A note from the desk of our Pastor:

“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,”

Colossians 2:18

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

The Apostle Paul, in our study verse, continues to provide defense against the false teachings in Colossae. The specific heresy addressed in this verse was a unique threat to this congregation. However, the lessons learned about discipleship are universal for all believers. Thus, the verse is preserved for us today and is worthy of consideration.

The Apostle begins the verse with a sports analogy. The Greek word translated as “beguile you of your reward” refers to an umpire or judge who disqualifies a runner unfairly. In other words, a sports official who awards the prize to the wrong person. The Apostle warned that false teachers acted like self-appointed officials telling Colossians that they were not spiritual enough because they did not follow certain mystical practices. If the believers listened, they would lose their joy in Jesus Christ.

The false teachers threatening the Colossians were using a technique called self-willed or affected humility. This concept was presented as something spiritual. Meanwhile, these same teachers boasted of visions and special understandings. They made believers feel more distant from God while they puffed themselves up and boasted of their unique position with God. However, it was really a method of oppressing the believers and elevating the false teachers. A warning sign of false teachers in any time period is teaching that gives the teacher more prestige or power.

The false teaching of self-willed or affected humility taught that the separation between God and man was so great that believers needed to pray to angels as intermediaries. This teaching was a direct attack on the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. It questioned him as the mediator of the New Testament and it challenged him as being connected to both man and God. 

The universal lesson for all believers is that we have a direct connection to Jesus Christ. When we engage in prayer Jesus hears those prayers directly. We do not need a minister, an angel, or a saint to translate our prayers for Jesus. We can have peace knowing that God hears our prayers and provides what we need in accordance with the will of God. This is a great blessing to the disciple and a great comfort in times of trouble.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah