Today, as it was when Paul wrote his letter to the Church in Colosse, people have promoted theories about Jesus that mixed pagan ideas about the Lord with scriptural truth. These false teachers mixed their ideas with astrology, magic, and Judaism, presenting Jesus as just an angelic being. Although Paul never visited Colosse, he needed to write a definitive letter to the Church to recapture a pure and truthful representation of Jesus.

Paul wrote, “We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9).

Paul described Jesus as “the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before all creation, and through Him, God created everything in the heavenly realms and on Earth” (vs.15-16).

“He holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the Church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So, he is first in everything” (vs. 17-18).

The limitations of astrology, magic, and a misunderstood representation of Judaism can never reveal Jesus. Neither can crystals, Gnosticism, or New Age philosophy reveal His true nature.

The Colossians were being deceived. They either forgot or did not yet realize that “In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3). This needed correction motivated Paul to write his letter. As with any deceived group of people, we must understand and consistently review Paul’s warning: “I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments” (2:4).

All truth resides in Christ alone. The Colossians needed to reorder their faith around that truth and not be duped by what was being taught to them: “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ” (2:8).

Today, the Church needs to receive and apply Paul’s warning to our current expression of faith. Sometimes, believers have allowed human thinking and deceptive spiritual forces to form their faith, not the truth about Christ. That deception will always lead us astray if not openly challenged and corrected.