Don't Put Makeup on a Dead Man

Hey everyone!

I hope this January Sunday finds you well. Today in church the pastor spoke from Colossians 2 regarding legalism. I went ahead and read chapter 3 when I got home, and I figured I would share a few thoughts I had with you. 

In chapter 2, Paul speaks regarding "doctrines of men" that really don't affect our faith at all. He explains how we should not become so wrapped up in man-made regulations that we forget to be wrapped up in Christ. 

I suppose you could read this chapter alone, and come away with some good thoughts regarding legalism, but it is important to remember that this is an actual letter. And letters were never meant to be read in part. Some of us probably barely remember the good ol' snail mail days, so let's make this a bit more applicable. If someone sends you a text or a Facebook message, do you only read half of it?

I doubt it. All that to say chapter 3 is extremely important to read. 

Chapter 3, verses 1-3 says, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. Set your mind of things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

The reason our lives should not be filled with legalism isn't because there is nothing good about legalism. Honestly, the "rules and regulations" found in legalism are often wise. 

For example, some preach against smoking. Surely, there is nothing wrong with abstaining from such an unhealthy habit. Some preach against dancing. Surely there can be no harm in watching how closely you interact physically with someone of the opposite gender. 

The regulations that come along with legalism are not the problem. The problem is twofold. 

First, when we cling to legalism, we are looking to ourselves instead of Christ for change. Legalism is man-made rules to cover for moral decisions not found in the Bible. Instead of looking to Christ for wisdom in decisions, we turn to men and women who have created rules for us to follow. These rules become equal to Scripture. 

Secondly, legalism is an attempt to fix our old body. Legalism looks at our sinful body, and tries to find ways to keep it clean. We are filled in a world of sin, so legalism keeps us from any hint of any sin that might damage the body. 

The problem is, that according to Ephesians 2:1 our bodies are already dead. Legalism, in fact, is no more than an attempt to put makeup on a dead face. This may be enough to convince our fellow Christians, or even unbelievers.

It won't fool God.

God doesn't want us to look to our own devices to cure our sin condition. He wants us to "seek those things which are above" (Colossians 3:1). 

Only God can give us a new body. Only God can make us into new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Any hope to live without sin, to live with loving kindness, is found in Christ.

We have been freed from sin (Romans 6:7). 

True freedom comes not from seeking the death of sin.

True freedom comes from seeking the life of Christ.

The Power of Weakness

Think for a moment of how many stories you have watched on your TV or read in a book that are all about overcoming persecution, slavery, weakness, diversity, famine, war, etc. There are a lot of them. There are so many, even true stories, that the term "Cinderella Story" doesn't mean as much as it once did. Even the Bible is full of stories regarding overcoming weaknesses.

The Old Testament reveals story after story of God taking a small number of Israelites and defeating great armies of Gentiles. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Saul, David, Daniel, and so many others seem to beat the odds almost every single time.

By the time I get to the New Testament, I'm pretty used to the story line. Something great happens - something bad happens - it looks like the character is going to fail - God saves them. Jesus is no exception. His story looks the same. Jesus has a magical birth story. He grows up, and everyone seems to love him. He is performing lots of miracles and saving lots of people. Then the plot twists as usual. He is turned on by his own followers. He goes to court to get tried for blasphemy. Pilot sentences him to die on the cross.

You'd think I would be nervous at this point, but I'm not. I've seen this scenario before. I remember when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were thrown into the fiery furnace. No harm done. Didn't even smell like smoke. The soldiers can go ahead and try to nail Jesus to the cross. Somehow they won't be able to. His hands and feet will turn to iron. Angels will come and kill all the soldiers. All of Israel will realize that Jesus is the true King of the world, and then I can put my book down and go play catch with my brother.

Then Jesus dies. There is no pulse and no hope. I'm skeptical at first, but three days pass and it becomes impossible to deny. Jesus is dead, and I am doomed to spend eternity in utter darkness. I will be alone, tortured in my own filth.

Now we all know the rest of the story. We know it doesn't end there, but despite the ending, Jesus has raised the bar for stories. What if a story ended with weakness? At the very least, what if - even though a story ended in victory - the greatest victory came through weakness? That's what Jesus did. He beat Satan, Hell through giving up his power. He won the war by putting down His sword. He won the Super Bowl by taking a knee.

In II Corinthians 12:10, Paul says, "For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I'm a pastor's kid, and I am fairly certain I heard this verse ten thousand times growing up. My brother even started a band called "Weakside," their name based off this verse. Needless to say you would think I would understand it. I didn't. I doubt I even fully do now, but hopefully the truth of it is starting to dig into my heart.

Not all pastor's kids fit the stereotype of knowing every verse in the Bible, understanding every theological idea ever created, and not understanding those who do not. I do. At least I'm about as close as it gets. That's not bragging. I would give it all up for one simple gift that it seems like everyone else has but me.

Passion.

I don't have it. Some days I cry out for it, but most days I rely on knowledge. All around me I see believers who seem to be filled with a passion too great for them to control. Why else would people randomly yell unintelligible things during chapel, or a quick amen, or raise their hands so high you can tell they were at a campfire last night? Passion.

I want to experience God in a way I have never. I want to have a vision, see Heaven, hear a still small voice, anything. I'm so sure that will fix everything.

Earlier in II Corinthians 12, Paul shatters that idea. In verses 2-4 he tells of a man who saw visions of Heaven, and most scholars agree that he is talking about himself. Three verses later Paul tells us that he complained to the Lord about a "thorn" in his side. Thankfully, he doesn't say what his thorn is. It allows me to fill in the blank.

I have a thorn too.

Paul begs the Lord three times to take away the thorn, and God's answer is so beautifully terrifying.

No.

He says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

God's strength doesn't just work better in weakness. It's "perfect" in weakness. God doesn't just look at me and say, "Wow. James is such an idiot. Good thing I got some power to make his weakness look strong."

God actually wants me weak.

I don't need a vision.

A vision won't fix my weakness.

The power of God will fix my weakness.

God will look down from Heaven and smile at my weakness.

I will look up from Earth and be overwhelmed, not by a vision of God, but by God Himself.