Colossians chapter 2 verses 20-23 (NIV)
Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
As a young Christian, both in age and in spiritual maturity, I got it into my head that the Apostle Paul was a harsh disciplinarian. Thankfully I have long since changed my tune. Nothing can be further from the truth, and I think these verses show us that. In fact Paul himself was more likely to have been as I imagined before he met the risen Jesus. He realised the difference between the way that he had been living as a Pharisees, and the way Jesus wanted him to live as a disciple. He stopped focusing on the petty rules and regulations that even we can get easily caught up with. But these things can lead us into trouble and take our focus away from Jesus. Look how he describes such rules and regulations – ” Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body…”
Let’s then be careful not to impose such regulations upon those who are seeking to find Jesus for themselves.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful that Paul changed when he met Jesus and he continues, through his teaching to show us the truth. Help me to be a good scholar and put his Spirit-inspired lessons into practice. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.