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Let No One Disqualify You

by


I enjoy watching marathons and ultras. I love watching runners flog themselves for miles and miles, and I cheer when they cross the line. But recently, I saw something that made me shout with despair.

Two runners were leading a field of world-class runners. They were well in front and it seemed certain that they would get gold and silver. Then disaster struck.

A camera motorbike turned off the course and both runners followed the bike. They were so focused that they didn’t realize they had left the official route. Thankfully, fans and officials soon had them back on the right road.

Taking wrong turns in road races happens more often than you think. These wrong turns remind me of what Paul said to the Colossians:

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize… (Colossians 2:18a)

Other translations say, “Let no one disqualify you from your prize” or “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

Let no one disqualify you

It is an important warning, but many people don’t know what Paul is saying. What is the prize (or reward) and how can we be disqualified (or cheated) out of it?

“You can be disqualified from the kingdom of God,” say some. “You can be cheated out of your salvation.”

Paul says no such thing.

Since God qualifies you (see Col. 1:12), no one can disqualify you. You are saved and kept by Jesus. No one can snatch you from his hand.

“But if you’re not careful, you could lose your prize and eternal reward.”

Again, nope. It might surprise you, but there is no word for “prize” or “reward” in the original text. The verb Paul uses, katabrabeuō, means “to judge against.”

Beware self-appointed judges

Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone act like an umpire deciding against you.” He’s repeating what he said two verses earlier: “Don’t let anyone judge you” (Col. 2:16).

In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are a sinner because you don’t share their religious views.

Don’t let anyone suggest you are a poor excuse for a Christian because you don’t do what they do.

Don’t let anyone insist you must earn God’s love or complete the good work he is doing in you. In Christ, you are a saint, holy, beloved, and complete (Col. 1:2, 22, 2:10, 3:12).

In the Attention Economy, there is a lot of competition for your eyes and ears. People will do just about anything to get you to follow them. Paul warns, “Watch who you heed.”

Trouble comes when we allow others – influencers, blowhards, conspiracy theorists, self-appointed experts, and the like – to steer us away from simple faith in Jesus.

There are plenty of people out there who have not taken hold of Jesus, says Paul (see Col. 2:19). Don’t follow them. Don’t let them tell you how to live.

Don’t follow the crowd

A few years ago, I was watching the Venice Marathon when the lead runner took a wrong turn. About twenty other runners followed him up on to a busy motorway. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but none of those runners finished on the podium. It was a disaster.

Maybe you’re going the wrong way. It’s not hard to do when you’re following the wrong person. You sign up to their channel, join their group, read their books, and next minute, you’re on the proverbial motorway.

If you’re stressed, anxious, and going nowhere, you may have gone off course. You’ve bought into a narrative contrary to the gospel of grace.

Does this mean you have lost your salvation? Of course not. But like those confused marathon runners, it’s going to take you longer to get where you need to be.

How to get back on track

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

For the believer, the way to life is not through self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement. It’s living from the reality of Christ in us. It is being mindful of what God has said and is now saying, what God has done and is now doing. It is trusting him to lead and guide you through the trials and challenges of life.

In this age of information overload, there is no shortage of temptations that can distract us and cause us to wander from the faith. But all these things are destined to perish and pass away.

Real life is found in Jesus Christ.

—

If you liked this, you will love my new verse-by-verse commentary, The Grace Bible: Philippians, Colossians & Philemon.

Let No One Disqualify You

by


I enjoy watching marathons and ultras. I love watching runners flog themselves for miles and miles, and I cheer when they cross the line. But recently, I saw something that made me shout with despair.

Two runners were leading a field of world-class runners. They were well in front and it seemed certain that they would get gold and silver. Then disaster struck.

A camera motorbike turned off the course and both runners followed the bike. They were so focused that they didn’t realize they had left the official route. Thankfully, fans and officials soon had them back on the right road.

Taking wrong turns in road races happens more often than you think. These wrong turns remind me of what Paul said to the Colossians:

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize… (Colossians 2:18a)

Other translations say, “Let no one disqualify you from your prize” or “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

Let no one disqualify you

It is an important warning, but many people don’t know what Paul is saying. What is the prize (or reward) and how can we be disqualified (or cheated) out of it?

“You can be disqualified from the kingdom of God,” say some. “You can be cheated out of your salvation.”

Paul says no such thing.

Since God qualifies you (see Col. 1:12), no one can disqualify you. You are saved and kept by Jesus. No one can snatch you from his hand.

“But if you’re not careful, you could lose your prize and eternal reward.”

Again, nope. It might surprise you, but there is no word for “prize” or “reward” in the original text. The verb Paul uses, katabrabeuō, means “to judge against.”

Beware self-appointed judges

Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone act like an umpire deciding against you.” He’s repeating what he said two verses earlier: “Don’t let anyone judge you” (Col. 2:16).

In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are a sinner because you don’t share their religious views.

Don’t let anyone suggest you are a poor excuse for a Christian because you don’t do what they do.

Don’t let anyone insist you must earn God’s love or complete the good work he is doing in you. In Christ, you are a saint, holy, beloved, and complete (Col. 1:2, 22, 2:10, 3:12).

In the Attention Economy, there is a lot of competition for your eyes and ears. People will do just about anything to get you to follow them. Paul warns, “Watch who you heed.”

Trouble comes when we allow others – influencers, blowhards, conspiracy theorists, self-appointed experts, and the like – to steer us away from simple faith in Jesus.

There are plenty of people out there who have not taken hold of Jesus, says Paul (see Col. 2:19). Don’t follow them. Don’t let them tell you how to live.

Don’t follow the crowd

A few years ago, I was watching the Venice Marathon when the lead runner took a wrong turn. About twenty other runners followed him up on to a busy motorway. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but none of those runners finished on the podium. It was a disaster.

Maybe you’re going the wrong way. It’s not hard to do when you’re following the wrong person. You sign up to their channel, join their group, read their books, and next minute, you’re on the proverbial motorway.

If you’re stressed, anxious, and going nowhere, you may have gone off course. You’ve bought into a narrative contrary to the gospel of grace.

Does this mean you have lost your salvation? Of course not. But like those confused marathon runners, it’s going to take you longer to get where you need to be.

How to get back on track

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

For the believer, the way to life is not through self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement. It’s living from the reality of Christ in us. It is being mindful of what God has said and is now saying, what God has done and is now doing. It is trusting him to lead and guide you through the trials and challenges of life.

In this age of information overload, there is no shortage of temptations that can distract us and cause us to wander from the faith. But all these things are destined to perish and pass away.

Real life is found in Jesus Christ.

—

If you liked this, you will love my new verse-by-verse commentary, The Grace Bible: Philippians, Colossians & Philemon.

Let No One Disqualify You

by


I enjoy watching marathons and ultras. I love watching runners flog themselves for miles and miles, and I cheer when they cross the line. But recently, I saw something that made me shout with despair.

Two runners were leading a field of world-class runners. They were well in front and it seemed certain that they would get gold and silver. Then disaster struck.

A camera motorbike turned off the course and both runners followed the bike. They were so focused that they didn’t realize they had left the official route. Thankfully, fans and officials soon had them back on the right road.

Taking wrong turns in road races happens more often than you think. These wrong turns remind me of what Paul said to the Colossians:

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize… (Colossians 2:18a)

Other translations say, “Let no one disqualify you from your prize” or “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

Let no one disqualify you

It is an important warning, but many people don’t know what Paul is saying. What is the prize (or reward) and how can we be disqualified (or cheated) out of it?

“You can be disqualified from the kingdom of God,” say some. “You can be cheated out of your salvation.”

Paul says no such thing.

Since God qualifies you (see Col. 1:12), no one can disqualify you. You are saved and kept by Jesus. No one can snatch you from his hand.

“But if you’re not careful, you could lose your prize and eternal reward.”

Again, nope. It might surprise you, but there is no word for “prize” or “reward” in the original text. The verb Paul uses, katabrabeuō, means “to judge against.”

Beware self-appointed judges

Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone act like an umpire deciding against you.” He’s repeating what he said two verses earlier: “Don’t let anyone judge you” (Col. 2:16).

In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are a sinner because you don’t share their religious views.

Don’t let anyone suggest you are a poor excuse for a Christian because you don’t do what they do.

Don’t let anyone insist you must earn God’s love or complete the good work he is doing in you. In Christ, you are a saint, holy, beloved, and complete (Col. 1:2, 22, 2:10, 3:12).

In the Attention Economy, there is a lot of competition for your eyes and ears. People will do just about anything to get you to follow them. Paul warns, “Watch who you heed.”

Trouble comes when we allow others – influencers, blowhards, conspiracy theorists, self-appointed experts, and the like – to steer us away from simple faith in Jesus.

There are plenty of people out there who have not taken hold of Jesus, says Paul (see Col. 2:19). Don’t follow them. Don’t let them tell you how to live.

Don’t follow the crowd

A few years ago, I was watching the Venice Marathon when the lead runner took a wrong turn. About twenty other runners followed him up on to a busy motorway. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but none of those runners finished on the podium. It was a disaster.

Maybe you’re going the wrong way. It’s not hard to do when you’re following the wrong person. You sign up to their channel, join their group, read their books, and next minute, you’re on the proverbial motorway.

If you’re stressed, anxious, and going nowhere, you may have gone off course. You’ve bought into a narrative contrary to the gospel of grace.

Does this mean you have lost your salvation? Of course not. But like those confused marathon runners, it’s going to take you longer to get where you need to be.

How to get back on track

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

For the believer, the way to life is not through self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement. It’s living from the reality of Christ in us. It is being mindful of what God has said and is now saying, what God has done and is now doing. It is trusting him to lead and guide you through the trials and challenges of life.

In this age of information overload, there is no shortage of temptations that can distract us and cause us to wander from the faith. But all these things are destined to perish and pass away.

Real life is found in Jesus Christ.

—

If you liked this, you will love my new verse-by-verse commentary, The Grace Bible: Philippians, Colossians & Philemon.

Let No One Disqualify You

by


I enjoy watching marathons and ultras. I love watching runners flog themselves for miles and miles, and I cheer when they cross the line. But recently, I saw something that made me shout with despair.

Two runners were leading a field of world-class runners. They were well in front and it seemed certain that they would get gold and silver. Then disaster struck.

A camera motorbike turned off the course and both runners followed the bike. They were so focused that they didn’t realize they had left the official route. Thankfully, fans and officials soon had them back on the right road.

Taking wrong turns in road races happens more often than you think. These wrong turns remind me of what Paul said to the Colossians:

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize… (Colossians 2:18a)

Other translations say, “Let no one disqualify you from your prize” or “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

Let no one disqualify you

It is an important warning, but many people don’t know what Paul is saying. What is the prize (or reward) and how can we be disqualified (or cheated) out of it?

“You can be disqualified from the kingdom of God,” say some. “You can be cheated out of your salvation.”

Paul says no such thing.

Since God qualifies you (see Col. 1:12), no one can disqualify you. You are saved and kept by Jesus. No one can snatch you from his hand.

“But if you’re not careful, you could lose your prize and eternal reward.”

Again, nope. It might surprise you, but there is no word for “prize” or “reward” in the original text. The verb Paul uses, katabrabeuō, means “to judge against.”

Beware self-appointed judges

Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone act like an umpire deciding against you.” He’s repeating what he said two verses earlier: “Don’t let anyone judge you” (Col. 2:16).

In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are a sinner because you don’t share their religious views.

Don’t let anyone suggest you are a poor excuse for a Christian because you don’t do what they do.

Don’t let anyone insist you must earn God’s love or complete the good work he is doing in you. In Christ, you are a saint, holy, beloved, and complete (Col. 1:2, 22, 2:10, 3:12).

In the Attention Economy, there is a lot of competition for your eyes and ears. People will do just about anything to get you to follow them. Paul warns, “Watch who you heed.”

Trouble comes when we allow others – influencers, blowhards, conspiracy theorists, self-appointed experts, and the like – to steer us away from simple faith in Jesus.

There are plenty of people out there who have not taken hold of Jesus, says Paul (see Col. 2:19). Don’t follow them. Don’t let them tell you how to live.

Don’t follow the crowd

A few years ago, I was watching the Venice Marathon when the lead runner took a wrong turn. About twenty other runners followed him up on to a busy motorway. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but none of those runners finished on the podium. It was a disaster.

Maybe you’re going the wrong way. It’s not hard to do when you’re following the wrong person. You sign up to their channel, join their group, read their books, and next minute, you’re on the proverbial motorway.

If you’re stressed, anxious, and going nowhere, you may have gone off course. You’ve bought into a narrative contrary to the gospel of grace.

Does this mean you have lost your salvation? Of course not. But like those confused marathon runners, it’s going to take you longer to get where you need to be.

How to get back on track

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

For the believer, the way to life is not through self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement. It’s living from the reality of Christ in us. It is being mindful of what God has said and is now saying, what God has done and is now doing. It is trusting him to lead and guide you through the trials and challenges of life.

In this age of information overload, there is no shortage of temptations that can distract us and cause us to wander from the faith. But all these things are destined to perish and pass away.

Real life is found in Jesus Christ.

—

If you liked this, you will love my new verse-by-verse commentary, The Grace Bible: Philippians, Colossians & Philemon.

Let No One Disqualify You

by


I enjoy watching marathons and ultras. I love watching runners flog themselves for miles and miles, and I cheer when they cross the line. But recently, I saw something that made me shout with despair.

Two runners were leading a field of world-class runners. They were well in front and it seemed certain that they would get gold and silver. Then disaster struck.

A camera motorbike turned off the course and both runners followed the bike. They were so focused that they didn’t realize they had left the official route. Thankfully, fans and officials soon had them back on the right road.

Taking wrong turns in road races happens more often than you think. These wrong turns remind me of what Paul said to the Colossians:

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize… (Colossians 2:18a)

Other translations say, “Let no one disqualify you from your prize” or “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

Let no one disqualify you

It is an important warning, but many people don’t know what Paul is saying. What is the prize (or reward) and how can we be disqualified (or cheated) out of it?

“You can be disqualified from the kingdom of God,” say some. “You can be cheated out of your salvation.”

Paul says no such thing.

Since God qualifies you (see Col. 1:12), no one can disqualify you. You are saved and kept by Jesus. No one can snatch you from his hand.

“But if you’re not careful, you could lose your prize and eternal reward.”

Again, nope. It might surprise you, but there is no word for “prize” or “reward” in the original text. The verb Paul uses, katabrabeuō, means “to judge against.”

Beware self-appointed judges

Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone act like an umpire deciding against you.” He’s repeating what he said two verses earlier: “Don’t let anyone judge you” (Col. 2:16).

In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are a sinner because you don’t share their religious views.

Don’t let anyone suggest you are a poor excuse for a Christian because you don’t do what they do.

Don’t let anyone insist you must earn God’s love or complete the good work he is doing in you. In Christ, you are a saint, holy, beloved, and complete (Col. 1:2, 22, 2:10, 3:12).

In the Attention Economy, there is a lot of competition for your eyes and ears. People will do just about anything to get you to follow them. Paul warns, “Watch who you heed.”

Trouble comes when we allow others – influencers, blowhards, conspiracy theorists, self-appointed experts, and the like – to steer us away from simple faith in Jesus.

There are plenty of people out there who have not taken hold of Jesus, says Paul (see Col. 2:19). Don’t follow them. Don’t let them tell you how to live.

Don’t follow the crowd

A few years ago, I was watching the Venice Marathon when the lead runner took a wrong turn. About twenty other runners followed him up on to a busy motorway. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but none of those runners finished on the podium. It was a disaster.

Maybe you’re going the wrong way. It’s not hard to do when you’re following the wrong person. You sign up to their channel, join their group, read their books, and next minute, you’re on the proverbial motorway.

If you’re stressed, anxious, and going nowhere, you may have gone off course. You’ve bought into a narrative contrary to the gospel of grace.

Does this mean you have lost your salvation? Of course not. But like those confused marathon runners, it’s going to take you longer to get where you need to be.

How to get back on track

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

For the believer, the way to life is not through self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement. It’s living from the reality of Christ in us. It is being mindful of what God has said and is now saying, what God has done and is now doing. It is trusting him to lead and guide you through the trials and challenges of life.

In this age of information overload, there is no shortage of temptations that can distract us and cause us to wander from the faith. But all these things are destined to perish and pass away.

Real life is found in Jesus Christ.

—

If you liked this, you will love my new verse-by-verse commentary, The Grace Bible: Philippians, Colossians & Philemon.

Let No One Disqualify You

by


I enjoy watching marathons and ultras. I love watching runners flog themselves for miles and miles, and I cheer when they cross the line. But recently, I saw something that made me shout with despair.

Two runners were leading a field of world-class runners. They were well in front and it seemed certain that they would get gold and silver. Then disaster struck.

A camera motorbike turned off the course and both runners followed the bike. They were so focused that they didn’t realize they had left the official route. Thankfully, fans and officials soon had them back on the right road.

Taking wrong turns in road races happens more often than you think. These wrong turns remind me of what Paul said to the Colossians:

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize… (Colossians 2:18a)

Other translations say, “Let no one disqualify you from your prize” or “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

Let no one disqualify you

It is an important warning, but many people don’t know what Paul is saying. What is the prize (or reward) and how can we be disqualified (or cheated) out of it?

“You can be disqualified from the kingdom of God,” say some. “You can be cheated out of your salvation.”

Paul says no such thing.

Since God qualifies you (see Col. 1:12), no one can disqualify you. You are saved and kept by Jesus. No one can snatch you from his hand.

“But if you’re not careful, you could lose your prize and eternal reward.”

Again, nope. It might surprise you, but there is no word for “prize” or “reward” in the original text. The verb Paul uses, katabrabeuō, means “to judge against.”

Beware self-appointed judges

Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone act like an umpire deciding against you.” He’s repeating what he said two verses earlier: “Don’t let anyone judge you” (Col. 2:16).

In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are a sinner because you don’t share their religious views.

Don’t let anyone suggest you are a poor excuse for a Christian because you don’t do what they do.

Don’t let anyone insist you must earn God’s love or complete the good work he is doing in you. In Christ, you are a saint, holy, beloved, and complete (Col. 1:2, 22, 2:10, 3:12).

In the Attention Economy, there is a lot of competition for your eyes and ears. People will do just about anything to get you to follow them. Paul warns, “Watch who you heed.”

Trouble comes when we allow others – influencers, blowhards, conspiracy theorists, self-appointed experts, and the like – to steer us away from simple faith in Jesus.

There are plenty of people out there who have not taken hold of Jesus, says Paul (see Col. 2:19). Don’t follow them. Don’t let them tell you how to live.

Don’t follow the crowd

A few years ago, I was watching the Venice Marathon when the lead runner took a wrong turn. About twenty other runners followed him up on to a busy motorway. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but none of those runners finished on the podium. It was a disaster.

Maybe you’re going the wrong way. It’s not hard to do when you’re following the wrong person. You sign up to their channel, join their group, read their books, and next minute, you’re on the proverbial motorway.

If you’re stressed, anxious, and going nowhere, you may have gone off course. You’ve bought into a narrative contrary to the gospel of grace.

Does this mean you have lost your salvation? Of course not. But like those confused marathon runners, it’s going to take you longer to get where you need to be.

How to get back on track

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

For the believer, the way to life is not through self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement. It’s living from the reality of Christ in us. It is being mindful of what God has said and is now saying, what God has done and is now doing. It is trusting him to lead and guide you through the trials and challenges of life.

In this age of information overload, there is no shortage of temptations that can distract us and cause us to wander from the faith. But all these things are destined to perish and pass away.

Real life is found in Jesus Christ.

—

If you liked this, you will love my new verse-by-verse commentary, The Grace Bible: Philippians, Colossians & Philemon.

Let No One Disqualify You

by


I enjoy watching marathons and ultras. I love watching runners flog themselves for miles and miles, and I cheer when they cross the line. But recently, I saw something that made me shout with despair.

Two runners were leading a field of world-class runners. They were well in front and it seemed certain that they would get gold and silver. Then disaster struck.

A camera motorbike turned off the course and both runners followed the bike. They were so focused that they didn’t realize they had left the official route. Thankfully, fans and officials soon had them back on the right road.

Taking wrong turns in road races happens more often than you think. These wrong turns remind me of what Paul said to the Colossians:

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize… (Colossians 2:18a)

Other translations say, “Let no one disqualify you from your prize” or “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

Let no one disqualify you

It is an important warning, but many people don’t know what Paul is saying. What is the prize (or reward) and how can we be disqualified (or cheated) out of it?

“You can be disqualified from the kingdom of God,” say some. “You can be cheated out of your salvation.”

Paul says no such thing.

Since God qualifies you (see Col. 1:12), no one can disqualify you. You are saved and kept by Jesus. No one can snatch you from his hand.

“But if you’re not careful, you could lose your prize and eternal reward.”

Again, nope. It might surprise you, but there is no word for “prize” or “reward” in the original text. The verb Paul uses, katabrabeuō, means “to judge against.”

Beware self-appointed judges

Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone act like an umpire deciding against you.” He’s repeating what he said two verses earlier: “Don’t let anyone judge you” (Col. 2:16).

In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are a sinner because you don’t share their religious views.

Don’t let anyone suggest you are a poor excuse for a Christian because you don’t do what they do.

Don’t let anyone insist you must earn God’s love or complete the good work he is doing in you. In Christ, you are a saint, holy, beloved, and complete (Col. 1:2, 22, 2:10, 3:12).

In the Attention Economy, there is a lot of competition for your eyes and ears. People will do just about anything to get you to follow them. Paul warns, “Watch who you heed.”

Trouble comes when we allow others – influencers, blowhards, conspiracy theorists, self-appointed experts, and the like – to steer us away from simple faith in Jesus.

There are plenty of people out there who have not taken hold of Jesus, says Paul (see Col. 2:19). Don’t follow them. Don’t let them tell you how to live.

Don’t follow the crowd

A few years ago, I was watching the Venice Marathon when the lead runner took a wrong turn. About twenty other runners followed him up on to a busy motorway. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but none of those runners finished on the podium. It was a disaster.

Maybe you’re going the wrong way. It’s not hard to do when you’re following the wrong person. You sign up to their channel, join their group, read their books, and next minute, you’re on the proverbial motorway.

If you’re stressed, anxious, and going nowhere, you may have gone off course. You’ve bought into a narrative contrary to the gospel of grace.

Does this mean you have lost your salvation? Of course not. But like those confused marathon runners, it’s going to take you longer to get where you need to be.

How to get back on track

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

For the believer, the way to life is not through self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement. It’s living from the reality of Christ in us. It is being mindful of what God has said and is now saying, what God has done and is now doing. It is trusting him to lead and guide you through the trials and challenges of life.

In this age of information overload, there is no shortage of temptations that can distract us and cause us to wander from the faith. But all these things are destined to perish and pass away.

Real life is found in Jesus Christ.

—

If you liked this, you will love my new verse-by-verse commentary, The Grace Bible: Philippians, Colossians & Philemon.

Let No One Disqualify You

by


I enjoy watching marathons and ultras. I love watching runners flog themselves for miles and miles, and I cheer when they cross the line. But recently, I saw something that made me shout with despair.

Two runners were leading a field of world-class runners. They were well in front and it seemed certain that they would get gold and silver. Then disaster struck.

A camera motorbike turned off the course and both runners followed the bike. They were so focused that they didn’t realize they had left the official route. Thankfully, fans and officials soon had them back on the right road.

Taking wrong turns in road races happens more often than you think. These wrong turns remind me of what Paul said to the Colossians:

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize… (Colossians 2:18a)

Other translations say, “Let no one disqualify you from your prize” or “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”

Let no one disqualify you

It is an important warning, but many people don’t know what Paul is saying. What is the prize (or reward) and how can we be disqualified (or cheated) out of it?

“You can be disqualified from the kingdom of God,” say some. “You can be cheated out of your salvation.”

Paul says no such thing.

Since God qualifies you (see Col. 1:12), no one can disqualify you. You are saved and kept by Jesus. No one can snatch you from his hand.

“But if you’re not careful, you could lose your prize and eternal reward.”

Again, nope. It might surprise you, but there is no word for “prize” or “reward” in the original text. The verb Paul uses, katabrabeuō, means “to judge against.”

Beware self-appointed judges

Paul is saying, “Don’t let anyone act like an umpire deciding against you.” He’s repeating what he said two verses earlier: “Don’t let anyone judge you” (Col. 2:16).

In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are a sinner because you don’t share their religious views.

Don’t let anyone suggest you are a poor excuse for a Christian because you don’t do what they do.

Don’t let anyone insist you must earn God’s love or complete the good work he is doing in you. In Christ, you are a saint, holy, beloved, and complete (Col. 1:2, 22, 2:10, 3:12).

In the Attention Economy, there is a lot of competition for your eyes and ears. People will do just about anything to get you to follow them. Paul warns, “Watch who you heed.”

Trouble comes when we allow others – influencers, blowhards, conspiracy theorists, self-appointed experts, and the like – to steer us away from simple faith in Jesus.

There are plenty of people out there who have not taken hold of Jesus, says Paul (see Col. 2:19). Don’t follow them. Don’t let them tell you how to live.

Don’t follow the crowd

A few years ago, I was watching the Venice Marathon when the lead runner took a wrong turn. About twenty other runners followed him up on to a busy motorway. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but none of those runners finished on the podium. It was a disaster.

Maybe you’re going the wrong way. It’s not hard to do when you’re following the wrong person. You sign up to their channel, join their group, read their books, and next minute, you’re on the proverbial motorway.

If you’re stressed, anxious, and going nowhere, you may have gone off course. You’ve bought into a narrative contrary to the gospel of grace.

Does this mean you have lost your salvation? Of course not. But like those confused marathon runners, it’s going to take you longer to get where you need to be.

How to get back on track

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

For the believer, the way to life is not through self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement. It’s living from the reality of Christ in us. It is being mindful of what God has said and is now saying, what God has done and is now doing. It is trusting him to lead and guide you through the trials and challenges of life.

In this age of information overload, there is no shortage of temptations that can distract us and cause us to wander from the faith. But all these things are destined to perish and pass away.

Real life is found in Jesus Christ.

—

If you liked this, you will love my new verse-by-verse commentary, The Grace Bible: Philippians, Colossians & Philemon.

1002. Are Good Works the Evidence of Faith?

by

Maybe you've seen it in church buildings where it is declared one is saved by grace through faith, not by works ... and then comes the "but." It's what we call the dreaded and confusing Grace-But Ministries. One of the "buts" is that the faith that saves requires good works as proof or evidence that faith is alive and not dead. They will tout that without this outward evidence of works that are designed to be seen by others, then faith is dead (and maybe they were never really saved in the first place ... in spite of their belief and profession of faith in Jesus Christ).

Even the most passionate grace folks can also slip down a legalistic slope without realizing it. As is usually the case, it can be traced back to misunderstanding a few scattered Bible verses without the revelation of a New Covenant context. Watch out when it's grace one minute and "but" the next.

Let's talk about it…

Are works a requirement for faith to come to life or to remain alive? If so, you'll have something to boast about while God owes you a debt for something you've done.

In legalistic camps—and sometimes grace circles—specifics are almost always omitted, leaving you to guess which works are needed and how much.

Works and fruit are often mistaken for the same thing.

Jesus cautioned against performance for the purpose of being seen by others.

Faith is the evidence of what is not seen (that which is eternal). It's more than a mouthful, which is why two mouths are better than one!



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

1002. Are Good Works the Evidence of Faith?

by

Maybe you've seen it in church buildings where it is declared one is saved by grace through faith, not by works ... and then comes the "but." It's what we call the dreaded and confusing Grace-But Ministries. One of the "buts" is that the faith that saves requires good works as proof or evidence that faith is alive and not dead. They will tout that without this outward evidence of works that are designed to be seen by others, then faith is dead (and maybe they were never really saved in the first place ... in spite of their belief and profession of faith in Jesus Christ).

Even the most passionate grace folks can also slip down a legalistic slope without realizing it. As is usually the case, it can be traced back to misunderstanding a few scattered Bible verses without the revelation of a New Covenant context. Watch out when it's grace one minute and "but" the next.

Let's talk about it…

Are works a requirement for faith to come to life or to remain alive? If so, you'll have something to boast about while God owes you a debt for something you've done.

In legalistic camps—and sometimes grace circles—specifics are almost always omitted, leaving you to guess which works are needed and how much.

Works and fruit are often mistaken for the same thing.

Jesus cautioned against performance for the purpose of being seen by others.

Faith is the evidence of what is not seen (that which is eternal). It's more than a mouthful, which is why two mouths are better than one!



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

1002. Are Good Works the Evidence of Faith?

by

Maybe you've seen it in church buildings where it is declared one is saved by grace through faith, not by works ... and then comes the "but." It's what we call the dreaded and confusing Grace-But Ministries. One of the "buts" is that the faith that saves requires good works as proof or evidence that faith is alive and not dead. They will tout that without this outward evidence of works that are designed to be seen by others, then faith is dead (and maybe they were never really saved in the first place ... in spite of their belief and profession of faith in Jesus Christ).

Even the most passionate grace folks can also slip down a legalistic slope without realizing it. As is usually the case, it can be traced back to misunderstanding a few scattered Bible verses without the revelation of a New Covenant context. Watch out when it's grace one minute and "but" the next.

Let's talk about it…

Are works a requirement for faith to come to life or to remain alive? If so, you'll have something to boast about while God owes you a debt for something you've done.

In legalistic camps—and sometimes grace circles—specifics are almost always omitted, leaving you to guess which works are needed and how much.

Works and fruit are often mistaken for the same thing.

Jesus cautioned against performance for the purpose of being seen by others.

Faith is the evidence of what is not seen (that which is eternal). It's more than a mouthful, which is why two mouths are better than one!



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

1002. Are Good Works the Evidence of Faith?

by

Maybe you've seen it in church buildings where it is declared one is saved by grace through faith, not by works ... and then comes the "but." It's what we call the dreaded and confusing Grace-But Ministries. One of the "buts" is that the faith that saves requires good works as proof or evidence that faith is alive and not dead. They will tout that without this outward evidence of works that are designed to be seen by others, then faith is dead (and maybe they were never really saved in the first place ... in spite of their belief and profession of faith in Jesus Christ).

Even the most passionate grace folks can also slip down a legalistic slope without realizing it. As is usually the case, it can be traced back to misunderstanding a few scattered Bible verses without the revelation of a New Covenant context. Watch out when it's grace one minute and "but" the next.

Let's talk about it…

Are works a requirement for faith to come to life or to remain alive? If so, you'll have something to boast about while God owes you a debt for something you've done.

In legalistic camps—and sometimes grace circles—specifics are almost always omitted, leaving you to guess which works are needed and how much.

Works and fruit are often mistaken for the same thing.

Jesus cautioned against performance for the purpose of being seen by others.

Faith is the evidence of what is not seen (that which is eternal). It's more than a mouthful, which is why two mouths are better than one!



Download  GIGBite  YouTube

Get the book

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