EAT, DRINK, SABBATH DAY / COLOSSIANS 2:16

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Colossians 2:16

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Finding True Freedom: Moving Beyond Rules to the Substance of Christ

In a world obsessed with performance, tracking metrics, and curation, it’s remarkably easy to let that same mindset seep into our faith. We create mental checklists of what a “good Christian” looks like, measuring our spiritual standing by what we consume, how perfectly we observe traditions, or how rigidly we adhere to certain rituals.

But thousands of years ago, the Apostle Paul wrote a fierce defense of Christian liberty to a small church facing the exact same pressure. In Colossians 2:16, he delivers a liberating truth that we desperately need to hear today:

“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath.”

The Shadow vs. The Substance

To understand the weight of this verse, we have to look at the very next sentence. Paul explains that these dietary laws, festivals, and sabbaths “are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

Think about a shadow cast on the ground. If you see the shadow of a loved one approaching around a corner, you might feel a surge of anticipation. But you don’t bend down to hug the flat, dark shape on the concrete. You look up, wait for the actual person to step into view, and embrace them.

The ancient rituals, dietary restrictions, and specific calendar holy days were intended to be shadows. They pointed forward to a coming Reality. Now that Christ has arrived, chasing the strict execution of those rules as a means to earn favor with God is like ignoring the person standing right in front of you to look at their shadow.

Let No One Judge You

The Colossian believers were being harassed by false teachers who insisted that faith in Jesus wasn’t enough. They claimed that true spirituality required rigid asceticism, self-denial, and strict rule-following.

Paul’s response is direct: Let no one judge you.

Your standing before Holy God is completely secured by the cross of Jesus Christ—not by your menu, your calendar, or anyone else’s human-made opinions. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” He meant it. He completely fulfilled the law on our behalf.

Walking in Grace Today

This doesn’t mean structure, discipline, or holy days have no value. It means they are no longer the measure of our salvation. If you practice certain traditions or fast from certain things to focus your heart on God, do so out of love and freedom! But the moment we use those practices to feel superior to others, or the moment we let others make us feel like “second-class Christians” because we don’t follow their specific blueprint, we have missed the gospel.

True spiritual growth doesn’t come from keeping a flawless checklist. It comes from abiding in the substance, which is Jesus Christ. Let’s step out of the shadows and walk confidently in the light of His complete grace.

A Closing Prayer for Freedom in Christ

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beautiful, liberating truth of Your Gospel. We confess how easy it is for our hearts to drift back into legalism, trying to earn Your favor or impress others through our own effort and rule-following. Forgive us for the times we have focused more on the shadows than on the beautiful reality of Your Son.

We thank You that our identity and security are forever anchored in what Jesus has already accomplished. Help us to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given us. Silence the voices of judgment—both from outside forces and from our own inner critics—that tell us Your grace is not enough.

May Your Holy Spirit fix our eyes entirely on Jesus, our true Substance. Let our obedience flow not out of fear or obligation, but out of a deep, overflowing gratitude for Your unconditional love. Teach us to extend that same grace and freedom to the people around us.

In the holy and unmatched name of Jesus, Amen.

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace