Saturday, February 5, 2011

Captivated not Captive 272

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form"
Col.2:2-9a

Paul understood the challenges that believers have to contend with. Having received Jesus as Lord, and captivated by all that He is, it is necessary to become mature - rooted and grounded so we become like a tree that can weather storms, as vain and empty philosophies are thrown at us. This is often what college students have to deal with...many sons and daughters head off to universities and places of so called "higher learning", only to come home spiritually bankrupted. The key is a heart that is stamped with the ownership of Jesus, with His seal on it, captivated for Him alone. When our hearts are devoted to Him, the Lord pours into us the "full riches of complete understanding", there is no room for counterfeits, and we see the empty philosophies of this world for what they are- empty.
Armed and strengthened we can navigate successfully through the minefields and snares the enemy of our souls has tried to set.
Be captivated by Him today.

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