"Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 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 which is from God.
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, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence."
Colossians 2:16-23
We had a discussion recently about this passage. As believers, may we not get caught up in the "rules and regulations" and rather embrace the standards the Lord leads each of us to as we seek to obey and serve Him.
Blessings this Sunday.
Warmly,
Another way to think about it is a saying I have been told in the past: Do not get caught up in the letter of the law. Think rather of the spirit of the law.
ReplyDeleteSo true, friend! It's easy to get caught up in judging others by what we do or don't do.
ReplyDeleteHere's my two cents worth: I think there are "spine" issues (those dealing with the truth of scripture, salvation, the identity of Jesus, etc.), and then there are "rib" issues (those which seem to be the ones that naturally draw us into differing denominations). We must be careful not to judge others on a "rib" issue and miss enjoying the unifying issues of the "spine".
Hope that made sense. I have been learning this truth through serving in an interdenominational ministry... And, it's been a blessed revelation to this Southern Baptist girl! :-)
Happy Lord's Day to you and your darling family!
Ha, good way to put it "Smelling Coffee" ...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the scripture today!
Love,
Beth