We end the week transitioning to a related, but separate line of thought in Paul’s letter. Having established the path in which they will walk, and having rooted themselves in Jesus, Paul exhorts the Colossians,
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (Col. 2:8-12, NIV)
When we walk in Christ, when we pursue the path of wisdom, when we choose the path that leads to life, we do not somehow exempt ourselves from challenges, temptations and struggles. We can root ourselves in Christ and build our lives on Him, but storms will still come and floodwaters will crash against our homes.
And so, in this section of his letter Paul warns the Colossians not to let anyone take them captive. His concern is that they might be led off the path and into the thick weeds of “deceptive philosophy” based on “human tradition” instead of Christ. The exact form of this danger is not important, for the solution is what matters most. It is only “in Christ” that we can find the “fullness” we are looking for. He is the antidote to the lies of this world because He is the source of life.
Not only that, but we already have this life and fullness in Jesus. Followers of Christ have already been in some sense “taken captive” by God. Possessed by His Spirit we have been given every tool we need to persevere to the end.
If you have been “circumcised by Christ” then you are a new creature, no longer weighed down by the sins of your past, no longer under condemnation, no longer facing death, no longer under the powers of this world, but adopted as sons and daughters of God and given full access into the presence of God. The gospel has set us free and now we have the power to walk with boldness down the road that God has set for us. Let that knowledge drive us to our knees in prayerful adoration and vibrant worship this Sunday!