A Life Worth Living
Text: Colossians 2:1-23
Introduction.
He brushed his teeth twice a day and he went to his doctor religiously—twice a year for a thorough check-up. He wore his galoshes when it rained, and he slept with the window cracked to make sure he got enough fresh air.
He really stuck to the proper diet. He read every label on the food he bought, and identified all the fats—poly and unsaturated—and every other ingredient that might injure his body. He walked, jogged, and worked out at the local health club on a very disciplined schedule.
He made sure he ate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and he slept 8 hours every night. He never smoked, drank, or lost his temper. He was prepared to live to be 100.
His funeral will be held on Wednesday. He was only 53-years old. He is survived by 18 specialists—4 health institutions—6 gymnasiums—and numerous manufacturers of health food and drugs.
(Pause)
He followed all the rules and imposed upon himself a strict regimen. He did everything he was told to do to have a long life—yet he still died.
· All the specialists,
· All the health institutions,
· All the gymnasiums,
· All the manufacturers of health foods and drugs….
· And all the rules and regulations he abided by….
Still couldn’t help him to attain his goal.
He still died!
Now, if we were to listen to the health Gurus of our day, we might be fooled into believing that if we do everything right, we might live almost forever. And yet, we all know that even if we were to follow all the rules and take strict care of our bodies, we can still die—at any time! Such behavior might make our lives healthier and more wholesome….but there is no guarantee of that either!
What can make life worth living? This is the very subject the Apostle Paul addresses in his letter to the Christians in Colossae. We come to Colossians, Chapter 2, in our series of this letter written by Paul.
The Colossian Church was being visited by spiritual Gurus who were offering similar assurances. They were teachers of false doctrine—guaranteeing that their teachings would make everyone acceptable to God, so that all those who followed their instructions could live forever.
Paul referred to these individuals as being hollow and deceptive in their philosophy (verse 8). Their teachings were based on “human traditions” and following “the principles of this world”—they were not based on Christ and His teachings!
These false teachers were not telling the Christians in Colossae about the right—the correct—the kind of life acceptable to God….the kind of life that was really worth living!
In Chapter 2, Paul tells the Colossian Christians the truth about living the correct life. He described for them a life worth living in Colossians 2:1-5.
Colossians 2:1-5
---1---“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,
---2---that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
---3---in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
---4---I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.
---5---For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.”
All of us have that longing. We desire a life worth living—a life that has meaning. We could call it a search for significance. It is a life worth battling for and it might require a struggle.
The first thing we see in that life worth living does require a struggle. I don’t think of myself as a fan of struggle; and, I’ve sure you are not either. However, both of us would probably admit that the things we want and that are really worth something come through a struggle.
In verse 1, Paul says, “How much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.” Paul had not met any of these people…yet he was struggling on their behalf. Paul was preaching and teaching the Gospel so that they would hear the will of God—accept it—obey it—and live it!
If the people at Laodicea followed Paul’s inspired teaching, they would have a life worth living. This attitude exemplifies the life of Christianity, as each struggles for the success of the other. This struggle must be for God’s Truth and against false doctrine!
Paul tells the people at Laodicea this life worth living must focus on the mystery of God, found in Christ Jesus. That’s because, in Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found. He says: “…I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments…” (verses 2-4).
Paul then tells them a life worth living requires discipline! He says, “I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm you faith in Christ is.”
Colossians 2:6-7
---6---“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
---7---having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
We need to “Grow Deep”—and in verse 7, Paul used the word “rooted”. If we are properly rooted, we will always receive the right water—the “Living Water”. When I make that statement, my mind goes back to how the Book of Psalms began. It began with the following words:
Psalm 1:1-3
---1---“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
---2---But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
---3---He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Though there may be a drought in other areas of the land, it always prospers. As long as the river is not dried up, this tree will always have sustenance and will produce fruit. Whatever we do will prosper, because we are rooted in God. So, as Christians, we need to deepen our relationship with God by putting down roots and, in that way, we can receive from Christ what we need.
Then Paul tells the Christians at Colossae that as we walk with Christ, we should grow up in Christ. In verse 7, he says, “built up in Him”. He also tells them if we are going to walk with God, we’ve got to grow strong as well— “Strengthened in the faith as you were taught.” “Strengthened” could also be translated as “established” in the faith.
Paul also says these Christians need to “grow out”. What I mean by “growing out” is what Paul refers to in the last phrase of our text. He says we should be, “…overflowing with gratitude…” or “thankfulness”.
Brethren, we live in the midst of a cynical, selfish, dissatisfied society. It could be more like that of the Colossians than we care to admit.
People are miserable….and they show it! Some may even be proud of it! But, if you’re a Christian, one of the characteristics of your life ought to be that your heart is overflowing with thankfulness. When people come into contact with us….instead of seeing someone complaining, moaning and groaning, they should see someone who says, “I just want to thank God for all His blessings in my life.”
Paul tells the Colossians, “Don’t let anyone deceive you…”. Put them to the “Test of Truth” (verses 8-10). We need to be discerning about Christ—who He is and what He wants for us—for you and for me. What He want for us is “a life worth living”—not a life lived by someone’s idea of living their set of rules and regulations!
· What was this false theology Paul was battling in Colossae?
· What were they teaching that was so threatening to the Faith of the Christians there?
· What was this false theology Paul regarded as evil and devious?
The answer is this: The false teachers were guaranteeing the people could be assured of being holy, and pure, and Acceptable to God by simply following a strict set of “rules and regulations”.
Now, on the face of it, that will make sense to the world in which we live.
Everybody has rules—
· Schools have rules.
· The Workplace has rules.
· Homes have rules.
· Even Churches have rules.
It is part of what makes for an orderly society…everybody know what the rules are, and it’s easier to live and work together.
Well, even in religion, it helps to know what the boundaries are. If I know what to avoid and I know what sin IS…then I won’t sin nearly as often. However, that doesn’t always work out that way.
Knowing the rules was very important in the Old Testament. The scholars tell us there were approximately 613 Old Testament laws! These laws were given for a specific reason….and the reason was because of transgression. In his letters to the Romans, Paul says these rules and regulations brought us to a knowledge of sin.
The Old Testament laws were given to help God’s people know the difference between what was right and what was wrong. Paul also goes on to say that, under the New Covenant, we fulfill the Law by 1)loving God and receiving and obeying His Son, our Savior,
and
2)by “loving our neighbor as ourselves”.
We live by the “Law of Love”, and by doing that, we will fulfill all the Law.
So now, by playing off the life of living by laws and rules and regulations, these false teachers who have come to Colossae have put together a rulebook of what Christians were to do and not do to be acceptable to God.
Now, here is what the Apostle Paul, writing by the inspiration of God, has to say to the Church at Colossae.
Colossians 2:20-22
---20---“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,
---21---‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’
---22---(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?”
You see, these folks had come up with a whole list of things that said, “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” That’s the nature of rules and regulations—don’t do this, don’t do that. And that’s what I would expect from a rulebook.
Now, read verse 23.
Colossians 2:23
---23---“These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”
Now this wakes me up concerning the value of rules and regulations! I believe what this says is that even if I know the rules and understand all the “dos and don’ts”—even that won’t help me restrain my sinful nature.
How could that be?
Let’s use the following example.
We’re on a highway and the speed limit is posted at 55 m.p.h. and what we see when observing a car actually going the speed limit…55 m.p.h. What we see is one car after another passing the lawful car and buzzing on down the highway at a much higher rate of speed. Don’t these people know what the speed limit is?
Sure they do! However, when that rule doesn’t meet their desire, they just break the rule! So—the rule didn’t restrain their true nature!
If any rule becomes inconvenient—or challenges our sense of what we consider to be fair and just—well, we will just ignore the law, bend the rule, or simply break the rule! There’s no rule or regulation that’s going to make us moral!
If I want to obey the rule; I will—if I don’t; I won’t!
If I want to be moral, or more moral than I have been, something has to change within me. And that something has to make me want to be different! A rule won’t do it!
Jesus said, in Mark 7:21-23
Mark 7:21-23
---21---“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
---22---deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
---23---All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
Something has to change inside of us!
Paul explained that change in Colossians 2:9-15.
Colossians 2:9-15
---9---“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
---10---and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
---11---and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
---12---having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
---13---When you were dead in your transgressions and the un-circumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
---14---having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
---15---When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”
· When these things happen, something Has changed within you.
· Your sinful past was removed, like dead flesh being cut from your body (verse 11),
· Your heart is filled with Christ (verse 10),
· You’ve been forgiven of all your sins (verse 13),
· And you’ve been made alive in Jesus (verses 13).
When our old sinful heart has been taken out—cut away—and replaced with a Christ-powered, Christ-centered heart—well, then I will do what is right, because that’s what I want to do!
There is no rule or regulation that will change me….but a changed heart will change me. Here’s a good illustration of how that works:
A woman was married to a tyrant of a husband.
· He didn’t like the way she kept house.
· He didn’t like the way she did laundry.
· He didn’t like the way she ironed his clothes.
· He didn’t like the way she dressed.
· He didn’t like the way she conducted herself in public.
· He constantly criticized her for everything.
Early on in their marriage, he gave her a list of 25 rules for her to follow.
She hated the list, and she hated him too!
Can you imagine a life where you have to constantly check your list to see if you are pleasing him (the husband) and (according to his list) for staying out of trouble?
Of course, there were times when she failed to keep all the rules and regulations on that list; and, when she did fail she could feel his disgust, which made her miserable!
Then, one day, she got a break in life—he died!
Well, the woman fell in love with another guy and experienced a real and truly loving marriage! She and her new husband love each other deeply, and she finds herself doing everything she can to make him happy.
While cleaning one day, the woman came across the piece of paper that listed all of those 25 rules her first husband had given her. When she read it, all those feelings of anger and inferiority came rushing back at her.
Then she started to laugh! She realized that she was doing all those things for her new husband, along with many more! The difference was that she did all those things now, but the reason she did them was now different. She did all these things now with great joy, because she loved him!
Rules and regulations won’t make us moral.
AND,
Rules and regulations won’t make us acceptable to God.
However, with a new heart within us and an overpowering love for Jesus in our lives, we can joyfully serve God! Yes, we can joyfully serve God knowing that we’ve been changed on the inside, and that begins to show on the outside!
Invitation.
