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Christians Beware! "Let no man beguile you of your reward".
To All,

Christians Beware! "Let no man beguile you of your reward".

It was Paul's desire that his brethren be "perfect (complete) in Christ" (Col. 1:28; 2:1-3). But there were influences at Colosse, and Paul warns them in Col. 2:8-23.

Col.2
[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
[9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
[10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
[11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
[12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
[14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
[16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
[17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
[18] Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
[19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
[20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
[21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
[22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
[23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Influences and philosophies of man can cheat you of your salvation. Christ warns: "But in vain they do worship Me, teaching or doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt. 15:9). Teaching the teachings of men... NOT God... which is HIS Word. That which "{{{defileth a man}}}" is that "which cometh out of the mouth" (Matt. 15:11). Though the "philosophies" and "traditions of men" may possess a lot of truth, it is the error in them that can lead one away from the pure and simple doctrine of Jesus Christ. We need to remember:

>> 1. {{{"In Christ"}}} are found ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).

>> 2. {{{"In Christ"}}} is to be found the FULLNESS of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2:9).

>> 3. {{{"In Christ"}}} we are COMPLETE (Col. 2:10).

>> 4. Peter wrote in his second epistle: "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness , through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue," (2 Pet. 1:2-3).

Paul addresses this problem in Col. 2:11-17.

AS THOSE IN CHRIST... We have died to the Law and Jewish ceremonialism (Rom. 7:1-6). We have been set free, and need to beware of becoming "entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Gal. 5:1). If we seek justification by our observance of things found in the Old Law, we are fallen from grace. (Gal. 5:2-4).

Beware of any doctrine or teaching of man that suggests we need more than Christ Jesus!

God Bless,
Eve