Chapter two

Verses four through eight: In verses 4 and 8 the Apostle Paul warns the church at Colosse (and all other churches then and now) to beware of false prophets who would deceive them with persuasive words, who would cheat them out of their inheritance (salvation) through philosophy (false wisdom) and outright deceit which characterizes the faithless men of the world. Note that these false prophets WOULD HAVE LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE CHURCH. See All That Glitters. It is through his false prophets that Satan has led professing Christendom to reject the Words of the Lord and to follow the teachings of men. See Simon of Samaria: The Legacy. Paul ends this part of his teaching with the Words: “and not according to Christ,” meaning that the Words of the Lord are contrary to the words of Satan’s “ministers of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:15). Only those who diligently study the Holy Bible according to the Lord’s command found in Isaiah 28:9,10,13 can discern the difference between His gospel and Satan’s perverted gospel (Gal. 1:6-9) which one can hear every Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening, as well as 24-7 on t.v., radio and the internet. Satan never sleeps. One can hear his gospel being preached and taught at any time day or night.

Note in verse 8 that Paul calls Satan’s gospel the “tradition of men.” Satan works through men to accomplish his agenda–the apostasy (falling away) of the church. His servants have served him well. In most cases his false prophets have operated in ignorance of God’s Truth, believing only what they have been told by their equally ignorant teachers. However, there are those who actually know God’s Truth but refuse to preach it due to fear of losing status and income. God has a special level of wrath awaiting such ministers.

A word concerning the term “tradition.” Tradition is defined as follows: “The transmission of knowledge, opinions, customs, practices, etc. from generation to generation.” “A custom that has been believed for so long and with so much unwavering trust that it rivals the force of law.” Such statements perfectly describe how Satan’s “truths” have become “God’s Truth” over time. See the Introduction to this website for a few examples of  such Satanic customs which, over several generations, have become “the Word of the Lord.” When pressed to back up their “truths” Scripturally, church people will usually fall back on such statements as, “Well, that’s what my denomination has always taught.” Which proves nothing. For many generations the entire world KNEW that the earth was flat.

In verse 5 Paul notes that he is proud of the Colossians’ “steadfastness in your faith in Christ.” In verse 6 he encourages them to “so walk in Him” (obey His Words) exactly as they “received Him” (His Words) from the apostles. The Word “so” means “without variation.” The church was and is to receive Christ exactly as His Words characterize Him. Jesus was the Word of God in human form (Jn. 1:1-4,14).  As verse 7 tells us, we must study and believe the Lord’s Words to the point that they become “rooted and grounded” in our hearts which establishes (entrenches) us in THE (only) faith. There is only ONE FAITH which is recorded in the Holy Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Faith, as Romans 10:17 tells us, comes by “HEARING THE WORD OF GOD.” Faith is believing God’s Word. Living faith, as James 2 tells us, is faith (God’s Word) acted upon. Faith not acted upon is “dead faith.” Dead faith is the possession of an equally dead church member. L.J.