everything taught is based on lies, or so it seams!
It is a sobering thought that it is we, ourselves, who are responsible for creating many of the backsliders we see going back into the world today, all because we are more interested in maintaining our facade of 'holiness', as defined by men, than we are for the honest teaching of the word (which too many teachers neither know nor understand).
Let's all leave our evil human desires and feeble attempts to improve on God's word, and return once again to the simple faith and calling of our spiritual forefathers. And, may our God have mercy on us.
Hybrid Mode
