Bible Study August 11, 2025
Colossian 2:16 – 18 (CSB)
“Legalistic Rules”
“Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ. 18 Let no one condemn you by delighting in ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm. Such people are inflated by empty notions of their unspiritual mind.”
Paul is warning the Colossians to avoid anyone who tells them they should trade their freedom in Christ for a set of man-made legalistic rules. Legalism is just that. In Christian theology, legalism refers to a distorted view of Christianity that emphasizes adherence to a strict set of rules and regulations as the means to achieve salvation and righteousness, rather than relying on God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It often involves a focus on external behavior and performance, potentially overlooking the heart and genuine relationship with God.’
To many churches have established rules that are legalistic. If you place emphasis on rules rather than relationship then legalism is ruling your life. I understand this as growing up in a church way too much emphasis was placed on meaningless practices than living in freedom. It’s not freedom to do what you want it is free to live free in Christ without the burdensome rules hanging over your head.
Paul gives us an excellent example of legalism in verse sixteen. False teachers were attempting to place dietary restrictions based on the old Mosaic law. Since the Colossian are now under the new covenant they did not need to follow the OT rules of dietary restrictions.
There were many festivals that were celebrated in the OT and they are no longer required under the new covenant through Christ. Looking at Acts 20:7 Sunday, the first day of the week the church gathered for worship, because it was the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Scripture does not require Christians to observe the Saturday Sabbath; the Sabbath was the sign of the Mosaic covenant.
More about this tomorrow.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 