Don’t Look Back, Look Up

        “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” Colossians 2: 20 – 23.

        False humility is addressed in this passage. Believers are depicted as dying with Christ, that is, they having been born again are spiritually dead in regard to their old sinful lifestyle.

        That being true, why engage in practices of the old self. The “regulations” are noted as things of the flesh. Such self-discipline gives the appearance of piety, but as a show-and-tell lifestyle apart from the Lord salvation by works.

        Such a legalistic lifestyle is identified by a list of does and don’ts instead of being identified with Jesus, the “Head” (Vs. 19).

        The second characteristic of such an elitist attitude is their worship of angels. They professed they are unworthy to worship God personally so they worship His angels. False humility often leads to spiritual misconduct.

        The instruction is to avoid empty pious lifestyles and engage in a truly humble lifestyle genuinely devoted to Jesus. Colonies of Christians developed around the Mediterranean basis. Foremost among these were the Christians in Rome who were castigated. They were accused of cannibalism because of Jesus saying “this is my body and blood.” His command to love one another was interpreted as being devious. Those misconceptions along with Christianity outgrowing the number of those who worshiped false Roman gods put them in disfavor with Nero.

        They were accused of being responsible for the outbreak of the Great Fire of Rome, which began on the night of July 18, 64 AD near the Roman Forum. The fire raged for six days. Nero saw in it the occasion to blame the Christians and savage those in Rome. 

        Nero’s persecution of Christians following the fire was brutal and infamous. Some Christians were covered in animal skins and torn apart by dogs, while others were crucified or burned alive. Some were made living torches, setting them on fire to illuminate his gardens at night. This gruesome spectacle, while brutal, also served to further vilify the Christians in the eyes of the Roman public, portraying them as dangerous and subversive. Yet, the faithful response of believers resulted in the spread of the faith.

        Now go back and reread the opening paragraphs of this to see the charge given in spite of such adversity. Add to it the following.

        “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12: 1).