Free Bible Commentary
“Colossians 2:20-23”
Categories: Colossians“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Paul makes frequent references in his epistles to the death we experienced when we “died with Christ” (verse 20), and buried the old person of sin in the waters of baptism (Romans 6:3). When we “mortify the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13) we are to effectively die to “the world” and its sinful passions and influences. Any type of man-made religious practice is considered by God to be “elementary principles of the world” that we are to put to death with the old, unredeemed person and his errant ways and practices.
“The commandments and teachings of men” (verse 22) have the “appearance of wisdom” (verse 23), but they are only foolish and substandard substitutions and additions to the perfect mind and will of God. Jesus condemned man-made doctrine and worship in Matthew 15:8-9: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” It is really very easy to discern between the teachings of men and the doctrine of Christ. You can learn of Christ’s commandments and precepts in the New Testament, but the teachings of men you cannot find therein.
The Holy Spirit condemns “self-made religion” in verse 23. The King James version renders this term as “will worship”. Any time we try to worship God in alignment with our desires and not according to His will that He revealed in the pages of the New Testament, we have merely invented practices that are foreign and unrecognizable and unacceptable to Him. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
Friend, please do not fall for the self-deception that it doesn’t matter what you believe or how you worship, just as long as you are sincere about it. Please don’t fall for Satan’s lie that God wants you to find a religion that you can feel comfortable with. God cares very little about our comfort when it comes to serving and worshiping Him. The Lord is very demanding, and, as Creator of the Universe, He has every right to be. Please kneel to Him now and meet Him on His terms so that you can stand before Him on Judgment Day.
“So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left.” (Deuteronomy 5:32)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Please Read Colossians 3:1-4 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
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