HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND SEASON’S GREETINGS?

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Gal 4:10  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Gal 4:11  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Throughout the year, we find people all over the world observing and celebrating various holidays and “holy days;” and while each culture has their own specific “days, and months, and times, and years” to “observe” these days, there is a great importance placed upon these days by mankind based upon how ‘near and dear’ the day has become concerning the individuals lives, or how widely popular the days have become. And while this study may ‘rub some the wrong way,’ we must allow God’s word of truth to trump the “enticing words” of man as he lays his blueprint of “days, and months, and times, and years” that we ought to observe. And as sons we are to be “known of God;” that means, we are to know His will, and how He would have His church to view these days.

Col 2:4  And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Col 2:5  For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Col 2:6  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Col 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

 

Likewise, we ought to possess the mutual understanding that our Father has toward days like: Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, Easter, Memorial Day, etc.  And as we walk as sons “in Him,” we are to use our godly judgment concerning the “tradition of men.” And even though some, if not most Christians do not view these days as the “traditions of men,” we must remember this; God our Father has never at any time instituted any of these days with the members of His body at any time.  And as “sons” we have been “taught” in His word to “walk” in Him, not after the “tradition,” and “rudiments” of men in this evil world, even though all of our lives we have ‘marched to the same drum’ along with this world concerning the importance placed upon these days.

Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Col 2:15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Col 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Col 2:17  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

 

Furthermore, as we can see in Colossians 2:14-15 that Satan and his angels plays a big part in this world’s “ordinances,” and it is Satan’s objective to have the church of the body of Christ to follow after this world’s “ordinances” of days, “and not after Christ,” to be more specific; it is Satan’s design to have this world be under an obedience by giving themselves over to specific days throughout the calendar year. And as these days have the outward appearance of being “holy,” ‘heart felt,’ or having a personal value associated along with them, they are man-made just the same, and it is Christ’s victory at the cross that should command our attention each and every day, and as verse 17 makes plainly clear; those days are not what our focus should be upon, but we should live as “sons” according to His will as members of His “body.” God our Father would have His church to “observe” His word, and His will and purpose for the church today, and as we do this; we can plainly see in His word that we are not given holy days of observance by Him as members of  His body.

Col 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Col 2:19  And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Col 2:20  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Col 2:21  (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Col 2:22  Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Col 2:23  Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

 

Moreover, Satan and his principalities and powers has this world “subject to ordinances” of man-made days whether this world acknowledges this to be the case or not, and some will come along and say, “I don’t see anything wrong with showing a little bit of patriotism in regards to these days,” or “why are you majoring on a minor;” but which of these days will we also celebrate in the heavenly places? We must do things consistent with His word, and as being members of His body, if not, we will find ourselves “not holding the head,” and “neglecting” His body. And as such, we must ‘renew’ our way of thinking concerning this worlds standards, days, and “ordinances,” because our time, care, and focus ought to be placed upon “what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” instead of any man made calendar holyday, or holiday.

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Rod Jones