“Ascetic "Christianity"”

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self- imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:23)

While I was in high school America experienced a spiritual revival among many my age. I personally witnessed a crusade for Christ that packed the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Many who had joined the hippie revolution of the 1960s were now devoting themselves to Christ. Some of these news disciples displayed their loyalty to Jesus by wearing a “cross” or “fish” on a chain around the neck. In addition to jewelry, there is now a new fad among disciples. It is to place a tattoo on the body to show their allegiance to Christ.

In Colosse false teachers were anxious to impose tedious ceremonies upon the Christians. This heresy combined Judaism with eastern mysticism. At the root of this movement was a denial of the preeminence, power, and deity of Christ. However, it manifested itself in strange forms of religion including mutilating the body. 

Certainly God is concerned with how we use our body. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”. (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are to offer our body as a living sacrifice to God. (Romans 12:1,2) The Christian is not to use the body to pursue lustful passions and desires.

In this context Paul recants the words of these false teachers: “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle”. (vs. 21)  It was taught that such acts of humility and self-denial would meet one's spiritual needs and enhance purity. This was deceiving. Ascetic observances do not make one pure, nor do they shield them from fleshly temptations. Paul adds: they “are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (vs. 23)

In verse 20 Paul says: Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—". Here he alludes to thoughts that are covered more thoroughly in the next chapter: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  (Colossians 3:1-3) The true path to purity is not through a mark on the body or the jewelry we wear, but rather by resolutions of the heart. Because Christ is dead and risen, we must set our affections on him. 

During my high school days, an older gentleman offered some advice to me and my friends. God wants us to be cross-bearers (Luke 9:23), not just cross wearers. Devotion to Christ must be deeper than our skin. Christ wants our hearts.

By George Slover

 

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