Freedom From Human Rules
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
i think the last verse of this passage is pretty interesting.
ReplyDeleteIn trying to restrain sensual indulgence its possible to actually indulge in pride, possibly the MOST sensual of human indulgences. Now obviously this is speaking to the heart of restraint, but its ironic. there's such a tension between this passage, the one about disputable matters, and about forgoing our liberties for the sake of the weaker brother.
Selflessness must be the key...
honestly, i think a lot of things Paul wrote were simply to justify his own actions.
ReplyDeleteexpound on that my friend... in a good or negative way?
Deletei don't know if it's positive or negative, i just know i've gotten that feeling after reading other passages he has written as well. it may be because i don't understand it as well as i should.
DeleteI really enjoy all the different translations we have access to and how they sometimes hit on different points and really enhance my understanding of the Scripure. I know I always say this but I really like how the New Living Translation says:
ReplyDelete"16. So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.
... 20. You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep following the rules of this world, such as, 21. "Don't handle!" "Don't taste!" "Don't touch!" 22. Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires."
I think it's obvious that only Christ can provide that help if we ask for it. This passage is one of many Paul wrote that reminds us of our freedom in Christ. Elsewhere he reminds us this is not to be taken lightly like a blank check to go on sinning with. But I take it to mean I don't have to feel bad (or let anyone else make me feel bad) about missing a Sunday or two... Or getting a tattoo or having a few drinks.
It's funny- I was meditating the other day and the concept of Freedom came to me. Thank God, we are free.
I think this passage goes right along with one of the hallmarks that Paul leaves us with over and over again, and that is that our faith is not about the things that we "shall not" do, but about the things we seek "to do" in Christ.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think this becomes a very thin line between this line of thought and justifying my actions. In this way, I identify with Paul, and I honestly don't know that I'm not, as well, simply justifying my actions.