Complete Salvation in Christ: Colossians 2:6-23

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How confident are you in your salvation?

We all, from time to time, have doubts about our standing with God. We look back on our lives and past sinfulness, or see the struggles of the present and wonder if we are really and truly saved. We compare our spiritual journeys with others’ and wonder if we are exhibiting any faith at all.

The Colossians were no different. Some of the issues Paul addresses in today’s section of his letter show us that the Colossians struggled with doubts about their status as believers. Their doubts stemmed from some false teachings they were hearing about what it really means to be saved.

The false teachings that were infiltrating the Colossian church might seem foreign to us. Certainly no one I know is pressuring me to worship angels or practice extreme fasting as a sign of being truly saved. But the fact remains that throughout all of its history, the church has had to fight off false teachings that pressure believers to add to their salvation by doing certain things. This was true in the Colossian church and it is still true today.

So today, we’re going to look at Paul’s first instructions and exhortations to the church in Colossae. We’re going to look at what Paul says about why the Colossians can be confident that they are truly saved and let his words instruct us in that same confidence.

Walk in Him

Paul begins the instructional portion of his letter by summarizing the purpose of his instruction in verses 2:6-7. He tells the Colossians to:

walk in him (vs.6)

What does it mean to walk in Christ? All throughout the New Testament, Paul exhorts the churches to whom he is writing to walk in the way of the Lord. He tells them to:

walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7),

walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5: 16),

walk in the good works, which God prepared beforehand (Eph. 2:10),

walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (Eph. 4:1),

walk in love (Eph. 5:2),

walk as children of light (Eph. 5:8)

This paints a picture of moving through life, wherever we walk and whatever we do, in a way that glorifies God and magnifies Christ. Paul writes to the Colossians about the way they walk four times throughout his letter to them.

But what does it look like to walk in Christ?

Paul is quick with the answer:

rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving (vs. 7).

My commentary¹ points out that Paul mixes four different metaphors here to show the Colossians what it looks like to walk in Christ.

rooted – like a tree firmly established in the ground, unmoved by the storms of life

built up – like a strong and sturdy house that provides shelter and peace

established in the faith – settled like a legal document that is binding and can’t be reversed

abounding in thanksgiving – overflowing with joy in what Christ has done, like a cup of wine

This certainly seems like a wonderful way to do life. But how is a life like this possible? A life that is rooted, and built up, established, and abounding?

In Zechariah 10:12, God says this:

“I will make them strong in the Lord,
and they shall walk in his name,”
declares the Lord.

The Colossians (and we!) can walk in Christ, because God makes us strong. They are rooted, built up, established, and abounding in thanksgiving, because their faith is firmly grounded the person of Christ – and he gives them the strength to walk this way.

So from the very beginning of Paul’s instructions to the Colossians, he reminds them that their faith is secure because their faith is rooted in Christ. This is important to establish first, before Paul addresses some of the things that have been shaking the Colossians’ faith.

Alive Together With Him

Reminding them first of their firm foundation in Christ, Paul’s first instruction to them is a warning: See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit (vs. 8). Here we can see one of the reasons that Paul has been stressing the knowledge of God thus far in his letter. They need to know the truth so that they won’t be taken in by the lies. Some of the false philosophies the Colossians were hearing had to do with following human traditions (man-made traditions not in step with the commands of God or the teachings of the apostles) and elemental spirits of the world (pagan gods and worldviews that contradicted the teachings of Christ).

After giving this warning to avoid false teachings, Paul seeks to build up the Colossians’ assurance of their own salvation by reminding of how they were saved. He reminds them of the following things:

Christ is fully God and you are filled in Him (vs. 9,10)

Paul echoes back to the poem he wrote magnifying Christ by reminding the Colossians that the fullness of the deity dwells bodily (vs. 9) in Christ. The Christ they worship is fully God and they are now filled in him (vs. 10) by his Spirit. They have been made complete by the work of Christ and nothing can add or detract from that. This is important for the Colossians to remember when they face some of the false teachings of their time.

You have been circumcised by the circumcision of Christ (vs. 11)

Some of the false teachings the Colossians faced stemmed from Judaism. It is likely that Jewish teachers were trying to convince the uncircumcised Colossians that they must be circumcised in order to be saved as is commanded in the Old Testament. But Paul is adamant here (and especially in Galatians 5) that physical circumcision means nothing. It was the sign of the old covenant with God but because of the new covenant established by Christ, circumcision is no longer necessary to be included in the family of God. Paul says that the Colossians have been circumcised in Christ, meaning that the sinful “foreskins” of the Colossians’ hearts have been cut away, including them in the family of God, and making them new creations. This the only circumcision that matters.

You were united with Christ in his death and resurrection through your spiritual baptism (vs. 12)

Paul denounces the necessity of the old covenant sign, circumcision, and then reminds them of the new covenant sign the Colossians’ have received: baptism. The baptism Paul refers to here is their spiritual baptism. The Colossians were united with Christ, in his death and resurrection, when they were baptized by his Spirit at the moment of their conversion. This union with Christ and inclusion in the family of God is symbolized by the water baptism they received after professing their faith.

Paul reminds them that the change that they have seen within themselves, the change from old creation to new, is caused by the Spirit working within them, uniting them to Christ in his death and resurrection. Because Christ died for their sins, they, being united to Christ, have also died to their sins. Because Christ rose again from the dead, they, being united to Christ, have also been raised to new life. No more penalties are necessary to atone for the Colossians’ sins.

You were dead in your trespasses (vs. 13)

Just to ensure that the Colossians take no credit for their salvation, Paul reminds them that before Christ, they were spiritually dead. Dead people cannot help themselves. Their salvation, from beginning to end, was a gracious work of God. They contributed nothing to it.

Christ has sufficiently dealt with all of your sins (vs. 13b – 14)

Paul reminds the Colossians that the sins that made them spiritually dead have been sufficiently and finally dealt with. Christ met the demands of the law on their behalf. Therefore they can be assured of God’s forgiveness for all of their past, present, and future sins.

Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities…triumphing over them (vs. 15).

The Colossians are reminded of the spiritual battle against the cosmic rulers (Satan and his legions) that took place on the cross. They are reminded that the Christ that they worship, conquered these cosmic rulers when he died on the cross in their place. Therefore there are no longer under Satan’s rule. Christ has won the battle.

Paul is reminding them of all of these things because they contrast the false teachings that the Colossians have been hearing. Paul builds up the Colossians’ knowledge of what is true before he begins to tear down some of the falsehoods that the Colossians have learned.

False Teachings in Colossae

In Colossians 2:16-23, Paul outlines some of the false teachings the Colossians have been tempted to believe.

These false teachings included:

1. Restrictions on handling, tasting, and touching certain food and drink (vs. 16, 21)
2. Observing certain festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths (vs. 16)
3. Having spiritually sensuous experiences through asceticism (extreme self-denial and mortification – such as extreme fasting), angel worship (or worshiping alongside angels), and having visions (vs. 18)

What does Paul say in response to these things?

1. Regulations regarding food and drink appear wise but do nothing to help fight sinful behavior (vs. 23)
2. The purpose of festivals and Sabbaths is to point us to Christ, not to earn spiritual favor with God (vs. 17)
3. Having spiritually sensuous experiences (through self-denial, angel worship, and visions) do not develop growth in godliness, holding fast to Christ does (vs. 19)

Paul’s purpose with these initial set of instructions is to remind the Colossians that their salvation in Christ is complete. His work on the Christ was sufficient and final to save them from their sins. Therefore following rules about food, and festivals, and certain spiritual experiences are purposeless. They can add nothing to their faith and are not required in order to grow in faithfulness to Christ. All that matters is holding fast to Christ, who is the head, which they can do by the power of the Spirit that dwells within them.

Application

Are you tempted to follow certain rules as a way of earning God’s favor or securing your identity as a Christian? Have you ever tried to fabricate a sensuous, emotional worship experience as a way of signifying your faith in God?

Here are some questions for you to reflect on:

1. What kinds of things are you tempted to do as a way of maintaining your salvation (or your identity as a Christian) and earning God’s favor?
2. How much emphasis do you put on having a sensuous worship experience? How can you persist in honoring God even without an emotional experience?
3. What kinds of things can you do this coming week to remind yourself to give thanks for your complete salvation in Christ? How can that gratitude inspire and fuel your good work?

To read part 4 of the Online Colossians Study: Colossians 1:24-2:5 CLICK HERE!

1. Metaphors summarized from Wright, N.T., (1986) Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Colossians and Philemon.