Col. 2:16-19 (NKJ)

Gordon E. Johnson
Rio Grande Bible Institute

Paul has concluded his positive teaching on our union with Christ (Col. 2:10-15); the trajectory is amazing: you are complete in Him (10); circumcised or cut off from the old (11); buried in baptism or identified with him in his death to sin (12); made alive and forgiven fully (13); freed from the law's legal condemnation (14); cosmic powers behind all evil were disarmed at the Cross (15).  What more can be as ours in Christ? The resounding answer is: Nothing but Christ, never Christ plus anything else.

Now Paul faces the reality of the two fold Colossian error: 1.) an emphasis on externals that would appear to add to our standing and  2.) a complex access to God though others that Christ Jesus. The externals were the legalistic demands of the former dispensation, the Mosaic law: food, clean and unclean, drink not really addressed but added by the legalist, special religious festivals, monthly cycles of ritual and special sabbaths (16).

The error lay in that these external and ritualistic acts would add merit, acceptance or a higher level of spirituality. Paul roundly denies that anything material can ever add spiritual virtue to those already complete in Christ (2:10). Externals are as shadow to substance that is Christ (17). Shadows may outline poorly an object, but they can never give substance and stability to it.

Paul's direct command is: don't let anyone take you to task, put you under condemnation (16).  Christ is our liberty, the liberty of grace, the liberty of true heart holiness.

Today we do not face the identical externals of Paul's day, but a wide range of externals are often required for official standing in some circles.  It may be a special "experience," an exclusive belonging to a particular truth, certain position re Bible version, a unique life style, a manner of dress, etc. Well intentioned believers yield to such pressures putting themselves in bondage by external compliance, failing to find in Christ and in Christ alone the heart freedom to walk in true holiness. Some externals may evidence our commitment to Christ before the world, and so all are not wrong of themselves. But the belief that externals can add to Christ's favor and our standing before him is wrong.

Let it never be said that God is indifferent to a holy walk. Liberty in Christ is never license to sin or indulge the flesh. Paul in a parallel passage warns the Galatians: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13)

Paul repeats his warning:"let no one defraud, (rob or frustrate) you of you reward taking delight" in counterfeit humility and the intervention of angels (18). We have direct and equal access to our Head (19). These legalists or self appointed teachers claim extravagant insights, sharing revelations and visions; Paul says beware of the "spectacular," the prophecies that pass for biblical authority, the appeal of the fraudulent televangelist, the cultic leader. Biblical wisdom is: "Do not quench the Spirit. De not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast to what is good."(1 Thess 5:19-21).

What is the test?  Do they hold the Head (19)?  Is their sole confidence in a Crucified and Risen Christ?  Is it Christ and Christ alone available to us through the Cross, by grace through faith?  "Are they "holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase which is from God." 

Make me a captive, Lord, /And then I shall be free;/ Force me to render up my sword/ And I shall conqueror be:/ I sink in Life's alarms/ when by myself I stand,/ Imprison me within Thine arms,/ And strong shall be my hand." G. Matheson D.D.

Gordon Johnson

Rio Grande Bible Institute
December 19, 2005