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. Colossians 2:23
The church at Colossae faced the theological quagmire of faith verses tradition. People who once worshiped false gods weren’t sure what to turn loose of and what to keep of their old life as they grew spiritually. This was fertile opportunity for unscrupulous people to take charge. Their issue then and ours today is this: Man likes rules and traditions that create authority in their favor.
Power is a fragile thing to hold. It is hard to maintain and requires a commitment to the greater good. Instead it sometimes deletes all common sense and compassion from its possessor. The ensuing temptation to exploit and abuse is great. When man attempts to live by rules, he ignores three basic principles of God: grace, mercy and love. These are the things that make and keep us Holy.
Have a perfectly glorious day,
Gretchen