Watch Out for the Trick Questions

Throughout my years in school, I had many teachers who consistently taught me how to navigate tests and those tricky questions in order to, hopefully, ace them—or at least earn a passing grade. When the class would fail, the teacher would say something along the lines of, “I have taught you everything you need to be successful. You just have to apply the things you have learned.” The first part of Colossians 2 reminds me of those many teachers and the conversations we had over failed tests and shaky knowledge.

Paul tells the Colossians that he hopes they are encouraged, strengthened, and unified in the truth of God’s Word, even though he is away from them. This is strikingly similar to the “You can do it!” platitudes given before a test.

Afterward, he goes on to do something close to what those teachers I remember so vividly used to do—he reminds them how to live out what they have been taught:

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Then, just as a teacher would warn her students about possible trick questions and confusing formulas, Paul gives them a warning:

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Paul knows that the Colossian church struggled with trusting empty philosophies built by man and not by God, so he warns them to beware of those dangerous influences.
This short passage wraps up by reminding the Colossian church of the work that has already been done and why applying what they have been taught and how they have learned to live is good, safe, and fruitful for their souls. He reminds them of who Jesus is, Jesus’ work through his people in spiritual circumcision and baptism, as well as Jesus’ victory on the cross for the salvation of his people. Echoing in my brain are the words of many teachers: “The hard work has been done. Go take the test!”

I’m thankful to be done with school (and tests), but I am even more thankful that the work is finished, Jesus has won, and I can live free, like the Colossian church—rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.

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