Dead and Alive

DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

DEAD AND ALIVE

Col 2:20-23

20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 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.

NIV

This is a continuation of the thought regarding not being forced to comply with the traditions of men about foods and drinks that are acceptable and those which were not. Paul continues with this idea of the law having been canceled or nailed to the cross. Now he tells them and us that since we died with Christ to the basic principles of this world and maybe we should stop and consider just that for a moment. What does it mean to die with Christ to the basic principles or dogmas, as this is the Greek word here, of the world? Jesus is divine, he is eternal, he is the Alpha and Omega, he was there in the beginning and nothing was made that was not made by him. He is the creator of all that is created. However, he came in the form of man, limiting himself to the principles of this world, having to eat and drink and all that is included in being a human. He came as a Jew, living under the Law, as every good Jew would. He abided by all the basic principles of the world, however, he never actually belonged to it. Yet as long as he lived as a human, he adhered to its basic principles. Of course, he may have violated some, such as walking on water, showing himself transfigured, touching lepers to heal them, feeding thousands with two fish and five loaves, raising Lazarus from the dead, as well as some others that could be considered in violation of the basic principles of this world. However, when he died on the cross, he no longer was obligated to comply or submit to those basic principles, especially those from the Law. So then, if we died with Christ, then we are no longer obligated to the basic principles of this world, or what Paul is referring to, the law, which all Jews were to submit to. However, why would we still want to submit to certain aspects of the law? Why would we want to act as long as we belong to this world and abide by its basic principles or dogmas of this world? These principles or dogmas are rules that cannot be questioned, yet Paul says not only question them, leave them behind, for you are dead to them. In Judaism the Law of Moses is dogma. In Christianity, we still consider the Ten Commandments as dogma, a rule that cannot be questioned, an article of faith. However, Christ died and nailed the Law, canceling it, to the cross. None of the Law, including the Ten Commandments have any value in restraining sensual indulgence, or the gratification of the flesh, which better suits the straight sense of the Greek word. This includes all things regarding the flesh, food, drink, rituals, being a good follower of rules and regulations, being honored among men and even an appearance of self-imposed worship, being thought of as being spiritual, and false humility. If we actually died with Christ, then we have been raised from the dead, and now live in the kingdom of God under the rule of Christ in our lives, the basic principles of Christ, faith, and love. So then do we live by faith and love or by dogmas? Are we dead to one and alive to another?