Colossians 2:20-23 NASB
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,
²¹Do 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.
Colossians 3:1-4 NASB
¹Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
²Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
³For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
⁴When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Devotional
Maybe you are very good and other mothers use you as an example: Look at Stefan, what a nice guy, or look at Hanna, such a fresh girl, she is always enthusiastic in church!
And to be honest, you also think you’re not doing to bad.
Paul in Colossians 2:21 lists some of the ways people use to control themselves: do not touch, do not taste, do not touch.
Nothing wrong with that, we would think. However, Paul calls it ‘willing religion’ (verse 23). If there is anyone who has experienced that in his own life, it is Paul.
Perhaps that’s why he’s so alert to it.
There is a very subtle way of fleeing.
Apparently it can happen that you are so zealous for God and the church, that you run ahead of yourself and God.
We prefer to sit on the throne ourselves;
we find it difficult to relinquish control,
and some may even find it a bit humiliating to have to bow to God.
Stop! And ask yourself if that is not how you are; on the run from God.
If you ‘have been raised with Christ’, you can really start working cheerfully as a new, liberated creation.
Twitter: @SchoemakerHarry
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