Fw: a gift received; not an argument won

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2017 7:25 AM
Subject: a gift received; not an argument won

Colossians 2:2 " 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments."

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"Plausible arguments" are arguments that appear to be true...may be convincing...but are not necessarily true and may be deceptive.  It occurs that Christ is not an argument won but a Savior received...a gift unwrapped within individual hearts.

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Paul goes on to say: "6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

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Men may be convinced that they have it all figured out in their own minds and need no other input (or want no other input).  This is where philosophy reaches its limit.

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Consider Paul's next words: "8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."

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When we receive Christ we are filled with the one who transcends man's thoughts and arguments and we are transformed.  One final quote from Colossians 2: "19 ...holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God."

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True life becomes possible when we have received the One who is the author of life.  He is a gift that answers arguments with truth, wrapped in mystery.

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blessings,

Rob Smith