Grace Baptist Church, Nokomis, IL.

Text:

A good pair of shoes can make a huge difference. They protect our feet from the ground and weather. We often don’t even think about our shoes. Many people don’t even think about where their faith lies. Having Jesus as Lord is the only firm foundation.

“I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” (Colossians 2:4-10, ESV)

There are many possibilities as to how the world could work. Some say the universe existed as a single condensed particle, and then exploded. Some say life on earth was put here by aliens. Only one of the possibilities is ultimately true: God’s Word.

The Colossian church was dealing with false teaching. Some say that it was a form of Gnosticism, others that they were falling into legalism. Regardless, If any theory contradicts God’s Word, it’s false. We must also never insist that the Bible says something that it doesn’t say. We must never compromise on God’s Word. The way we stay away from these false beliefs is by knowing the Bible well.

How do we stay on the right course in our beliefs and lifestyle? Paul rejoiced to know that the Colossians were remaining in Christ by having good order and by having a firm faith in Christ. We do this by putting on our Jesus shoes, walking in Christ. Believing in Jesus and living as He lived ought to be one and the same action. But it’s also a life-long endeavor. When some accept Christ, their life immediately changes in major ways. But sanctification doesn’t end there. We must constantly work with the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus.

When we walk in Christ’s shoes, we will no longer be captive to the world. The world bombards us with messages. It wants us to buy their products. It wants us to be tolerant of sinful lifestyles. It wants us to live a certain way and believe certain things. But walking in step with Christ means living radically different from the world.

Christ is more powerful than the world. He is omnipotent. And we have been filled with Christ. Our peace with God doesn’t rest on our faithfulness, but on Christ’s.