Let no man Beguile You. 7/11/14

Let no man Beguile You

“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)

Paul’s epistles to the various churches and those to others whose endeavors were instrumental in the spread of the gospel give guidance to any privileged to read them now as well.

Paul strove mightily to set those to whom he was sent, and those sharing his most fervent desire that the world receive the TRUTH that was given by Christ on the correct path toward finding that TRUTH.

His admonitions against ceremony, and the things honored in place of that truth, continue to ring as loudly now as it did during the time he devoted his ministry to getting out that gospel, that TRUTH as clearly and completely as was possible to both Jew and Gentile.

His railings against self-righteousness that followed only those traditions and ceremonies of the teachings of men that in reality obfuscated the law fulfilled by the coming of Christ, ring equally loudly and clearly to a people rapidly falling away from what was taught by the Son of God, the same One he met on the road to Damascus, while pursuing those same ceremonies and teachings that failed miserably to provide the required salvation given only through Christ Jesus.

As the gospel spread, so too did the inclination toward the bringing in of all those same ceremonies and traditions imposed by men that it was intended to replace.

That New Covenant, given by Christ was constantly watered down with the requirements of those teachings of men, consternating what should have been, and in actuality is simple.

The voluntary humility spoken of here by Paul is the exact opposite of that self-righteousness that passes judgment of men on other men because of their acceptance of those additions to and subtractions from Christ’s simple message of redemption for repentance, and what that repentance allows to be brought forth both within and from individuals comprehending it and following the teachings given by Him.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ.

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him up from the dead.

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross:

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

(Colossians 2:8- 15)

All the traditions and ceremonies, additions and subtractions from what was given by Christ himself contravene his having come and what he gave and what He continues to do and be.

Christ overcame all the fake means and fake ways offered by those teachings of men offered then and now forever having fulfilled the law, having provided for the final sacrifice necessary for any and all willing to hear and accept that which he taught and gave.

No principality, no power, no denomination, no subdivision’s teachings take precedence over what was given by Christ through both his ministry and the sacrifice made on that cross in defiance of death, and that resurrection from death that proved once and for all that those principalities and powers of men and all of their teachings hold no sway, have no effect whatever on the INDIVIDUAL judgment to come that must and will be given only through Him.

“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.

Which are a shadow of things to come; tut the body is of Christ.

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,

 And 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.”

(Colossians 2:16-19)

Those who stand in judgment of others, debating their dietary habits, their choice of what to drink, their observance of which days are to be held as Holy, or in their observance of the Sabbath simply because of the teachings of their own unique teachings, not those of Christ, require that the perceived righteousness of others fall only within the parameters of what they themselves teach, not what Christ taught.

It is Christ that is the head of the body, and it is His teachings that should knit that body together, in fact the only nourishment that will increase with the true increase of God himself instead of the perceived increase as taught by men.

No man has the right to deny what has been taught and given by Christ, and those that do so, do so vainly never seeking the will of Christ, but only those things taught them by that fleshly mind that initiated all the additions, subtractions, ceremonies and traditions required by them.

“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Which are to perish with the using ;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.”

(Colossians 2:20-23)

Those having truly accepted Christ and his teachings are not subject to the commandments and doctrines of men that continually add to and subtract from what Christ himself brought, gave and give any and all without regard to ethnicity, or tradition, without regard to any teaching other than those He himself taught.

All these additions, subtractions, ceremonies and traditions may have some outward show of righteousness, but denies the righteousness of Christ. They are merely a “ Show” of worship, never touching on the requirement to worship in Spirit and in Truth, just a means of exhibiting faith only in human will, and a semblance of the required humility of each that is required, neglecting the humanity of this flesh as well as denying the soul contained within that flesh, judged only by Christ himself.

Pride in expounding the doctrines of men is no substitute for what is taught through the gospel of Christ, and HIS requirements for each individual within that body.

“He answered and said unto them, well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, THIS PEOPLE HONORETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME. 

HOWBEIT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN. 

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do

“And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

 For Moses said, HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER; AND, WHOSO CURSETH FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM DIE THE DEATH: 

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, it is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 

And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother; 

Making the word of God of none effect, through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”

“And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you and understand:

 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”

“And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him, 

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications murders,

 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

(Mark 7:6-23)

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”

(Matthew 5:17)

“For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 5:20)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Woe unto you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.”

(Matthew 23:23-25)

Instead of expounding the doctrines and commandments of men, care should be given to expound the doctrine and single commandment given us by Christ.

Those words in red that give the teachings of our Savior need study, obedience and complete attention.

Attention must be given by individuals, beginning with the requirement to:

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Once having given that required repentance for the promised redemption, all attention needs be focused on that commandment I mentioned, and the commission given us requiring the teaching of ALL things commanded by HIM.

Recognition of the fallibility of men and the infallibility of God is the only means to the promised redemption as given through the WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE, instead of the acceptance of those ceremonies traditions, additions and subtractions from what was given by HIM.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

(Revelation 20:11-15)

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be.”

(Revelation 22:12)

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer