Bible Passage: “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. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:16-23
Following Christ is not about performance. Most men know that.
But that does not mean we can ignore the fact that there are expectations—real, concrete, and sometimes very specific—that come with faith in Jesus.
This pressure has a particular way of getting under men’s skin. It eats at us. Gnawing on our minds and consciences. It’s scraping teeth often sounds like an accusation:
You’re not disciplined enough. Not consistent enough. Other men pray more, give more, know their Bibles better.
Faith becomes another arena for performance. Another scoreboard you’re losing on. The grace that gave us life in Christ muted by the need to succeed.
The men in Colossae faced a version of this. Some teachers were suggesting new rules—dietary restriction, festivals, ascetic practices—and implying that compliance was a sign of genuine faith. Failure meant you were not a spiritual strongman. Step up, and you’ll access something deeper. Not only was performance a measurement, but it also led to deeper benefits.
Paul slams that idea closed:
“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. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17 NIV).
The activities, rules, and regulations pointed somewhere. They were shadows; real enough, but not the real thing. The shadow-casting reality is Christ. Why chase the shadow when the reality is available? That’s not progress; it’s a step backward.
Is spiritual discipline irrelevant? Of course, no! Paul is not dismissing prayer, Scripture, fasting, or community. Instead, he’s reassuring Colossae that those practices do not earn standing with God—that a checklist does not secure your spiritual worth.
If you are in Christ, you stand complete before God. Not because of your consistency, but because of His life.
The exercises of faith are the response of a man who knows he’s loved, not the offering of a man trying to earn it.
Stop performing for an evaluation that’s already been given. Start living in Christ’s earned reality.
Prayer: God, I know that there are activities that can demonstrate and deepen my connection to You. But they do not earn my standing or prove my value to You. Help me to pursue You in response to Your grace, not as an attempt to earn it or to prove myself to others. Amen.
Reflection: What spiritual practices do you engage in regularly? What is your motivation for doing so?
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