Text: Colossians 1:21-22
Paul has described the overwhelming blessings in the Lord Jesus Christ. There really is no comparison to anything else. Until you are allured back into the world by false promises, playful debauchery, poisonous psychology, and you lose sight of the overwhelming and actual blessings in Jesus Christ.
Notice that verses 21-29 are all one sentence explaining Paul’s ministry to keep people interested in the hope of the gospel. He explains his office and work to keep saints grounded in the truth, perfecting the saints according to Ephesians 4:8-12. Standing vs State, Position vs Practice.
Carnal psychology
- If it feels good, it is good.
- If it feels right, it is right.
- Here are two people who have “feelings” for each other. And God must want us together because we have “feelings” for each other. What about what the Bible says about marriage? Well, that has to take a back seat to our feelings for each other.
- Without any revelation from God, your beliefs about God are limited to the sensations and perspective of your own body.
- But you wouldn’t accept your husband or wife committing adultery on you because it feels good.
- Ephesians 2:2-3
- Enemies in your mind – This philosophy and theology that centers around your body, makes God’s commandments abominable in your eyes.
- Christ showing it was not necessary to live by the dead works of the body.
- Romans 6:19-23, 7:4-6: The point is why would you go back to the things that got you in trouble in the first place. If the best thing that happened to you was coming to the Lord Jesus Christ, why would you treat him with such contempt.
Purging the conscience
- Hebrews 9:8-14, 13:18
- Conscience either accuses or excuses. Without the Lord Jesus Christ your conscience serves whatever idols you’ve latched on to.
- You can chasten and cause pain in order to bring about chasteness.
- But God prefers to control the believer by his Spirit. Carnality needs boundaries, but love doesn’t need to be fenced in because it doesn’t put anyone in danger.
- Ephesians 4:21-24
Sound gospel doctrine
- 1 Timothy 1:5, 19
- The present work of the gospel is to serve God in righteousness so we don’t continue carrying the burden of the sins of the flesh while trying to serve God.
- 1 Timothy 1:10 – sound doctrine is behavior
- 2 Timothy 4:3 – sound doctrine is behavior
- Titus 2:1 – sound doctrine is behavior
- If you stay faithful, if you don’t get moved away.
- Characteristics of new service are holy, unblameable, and unreproveable.
