On the 12th of LENT: The Next Level

Taking it to the "next level" is a big part of American society, along with "winning" and being "turnt up." The difference with the next level though is that it isn't a one time occurrence. It doesn't just happen on the weekends. The next level is a state of being. It's your new reality. It's who you are.

Per urban dictionary (wealth of knowledge and truth) the next level is defined as: something or someone on a level above all the rest of the world. It's moving up to a higher level of sophistication, importance, creativity, or prominence.

It's reason to have your chin up, head held high, chest puffed, because you are at the pinnacle.

All my life I have either known, or foolishly been the "next level" Christian. These people are annoying and hated. And to be largely ignored if what they're saying doesn't align with scripture. Correction: they are to be ignored if what they're saying doesn't align with ALL of scripture. Next level Christians are crafty and can sample a Bible verse better than a rapper samples an old R&B hit from the 70s. It will sound AMAZING, but unlike the rap song...it's no good.

Today's 40 days of growth reading comes from Paul's epistle to the Colossians:

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!^" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. 

 - Colossians 2:16-23

There are four things addressed in this part of the letter. I didn't make up these categories, but I have my own take on the summary:

1. Legalism - For those who might not know legalism is the belief that salvation comes through strict adherence to laws, and the performance of good/moral works instead of grace. It never occurred to me, but in legalism there is always someone in the position of "judge." And this person is acting. People always say "you can't judge me" but I think sometimes that's just defensive backtalk. It IS defensive backtalk, and it is the best kind: the truth.   There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? - James 4:12
   
2.  Higher Knowledge - I like how the scripture says that the person with this higher knowledge takes "his stand" on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind. Paul is separating this knowledge very far from God. It's not God's stand. God did not send the vision. This person is puffed up with pride by his fleshly mind. And the flesh wars against the spirit (Galatians 5:17). In short, be wary of "Next Level" folks. They are likely filling your mind with made up stuff!
   
3.  Mysticism - This is submission to the decrees of "do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" It's not what you're doing, but why. Based on the teachings of those with higher knowledge, there is a formulaic way of a more perfect union with the Spirit. Do these things and you'll get to the "next level." 

   

   Some of that stuff is made up...

   
   
4. Asceticism - "Going through" a trial/tribulation of your own creation. Treating your body like something to be subdued through starving, beating, mutilation, etc., etc. God has not called you to that. Not as a means of salvation. Nowhere in the bible does it say "and thou shalt make thine life trash, and it will taketh thee to the next level." Nah. Paul says this is useless. It doesn't remove your prior sin, it doesn't keep you from committing new ones. What's the point? 

I've encountered a lot of "extra" in my church life. And I truly believe that those inspiring me to the "next level" meant well. They didn't mean me harm. But the next level? There's really only one way to it:

"...This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

 - Romans 1:17

From start to finish, righteousness comes by faith. Not by the "extra." And the faith is initiated and ended by Christ, who is the "author and the finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). So the answer to the next level is at the ground level: only believe.