“Don’t do this. You can’t do that. And, you must do this.”
Over and over again … all my life.
It’s part of the reason I turned my back on God and Christianity in the first place.
These same ideas have stuck with me in some form or fashion even when I was free from those establishments.
And, I am free.
But, sometimes I hear myself saying and believing things that are not founded in Scripture, but come from those years of bondage.
And, it was bondage on so many different levels … from bondage to religious traditions, to bondage from being lost without Christ.
This week my mind keeps coming back to these verses. Read ’em. Good stuff.
Colossians 2:6-8; 16-17; 20-23
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:”Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on 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.
I love that the reality is found in Christ … who we are, what we believe, our very being.
That’s all. Plain and simple.
It’s not in anything else. And, it’s not in anything I can or cannot do.
God continues to show me what true freedom is.
It’s just in Christ.
In Him I live and move and have my being.
Sometimes I think I could use a tattoo that just says Christ = Freedom. Good post.
So often, I wish that I had grown up in the church and had been taught about Christ while I was young. But because I wasn't, I don't struggle so much with legalism.
I am oh so thankful for the freedom that comes in Christ!!
You are a fine witness! Love this post.
I hear ya — legalism and I are on too good of terms. Those verses in Colossians? Some of my favorites. Thanks for the good reminder!
I can't believe I never read this post the first time! Say it again!!!! It was good.
Happy New Year Mamma Belle! I hope 2011 is a good one.
-FringeGirl