Am I Being Cheated ?

Col. 2:6-8          

      We often seek the wisdom of the world. Not that we really mean too, it’s just the prominent concept out there. Even the phrase “common sense” is based on the philosophy of the world. That same “common sense” would say don’t give to a thief. Christianity says just the opposite. (Matt. 25:34-40; Luke 10:30-37)

      It is so easy to do to follow the world. We are taught 8 hours a day for 5 days a week for 12-13 years the philosophy of the world, traditions of men, and basic principles of the world. That doesn’t include sports, clubs, social events, friends, family, T.V., radio etc. Let’s look at the math for a minute. We spend 4,032 hours of our growing life, only counting school, learning about man’s ways and man’s teachings. While, if you only went to and studied at church every Sunday and Wednesday, 2,496 hours are spent learning about God’s way.  Now as we get older those two numbers just get farther and farther apart.

      Paul makes it clear to the Colossians that they need to be rooted and build up in Christ. They need to be established in the faith as they had been taught. We need to be careful of the teachings of man. In fact Paul says “Beware lest anyone cheat you”. (Col. 2:8)The philosophies and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world will rob you of your faith. They are not according to Christ. Those things we learn about for 4,032 hours for the first 18 years of our life can rob us of our faith.  Not to mention all the things that come later. We are to walk in Christ. We are rooted and built up in Christ. We are established in the faith. All as we are taught by the word. 

Why do we need to spend more time studying the word?
Why don’t we study the word as much as we do man?
What should we be learning about?
What do you think about it?
How do you feel about being cheated by man’s teachings?