Sometimes it’s difficult for me to distinguish between who is actually right about God and his stuff, and who is mistaken. When two people start talking about what they believe in from different perspectives, and about what one should actually do, it sounds to me as if both are right and I want to say: Let’s take hands and tackle this together.

But when I really think about it carefully, I can see these guys don’t agree. But everything sounds right. It sounds like real wisdom and then I start arguing with myself that I’m not clever enough to understand everything. The dilemma is that sometimes I cannot distinguish which of them is closest to the truth.

Often their stories are not really correct. And that is why Paul warned: ²³Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they’re just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important.

It sounds like the truth. It seems to be full of wisdom. The people themselves and what they say are very impressive and at the same time so humble, while actually, it is all hot air.

The English Standard Version Bible puts it like this: ²³These 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.

When the paw-paw strikes the fan, these guys’ religious wheels come off and as a result, they fall deeper and deeper into sin. The problem is that their self-made rules have no power. They rely on their own power and hard work to get into heaven. As if not eating some kinds of food will guarantee you free entry into heaven.

We’re wasting our energy if we listen to people who want to tell us about certain prescriptions that we must follow. We allow others to let us get caught up in all kinds of religious rules and regulations again. And that means that we’re actually drawing a line through Jesus’ death on the cross.

Listen and listen well: the most important thing is that Jesus had died to take the punishment for my and your sin. We do not need to and cannot do anything more on top of that to find salvation. Jesus has done it all. We are no longer slaves to the laws of Moses or the chains with which sin bound us before. We no longer need to follow the rituals of the Old Testament step by step – anyway, just like the Israelites, it would be impossible for us to achieve that.

True wisdom lies in following Jesus. It is wise and impressive to live like Him. When you try and live like that, you become humble, and, yes, it’s not always easy, but at least we fall into sin less and less.

Live free.

Scripture

Colossians 2:20-23

Reflection

What things in your life is keeping you in chains?

How can you become free?

How can you get Jesus’ free life in your life?

Prayer

Jesus, please help us not to focus on any legalistic religious rules or misleading arguments. We want to live a life committed to You, free of the chains of sin and free to enjoy life with You. Amen.