Don’t Miss The Prize. Colossians 2:18-19
“18) Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19) and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.” Colossians‬ ‭2:18-19
Paul now issues a caution about the spiritual realm. Not every dream, vision or religious practice leads to God. Some people are being deceived by evil spirits without realizing it. This was especial true in the Roman Empire. The climate was a mixture of many religious beliefs, practices and spirits.
The new age religions of our day have much in common with Rome. Most people have a hodgepodge of many beliefs, religious practices and humanistic philosophies. Satan translates himself into an angel of light in his efforts to mislead people. (See 2 Corinthians 11:13-15) He goes to great lengths to deceive and enslave people. Many people think and reason logically to their own doom. (See 1 Corinthians 1:18-25) They become their own worse enemy.
Paul’s response was to point people to Jesus Christ and the simple gospel message. The god of this world loves to confuse people and leave them lost and blind. (Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-4) He will do anything to keep them confused, distracted and distant from Jesus Christ and the gospel.
Colossians 2:18-19 shows Paul’s resolve to skip the religious arguments and distractions and challenge people to consider Jesus Christ and the gospel. When all is said and done, the only questions that matter are “Who is Jesus Christ and do you believe in Him?” As soon as a person receives Jesus Christ and is born-again, all the confusion, religious arguments and irrational smoke disappears. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to change.
Many former skeptics became some of the greatest followers of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul was one of them. Before meeting Jesus Christ he was a fierce persecutor of Christianity. After being born-again, he became the greatest evangelist and defender of Jesus Christ and the gospel in human history. He more than anyone understood that the greatest prize in life boiled down a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global