False Religion

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.

Colossians 2:20-23

Paul is describing an overdeveloped zeal that goes far beyond true Christian discipline and seeks to please God by extreme forms of self-denial. Dedication and discipline are a proper part of the Christian life. You must often make yourself do what God wants you to do, simply because you love him. That is the proper motive for it. But you can make a god of discipline. You can take perverse delight in making yourself do difficult things that win the approval of others, and of God as well.

But the apostle says this is all wrong. Lesser forms of it take what he describes as negative approaches: Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch! I grew up in churches that taught there were certain things that Christians must always avoid, and if you observed these taboos you not only were acceptable to the religious community but you were actually pleasing God. I was taught that Christians never drink, dance, smoke, go to movies, play cards, and read novels. I do not deny that refraining from some of these things is a perfectly proper discipline of the spirit, but any idea that giving up of things of itself is pleasing to God is wrong.

But what is wrong with these prohibitions? First, it shows you do not understand your death with Christ. Paul asks, Since you died with Christ, why do you submit to these rules? This becomes legalism, which is to pursue holiness by self-effort instead of accepting the holiness that God freely gives, by faith, and through the work of the cross. A legalist looks at life and says, Everything is wrong unless you can prove by the Bible that it is right. That reduces life to a very narrow range of activity. But the biblical Christian looks at life and says, Everything is right! God has given us a world to enjoy and live in. Everything is right, unless the Bible specifically says it is wrong. If we are willing to obey God in the areas that he designates as wrong, then we have the rest of life to enter into in company with a Savior who loves us, guides us and guards us in our walk with him.

Secondly, these things are of no value in restraining the indulgence of the flesh. People may outwardly appear dedicated and disciplined, but inwardly sin rages unchecked. Inside they are angry, resentful, filled with a spirit of vengeance. Many Christians are trying to regulate the externals instead of walking in the fullness of life with Christ, finding the inward purity and cleansing that he alone provides.

Lord, there are still times that I try to please you with religion. Thank you that you accept me as your beloved child in Christ, just as I am. Amen.