THE APOSTLE PAUL'S CONDEMNATION OF ASCETIC PHILOSOPHY
Paul knew that the Colossian Church was under heavy Greek Philosophical pressures living in THAT society. He warned of the dangerous influences.
Colossians 2:8-10, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him…”(NKJV)
The founder of these churches is revealing to them that worldly philosophies are dangerous. They are complete in Jesus who is the head of the church and has all power.
Colossians 2:18-19, “Let no one defraud you of your prize, priding himself on his humility... and idly puffed up with his unspiritual thoughts. 19 Such a one does not keep his hold upon Christ, the Head…” (WNT)
Our connections are through Jesus of Nazareth only and not human philosophic visions.
Continuing in verse 20, “If you have died with Christ and have escaped from the world's rudimentary notions, why, as though your life still belonged to the world, do you submit to such precepts as 21 ‘Do not handle this;’ ‘Do not taste that;’ ‘Do not touch that other thing’ – 22…in obedience to mere human injunctions and teachings? 23 These rules have indeed an appearance of wisdom where self-imposed worship exists, and an affectation of humility and an ASCETIC severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating the indulgence of our lower natures.”
So, what does help with the combating of our lower natures? Not asceticism! Obviously, we must engage the power of God's Holy Spirit. But how is this achieved with balance?
PROPER USE OF SELF DENIAL AND DISCIPLE IN A HUMANE, WISE MANNER
It is clear that if a person is near starving himself as an act of piety and is harming his body and mind, this is not the kind of worship that God would desire, note :
Mark 2:26-28, “…How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" 27 And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.’” (NKJV)
Deuteronomy 14:26, “And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.”
God has reasonable flexibility with regard to our serving Him, and His worship is for our enjoyment and benefit, not otherwise. The Pharisees and other leaders in Jesus' day did not understand this obvious concept. God does not like cruel religious requirements. God's days and laws do not support asceticism. God's Holy Days are happy festivals full of food, rejoicing, and music. When a farmer sacrificed and ox or a lamb he and his family and workers ate most of the meat themselves. It was like a giant barbecue at the Temple of God area! This is misunderstood today.
Colossians 2:15-17, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
The world thinks Paul is saying do not keep the Sabbaths and resist the pressure to do so. However this is not what he is saying. First, many verses show Paul actually keeping them and requiring gentile churches to observe these days as well. Note I Cor. 5:6-9 and other verses. Secondly, consider the context which is full of ascetic pressures from their Greek neighbors. Paul is saying do not let them judge you for all your feasting on God's Holy Days.
Thirdly, consider that if these churches had NOT been keeping them for the last thirty years, as world believes, they would have fit in with their pagan neighbors more so. The Judaizing party would have considered them lost long ago, especially gentiles. They would have been keepers of the day of the sun god since Jesus’ resurrection and would have lost the sign of the true God. The circumcision party would have considered them lost gentiles and ignored them. Therefore verse Col.2:16 is not a response to Judaizers but ascetic critics as the context clearly reveals.
1 Timothy 4:1-5, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies…having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4...every creature of God is good, nothing is to be refused if.. received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
Giving up marriage which most people need, and abstaining from good God created food is clearly ascetic. One can look up the foods that are sanctified by the Bible in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES GIVES ADVICE ON SELF DISCIPLINE
Paul gave us pragmatic advice on using the power of God to help us use balanced self discipline. Overall he knew we need the help of God and our Savior.
Romans, 7:23-25, "But I see another law in my members, warning against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver mefrom this body of death? 25 I thank God –– through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
We cannot do it alone but we do have our part to play as Paul makes clear.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
Paul writes that we are obligated to work on self discipline or we might become disqualified.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8...is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
All of us who have followed his example of fighting the good fight against our human nature and the desire to give up the fight and return to this evil society will be rewarded at the second coming of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:1-6, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops.”
The two examples the apostle gives relate to discipline. Soldiers must learn hard military discipline and athletes must learn how to compete in hard training regarding the rules OF THAT SPORT. The third and last example is the industrious farmer. He has to work hard according the laws of agriculture or his harvest is a disaster.
