Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Per Philosophiam Inanem | Empty Philosophies

”Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” – Colossians 2:8





Saint Paul experienced a lot of difficult situations as his preaching about Jesus had to face false teachings in Colossian area. Of course, this thing raised ambiguities for the Colossians. Against the false teachings, Saint Paul taught the riches of assured understanding and knowledge which existed in God only. He also gave a warning to the Colossians about plausible arguments of false teachings, because they could deceive God’s people. In that case, Saint Paul asked the Colossians for faithfulness to God’s teaching. They had to fight against various kinds and forms of false teachings that came into their live. This effort was an attempt to maintain their faith and care for the joy in Christ.

Nowadays, many kinds of teaching in the world have been affected by the false teachings. It shows in our instant lifestyle where human efforts are not fully shown wholeheartedly. It also shows in our reluctance to show our true selves but hiding behind a mask.

Perhaps we are being influenced by some false teaching, even may have already lived it. Certainly our faith has faced it. If we are weak, it can drag us into a spiritual death, entice us with a great power - tempting our faith to God. Of course, the world spirits want to take us far away and wide apart from our relation to God. Therefore, God wants us to stay on and possess endurance in our faith.

My beloved brothers and sisters, in our life, we need clear water. If the water is dirty, we will use a water filter to keep the water clean. We can say the dirty water is the false teaching which can blot our pure relation with God. Of course, that is difficult as we really must examine the consistency of our faith and relation to God in facing the teaching.

Nevertheless, we have a strength, a power who will never leave us alone, that is Jesus Christ. As Jesus Christ is a love sign of the Father for us, we also should live in God’s love because it is the highest among all knowledge of human being. If we increasingly instill and practice God’s love in ourselves, it will be our faith power in life. Actually, life with thanksgiving can raise our faith and love to God, especially to keep our faith despite a lot of obstacles.

Finally, Saint Paul invites us to keep firm in our faith and love in facing any false teachings in our life. Also, he invites us to live in God’s righteousness and always preach the truth in our life. Come to Jesus with all yourself as it is and strive to be the right disciple of Jesus Christ. Amen

 

Reflection on Colossians 2:1-8 by Fr. Victory D. Lianain

(Listen to the Podcast here)

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