Cultivating a life style better than religiousness

Colossians 3:12-25: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. 13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.18. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.19. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.20. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.21. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.22. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.25. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

Religiousness is not a guarantee for righteousness. There are several faces and shapes of religion; to certain degree religion has done some good to humanity and in some cases has done severe harm to mankind too. This is so, because religion gives no one monopoly of right to style and interpretation. Across the world, there are nearly over 4,000 recognisedfaith. Research has shown that 75 percent of the world population subscribe and follow ardently one of the five main world religions, which include: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. These religions in most cases affects their relationship, communion and behaviour, especially with one another that sometime some ofthe adherents lose their humanity.

Christianity as classified as one of the world religion has in it so many factions, denominations, interpretation, sects and beliefs; this is so because Christianity was supposed to be a pattern of life rather than a belief system. Fortunately, Jesus Christ our Saviour, Lord and King did not come as a messenger or prophet of a new religion, but came to redeem mankind from sin and point him to a higher life of fulfillment of his true humanity. This has being corrupted over the years to the extent that many who claim to be Christians are today guilty of the true essence of faith and relationship with God through Christ.

The Book Of Colossians
There is no strong debate or disagreement on the authorship of the epistle to the Colossians as written by Apostle Paul. Many scholars agree that this letter was written by Paul around A.D 62 during his imprisonment in Rome (Acts 27-28) alongside with the letters to Philemon and the Ephesians with Tychicus, accompanied by Onesimus(Colossians 4:7; Philemon 1:10–12).

Tychicus was a coworker of Paul who would have been able to help the Colossian believers understand and apply the apostle’s teachings in the letter.

The letter was said to have been written to address a Christological heresy threatening the Church at the time and to help the church to avoid undermining their new identity as believers in Christ redemptive work (1:2,28).

Paul also encouraged these believers to fight against sin, pursue holinessand live as distinctively Christian households hence the main theme of the book could be: “Christ is Lord over all of creation, including the invisible realm. He has redeemed his people, enabling them to participate in his death, resurrection and fullness.”

The report that the Church was under attack by false teachers was likely to have been reported by Epaphras, who was likely the leader of the church at Colossae and a convert of Paul’s from his more than two-year ministry in Ephesus.
Epaphras had come to Rome in part to serve Paul during his imprisonment (Philemon 1:23) and also to confide in him regarding the dangerous teachings the Colossians were hearing. So, Paul sent this letter. The Chapter 3 was an important part of this letter.

The problem that this letter deals with points us to Jesus’ warning about the religious sect of his day; people most times uphold belief system; revere their religious symbols and fanatically defend and pursue their tenants of religion at the expense of relationship between God and Man,, and Man and Man. Man’s greatest desire and craving has always been to gain salvation, ultimate peace, and fulfilment. Many times man claim right based on the satisfaction that he is pleasing his master or object of worship; Christianity does not only points us to God, but ultimately shows us our indebtedness to God and Man; in this, the law and the prophets are summarised:
I. That you love the Lord your God with all your heart and might.
II. That you love your neighbour as yourself

Except Your Righteousness Exceed That Of The Scribes And Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-36, 5:20)
Expectation for living right from others is easy to demand, but living right is a choice. Many times people betray their very demand because ‘those who live by the dictates of the flesh cannot please God.’ Paul in writing to the Galatians 5:16 said: “Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.’ The Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes were religious sects condemned by Christ for their choice of religious practices over love. They held unto religious practices over humanity and good human relationship. These could be likened to the religious leaders of our time.

Lifestyle Christ Disapproved
1. They broke God’s law and taught others to do so (Matthew 5:19). Many times the leaders’ sin becomes the followers’ defense. When leaders do wrong and defend same it becomes a way of life for those who honour them.
2. They kept animosity, anger and bitterness against others, yet came to the sanctuary with their gifts to show reverence and devotion (Matthew 5:21-28). When people do not place value on their relationship with others and do certain religious acts to gain inner peace it undermines the fact that God is love and in Him there is no guile (cf 1John 4:20).
3. They had religion without spirituality: a deep and sincere connection of heart with God (John 4:23).
4. They were faultfinders in the house of God (Matthew 9:11; 33-34). Be careful whenever you only see the sins of others and see nothing good in what others are doing. Watch it! It only shows how shallow your relationship with God is;for God is love.
5. They plotted evil and hatched plans to destroy and ruin those better than them (Matthew 12:14-15).
6. They knew how to limit the liberty and freedom of others (Matthew 12:15-16). Watch it, anything that takes away your right to good, will and enslaves you can ruin you. Religion can make you to have poor judgment of true liberty, but spirituality can always enhance your freedom and help you promote the peace and freedom of others (Galatians 5:1).
7. They set traps for others to be entrapped (Matthew 16:1, 4, 6). Setting standards and enacting laws just to get people into trouble, limitations and fears is not the true spirit of Christ redemptive grace.
8. They had a wrong conception of spirituality and right teaching of the law (Matthew 16:6-7). Many times Jesus said: “From the beginning it was not so.”
9. They loved high position and places in the house of God — Notice me! Without God’s spirit inside of them (Matthew 23:2).
10. They had God on their lips, but not in their lives (Matthew 23:14).
11. In their preaching they made converts to their misconception about God and made them twice sons of hell (Mathew 23:15). They took dry sinners and made them wet sinners
12. They gave undue regards to object rather than true faith (Matthew 23:16-22).
13. They were more of good teachers than living by example.

They taught only for academic exercise rather than practical life of good human relationship (Matthew 23:23-24; In 1John 4:7-14). The Bible made us to understand that the greatest and most important part of the law is Love (1John 4:17-21).
14. They were concerned about outward appearance and ceremonial cleanliness rather than inner purity (Matthew 23:25-26; (cf Leviticus 11:31-33).

15. They claimed to be righteous, but had an evil heart (Matthew 23:27-28).
16. They celebrated dead prophets, but killed, criticised and murdered the living ones (Matthew 23:29-30).
17. They only did good deeds to gain human praise and applause (Matthew 23:5).
Jesus said: “Except your righteousness is better (Matthew 5:20):
• Are you yielding to the flesh more than you are yielding to the prompting of the Spirit?
• Are you giving preference to the flesh or the Spirit?
• Are more conscious of human praise or Divine approval?
• Are led by the Spirit of God?
• Do you avoid evil counsel and council?

What God Expects From Us As His Elect
1. Put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humility, meekness (Col 3:12). Before you can put on, you have to put off; check your heart. What are the ugly things that God would want you to put off.
I. Your relationship with others
II. Allow God’s word to dwell in you richly (Col 3:16)
III. Admonish others in love, Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Col 3:16)
IV. Whatever you do in words or deeds, let it be to the glory of God and not for human praise or selfish gains
V. Wives should be submissive and husbands should be loving (Col3:18-19)
VI. Children should be obedient Col 3:20
VII. Servants should not be guilty of eye service Col3:22

Whatever you do; let it be done from the purity of your heart; you may be wrong, but make sure you are sincerely wrong. God who sees the secrets of every heart and judges the motives behind all actions will surely weigh and reward our services.

• Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is the Rector, Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)