Within the context of this section of our restored identity. Paul lays out another warning of opposition to Christ's revelation, the basis and foundation of his body the true Ekklesia. This opposition is from the world and mans any counterfeit forms of religion as they strive to be identified as Christ-ones, by so doing talk and talk of their being a safe harbor of safety, when there is no safety within them. Paul describes how they act, and how to recognize them.
Colossians 2:16-19, 20-23 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered[1], and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." (KJV)
Colossians 2:16-19, 20-23 "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together[1] through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—"Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." (ESV)
Colossians 2:16-19, 20-23 "Do not let anyone bring a restriction to your new found freedom by reviving the dead religious rules and regulations pertaining to eating and drinking; and all Jewish festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths for these have all come to their appointed end in Christ! (Their relevance only served to remind of the promise of Christ on an annual, monthly, and weekly basis. They carried the promise like a placenta would hold the unborn child, but it becomes obsolete as soon as a child is born.) These things were only prophetic shadows; until Christ for he was their substance. A religious mentality of voluntary humility and obsessions with pious observance of angles will bring no further reward. So do not allow anyone who ties to act as an umpire of your devotion insist on his own opinion, confined to a mind inflated by the sensational and spooky; his so called visions are just a puff of hot air. (In his judgment he fails to correctly interpret the legal implications of the Cross. Don't tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, in order to improve your standing before GOD, insisting that you join their obsessions with angels and that you seek out visions. They're a lot of hot air, that's all they are, hot air balloons!) Such religious jargon is completely out of rhythm with our head leader. We are directly connected to Christ who like a [1]choir conductor draws out the music in everyone like a tapestry of fine art that intertwines in harmony to reveal the full stature of divine inspiration. (Which is Christ in you. The word, [1, G2023 from G1909 a relationship and G5524 to dance with the leader] epichoregeo, is choir director. (Look at 2Peter 1:11.) Thus, the great Conductor of music will draw our life into full volume of his harmony of the ages.)
If it is true that you were included in Christ's death, then the religious systems of this worlds darkness with its rules and regulations no longer apply to you. What further relevance is there for us to continue to live under their influence of humanity's doctrines and ideas? Things like: "Do not associate with this one or that one!" or "Do not taste that!" or "Do not even touch this with your little figure!" These instructions are of no permanent value in any case since they refer to things that perish after it is consumed, thus they have no lasting impact in our lives. So do not allow man-made menus cause you to major on minors. (Jesus said it is not what goes into the mouth that matters, but what comes out of the heart!) Religious traditions appear to be very devout and its followers seem to be so humble and holy in their stict observances to rules that seek to control their behavior of their own body. The only problem with this is that the flesh is never permanently satisfied. (The Message translation translates verses 19-23 as: "They're completely out of touch with the source of human life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flows through us. He is the Head and we are his body. We can grow up healthy in GOD only as he nourishes us. So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves to be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth than kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic." ) (The Mirror, with editing)
Here we are at the end of chapter 2, in chapter 3 we'll learn how to put on our new self. Until then may the LORD show you your true identity along with those close to you.
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