The Apostle Paul in the Book of Colossians is encouraging the Christians in Colosse and Laodicea to remain focused on Christ and the salvation that is alone in Him. Paul gives many descriptions and details of Christ all pointing the fact that He alone saves and there is no need to add to or take away from a simple and singular faith in Christ.
Paul uses several descriptions of how the world distracts Christians from a singular faith in Christ.
2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile [deceive] you with enticing words.
2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you [take you captive] through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world [the basic views of men dead in their sins which is that man is god and determines his own salvation] , and not after Christ.
2:16-18 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,
2:20b-21 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?
Paul gives these specific actions and descriptions about the Lord Jesus Christ:
Colossians Chapter 1
1:14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Paul elaborates on the preeminence of Christ in redemption and creation. There is no mention of adding to or the need to add to Christ or His work.
Chapter 2
3 in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
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.
Again with the context of sin separating us from God and our need to become righteous creatures Paul writes all that is done for us in and through Christ to make us righteous and prepare us to stand in the presence of God. Plus Paul adds His victory at the cross leaving no question that Jesus Christ alone is the supreme power in the world and is able to effectually complete His work of salvation in us.
More to come in Part II….
Views from an Evangelist 