One of the things that I think is fascinating about the New Testament is the ease in which it deals with antinomies.  On one hand, we are encouraged to sell out completely when it comes to our allegiance and love for Christ; and on the other hand we are cautioned about become extremists in the pursuit of our faith.  It’s such a delicate balance that from my observation, the church has had a great deal of difficulty finding it.  We usually seem to be swaying from one extreme to the other, more like a drunk than a tight rope walker.

Paul is going to address extremes in the passage we’ll be looking at this Sunday.  You can read it here: Colossians 2:1-10.  And you should read this in the Message version also.

While he’s never actually met the Christians he’s talking to, Paul feels a great deal of concern for them.  He wants them to stay on course…and again, remain simplified in their priorities.  As we read these verses, we see it all comes down to Jesus.  Nothing more, and defiantly nothing less.

As you read vs 6-7, what does it seem like Paul is trying to encourage these Christians to do? 

His warning in v 8 is another interesting paradox.  Paul himself was a man of great education.  He even quotes popular Greek philosophers and playwrights at different times.  It’s hard to believe he’s taking some sort of anti-intellectual stance here.  What would be the “key qualifier” in v8?  In other words, what is it about these philosophies and traditions that make them untrustworthy?

What extremes do we need to avoid in our culture that are similar to the ones Paul warns about?

Anyway….stuff to ponder ’till Sunday.

Moonrocket to Mars is leading worship…so you may want to show up late.  😉