Colossians: Regulations or Relationship

Photo credit: Rachel Joyce

November 6, 2024

Praying Friends,

If you had the choice to live your life by regulations or in relationship, which would you choose?

For most the answer is a no-brainer. Then why do so many of God’s people choose rules over relationship? That is living life by an external code of dos and don’ts rather than enjoying true closeness with Jesus.

Some may object and think that this kind of living could lead to sin and disobedience. Yet what you find is that when a life is propelled and motivated by love rather than law, obedience springs from the heart.

Marriage is a prime example of this. There are definite boundaries and rules that accompany the marriage union. If you are truly in love with your married partner and your relationship is growing, you will not obsess over the boundaries because your focus is on the one you love.

The weight of obligation is a heavy burden to bear, but the joy of devotion is a life greatly desired. 

The last article in this Colossian series, “A Good Connection,” emphasized the importance of living life in fellowship with our risen head, Christ. Now, Paul looks at the other side of the coin, reminding believers that living by rules does not produce godliness but ends in a self-focused, selfish life.

This is what he says in Colossians 2:20-23: 

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.

He begins with a question. If you have died to something, why are you living as if it is still alive? When you trusted Christ, you died to the world and were set free from the evil powers and authorities that once had power to hold you captive. They no longer hold control over you. 

The world says, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch,” promoting the idea that if you just live by external commands your life will prosper. Living this way will only lead to misery, disillusionment, and dissatisfaction. 

The sad outcome of keeping rules is that it creates a greater focus on self, on what you can do, or what you must do, rather than on Christ, who is your life.

You were not saved to remain captive to the enemy. God wants you to walk with Him, hand in hand. He desires to hear your chatter and listen to the deep longings of your heart, while at the same time speaking truth and love into your soul.

As we will soon learn from Chapter 3, inside each of us is an ongoing raging war. Conquering the inward, sinful desires is a mutual task between you and God, where God is the power source and you are in submission to Him. 

In the final verse of this chapter, Paul states that it may seem right to live by the principle of human controls and codes. It may appear to be a wise thing to nail your list of rules to your household walls. On the surface, it may look best to subjugate yourself to pious self-denial and intense bodily discipline (asceticism), but again, the attention is centered in the wrong place.

All of this puts the spotlight on you. 

If you want to live in true victory over sinful desires, cultivate a healthy relationship with Christ. Turn to Him. Seek His help. Depend on His strength and lean into His love.

Thank you for praying for our prodigals and for revival among us.

Love in Christ, 

Bryan and Rachel