Saturday 2 September, 2017

20 Some people still follow the basic spiritual powers of the world. But you died with Christ as far as these powers are concerned. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? Here are the rules you follow. 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” 22 Rules like these are about things that will pass away soon. They are based on merely human rules and teachings. 23 It is true that these rules seem wise. Because of them, people give themselves over to their own kind of worship. They pretend they are humble. They treat their bodies very badly. But rules like these don’t help. They don’t stop people from chasing after sinful pleasures.

This passage sits in the mist of Paul’s argument against those who have come into the Colossian church and have tried to get the believers to again submit or to continue to worship false gods, beliefs & rules.

“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” other than quoting these deceivers, what I see Paul is saying is that putting a sign up or making a rule is not going to change us, might make us look good to others, but we’re not hiding our sin from God or ourselves.

My heart is really where I live, my faith in Jesus, my life-style, my actions come from my heart, not a rule but God’s grace toward me. Are there areas where I still belong to the world instead of belonging to Jesus? Have I taken on board rules instead of grace?

Holy Spirit search my hear today, show me if there are any areas where my life is not aligned to you, any facades, or rules I am living by that are not of Christ? Renew my heart today in Jesus. Amen.

Written by Suzie Hodgson