Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Not Left Clueless

The context of Paul's letter gives us a clue to the traditions and philosophy Paul was battling. Evidently there were men who taught that since our bodies are evil (their philosophy) and cannot be redeemed, then it does not matter what we do with our bodies. Our souls are redeemed but our bodies will be destroyed. They did not recognize what we do with our bodies not only reflects our soul's condition but affects the condition of our souls. Such a philosophy cheats men from experiencing a holy life.

So Paul reasons with them that they have been united with Christ in the baptism of Christ's death and raised together with him to live a holy life in and with this body. Anything short of that cheats us by bringing us into bondage (Colossians 2:8-14).