Paul's Letter ... to Us

Hey! Look what I found! A verse about modern Christianity ... in a letter to an ancient Christian church.

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. (Col 2:8)

Oh, we are so there, aren't we? We've decided that we probably know what's best. That old Bible thing? It's okay, as far as it goes. But, for instance, when the children's song says, "Jesus loves me; the Bible tells me so," voices in the church cry, "Oh, no, don't go there. We don't need the Bible for that." When someone tries to use Scripture to defend the faith, apologists argue, "Don't go there. That won't work." When discussions about Scripture pull out things, quite clear, that stand in opposition to current views -- LGBT, women in the church, submission in marriage, you name it -- there are plenty of loud voices that shout it down. "Don't go there." Why? "Because, we know better. Our philosophy, our modern traditions, our current perspectives are superior to that old book." And they build their case on what the text calls "the elemental spirits of the world." Certainly not on Christ (John 17:17).

It's everywhere today, in and out of the church. Truthfully, as evidenced by the fact that the text came from a letter written to a first century congregation, it has been around a lot longer than just today. And, as timeless as the warning is, people who call themselves Christians glibly reject it, build their "faith" on their philosophies and human traditions, and, effectively, ignore Christ and His Word. Because, after all, they know better, right?

A Scary Verse

You've heard this verse before. In fact, it's quite popular in altar calls. Jesus had John write the text to the church at Laodicea.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. (Rev 3:20)

I can hear the question now. "That's your 'scary verse'?" That's because it is almost always used as an invitation. "Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. Won't you let Him in?" Which isn't scary at all ... but that's not what this verse is saying.

The text was written to the church at Laodicea (Rev 3:14). Laodicea had a problem. They believed, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" when Jesus believed, "you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked" (Rev 3:17). Quite a contrast. Jesus warned, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent" (Rev 3:19). And then comes verse 20. Jesus was not standing at the door of hearts. Jesus was standing outside the door to the church at Laodicea. They were all inside, thinking they were fine, when they desperately needed help. The "Christian" church left Christ out.

Some have argued that the 7 letters to the 7 churches (Rev 2-3) are historically arranged -- a picture of the church through history. I think that's a stretch. I think all 7 church-types exist today. But the Laodicean church is certainly present today. Self-styled Christians have gathered and locked Christ out, thinking they're doing what's right. They think they're okay. They're not. They think they're on track. They're not. For too many churches with "Christian" applied these days, Jesus is standing outside, asking to be let in. That's frightening. There are churches and there are people who are moving along, quite confident that they are fine -- they need nothing -- and they are without Christ. Don't be that guy.

My God is Better Than Yours

We humans are a competitive breed. We even compete in this game we call "one-upmanship". You know how that works. We hear out your story or claim or, in Christian circles, even your woes, and then, we follow it with ... something better. I remember in church groups when we shared testimonies about how sinful we were, but God saved us. Each one got worse and worse. Or our prayer requests. "Please pray for my brother. He's depressed." "Please pray for my friend. She has cancer." "Please pray for my mother. She has to raise me." Okay, well, you get the idea. We just like to win, it seems, even in our trials.

We even compete in our versions of God. "God to me is a great God because He is nice to me." "My God is better because He healed me from an illness." "My God is better because He loves me even when I don't." "My God is better because He saved me from sin." "Your God isn't so great. My God saves everyone." And we're back at it. Only, we don't get to do that here. God declares Himself to us. He speaks in His Word. He discloses Himself in His creation and in the Bible. He even claims things about Himself that would disqualify Himself from being "good" according to our measure. "I am YHWH, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am YHWH, who does all these things" (Isa 45:6-7). "Wait ... hang on ... He creates calamity? Oh, no, that's not my God." "So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills" (Rom 9:18). "Oh, no, God doesn't do that. That's not my God." "The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives" (Heb 12:6). "I'm sorry; that's just crazy. That is not my God. My God is better than that."

When will we learn? When will we let God speak for Himself? When will we submit to Him? When will we acknowledge the massive arrogance of telling God what's good and not, what's better, and whether or not we will allow Him to be who He claims to be? My God? He's the one, true God. He's best, not because of my evaluation, but because He is who He says He is and I have nothing more to offer and nothing to take away.