CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations such as “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch?” – Colossians 2:20.
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as:
“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations such as “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch?” – Colossians 2:20.
IN CONTEXT
Colossians 2:16, “So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about Jewish customs (festivals, New Moon celebrations, or Sabbath days). Verse 17. In the past, these things were like a shadow that showed what was coming. But the new things that were coming are found in Christ. Verse 18. Some people enjoy acting as if they are humble and love to worship angels. They always talk about the visions they have seen. Don’t listen to them when they say you are wrong because you don’t do these things. It is so foolish for them to feel such pride, because it is all based on their own human ideas. Verse 19. They don’t keep themselves under the control of the head. Christ is the head, and the whole body depends on him. Because of Christ, all the parts of the body care for each other and help each other. So the body is made stronger and held together as God causes it to grow.
Verse 20. You died with Christ and were made free from the powers that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these: Verse 21. “Don’t eat this,” “Don’t taste that,” “Don’t touch that”? Verse 22. These rules are talking about earthly things that are gone after they are used. They are only human commands and teachings. Verse 23. These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop doing the evil that the sinful self wants to do. (Colossians 2:16-23 – Easy to Read version).
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
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“Therefore, if I died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do I subject myself to regulations such as “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch?” – Colossians 2:20.
(MY COMMENTS)
This teaching is primarily referring to extra-Biblical practices, superstitions, man-made or made-up religious sounding activities. These often come from false religions or errant ideologies.
Jesus said, in Matthew 24:4, “See to it that no one misleads you, for many will come in my Name saying …” This has become an extensive problem in the church today. People saying “God told me…”, thereby promoting rituals and practices such as how you should think or what you should or should not eat or the requirement to speak in tongues to prove your salvation.
There are so-called pastors, rogue church leaders, errant theologians and many self-appointed people in the churches who claim or promote extra-Biblical insights such as life after death experiences, going to heaven and returning to life, having new revelations or new prophecies from visions and dreams, deviating from worshiping Christ (God) alone, practicing odd and weird behaviors (violent shaking, barking, seeing angel dust, meditative soaking on graves), prohibiting eating of meat or of marrying, endorsing aberrant sexual or homosexual preferences or activities.
The Bible clearly spells out what is acceptable and what is prohibited for your welfare and wellbeing. And just remember although all things, for a Christian, are permissible, not all things are good for you or are beneficial, so you will not be mastered by or ruled by those things. Be wise. Be Berean and live in moderation.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION –“For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8).
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