Good morning! Have you ever been to a place where there were a lot of rules to follow? Sometimes the rules are so daunting that you do not want to be in the place. Well today we will continue our devotion in Colossians chapter two, where Apostle Paul is informing the believers that some of the restrictions put on by people is not consistent with being followers of Christ.

Bible verse – Colossians 2:16-23 NLT

“¹⁶ So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. ¹⁷ For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. ¹⁸ Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, ¹⁹ and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

²⁰ You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, ²¹ “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? ²² Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. ²³ These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul is sharing with the Colossian believers that rules do not nourish the spirit, it is the relationship we have with God through Jesus by the Holy Spirit that nourishes us and changes us.

Sisters and brothers, we can follow all the religious and worldly traditions, but if we aren’t following Christ it has no heavenly value. Being in bondage, being set free by Christ, and then returning to bondage with requirements not imposed by Christ is not what freedom in Christ looks like. Christ set us free from bondage period.

Sisters and brothers, what areas in your life are you continuing to live in bondage? Are you ready to let go of the chains that have already been broken?

Christ Jesus is the head of the body and God nourishes it. Allow Christ to lead and watch God nourish you in the process. Keep trusting and following Christ.

Prayer

Father God thank you for the freedom that we have in Jesus. Lord, continue to work in us and transform us daily. Lord, unveil our eyes to see more of you. Continue to reveal to us areas of our lives that are still bound and break those chains. Lord, we want to live in the freedom you so graciously provide. Help us not to be distracted by man made tradition or legalism that holds us back from experiencing the love and freedom that you offer. Transform our hearts and our minds. Take the lead, be the head of our lives, and help us to grow. In Jesus name, amen.

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