Colossians 2:8-23
²⁰If 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, ²¹ “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” ²² (which all refer to things destined to perish with use) – in accordance with the commandments and TEACHINGS OF MEN? ²³These 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.
True wisdom is:
• to stay as close as possible to the truth of the gospel;
• to follow the Christ, also when the road gets difficult to go;
• and to stay entirely subjected to the Christ, who is the ONLY Head of His church.
Self-imposed sufferings (like those people who let themselves being crucified during Easter) and fastings, might have a show of spirituality and willingness to suffer for your faith, but this is not “in any honor” to God. In fact they are drawing attention to themselves, and away from the sacrifice Jesus brought for us.
The whole thing tends, in a wrong way, to satisfy the carnal mind, by GRATIFYING SELF-WILL, SELF-WISDOM, SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, and CONTEMPT OF OTHERS.
• The things that are connected to the show of wisdom,
• The things that are connected to satisfying the carnal mind,
• The things that are connected to pride,
all these things do not honor God, and do not do anything good for your soul.
▪︎ Al the things, where our Lord had no attention for,
▪︎ Al the things, that left Him indifferent,
let us regard these in the same way, and leave them.
Remembering the passing nature of earthly things, let us seek to glorify God.
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