Hello Beloved of God, cherished of our Father;

Anyone who desires to live for God has the consequential desire to control ungodly fleshly desires. We just don’t want live contrary to God. The natural and logical solution is to stop doing things contrary to God by submitting to standards of “do’s” and “don’ts.” Then, when we are failing by these standards, the next logical thing to do is to discipline ourselves more to be more committed to these standards. The problem is that no matter how hard we try, falling short is almost inevitable.

If you have not been caught in this snare you probably know others who are. Trying to live for God by bettering yourself through rules and regulations, doctrines and commandments of men, is not only common in the Church today, it was also common in the First Century Church. In a type of false humility we feel good about ourselves when we do things which looks so right. It is an easy snare to fall into being that it appears to be wise, godly and oozing with humiliation.

There’s another solution to this problem of ungodly fleshly desires, one with God our Father’s signature of approval. Take a look at the end of Colossians 2 into chapter 3. The saints at Colosse were also caught in this common snare:

“If you died with Christ (the Messiah) to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? All these regulations refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines. Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value (power) against fleshly indulgence (desires). So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.” (Colossians 2:20-3:3 HCSB)

I took out the verse references, as well as the chapter break (all having been added by translators), because these have been a hindrance to understanding this section.

See the highlighted section? Rules and regulations “are not of any value against fleshly indulgences.” They simply don’t work. Trying to be better, do better, be a better person, through rules and regulations eventually produces the opposite effect of living for God. By these rules & regs we find spiritual death because they give sin an opportunity:

“For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.” (Romans 7:11 HCSB)

“Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” (1Corinthians 15:56 HCSB)

So, what is God’s solution for fleshly desires? I underlined the two places in this section which give us the answer. God’s solution is to submit to our death with Christ. Our old man was crucified with him. (Romans 6:6). That old man with all of his fleshly desires died at the cross. What can a dead man do? As we submit to this truth that our old self, with all of its fleshly desires and problems, died with Christ, it will powerfully nullify fleshly desires. This is God’s solution. So, now you have been raised with the Messiah. So, keep seeking that perspective, the perspective of our heavenly kingdom, newness of life with Christ, not what is on the earth. Are not the rules and regulations, doctrines and commandments of men on the earth? God is telling us through the Apostle Paul that rules and regulations, etc. are NOT His solution. So don’t seek any aspect of the solution there. We are told here that they have no value, no power, against fleshly desires.

This is yet another section of scripture written to us, the Church, where God directs us to trust in Christ’s redemptive work as His solution to the problems.

Love in Christ, Your Brother

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