Thursday 1st May
Read Colossians 2:20-23
“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.” (NIVUK)
There is an unfortunately long tradition, dating all the way back to the earliest churches, of creating rules around our senses that give the appearance of holiness and moral rectitude but are helpless to fit us for the world to come. Limiting the things we touch, or taste, may seem like a perfectly sensible approach to avoid the risks of falling into sin but Paul will have none of it for two reasons.
First, this worldly approach to ‘managing’ our sinfulness ultimately fails. In our own strength we are simply not capable of ‘restraining sensual indulgence’. Second, these restrictions fail to recognise that we are no longer citizens of this world, needing to abide by its rules, we are citizens of heaven and filled with wisdom from above.
Our bodies, their tastes and sensations, are now fit for a different purpose. We can taste and touch and enjoy creation. There are of course rules, but they are not these simplistic rules invented by our own hubris and pride. They are rules that revolve around what is good for others. They are rules around selflessness. Modelled from the Calvary.
