Most people think that religion is all about crazy dos and don’ts. And mostly they are correct, except when it comes to Christianity. The Colossians were targets of religious zealots who brought strange lists and mysteries instead of reality. In their case it was about Jewish law and weird experiences with angels. In our case the focus is different, but the theme is the same: ‘Reality is bigger than Jesus’; ‘Just following Jesus is not enough’; ‘Here is something shinier or more satisfying instead.’ 

Almost always these voices want to add something burdensome to our faith. More rules to obey must surely mean more favour in God’s eyes. Not so! Paul’s command is simple: Don’t let yourself be judged by the wrong standard (v 16). 

But how can we know what is right? We need to learn the difference between fake and genuine religion. Genuine religion is connected to Jesus, literally (v 19). Fake religion is based on human wisdom and false humility. Paul will spend the rest of this letter addressing this challenge. Stay tuned!

Lord, you call me to seek first your kingdom and to live by its rule to love you and our neighbours. Help me to focus on kingdom positives today.

This passage really made me sit up. We see how some in the church at Colossae look down on others with spiritual superiority and a self-congratulatory humility (v 18) because they have constructed extra ways to worship involving food, drink, festivals, angels. Puffed-up minds have manufactured a form of Christianity that they offer as a better way! No wonder Paul confronts these false teachers so strongly. Any spirituality based on human thinking is not only doomed to perish (v 22), but it severs believers from the source of God’s transforming love (v 19). Human manipulation of Christianity by addition or subtraction endangers full acceptance of the saving work of Jesus. His grace is not deemed to be enough!

What made me sit up, however, was the challenge about how easily a sense of spiritual superiority can creep into the church. Extra rules can lead to the judging of others when they fail to obey them. These teachers demand a series of ‘Don’ts’ that avoid certain foods with behaviour which calls for an ascetic lifestyle. Such rules may initially appear to be wise (v 23). After all, several world religions emphasise how obeying such negative commands pleases God. Ascetic behaviour which may be harsh on the body (v 23) is assumed to express devotion to God. However, not only are these man-made rules destined to perish but, importantly, they make not one iota of difference to restraining sensual indulgence (v 23). I remember a minister lamenting that his church was full of rules but they didn’t make for nicer people. Only Jesus can transform us for the better. 

Reflect carefully on whether aspects of our thinking tend towards spiritual superiority. It’s so easy to add extra expectations and find ourselves looking down on others.