“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son…..Let no one disqualify you!” Colossians 1:13; 2:18
The term “Imposter Syndrome” was first used by Psychologists Suzanna Imes and Pauline Rose Clance in 1978, to describe the experience of feeling like a phony in some area of your life. It is accompanied by feelings of anxiety and restlessness over the fear of being found out as a fraud. The term was first used to describe women in the workplace who felt guilt or self-doubt, in the midst of some success. But while the term is relatively new, the syndrome is as old as humanity.
Imposter Syndrome can affect Christians as well! The Colossian believers may well have wondered if they were counterfeit Christians themselves. Apparently, false teachers came and tried to convince the Colossian church that only those who kept certain traditions, who lived up to a certain standard, who observed certain days, and who ate certain foods were real Christians! The Apostle Paul clearly and unequivocally assured the church at Colossae that they were genuine believers! Paul tells them, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son!” And then he warns them, “Let no-one disqualify you!”
Perhaps this morning, you may feel like an imposter here. Perhaps the others around you seem to have it all-together, but you know that you don’t! Perhaps you feel like your life doesn’t match up to your confession, and it’s only a matter of time until you’re exposed as a fraud! It is important to be certain that you are trusting in Christ for salvation! But it is equally important at some point to take your eyes off of self, and cast all your hope on Christ alone! Robert Murray M’Cheyne has said, “For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ!”
There is an enemy who wants all of us to constantly question our salvation! There are even segments of the Christian Church where doubt is seen as a virtue, and where you are constantly encouraged to second-guess your salvation. But that is not the message of Scripture! Paul directs the first-century believers and the twenty-first century believers to the absolute wonder of our Saviour! He has delivered us to the kingdom of His beloved Son! Rest in Him! Let no-one, least of all, your own heart, disqualify you!