Today's Passage - Col 2:16-19

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Colossians 2:16-19   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.  ...Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.  He has lost connection with the Head...   So what are "these" things?  In the narrow sense, "these" refer to the laws and rituals of the Old Testament, including food, holiday, New Moon celebration and Sabbath; but in the general sense, "these" refer to all the paths to pursuit spirituality.  Back in the Old Testament time, God ordained the laws and created the holidays with the good intention to have the Israelites remember His grace and deeds.  God's purpose, however, was never for someone to follow the holidays closely, but rather to demonstrate obedience of the heart to God.  1 Samuel 15:22 says that "to obey is better than sacrifice."  Isn't sacrifice ordained by God too?  But God is more pleased with those who are obedient than those who merely offer sacrifice.   If there are things that you need to sacrifice before God, then you ought to do it, but sacrifice alone will not please God, but there must be action of obedience.  Matthew 21:28 has a parable, where a father said to his elder son: "'Son, go and work today in the vineyard."  At first the son didn't want to go, but later he regretted and went.  The father then went to he younger son and asked the same; the younger son said yes, but never went.  So which son was truly obedient?  It's the elder son!  Before God, are you like the elder son or the younger son?  Don't forget that what will actually bring you joy and freedom is not the rituals on the outside, but rather Jesus Christ Himself.   Next, you must stand firm on the truth of God.  Since the reality is Christ, don't let things on the outside interfere us from having an intimate relationship with God.  Very often the rules on food make us focus on what we're eating, and festivity makes us shift our focus to family and friends.  Even the special visions or revelations can make us shift our focus from the Lord to those phenomena, but our hearts may depart from God.  Also, our view is often constrained by our past experience.  Paul said that "such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen..."  In other word, their faith had stayed at what God did in the past, but they've lost focus on the living Savior.  He is the living Lord, so He can constantly do new things.  The important thing is not whether something is new or old, but whether we are with our King Jesus Christ, because only He can make our life grow.  What is preventing you from growing spiritually?  Are you willing to put down everything that is blocking your way, and only follow the Lord?      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I thank you because truth will set us free.  I ask you lift me up again so that I can be released from focusing on everything that only seems to be a path leading to you.  I want to connect with the Head and grow in the spirit with your help daily.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!