Christ Over Rituals
16 Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17 (CSB)
The apostle Paul uses the controversy over dietary laws and legalism to emphasize that Christ should be prioritized over rituals, laws, or traditions. As the fulfillment of the law, Christ surpasses any historical regulation. Paul urges the Colossians to understand that their faith’s core is not based on righteous deeds but on faith in Christ alone. This principle remains true today: our identity, purpose, and foundation must be rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ, not in traditions or legalistic practices.
The Threat of Legalism. Overcoming judgmentalism is essential. Legalism fosters a culture where people judge others rather than seeing them as children of God. Instead of focusing on inward transformation, people often evaluate others by outward religious acts. When judging based on rituals, laws, or traditions, genuine faith is overshadowed, leading to a neglect of true worship and service to Christ.
As followers of Christ, we need to find freedom from legalism through our relationship with Him. We should not let others' opinions alter how we view ourselves in Christ. Instead, we must resist seeking validation from others and focus on discovering our purpose and worth in our connection with Christ. It's also important to avoid judging others based on legalistic standards and to strive for harmony and unity as we grow spiritually together.
The Real Thing. The Old Testament sets the stage of legalism for the Colossians. Its rules and regulations existed under the Old Covenant as people aimed to meet God's expectations. However, these laws were shadows that pointed to the coming Messiah. The law pointed to Jesus, who fulfilled its requirements. Now, we are no longer bound by the law or legalism because of the freedom we have in Christ. He is the ultimate solution to our spiritual needs and frees us from the burden of legalism.
As followers of Christ, we must guard against the danger of being overshadowed by legalism and missing the freedom found in Christ. It is essential to keep Christ at the core of everything we do and turn to Him alone to fulfill our deep spiritual need for redemption, following His guidance. We should strive to see others through the perspective of Christ rather than through the lens of legalism.
QUESTIONS
What examples of modern-day legalism can you think of, and how do each of the examples hinder following Christ?
How would you explain the freedom that is available in Christ, opposed to the burden of the law?
