Kingdom Building

July 25, 2019

Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:6-19

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. –Colossians 2:8-15

I truly enjoy discussing theology, learning other people’s take on a scripture and sharing my own. I do not like to be harangued by anyone who claims theirs is the only interpretation and I try not to harangue in return, although I have been told I can sound overly confident at times. That is probably true regarding just about any subject. My first social work supervisor, who became a dear friend, advised me to preface sentences with, in my opinion, because I tend to state my ideas as if I were quoting scripture. I jokingly started adding the phrase “that is from 1 Marilynn 1:1” to some of my stronger opining when she and I got into discussions and I saw that right eyebrow raise a bit. I am also pragmatic. When I am presented with reasonable facts of which I was unaware, I can change opinions very quickly.

I think what Paul is saying in our scripture above is that we need to take care in discerning the ways of Christ. Open dialogue among people of faith is so important as we learn from each other, but we must be diligent in testing the values we derive from such discussions against those basic key commandments that override all theology. Does God experience love through my practice of this value? Do my neighbor’s experience love? Here we are speaking of agape’ love. I like M. Scott Peck’s definition of love as wanting the very best for another and I would add not as we perceive their best but as the other identifies what is best for them in and through their relationship with God.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for providing a wealth of thoughtful scripture and well-studied people to guide us in your ways. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.