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 of this world rather than on Christ.

Recap

Last time we studied Col 2.1-5. In v. 4 Paul issues a preliminary to a warning: “I say this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments.” How could we face the challenges presented by serious opponents of the Christian faith? A couple of options suggest themselves.

First, we could point to the Christian scriptures being reliable by virtue of our having fulfilled prophecy. Second, we could point to the person of Jesus. Neither of these is right or wrong. There are occasions when the first might be necessary and times when the second is more appropriate. But as a former atheist—and a zealous one at that—I can say that most often the stumbling block to people coming to faith in Jesus is not whether or not the bible is reliable. Most often when that is presented as a problem, it is only a distraction so that the Christian will spend so much time trying to prove the reliability of the bible that he or she never gets to the person of Jesus. And it is Jesus whom we want people to follow. It is he who issues the call, “Follow me.” Scripture, even according to Jesus, is a witness to him. But he is the center of our faith.

Go By Traditions!?

After indicating that the Colossians were facing challenges Paul moves in a direction that we might not expect. He does not tell them to avoid fraternizing with people who present challenges. He does not quote Scripture. He does not point them to doctrine—at least not directly. What he does is point them to tradition—specifically the tradition the Colossians had received of Christ Jesus as Lord.

It is important that Paul uses the word “tradition”. He does not say, “As therefore you received Christ Jesus as Lord, walk in him.” Rather, “as therefore you received the tradition of Christ Jesus as Lord, walk in him.” This makes a world of difference. What do you think is the difference?

Receiving Christ Jesus as Lord is something like coming to faith in him and confessing that he is Lord. However, receiving the tradition of Christ Jesus as Lord is to be recipients of all the stories of Jesus that showed how exactly he exercised this Lordship. This would include at least as many of the stories we have in the Gospels but also much more that is not recorded in the Gospels. Paul is pointing them to the occasions at which they had heard accounts of Jesus’ life when Epaphras came to them with the proclamation of the good news.

A Strategy for Effective Witness

What do you think Paul is doing here? Why does he not just say, “Jesus is Lord and you guys should know that. Just tell that to all the challengers and you will silence them”?

The clue to what Paul is doing comes in the second phrase “walk in him”. That is, live as though Jesus were Lord. In other words, live as though he were the kind of Lord portrayed in the stories you received. How would this work out?

If the stories of Jesus showed him as a tyrant, then anyone who accepted him as Lord would live in fear, resulting in legalism. If the stories of Jesus showed him as a weakling, then someone who accepted him as Lord would live recklessly, resulting in licentious behavior. If, however, Jesus is portrayed as compassionate, gentle, and powerful, then one who followed him would live a secure, fearless, ever-improving life.

So Paul is saying, “You remember the stories of Jesus you first received? Well live as though the Lord whom you serve is the Jesus of those stories.”

This is Paul’s practical response to the challenges faced by the Colossians. He does not call for a series of inter-faith dialogues, though these might have some place in evangelism and apologetics. He does not tell them to solidify their doctrine, though that might be necessary. What he does is tell them, follow Jesus. And in Jesus’ words, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” But what actually happens when we follow Jesus is that we become really effective bait!

Rejecting what is not According to Christ

In line with this Paul issues the formal warning in v.8. This, incidentally, is the only place in the bible that the word “philosophy” appears. We will suspend judgment on what this term means for another two weeks. However, Paul couples “philosophy” with “empty deceit”. This shows Paul’s disdain for this philosophy that was challenging the Christian faith at Colossae. The crucial issue in the warning is that this philosophy is said to be a human tradition that is not according to Christ.

The second use of “tradition” should give us pause. These traditions are to be rejected not because they are traditions but because they are not according to Christ—that is, they promote a form of life that is opposed to the way Jesus is depicted in the stories the Colossians had received. And Paul has already said that the way one lives is the most effective witness for the Lord one serves. So anything that makes people live contrary to the character of Jesus is a tradition that is not according to Christ and is to be rejected and challenged by living according to Christ.