Colossians 2:16-23 "The Heart of the Matter"

Read Colossians 2:16-23.

"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 the sensual indulgence." NIV

Again, I know that Paul is addressing the heresy that was permeating the church at Colosse, but I have a really hard time not equating this passage to the division of denominations today. Don't misunderstand me -- I am a member of a denomination and support it as best as I can. But I can't ignore the fact that denominations are man made and can be a hiding place for personal agendas. Against drinking? Be a Wesleyan. For drinking? Be a Presbyterian. Against women in ministry? Baptist. For speaking in tongues? Assembly of God. For ritual? Episcopalian. And those are all Christian denominations. But my question is are denominations and their distinctive doctrines biblical?

Denominations were beginning to informally form in Paul's day. But the dramatic branching probably occurred at the time of Martin Luther's 95 Theses and the Protestant Reformation. I think Paul, if he could, would apply this passage to the denominations today. So many do's and don'ts apply that are not from the Bible or loosely based on interpretations from the Bible and from personal biases.

I could ramble on about this all day, but I don't intend this post to be a denomination bashing. Here's the bottom line. Paul points out in verse 23 the problems that arise with man made rules -- even those that are based on Scripture. But the answer is not what we are doing or not doing. The answer lies in where is our heart and to whom is it devoted? I'm so thankful that I will be judged not by church leadership and how well I followed the rules, but by the Father who knows my heart. True change can only occur there.

Further Thoughts:

1. Keeping in mind that there are no perfect denominations, are you following "rules" or the Word of God? Take some time to really think this through. It's easy to admire a group of people and want to be like them. Then just accept everything they say at face value. Think it through for yourself.
2. Is your heart totally surrendered to Christ and His ways? Do you base everything you do on loving and serving Him? That's the heart.

Matthew 15:1-20 "True Cleanliness"

Read Matthew 15:1-20.

"'They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" NIV

Here the Pharisees are hanging onto and calling down the disciples over a tradition that man had made, not God. Setting aside the fact that it was better hygene to be washing before eating, the Pharisees had made this tradition a basis for righteousness even though it was not even a biblical mandate.

Every denomination has manmade rules that they expect their congregations to adhere to. But they are simply that -- manmade. God didn't put those things into being. They are not biblical -- just man's idea of how to achieve a Christ-like life. Some are good practices, even if they are not biblical mandates. But they do not add or take away from our righteousness. That is of the heart.

Jesus contradicts all of what the Pharisees are commanding by saying that our cleanliness is not in having clean food going into us, but have cleanliness come out of our mouth for those are the things of our heart. Rightousness is not rooted in our actions or inactions, but in our heart. The actions we do - which do show the fruit of our lives - are based on doing them out of a love (heart) for God and His laws, not out of duty (manmade rules). Therefore, God's laws are to be followed, but manmade laws are not part of our righteousness.

Now, I say all that with this addedum. One of God's laws is to respect the authority over you. The political authorities over where you live are to be respected and followed. If you can't submit, move. If you have aligned yourself with a particular denomination, you are under God's law to respect their authority and follow the mandates they lay down. If you cannot follow those, then don't be a part of that organization. The body of Christ is much bigger than any one organization.

God sees our heart and desires that the righteousness He places within us is what shines in our actions. If we just keep it simple -- follow God's laws, remain pure in heart, love others with His love -- we will be following the only rules we need for our lives.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read through some of the Old Testament laws. What were some of the laws that God established? What did Jesus say about the laws? (Not the tradition of the elders.) See Matthew 5:17-20 and associated post.
2. What kinds of "laws" are you following right now that are manmade and have nothing to do with your salvation? Why do you follow them? If you think it increases your holiness, know that it doesn't. If you follow them out of respect for authority over you, then continue and be obedient to God's laws in doing so.
3. Is there anything in your heart that is contrary to God's ways? Really think about that and ask Him to reveal to you any that may be there. If there are, ask His forgiveness and surrender those things to Him. They are only contrary to Christ and have no business in our lives. (See vs. 19)