Think about the things of heaven.
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” — Colossians 3:2
It’s tough for us to be wrong. Especially when we think we’re right.
In Colosse, a city in Asia Minor, Paul experienced well-intended people with wrong thinking. He addressed false teachings which had infiltrated the Colossian church. His problem is our problem, too. It’s called syncretism, which combines ideas from other beliefs, practices, or locations that are not Christian.
The people of Colosse mixed paganism and Greek thought into their Christian practice. The resulting heresy later became known as “Gnosticism” (gnosis in Greek means knowledge). With likely good intent, these believers added self-generated knowledge to their faith. This sounds all well and good, right? People then, like now, piece together different influences to experience a gain. We call this wisdom. Yet what eventually happened there can happen here: these thoughts and influences can blur or deny the divinity of Christ.
What am I talking about? If you listen to or follow astrology a little too seriously, particularly when it comes to Zodiac signs, or you pay close attention to numerology, even for just a day or so, this “knowledge” does what to your Christology? It blurs it.
For people who love the creepy, dark stuff at this time of the year, or if you chase after “Spirits” clamoring about “haunted” or spooky environments, you will find yourself, if you’re honest, not as Christological (Christ centered) as you can be. When you claim you do not know much about Christ, or you struggle with your belief, this may be why.
I’m not tossing religious elitism out there where some line between good Christians and not-so-good Christians exists; we all lack clarity on something because experiences, personal histories, and influences do pull us from Christ sometimes. When we are honest, we acknowledge spaces in our thinking where we aren’t 100% certain on how our three-in-one God works.
When this happens, follow Paul’s advice. When you find yourself off track, or when you’ve bought in to something too far from the faith you were taught or ascribe to, think about the things of heaven. Think about God.
PRAYER: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I get sidetracked sometimes. I see or get lost in thinking that is counter to Your whole truth which is perfect grace, limitless mercy, and unending love. Help me step back to where I belong, and that is with You. Amen.
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