Daily Scripture Reading Colossians 2:16 - 3:17
One of the criticisms of modern Christianity by those outside the church is that Christians are no different than the world. That criticism is often justified. Too many Christians are know for being dishonest, deceitful, greedy, and indulgent in the flesh.
Today, we will read a passage in which Paul listed things that Christians should stop doing as well as practices which Christians should pursue. If Christians would conform to his lists, then we would be well on our way to differentiating ourselves from the world.
In the first part of chapter 2, Paul reminded the Colossians that Christ had delivered them from death to life. They were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, having been buried with Christ in baptism and raised up through faith.
Col. 2:16 ¶ Therefore, no one is to judge you in food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—
A consistent issue in the early church was whether or not Gentile believers had to obey the Mosaic Law. The answer was no. Paul commanded the Colossians not to be judged regarding the precepts of the Law that did not apply to them as Gentiles.
Col. 2:17 things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
Col. 2:18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, going into detail about visions he has seen, being puffed up for nothing by his fleshly mind,
There were men who advocated self-abasement and worship of angels. Those ideas did not come from God; therefore, Paul commanded the Colossians not to feel inferior when they did not practice those things.
Col. 2:19 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 that is from God.
Those who advocated for self-abasement and angel worship were not holding fast to the head, which is Christ.
Col. 2:20 ¶ 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:
Col. 2:21 “Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch”?
Apparently, the Colossians, or at least some of them, were becoming focused on precepts of the Law regarding what is clean to touch and eat and what is not. Paul was pointing out that they had died with Christ to the world; therefore, they should not be concerned about such matters.
Col. 2:22 Which deal with everything destined to perish with use, which are in accordance with the commands and teachings of men;
Look at the phrase “destined to perish”. Food, drink, festivals, and days of the week are all destined to perish.
Col. 2:23 which are matters having, to be sure, a word of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
Notice the term “self-made religion”. Anything not specified in the Bible is man-made or self-made. As Christians, we are bound by all the commands in the Bible. Outside of that, any rules are man-made or self-made, not God-made.
Now look at the words “no value against”. Throughout church history there have been men who have advocated for self-abasement in order to train themselves to be righteous. However, Paul wrote in this passage that self-abasement has no value against indulging the flesh.
Col. 3:1 ¶ Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col. 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Christians should stay focused on the things of God, not of earth.
Col. 3:3 For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.
Col. 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.
Col. 3:5 ¶ Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.
This verse contains a list of specific things Christians should avoid. Non-Christians are known for these items, but Christians should be different than the world, which means not being known for these sins.
Note Paul’s definition of idolatry. Greed is idolatry.
Col. 3:6 On account of these things, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
Col. 3:7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
Col. 3:8 But now you also, lay them all aside: wrath, anger, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Here is another list of sins which Christians should avoid.
Col. 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you put off the old man with its evil practices,
Col. 3:10 and have put on the new man who is being renewed to a full knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
There are multiple passages in Colossians which describe the transformation that happens when people become believers. They pass from darkness to light, from death to life. In verses 9-10 Paul similarly wrote about putting of the old man and putting on the new man.
Notice the word “knowledge”. Renewal leads to knowledge. Paul did not mention feelings or emotions. He mentioned the importance of knowledge.
Col. 3:11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and freeman, but Christ is all and in all.
The world separates people by race, religion, and social status. However, within the church those distinctions do not exist. Instead, God divides all of humanity into the saved and unsaved. Every human is one or the other.
Col. 3:12 ¶ So, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience;
Col. 3:13 bearing with one another, and graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you.
In earlier verses in chapter 3 Paul listed sins Christians should avoid and not do. Starting in verse 12, Paul began listing practices that Christians should pursue. Just as we moved from dark to light and from death to life when we became saved, so too Christians should stop certain practices and put forth effort to do certain practices.
Col. 3:14 Above all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Col. 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful.
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God.
Col. 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
One of the criticisms of modern Christianity by those outside the church is that Christians are no different than the world. That criticism is often justified. Too many Christians are sexually immoral, greedy, idolatrous, and known for impurity, evil desires, wrath, malice, and slander.
Instead of those character traits, Christians should be known for love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
When non-Christians look at your life, do they see someone who is no different than the world, or someone whose behavior has differentiated himself from the world?
Of the items listed in Paul’s lists, which ones do you need to stop doing and which do you need to start doing?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”