Colossians 2 20 22

The passage of Colossians 2:20-22 is a pivotal segment of the New Testament that delves into the heart of Christian living, juxtaposing the principles of the faith against the backdrop of worldly and philosophically driven regulations. This section of the letter to the Colossians, penned by the Apostle Paul, addresses the believers in Colosse, urging them to refrain from adhering to certain ascetic and ritualistic practices that were not rooted in Christ. Let’s dive into the verses to understand their depth and implications:

Colossians 2:20-22 (NIV)

20 If you have 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: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.

To grasp the essence of these verses, we need to consider the context in which they were written. The Colossian church was facing threats from various philosophies and teachings that emphasized strict rules and regulations as a means to achieve spiritual purity or enlightenment. These practices included ascetic behaviors such as abstaining from certain foods or touching, under the belief that such actions would lead to a higher plane of spiritual existence.

Understanding the Context

The city of Colosse was a melting pot of cultures and beliefs, with influences from Judaism, paganism, and various philosophical schools of thought. The church there was not immune to these influences, and certain teachings had begun to infiltrate the community, threatening the purity of the gospel message. These teachings often emphasized the need for believers to follow strict dietary laws, observe certain days as holy, and practice asceticism to attain spiritual perfection.

Paul’s Argument

Paul’s argument in Colossians 2:20-22 is straightforward yet profound. He begins by reminding the Colossians that they have “died with Christ” to the elemental spiritual forces of this world. This death symbolizes a rupture with the world’s system and its way of achieving righteousness or spiritual fulfillment through human effort and legalistic observances. Having been united with Christ in His death and resurrection, believers are no longer under the jurisdiction of the world’s rules and regulations that promise but fail to deliver true spiritual life.

Paul then questions the logic of submitting to the world’s regulations, such as “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” These commands, which seem to promise a way to avoid sin and achieve holiness, are ultimately based on human traditions and commands rather than divine decrees. The Apostle highlights that these regulations pertain to things that are transitory and destined to perish. In essence, they offer no lasting spiritual benefit and distract from the true source of spiritual life, which is found in Christ alone.

Implications for Christian Living

The implications of Colossians 2:20-22 for Christian living are vast. Paul’s teaching here underscores the principle that true spirituality is not achieved through adherence to external rules and regulations but through a living relationship with Jesus Christ. It reminds believers that their identity and behavior should be guided by their union with Christ, rather than the world’s standards or human traditions.

This passage also serves as a warning against legalism and the dangers of adding human rules to the gospel. Legalism can lead to a form of Christianity that is more focused on what one does or does not do, rather than on the transforming power of the gospel. It can create a performance-based relationship with God, where one’s sense of acceptance is tied to their ability to follow certain rules, rather than resting in the finished work of Christ.

In conclusion, Colossians 2:20-22 presents a critical distinction between the Christian life, which is rooted in the freedom and victory found in Christ, and the Observance of worldly or legalistic regulations that promise but cannot deliver true spiritual fulfillment. It calls believers to embrace their identity in Christ, to live out of the riches of their union with Him, and to avoid the pitfalls of legalism and human tradition that can so easily entangle and deceive.

Moreover, this teaching has significant implications for how we understand and live out our faith in practical terms. By recognizing that our spiritual life is not measured by our adherence to external rules but by our relationship with Christ, we are freed to live a life that is characterized by liberty, joy, and a deepening dependence on God, rather than one of bondage to human traditions and legalistic observances.

In addressing the myth that spiritual growth is primarily about what we do or do not do, Paul’s argument in Colossians 2:20-22 strikes at the heart of legalism, reminding us that true spirituality is not about human achievement but about divine grace and the transformative power of the gospel. This understanding is crucial for maintaining a balanced and healthy view of Christian living, one that avoids the extremes of legalism on the one hand and licentiousness on the other, and instead, embodies the freedom and responsibility that come from being in Christ.

This distinction has profound implications for how believers navigate the complexities of the Christian life, especially in contexts where external pressures or internal desires may lead them towards legalistic or ascetic practices as a means of achieving spiritual purity or closeness to God. By holding fast to the truth that their spiritual life and identity are grounded in Christ, believers can avoid the snares of legalism and instead live out a vibrant, grace-filled Christianity that reflects the freedom, joy, and transformative power of the gospel.

In navigating the complexities of Christian living, believers must continually return to the foundational truths of the gospel, reminding themselves that their acceptance, security, and spiritual life are rooted in Christ’s work, not in their own efforts or observances. This perspective is not only liberating but also empowering, as it frees believers to serve, love, and live for God out of a deep sense of gratitude, joy, and dependence on His grace, rather than out of a sense of duty, fear, or legal obligation.

The call to live a life that is characterized by liberty in Christ, free from the entanglements of legalism and worldly regulations, is a call to embrace the fullness of the Christian experience. It is an invitation to explore the depths of God’s love, to experience the transforming power of the gospel, and to live a life that is marked by freedom, joy, and a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ.