Larry Reynolds, Denton, TX

Colossians 2:20-23 - "If you have died with Christ to the elementary princples of the world, why, as if you are living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 'Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!' (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) in accordance to the commandments and teachings of men?  These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in the self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence."

These verses contain one of the most scathing denunciations of legalism to be found in the Bible. Legalism is the belief that we can win God’s favor by keeping certain laws, rules, and regulations. One of the negative by-products of a legalistic mind-set is that it makes us judgmental toward others

•  A legalistic approach to Christianity misunderstands our union with Christ – The first part of verse 20 says that we have “died with Christ.” That is, our lives are governed by Him, not by the rules and regulations of this world.
• A legalistic approach to Christianity invariably focuses on things temporal rather than things eternal - Notice what verse 22 says. Man-made rules such as “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch...” always refer to things of this world. Those things, by their very nature, are temporary. They will not last forever. They are passing away.
• A legalistic approach to Christianity focuses on the symptom but not the disease – Verse 23 points out that while it may look profitable and spiritual to obey a bunch of outward rules, rules alone are “of no value against fleshly indulgence.” What does that mean? Is Paul saying that it doesn’t matter what we do? Of course not! He is saying God always look beyond our outward conduct to inward motive. It is possible for person to appear dedicated and disciplined on the outside, but on the inside be full of anger, resentment, bitterness, jealousy, pride, and a host of other things that are repulsive to God. We don’t change from the outside in. We change from the inside out. A legalistic approach to Christianity does not understand that.