16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Having spent considerable time pointing out the truth of who Christ is and what He has done, Paul now addresses the errors that were threatening the church at Colossae. We may not face the same false teaching but any false teaching can affect us when we lose focus of who Christ is.
The Colossians were facing judgment because they didn’t adhere to the Jewish legal dietary requirements or Jewish festivals. Those things were put in place by God to point towards Christ which Jesus had now fulfilled (Matt 5:17; Rom 6:14, 7:6). When we turn to legalism, we are robbed of our freedom in Christ. Legalism entraps us in a system of self-effort, trying to earn eternal life, or keep it, or prove we have it. By following additions to their faith like asceticism (self-denial), worship of angels, and a focus on visions, they would be disqualified from rewards. Just like an athlete is disqualified from the prize if they operate outside the boundaries of the game. These additions offer a false sense of holiness that is devoid of Christ. They may even arise from believers who have let go of their focus on Christ in whom the church derives its nourishment and growth that is from God. When we take our eyes off Christ, we are susceptible to falling for error.
If we have died with Christ to the sinful principles of the world system, why do we still live as if bound to them? Why are we still living by the world’s rules when we have been set free to live in the power of the Spirit? (Rom 6:2-7). Legalism is based on many restrictions where God has given us the liberty to enjoy all He has created with thankfulness (1 Tim 4:4). These human restrictions have the appearance of wisdom but are not from God. Don’t fall for something because it “sounds right” or seems to “make sense”, test everything against God’s word. Self-denial doesn’t aid our spiritual growth, it hinders it because rather than restraining our sensual indulgence, it actually arouses it. Christ is where we will find victory against our fleshly nature.
Where are you trying to attain spiritual victory through religious effort? What can you change today so that your focus is firmly on what Christ has done rather than on what you are trying to do?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
The Vine and the Branches: John 15-16