Free at Last - Point 1

I think our passage gives 3 ways we can truly be free in Christ—how we can truly be free at last. The first step is to return to the basics. Paul tells us to be Founded on Christ—Free from Philosophies:

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Paul has in mind a specific worldview when he writes this passage. The people of that day viewed the world as though it consisted of falling atoms. These atoms are very structured, precise, and easy to follow. Unfortunately, what happens is “the swerve.” These atoms sometimes veer off course, and if the hit you, it is bad news. It is very similar to astrologers who look to the stars for guidance. So what do you do to avoid the collisions? Well avoid pain of course. Seek only pleasure. Don’t worry about serving a god or gods. Get rid of any and all agitation in life or things that could lead to any stress.

Popular culture is telling us what we need or don’t need to have a good life—wealth, happiness, a fit body, a certain stance on issues. They try to align the stars in their favor at every chance, hoping to avoid any sort of bad times. But you don’t need to figure out your astrological sign and outlook. You don’t need to get good karma. You don’t need to get your yin and yang straight. Instead, Paul gives us different advice when it comes to living in this crazy world. He says “Be rooted and built up in Christ, not in the traditions and philosophies of man.” It’s that simple he says—be founded on Christ. And he goes on: “The most important thing you need to know is that you have put to death your sinful nature and have been raised a new person in Christ. All the extras that people try to put on aren’t important.” For the Gentiles of that day, the Jewish Christians were encouraging circumcision as a sign of their faith. They sounded intelligent and knowledgeable. We see the same today. Studies come out and professionals tell us how to live. And that sound like they know what they are talking about. After all, she has a degree in psychology, I guess she must be right. But Paul is clear: watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions and practices.

But Paul says such things aren’t necessary. All we need to know is found in verse 12: we’ve been buried and raised again through faith. Our sign of life is our baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit. That’s it. We don’t have to be in alignment with the stars. We don’t have to buy into these philosophies that crop up. We just need to be rooted and founded on Christ. Then we will be free from the newest fad or philosophy that comes along.