triumph (Col. 2:8-23)

Friday, April 11, 2008

Colossians 2:8-23


In another densely packed passage Paul speaks on the one hand of human tradition, philosophy and empty deceit, of elemental spirits and visions, the appearance of wisdom and self-made religion, and on the other hand of Christ, of the power of his death to "circumcise" us, to cut off and cut out not only the accusations and guilt our sins incur but also the power of sin and the indulgence of the flesh. The first is futile, powerless, and like a mist in its promise to bring life; the second is the powerful working of God, the disarming of rulers and authorities and the triumph of God in Christ on behalf of those who trust in him.

This happens for us through identifying with Christ's death and resurrection in baptism, as we put off a life motivated by, animated by, and trusting in "the flesh" (ie. trusting in anything but God) and put on Christ, in whom the fullness of God dwells bodily (interesting phrase... Jesus is risen but God still indwells him bodily) and who fills us. It happens as we distrust and desist from both activities that trust in our ability to make something happen to incur God's favor and free us of slavery to guilt and sin, and from ways of thinking that exalt one's power to figure things out, especially as it leads to self-trusting religious activity.

Basically, this whole section begins and ends as a warning, but its heart is an exhortation and an emphatic pointing to someone. The picture he again (the first was in 1:15-23) paints of God being in and working though Christ is awesome and beautiful and liberating. More than saying "stop doing this and that," or "think this way, not that way," he says look at Jesus! Look at who he is and what he's done! Believe it, trust him, give yourselves over to this story.

!!! For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority... having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also rasied with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you who were dead in your trespasses... god made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record that stood against us with its leagal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. !!!
(2:9-15)