The theme of Colossians is the supremacy of Christ. Carnality – living according to the flesh – and false teaching are two things that will easily move us away from that supremacy. The Apostle Paul was dealing with two extremes of the day. Legalism, or living according to Old Testament Law, was one extreme response to the liberty of the Gospel of grace. On the opposite end of the spectrum was license, which was an “anything goes” response to legalism.

Paul tells the church not to let anyone judge them in what they eat or drink, or in observing holy days. Christ fulfilled the Old Testament Law in these things. Legalism was the attempt to force saved Christians back under these laws. They were not necessarily wrong things because the Law did have its place.

The Law was good in that it showed us how we fall short of God’s glory, but the Law falls short in that it cannot save us or sanctify us. Those who have placed their total faith and trust in the finished work of Christ for salvation would agree that the Law cannot save. However, all too often, Christians fall into the trap of thinking that the Law can sanctify them.

A lot of Christians think that their spirituality is based off of what they are doing. “I’m going to church, I read five chapters of the Bible each day, so I must be spiritual!”

Don’t just think that by doing certain things, you will automatically be spiritual. If you are walking with the Lord, enjoying Him and His grace, then you are going to love doing things like going to church and spending time in the Word. Remember, if you think you must go to church in order to be spiritual, then you are living under legalism, and it cannot save you or sanctify you.