I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose 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, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Col 2:1-10 (New International Version)

There are many mysteries in this world, in fact, life is full of them. Over the years science and engineering have unlocked the doors to many things considered great mysteries just 50 to 100 years ago. In addition to unlocking these doors we have found many more doors to open.

One hundred years ago the image displayed above, as it was see through the best telescopes, was described as a fuzzy star or patch of nebula. Today, astronomers know that it is another galaxy very similar to our own Milky Way with billions of stars. This galaxy is known as the Andromeda galaxy and it is 2 million light years from earth.

Despite all that we have learned about our universe, secular astronomers refuse to give any credit to God. Instead, they continue to "deceive (us) with fine-sounding arguments" similar to those the Apostle Paul warned the Colossians about in verse 4. Secular science would have us believe that the above galaxy and our universe has "evolved" over millions or billions of years. These are persuasive words coming from educated men. However, they are not built on the foundation of God's word, but through "hollow and deceptive philosophy" according to human ideas.

How can we avoid this trap that Paul speaks about so clearly in Colossians?

The answer is to "walk in the right direction".¹

- Make the daily choice to continue to trust Jesus. It is a daily decision to live by faith and walk in Jesus. Each day we must make a conscious decision that we are going to continue to trust Him and not listen to the constant bombardment of a secular world-view. Just as we received Jesus by faith, that same child like faith that he accepted us just as we were, we have to live in daily.

Paul tells us "...rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith". Roots go deep and spread out seeking nutrients and water to sustain the plant. We have to seek after God and "go deep" into his word to establish ourselves in the faith. It's not enough to spend time with Jesus only on Sunday or briefly during the week, we need him every day.

- Make sure that your foundation is firm. In John, we are told "in the beginning was the word..." We need our foundation to be established on God's word.

References:

Image courtesy of Bobby Middleton

1. Dr. John Avant, Sermon Series, The Community God made us to be.