By Robert Olsen
Associate Professor of Christians Studies, University of Mobile
THE GOSPEL’S FREEDOM
Colossians 2:16–23
Freedom in Worship (16–17)
Many of us use lists to keep us on track. We take them to the grocery store, and they’re at home and work. When we do everything on the list, we can be at rest. This applies to the Christian realm as well. We may also look for lists of things to be good Christians or “make God happy.” Instead of focusing on God, we are focusing on what we are supposed to do, greatly hindering our freedom in Christ.
Paul had to confront such thinking in the Church at Colossae. Apparently some were teaching that in order to be a true Christian, a believer needed to observe various aspects of worship and religious festivals. However, Paul points out the festivals of the Old Testament are foreshadowing Christ. Since Christ has come, it is no longer necessary to observe them.
This is part of the freedom all believers possess in Christ, who has fulfilled the Law. Because we are saved by grace through faith and not by observance of the Law, there is nothing we can do to make God love us more.
As a parent’s love for a child is not dependent on a list of dos and don’ts, so also God’s love is shown through Christ’s death on our behalf (Rom. 5:8) — not because we do anything to please God. This is what Martin Luther discovered that caused the Reformation. Instead of trying to earn God’s love, we can rest in knowing He already has demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Freedom from Falsehoods (18–19)
With freedom in Christ, Paul tells the Colossians not to let others look down on them for their behavior. Many judge us according to their own standards. Those who have created a standard of holiness based upon human wisdom struggle with putting this yoke on others, which is evident in many denominations today, where the focus is on external behavior rather than an internal change.
Biblically, this is most evident in the Pharisees, who, according to Jesus, were like whitewashed tombs, which looked beautiful from the outside but on the inside were full of dead men’s bones (Matt. 23:27-28). We can fool others by our external actions, but we cannot fool God, Who looks at our heart..
This is not an excuse to avoid loving our neighbor. The Bible offers clear instructions for how we should live — loving God and loving neighbor. In living our Christian lives, we need to remain grounded, not becoming haughty or prideful in what we have done, remembering our salvation is dependent upon God and not ourselves.
Freedom to Live (20–23)
Many Christians throughout history have focused on denying themselves worldly pleasure, and while this is not innately bad, it is not the way to achieve some sort of higher spiritual level. Luther said a person could be an idolater in a room with four bare walls because it is what goes on inside that makes him an idolater. This does not mean we are to be foolish and expose ourselves to things that may cause us to stumble. But to believe self-denial is a way to spiritual enlightenment or maturity is not Christian. The fullness of God dwells within us.
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