The world has always been full of deception for it is the domain of the father of lies. We are seeing worldly philosophies and deception blatantly, and in greater frequency, taught in the church today . It is not a new thing, for the Apostle Paul gave warning to Believers at the very establishment of the Church. Colossians 2:6-8 tells us:

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, Vs. 6 "Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith... Vs. 7 "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Vs. 8

As has been mentioned often of late in these messages, our walk is of utmost importance. How we live and conduct ourselves is to be the expression of Christ Jesus who is our life.
Scripture tells,
"...as He is, so also are we in this world." 1 John 4:17

And in Romans 8:29 we see,
"For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers."

So we are to walk in this manner:
In new life -- Romans 6:4
In faith -- 2 Corinthians 5:7
In the Spirit -- Galatians 5:16
Worthily -- Ephesians 4:1
In love -- Ephesians 5:2
With caution -- Ephesians 5:15
In light -- 1 John 1:7
In Christ likeness -- 1 John 2:6
(We have looked at these verses before so I encourage each to look them up again and to be doers of the Word).

This calls for steadfastness and perseverance:
"Therefore, my dear bothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

"Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

As Believes, having been established in Christ Jesus, we are to be steadfast and to persevere in this life that has been so graciously given to us by our loving Father. We are to be that expression of Christ here in this world as we walk in a godly manner and in accordance with God's plan and purpose.

As for Paul's warning concerning worldly philosophy and deception we will see what Scripture tells us next time.

Let's just praise and thank our glorious Lord for the love, life and light that He has so gracious given us. How very blessed (the word does not express it adequately) we are to belong to God, a member of His family. How unbelievably awesome!

Dear Lord, with grateful hearts we say, THANK YOU!