Therefore 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. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
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— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Comment: I remember a story which may be apocryphal but is nevertheless very instructive. There was a very devout and godly woman who as far as her reading about Christian things was concerned didn’t read beyond her Bible, which she knew well and read it prayerfully and carefully. Her minister eventually persuaded her to read a book which he thought would help her grow in her faith. Sometime later he asked her what she thought of it. Her reply staggered him. “It was good but the Bible threw a lot of light on it!”
Never think that Paul is stupid! There are those who reading the first sentence above will say that means that I can eat and drink what I like! They say, ‘I don’t have to keep any customs’. Others set aside times to meet as Christians to worship, they say, ‘I can just walk and worship in the Cathedral of Creation, after all God made it!’ Thank God that is not what Paul is saying! What is he saying? Look for the reality beyond the shadows of worldly even pseudo-spiritual thinking. Find the true realities which are found in Christ! The Bible deals with for instance ‘eating things offered to idols’, ‘caring for the weaker brother’, ‘not forsaking the gathering together of believers’, ‘there is only one way of salvation and One mediator between God and man’!
Remember that the original text didn’t have chapters and verses. They are very helpful but sometimes need to be ignored when reading. The portion in red in the passage above is the beginning of a new chapter. It fits very well with what follows on in chapter three, but is the answer to the warnings of the the end of chapter two! Get your mind off of what men try to convince you is truth! Think about Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. Think of what He wants you to think! ‘Seek the things that are above, where Christ is.’
Ecclesiastes 10: 1&2 – Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. – the Bible asks us to think!
Prayer: When I tend to the left, please help me to look up to You, Lord Jesus.
As I read it! 