Colossians 2:6-8
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
False: "As a Christian, I need to make sure I uphold my faith by only doing the Jesus things."
The gospel is not an invitation to perform for Christ; it is an invitation to abide in Him.
The church is always in danger of worshiping its own work instead of worshiping God.
— Henri Nouwen
Hosea 6:6
I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
John 15:15
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:16-17
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Christianity becomes impossible the moment we believe it's our job to keep ourselves close to Jesus.
Many times we turn the things we do for God into the relationship we have with Him.
The greatest hindrance to true religion has always been that it was trusted in instead of God.
— A. W. Tozer
Jesus never said, "Produce fruit so you can stay connected."
He said, "Stay connected, and fruit will come."
Avoid Insecure Actions
Colossians 2:9-10
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Nearness matters more than sacrifices.
The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen... I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.
— Brother Lawrence
Colossians 2:16-20
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. 20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules?
Fruit will come — but it will always be Him.
Colossians 3:3
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.