If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations? – Colossians 2:20

Scripture reading: Colossians 2:16-23

Most like the song In Christ Alone.

“In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground…
This is the power of Christ in me.”

How firm is your confession of Christ alone in your life?

Do you allow yourself to be judged by others as if Christ is not sufficient for you? Do you judge others as if Christ is not sufficient for them? You want them, or others want you to believe in Christ plus some regulation. Do you allow yourself to be disqualified by others as if Christ is not sufficient for you? Do you disqualify others as if Christ is not sufficient for them? You want them, or others want you to believe in some rule in addition to Christ.

This is happening to the Colossians. Others were judging them in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival, a new moon or a Sabbath. Others were disqualifying them, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, and going on about visions. They were forgetting that because they had died with Christ to these regulations, they should no longer submit to them. In doing so, they were not living in the freedom in which Christ had placed them. When we are judged or disqualified by others or when we judge and disqualify others because we want them to submit to Christ plus some regulation, we are also not living in the freedom Christ has placed us or allowing others to live in this freedom.

Suggestions for prayer

Thank your heavenly Father for the freedom you have in Christ and live in this freedom through faith, allowing others to do the same.

This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC.