Good News vs False Teaching

The book of Colossians is a great reminder of the good news and a warning about false teachings.  Paul wrote these letters to the church in Colossae while he was imprisoned.  The goal of his letters, stated in Col. 2:2, was to encourage the disciples there in their unity and strengthen their understanding of the mystery of God. 

As he stated in the previous chapter, the full understanding of God’s word (Col. 1:26) had only been revealed around 30 years prior at Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.  Paul wanted to remind the church of the good news of Jesus and their new glorious purpose that they have in him.  He spent the last chapter describing this saying, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” 

I have to be reminded of this every day.  In my walk with God, I tend to get distracted by the worries of this world, like the seed in the thorns (The Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:22).  Being renewed in my knowledge of good news, like when I read this passage, is what keeps me firm in my faith.  At the time these letters were written, the disciples in Colossae were distracted like me but by the false teachers of the times.  This is why Paul doesn’t only remind them of their purpose, but also warns them about the false teachers.  In verse 4 he says, “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” And in verse 8 “see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy…”. Paul doesn’t specify what the false teaching is exactly, only that it relies on earthly knowledge.  Because the false teaching is non-specific, it is easy to apply Paul’s words to any deceptive teaching we come across. 

For me, on social media there are many people giving advice on how to be “the best”.  But whatever false teaching the world throws at me, this chapter is comforting as it reminds me that I am baptized, freeing me from sin and the justice I deserve because of it (verse 12) and I do not need to be “the best” by the rules and standards of this world since I am not a part of it (verses 20-23).  As disciples we can be encouraged by these truths and inspire others with the Good News rather than hollow words.