So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:6-8
People are sometimes surprised when I say that Christian theology is basically simple to understand, and these three simple verses sum it up pretty well; it is simple to understand them, don’t you think?
We received Jesus Christ as Lord. So, continue to live in Him. We do this by being rooted in Him,built up in Him and we are strengthened in the faith just as we were taught, and we will overflow with thanksgiving. What should our priorities in life be? Simple, we should be in Him, rooted in Him and strengthened by Him, or to put in another way, our life’s priorities are all about Jesus Christ.
Verse eight follows with a bit of practical advice, which is to seek Christ and let go of the hollow ways and teachings of this world. It goes without saying that if we are seeking after Christ, then we are not seeking after the things of this world. If we are seeking Christ, then we will find His ways and want to follow them in our lives, rather than worrying about what everyone else is doing.
You see, none of this is complicated, in fact it is so very simple that sometimes we feel the need to complicate it! But then, making the simple difficult is one of the ways of this world!
As we seek His face, as we seek His presence, as we seek His Truth, we seek after that which is good, wholesome and true. As we do this, our faith is strengthened, our walk more close and dear, and our outlook on everything else will change forever. When that happens, we will be filled to overflowing with thanksgiving, praise and… His presence.
I wonder: Is God speaking to us in these simple verses? If so, what do you suppose He is saying to us? What will we do about it?
Life Project Blog 
I agree wholeheartedly. We like to make things complicated, so that we don’t have to understand or successfully do what we are plainly told to do. I think James’admonition to be doers and not merely hearers might be added to those verses, or added to the two great commandments to love God and love others.
Yes, maybe in our day we need to be explicit about that! Thanks for commenting!
I just read a blog by Mike Dellosso in which he quoted A.J. Tozer, “We would finally discover our purpose: that God delights in us, and longs for our fellowship.” The gospel really is that simple, yet we get so caught up in theological differences. All we really need to do is fellowship with God and keep our focus on Jesus. Great post, Don.
Thanks Susan, you summed it up very nicely!
Yes I was just reading in John 15 where Jesus said that the world hates all those who are not of the world, but the world loves its own. I am not of the world, so the world hates me–it hates what I believe. We have no part in this world and they know it. Our life is a life of peace with God and so we should meditate on those things–as in Phil. 4:8. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you Stephen!
“See to it …” Jumped out. See to it. What a gorgeous simple thought. See to it you are in bed by nine o’clock. See to it the dishes are done before you go out. See to it that no one takes you captive. See to it you keep it simple. See to it now.
The other “stuff” that gets in the way, distracts, confuses? Keep that simple as well. See to it you do.
Yes sir! Yes, “stuff” of all sorts will distract… not so good!
I may be reading between the lines a bit, but I think that those who want to make it complicated are those who want to have an excuse to not live it out. They are devising an excuse to say, “I cannot do this. It’s to hard.” When in actuality they are thinking to themselves, “I don’t want to do this, so I’M NOT GOING TO, PERIOD.”
While I can’t claim to read anyone’s mind, I’ve suspected that on occasion…
I speak from experience, brother. I’ve done it myself. Not a good thing to think.
Reblogged this on Africa's Orphans.
I really found this helpful. I am currently undergoing chemo and transfusions of prednisone to treat a rogue auto-immune disease. I am married with young kids and so living with this situation is very challenging but at the same we experience more joy than most too I think….well sometimes. I have been “on sabbatical” during my chemo treatment and my parents have had the kids while my husband is at work giving me a lot of time to write, pray, listen to God and try to get my life on track. This is so much harder than I thought and my mind is often quite overwhelmed by everything. Yesterday, I found out that while the chemo worked, I will still have 4 more treatments over 2 months and my kids will be back at school for these so the logistics seem hellish. I am surrounded by willing helpers but I still need to organise them. My husband and my parents are pretty wiped out. I am actually relatively on fire as the chemo hasn’t affected me too badly. Anyway, after reading this, I’m going just fix my eyes on Jesus. Breathe him and let him filter through every cell in my body and make me a new creation both in terms of my health but also in terms of radiating his love out to the community. Love & God bless, Rowena
Rowena,
Wow, what a story! I’m sure that you will be in the prayers of everyone who reads this as you go forward! It isn’t always so easy to discern what God is up in our lives, but there is great comfort in knowing that He is working things out for the best, even when we can’t yet see how. Yes, you have the right idea; focus on Jesus, His great love and His strength, and I know that in the midst of trial He will be there for you and your family as He has always been there for me. God bless you! Don
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