Colossians 2:20-23

Colossians 2:20-23

The false teachers, under the guidance of their dark masters, desire to separate Christians from Christ, the head. This is a state in which they lived before coming to Christ. But when they became Christians, they were separated from the dark powers and their control, a separation as complete as if they were dead to them. The dark powers want to regain control, and so, along with their doctrines described in verse 18, they also offer rituals and regulations for living.

What is described in verses 21-22 is both an attempt to distract us from the good we have in Christ and to reinforce a false way to salvation. The Galatians, in their legalism, attempted the same by keeping the law of Moses. Here is a different legalism that attempts to save by gaining knowledge through keeping rules. Any attempt to gain salvation by rule-keeping and obedience is a damned lie in the most literal sense of the word. The dark powers accomplish a great victory for evil when they direct our attention to rules and regulations in obedience as evidence of our own righteousness or as a means to salvation. As Christians, we do live by a high moral ethic or standard, but that is the result of the prompting of the Holy Spirit and in loving thanks to God. It is never to earn salvation.

People from many different religions all look very pious because they strictly keep some rules, which are often arbitrary. The list of rules is almost endless. Don’t eat pork, don’t use electricity, pray five times a day facing a certain direction, don’t wear makeup, cross yourself at the end of prayers, don’t sing with the piano, wear a tie when you go to church, and women must wear ankle-length dresses. Looking at the rituals, it may seem that these people are very holy. A life that is totally given to keeping strict regulations can seem impressive, but these rituals are powerless against the power of the flesh in each of us.

Real holiness, real commitment to Christ, cannot be hidden; it will shine out in daily life. But it comes from the power of the Spirit and not by the effort or the effects of rules.

“Lord, help me live a holy life empowered by Your Spirit. AMEN”