Wednesday 19 May, 2021

20 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: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 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.

Rules, rules, rules!  We love and hate them all at once.  When they protect us we love them, when we trip up on them – well let’s just say that’s another story.

The Colossians were doing all they could to distil the essence of faith in Jesus to a set of rules – do this, don’t do that… but Paul makes plain that faith cannot be distilled to rules – all that does is give rise to the flesh – the human ability to achieve and seemingly be right as a result.  If following Jesus were about that – how easy it would be and how hard.  But ours is a faith – not a rule book, not self-effort to comply with a list.  We get to feel and experience Jesus, we get to do in obedience to Him in a manner that reflects His love.  We get to honour Him by our obedience not simply in what we do, but how we do it.

If we want to see Christ formed in us, and not simply religious observance then rules, rules, rules, will not do it – Jesus’ way the way of love will.

Father help us to follow your Son in His way!

Written by Ps. Richard Botta