Colossians 2:18-19 & 23 - "Hold Fast to the Head"

Today, Tuesday June 8 “Hold Fast to the Head” Colossians 2:18-19 & 23 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God….  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. The Greek philosophies appealed to the mind, the intellect. The Jewish rituals and ceremonies appealed to the spiritual, the religious. The self-imposed discipline of the body appealed to the flesh, the sensual. This is what Paul was addressing as he wrote this passage to the saints at Colossae. Amazing, we see believers today being led astray by these same three appeals. I have to admit that I have struggled with all of these appeals, especially in the early days of my Christian experience. Paul admonished us to “hold fast to the Head”, which of course is Jesus Christ. He is the One who nourishes and brings unity to the whole body in every aspect, and grows us “with a growth that is from God.” Jesus said it this way, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:4-5) We will grow into spiritual maturity by learning what it means to simply abide in Christ. This means that we really believe that we are totally dependent upon Jesus for everything we need. Our identity, our self-worth, our wisdom, our purity, our right standing before God, our spiritual growth, is all found in our intimate relationship with Him! How do you abide in Christ? It begins with a submissive, obedient will and mind that is continually taking in His Word. Jesus went on to say, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8) Today, hold fast to Christ and experience and enjoy a growth that is from God! God bless!