“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” These are all destined to perish with use, founded as they are on human commands and teachings. Even though they have the appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship and humility achieved by an unsparing treatment of the body—a wisdom with no true value—they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.”
(Colossians 2.21-23)
Legalistic religious living is marked by what we don’t do. “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” is a perfect example of (part of) what the Colossians were being presented with: ‘Now you are following Jesus, you need to not…’. Ours is a faith where we enjoy the fruits of work already done (John 19.30). Yes, for sure, there are moral boundaries that we are exhorted not to cross but the legalistic “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” is now finished.
They are, we read, founded…on human commands and teachings. Paul is very clear in his counsel to the Colossians that religious commands and legalistic lessons are designed by people who think that this is how we draw near to God. This might look great (to some) but will eventually result in fleshly indulgence. I read recently that this is perhaps the strongest word against legalism in the entire Bible:
“Even though they have the appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship and humility achieved by an unsparing treatment of the body—a wisdom with no true value—they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.”
(emphasis added)
As hard as we try to battle our fallen flesh in our own strength and power we will never defeat it. For that, we need the indwelling power of the Spirit (Zechariah 4.6). I recently read this, a great thought to take into the day as we fight against our legalistic and self-fuelled efforts to reach God:
“[self-imposed worship and humility] is man reaching to God, trying to justify himself by keeping a list of rules. Christianity is God reaching down to man in love through Christ.”
(emphasis added)
James Travis 