Colossians 2 - Protect the Flock - Remove the Wolves

        This chapter is about freedom.  Good.  I know it’s one of your favorite topics.  But freedom is only from Jesus Christ.  It is Christ who will set you free from the spiritual powers of this world (2:20).  We all need that freedom, desperately.  I pray we take this point seriously - for it has the power to change our lives, our churches, and our communities - and to save our souls.

        Many of our church organizations know what they have to do, but they refuse to honor God’s word.  They talk a good game about the inerrrancy of Scripture but they thumb their noses at God with their actions.

        I heard this year of a church elder, a so-called leader in the church, who had abused young women.  For decades.  When finally confronted with the truth by the women of the family, the abuser did not repent in shame.  Instead, he lashed out at all of the family and the church.  Tragic.  Horrific.

        But more tragic is the fact that this man was enabled and allowed to “lead” the church for decades.  Oh sure, hindsight is crystal clear, but there is a lot that is clear now.  What characterizes your church and your organization?  Lust?  Power?  Worldy standards?  Greed?  Quarelling?  Politics and jockeying for power?  Worshiping the things of this world?

        The Bible says “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent - both are detestable to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:17).  But that is exactly what we do if we margionalize the good competent men and women of character and promote and protect the wicked.  There is no righteousness without repentance.  If there are wicked rulers in your organization remove them.  And if you are abusing the innocent and retaliating against those godly men and women who speak the truth may God have mercy on your soul.

        We are encouraged and knit together in strong ties of love when we put love into action - when we remove the wicked and protect and defend the innocent.

        Our churches and our nation will continue to be weak if we are deceived by the well-crafted arguments of evil men.  Yes, you know who they are.  They are prosperous, powerful, plump, greedy, wicked, people.  It takes godly, good, strong people to oppose them.

        God’s holy people, his dear children, put Jesus first in everything.  Never confuse the church with the military.  It is not a chain of command and power and control.  Jesus turns that thinking upside down.  That is worldliness.  Instead, build on Jesus.  It is Christ Jesus who made us holy and blameless.  Because of Christ, who is with us in His power, we can stand before God without a single fault.  And in His strength, we can oppose the spiritual powers of this world.

        We must continue to believe in Jesus.  To our last breath.  Let us build our lives, and our families, on Him.

        We are united with those who have the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit produces true life-giving, creative, restorative power.  

        This new life God gives us is wonderful and special.  Treat it as such.  Precious, like the little children we are responsible for protecting and teaching.  Let’s ensure that our own houses are in order.  Let’s follow 1 Timothy and Titus to ensure we are assessing ourselves by the right standards.  Do not conform to the world.  Don’t desire worldly things.  For we are citizens of the Dear Son.

        Christ took away - canceled - the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

        We act as though we are powerless.  Defeated.  Subjugated by Satan.  Yet that is not the way of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “it is finished.”  And He means it.  We have his life-giving life-changing power.  Jesus Christ disarmed the spiritual rules and authorities.  Yes, He did!  He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on his cross.  The devil no longer has the power over death (Hebrews 2:14).

        Lord Jesus.  We know You, love You, and thank You.  We want to be filled with Your presence and guidance today.  Reign in us I pray.  Please bless our families and our organizations with holiness and may we honor you.  Amen.

Visiting the University of Saskatchewan last week.