In a world saturated with spiritual counterfeits, hollow philosophies, and feel-good half-truths, how can we recognize what is real? The answer might be simpler than we think: study the real thing.
Frank Abagnale, the infamous con artist portrayed in Catch Me If You Can, eventually became an expert in spotting counterfeits—not by studying the fake, but by mastering the genuine. In the same way, the Apostle Paul urges believers in Colossians 2:6–12 to cling to the real Jesus, to walk in Him, and to guard against anything that tries to replace or distort the truth of the gospel.
1. What We Have Been Given
(Colossians 2:6–7)
Paul starts by reminding the Colossians of the incredible gift they have received: Christ Himself. “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6, NASB 1995). The “therefore” connects back to Colossians 1:10–12, where Paul prays for believers to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit, increasing in knowledge, and giving thanks.
These concepts align as God’s Word always does – perfectly:
• “Rooted” = “Bearing fruit”
• “Built up” = “Increasing”
• “Established” = “Strengthened”
• “Overflowing with gratitude” = “Giving thanks”
We see a consistent call in Scripture to abide in Christ and grow. In John 15:4–5, Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you… apart from Me you can do nothing.” Similarly, Psalm 1:2–3 pictures the blessed man as a tree planted by streams of water, whose leaf does not wither.
A plant may look fine above ground, but if its roots are weak, the storms will reveal it. Our faith is no different. We did not earn what we have from Christ—but we are called to walk and grow in it.
Ask yourself: Am I actively growing in my faith, or am I just coasting?
2. Prisoner or Free – It Is a Choice
(Colossians 2:8–10)
Next, Paul gives a strong warning: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception” (Colossians 2:8). This is not a passive threat—it is spiritual warfare. The “elementary principles of the world” will shape us if we do not anchor ourselves in Christ.
We either rest in our sufficiency in Jesus or fall back into a religious performance mindset: be good, do good, earn heaven. That mindset is not only exhausting—it is idolatry. As Isaiah 44:20 says, the idol-worshiper “feeds on ashes,” and his deceived heart leads him astray.
But there is a better way. Paul declares in Colossians 2:9–10 that in Christ, “all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,” and we have been made complete in Him. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 urges, we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Ask yourself: Is something else shaping me more than Jesus?
3. No Longer Dead but Alive in Christ
(Colossians 2:11–12)
Paul closes this section not in fear but in victory. He reminds the Colossians that they are no longer dead in their sin, but alive in Christ. He describes this transformation using the image of spiritual circumcision—echoing God’s promise through Ezekiel:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26–27).
Paul ties this to baptism: “having been buried with Him in baptism… you were also raised up with Him through faith” (Colossians 2:12). This mirrors Romans 6:4, which says we have been “buried with Him through baptism into death… so we too might walk in newness of life.”
We were once the living dead—but now we are alive. Not just metaphorically, but spiritually, powerfully, eternally. We do not have to live like the dead anymore.
Ask yourself: Does my life reflect the resurrection power I have in Christ?
Living the Truth
The gospel is not merely a rejection of lies—it is an invitation into living truth. Paul’s aim was not to lecture but to lift the Colossians’ eyes to Jesus. They had received Christ—now they must walk in Him. We were once deceived—but now we know the truth. We were dead—but now we are alive.
In a world filled with dead lies, we can live as people of the Living Truth.