We are living in an era when church leaders are seeking relevance by searching for and discovering “new truth” in the Bible. As society devolves, the world is drifting farther away from the former biblical truths that were forged on an anvil with blood, sweat, and tears. History is passé. What was good for the past is no longer applicable to the Church today.
This is not new. Paul, writing to the church at Colossae, warned of this trend already existing among the churches of the Lycus Valley. Even though he had not yet visited that area, many had heard of his ministry and the message God had given him. False teachers among the flock were twisting, adding to, and subtracting from his message. Paul wrote to correct the doctrinal errors and to encourage the brethren by having their hearts:
knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:2-3)
He was seeking to accomplish this through proclaiming Christ Jesus:
admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ (Col 1:28-29)
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. (Col 2:6-7)
While his letter was to correct false teaching, there are also portions where Paul expressed cause for rejoicing and gratitude.
For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (Col 2:5)
What was needed even more, since the false teachers were at work, was for believers to:
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. (Col 2:8-9)
Today, many believers spend years becoming proficient in their employment, raising their families, engaging in entertainment, and laying aside for retirement. Yet little time and resources are employed in the most important matters of life, achieving full assurance of understanding the faith. (Col 2:2)
Paul’s goal was to present every man complete in Christ. (Col 1:28). He was willing to experience hardship. The history of the Church is strewn with martyrs who gave their lives so that we might enjoy the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Stability in Christ requires that we order ([discipline, NASB] Gk, taxis) our lives to allow time and resources to study God’s Word. A casual perusal of the internet is not enough. Only through consistent personal effort will we be able to separate truth from error and be firmly rooted in the faith of Christ.