(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 2:16-23)

When we moved back to Taiwan in 2011, we spent some time visiting different churches to find a spiritual home here. At one point we were attending a young and growing church in Taipei.

After attending the church for about 6-months, we learned about an unwritten policy that the church had regarding being a small group leader. What we were told is that you could only become a small group leader if you could speak in tongues.

Me being me of course, I asked if people would then fake it in order to be able to be accepted by the church or to take on a leadership position? Look I have nothing against speaking in tongues, don’t believe it is only isolated to speaking another language, but I don’t think it should be a marker for whether or not someone is able to be a small group leader in a church.

At the core of our faith is our relationship to God through Christ and in Christ alone. Nothing else can take the place of Christ opening up the avenue for us to enter into a relationship with God by the work of the Holy Spirit, because whether physical or spiritual, it can only be in Christ alone.

That is why Paul writes to the Colossians regarding not letting religious ceremonies and practices, and spiritual experiences to take the place of Christ, as if it is in those things that we have redemption, rather than in Christ alone.

The head of the church is Christ, and all these other things are a matter of outward and inward spirituality, but are not Christ Himself. Fasting is good only if it is done in Christ. Visions, dreams, and spiritual worship is good only if it is experienced in Christ.

Celebrating Easter, Christmas, and discipline of the body is good only if it is done in Christ. Everything in Christ, and in Christ alone. However, when these things are done apart from Christ, they lead to separation, pride, making us think we are holier than others, rather than uniting us in Christ alone.

Brothers and sisters, Paul is not saying that worship, discipline, or spiritual practices do not matter. He is saying that these things must never replace Christ or become measures of spiritual superiority over others. Do not do them for appearance, pride, or acceptance by people. Do them for Christ, through Christ, and in Christ alone.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Colossians 2