Colossians 2:13-23
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses. – Colossians 2:13
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Before we enter today’s passage, let us recall the Word of God: “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). The breath (Spirit) of God gave man a spiritual nature that goes beyond the physical body, enabling us to commune with our Creator, our heavenly Father, in a harmonious and beautiful relationship.
The apostle Paul writes in Romans, “Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). This explains how, through the fall, the human spirit became separated from God. Though the body did not immediately die, the spirit was cut off from the source of life, resulting in spiritual death. This describes the condition of every person before believing in and receiving Jesus—living under the power and bondage of sin, and losing the freedom and fullness of life that God intended to give.
In the Old Testament, God revealed His plan of salvation through covenants with His people, through historical acts of deliverance such as the Exodus, through prophecies of the coming Savior, and through the sacrificial system that we see in the book of Numbers. In the fullness of time, God prepared salvation for us in Christ. Through faith in Him, we are born again, receive the Holy Spirit, and become new creations, restored to a reconciled relationship with God. As the writer of Hebrews says, “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come… he entered once for all into the holy places… by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:11–12).
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (v.15). Here, Paul refers to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which completely defeated the devil and the powers of darkness. Like a victorious general in a Roman triumph, Christ publicly shamed His enemies. Sin, death, and every evil power have lost their hold over believers. Their accusations and bondage are rendered powerless, and in Christ, we are given complete victory and true freedom.
Therefore, Paul exhorts believers: “Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath… Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels…” (vv.16, 18). He warns the Colossian believers to be on guard against false spirituality, legalism, and man-made religious rules that appear wise but have no power to truly transform the heart.
At that time, some false teachers presumed to judge others in God’s place, while others boasted endlessly about their mystical experiences. Though they appeared spiritual, they were in fact seeking to satisfy their own desires, revealing spiritual pride. They were “not holding fast to the Head” (v.19), replacing Christ with other people, practices, or things. Thus, Paul asks, “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why… do you submit to regulations— ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’?” (vv.20–21).
We are often prone to shift our focus without realising it, forgetting our original purpose. Paul gives us an important reminder as pilgrims on this journey of faith: practices such as fasting and prayer can help us focus on communion with the Lord, and self-discipline can deepen our devotion. But when these practices become ends in themselves or are treated as means of gaining spiritual power—while Christ, our Redeemer, is neglected—they become stumbling blocks to spiritual growth. The reality is that we may have drifted far from the Lord without even realising it.
Reflection:
Do I truly understand and treasure the redemption that Jesus Christ accomplished for me on the cross? Do I truly know that He has already secured for me complete victory and freedom?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for preparing salvation for us in Christ. Through Him, we are reconciled to You and receive the fullness of Your grace. Enable us to live lives that please You and bring glory to Your name. Help us to hold fast to Christ, our Head, and never drift away from Him. May we always rejoice in the salvation we have in Christ. In Jesus’ victorious name we pray, Amen.
Click to read passage
Before we enter today’s passage, let us recall the Word of God: “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). The breath (Spirit) of God gave man a spiritual nature that goes beyond the physical body, enabling us to commune with our Creator, our heavenly Father, in a harmonious and beautiful relationship.
The apostle Paul writes in Romans, “Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). This explains how, through the fall, the human spirit became separated from God. Though the body did not immediately die, the spirit was cut off from the source of life, resulting in spiritual death. This describes the condition of every person before believing in and receiving Jesus—living under the power and bondage of sin, and losing the freedom and fullness of life that God intended to give.
In the Old Testament, God revealed His plan of salvation through covenants with His people, through historical acts of deliverance such as the Exodus, through prophecies of the coming Savior, and through the sacrificial system that we see in the book of Numbers. In the fullness of time, God prepared salvation for us in Christ. Through faith in Him, we are born again, receive the Holy Spirit, and become new creations, restored to a reconciled relationship with God. As the writer of Hebrews says, “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come… he entered once for all into the holy places… by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:11–12).
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (v.15). Here, Paul refers to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which completely defeated the devil and the powers of darkness. Like a victorious general in a Roman triumph, Christ publicly shamed His enemies. Sin, death, and every evil power have lost their hold over believers. Their accusations and bondage are rendered powerless, and in Christ, we are given complete victory and true freedom.
Therefore, Paul exhorts believers: “Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath… Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels…” (vv.16, 18). He warns the Colossian believers to be on guard against false spirituality, legalism, and man-made religious rules that appear wise but have no power to truly transform the heart.
At that time, some false teachers presumed to judge others in God’s place, while others boasted endlessly about their mystical experiences. Though they appeared spiritual, they were in fact seeking to satisfy their own desires, revealing spiritual pride. They were “not holding fast to the Head” (v.19), replacing Christ with other people, practices, or things. Thus, Paul asks, “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why… do you submit to regulations— ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’?” (vv.20–21).
We are often prone to shift our focus without realising it, forgetting our original purpose. Paul gives us an important reminder as pilgrims on this journey of faith: practices such as fasting and prayer can help us focus on communion with the Lord, and self-discipline can deepen our devotion. But when these practices become ends in themselves or are treated as means of gaining spiritual power—while Christ, our Redeemer, is neglected—they become stumbling blocks to spiritual growth. The reality is that we may have drifted far from the Lord without even realising it.
Reflection:
Do I truly understand and treasure the redemption that Jesus Christ accomplished for me on the cross? Do I truly know that He has already secured for me complete victory and freedom?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for preparing salvation for us in Christ. Through Him, we are reconciled to You and receive the fullness of Your grace. Enable us to live lives that please You and bring glory to Your name. Help us to hold fast to Christ, our Head, and never drift away from Him. May we always rejoice in the salvation we have in Christ. In Jesus’ victorious name we pray, Amen.