Colossians 2 v 1 - 5

Paul here has another dig at the Gnostics and their belief that there is a hidden knowledge, a key to discovering the deep thoughts of God. We may assume that we are not under threat in the way the early Christian converts were, but looking back over the last fifty years, we become aware of how much Buddhism influences Christian thought now and even New Age philosophy. There was much more awareness of the God we worship being a judging God with moral standards fifty years ago: now it is 'God is love' and that can almost become a bit like God accepts anything we do, because He loves us, just like a very indulgent parent. In the twenty first century West, we must be aware of the dangers of complacency, worship of materialistic lifestyles and making ourselves judges whilst putting God in the dock. As I wrote recently, there is still the danger of accepting and promulgating a two or more tier Christianity. Yes, the first will be last and the last first, but God looks at our hearts, not at what spiritual gifts we exhibit- they come from Him anyway! The answer, as with most Sunday school talks, is Jesus Christ. You may have found Jesus fairly easily, but there are many for a variety of reasons who have spent years fruitlessly seeking Him. The song, 'Heart of worship' was powerfully challenging to me for some while when I was at Bible College. I was planning to become a 'professional Christian', Matt Redman was one too in his musical role and was confronted by God about the requirement that he must continue to privately adore and worship Him. He could write great songs with beautiful music, but was he still worshipping Christ as King in his heart? 'When the music fades All is stripped away And I simply come Longing just to bring Something that's of worth That will bless Your heart I'll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You're looking into my heart.'