GNOSTICISM.
THE ERROR OF GNOSTICISM.
Usually, my Mini Bible studies are more practical and devotional coupled with evangelism and encouragement.
However, in this letter of Paul to the church at Colossi, the first three chapters are Theological, addressing the erroneous doctrine of Gnosticism.
So today, we will examine this view, which permeated the Colossian Church and still exists today, particularly in the Masonic Church and the Scientology religion.
This belief was influencing new believers away from the simplicity of Salvation by Grace alone by adding special knowledge by Philosophers of that time. Instead of believing that Salvation in Christ was the only way to God, they concentrated on “the origin of evil.”
They believed in one supreme God, who is the God of light and life, but the story of Creation found in the Bible was a lie. God was “not” the one who was responsible for creating the world because the world 🌎 was full of evil and corruption, making it impossible for a “Good God” to create it! So they invented another creator—an evil creator who created a flawed world. Already, we see error, as scripture tells us.
“THE LORD SPOKE AND THE WORLDS WERE FRAMED.”
Yes, He spoke,
“LET THERE BE.”
Light, darkness, oceans, animals and people. And it was so!
But??
The Gnostic belief explained why mankind suffered so much evil. They taught that man had a spark within himself to recognise evil, but that spark was extinguished by evil. To reignite this spark, man must bring it to life again by his own Will and Strength.
To the Gnostic, Jesus is the Messenger of light… but “not” Salvation. Men would have to save themselves by sacrifices of the flesh to make themselves worthy to be saved.
(Martin Luther, the Priest and theologian of the 16th Century, was a good example of this influence. He believed that the body needed to be purified from all its evil passions before it would be acceptable to receive Salvation.
This included much fasting and self-flagellation (flogging oneself as a religious discipline.) Instead of realising that Christ took our punishment, Luther punished himself, not only physically but emotionally and mentally to obtain Salvation.
Later, after studying the book of Romans, he discovered that Salvation was by Grace alone.
He changed the course of Christianity forever.
Gonosicism taught that secular work was not as important as being a missionary, an evangelist, a Pastor, or a Priest. This is not true because…
“IF ANY MAN IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY, AND BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.” (The total person.)
The new believers in Paul’s Church were literally beating themselves into submission to the point of not allowing themselves any enjoyment of bodily pleasures.
Legalistic doctrines alive in some Churches today have their roots in Gnosticism. People are bound by men’s interpretation of what is good or right instead of experiencing the freedom that is ours in Christ.
But the Spirit, Soul and Body are of equal importance to God. God is interested in your total being, not just a part of you. Praise God, we are given an incorruptible body when Jesus returns.
So, as Paul beseeches us,
“WHATEVER YOU EAT OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.”(Including daily living.)
If you would take the time to read this again, slowly and meditate upon what it truly means to be free indeed from the law and enjoy your happy condition in Christ, you may find that you too have been caught up in Gnosticism, thereby condemning yourself and others for not living up to these legalistic standards and the wrong expectations of men.
Maybe you will not so quickly wipe people out of your life because they may not believe as you do and allow God to reveal His Love and Truth to them in His way and time.
HIS COMPASSIONS THEY FAIL NOT…
EVEN IF YOU ARE UNFAITHFUL… HE REMAINS FAITHFUL.
Now relax and grasp the truth that ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU AND YOU ARE COMPLETELY COMPLETE IN HIM!
I Corinthians 2:9,10.
To sum it up, we need to know the difference between this erroneous teaching which is indeed very cruel and confusing and certainly will not earn Salvation.
This is highly negative thinking and impossible to attain.
Why?
Because Salvation is a FREE GIFT.
Ephesians 2:8,9
“FOR BY GRACE YOU ARE SAVED, NOT OF YOURSELVES, NOT BY WORKS LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. IT IS THE … “FREE GIFT” OF GOD, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.”
Even a little child can be saved.
The positive side of asceticism can actually lead on from salvation.
Where Paul teaches that we offer our own bodies as a living sacrifice Holy and Acceptable unto God as a reasonable thing to do.
This happens as we allow the Holy Spirit to gently convince us to let go of sinful habits such as the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.
We crucify ourselves in many ways, and by His resurrection power, we exhibit the “Fruit of the Spirit: ” love, Joy, Peace, etc.
This is the “WORKING OUT OF SALVATION.” and “not earning it.” Allow me to share a song I wrote many years ago:
DIE TO SELF.
“Lord, I die to self each Day, Lord I walk the narrow way. Lord I want You first in all I do and say and take my cross and follow You.
Lord, I yield my selfish Will, to have and hold and with your Spirit fill.
Lord I want You first in all I do and say, and take my cross and follow you.
Then I’ll walk in resurrection power and know Your Joy and Peace that hour. Then you’ll live your life afresh in me. Jesus Christ, the path to victory.”
“LORD, I LOVE 💕 YOU”
Avoid getting caught up in fads that are prevalent in today’s thinking, such as… Food, sleep, the way you dress and all manner of hardships and renunciations that make your life miserable (and those around you).)
Instead, look at the heart view of true Asceticism, which is found in Paul’s letters. It’s not depriving yourself of tea and coffee, food and water.
It is to bear the nine fold fruit 🍓 of the Spirit as mentioned before. LOVE,
JOY,
PEACE,
PATIENCE,
KINDNESS,
GOODNESS,
GENTLENESS and
SELF CONTROL.
That’s what it’s all about: It is harder to be loving, joyful, patient kind and generous, than to fast and skip meals to make yourself in right standing with God or feel closer to Him.
Fasting is not wrong in itself, but you need to be led by the Spirit on how to fast and when to abstain from food.
Jesus said,
“COME UNTO ME, AND LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY OF ❤️ HEART.”
Seek to be like Him and to do the Father’s will in honest humility, then you will feel at rest in your soul, no longer striving for acceptance or validation. Be willing to withhold from the lusts of the flesh as He reveals them to you and walk in the Spirit then you will be more effective in the … KINGDOM OF GOD.
Amen.
If the Lord speaks to you through this particular study, feel free to comment by SMS Heather Dalzell
04 17 545 814.
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Light in the Darkness! 