“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.” —COLOSSIANS 2:16-17, NIV
What we eat and drink, how we celebrate or don’t celebrate a holiday, or even the Sabbath, are not the criteria for salvation or a standard by which we measure our spirituality. Nor are they a reflection of our relationship with God.
“Don’t let anyone judge you!” Paul says.
A particular diet will not bring me closer to God or make me more righteous. While there were good physical reasons for the Hebrew dietary law, just as there are sound reasons for healthy eating today, they were not the basis for spiritual maturity. Of course, we must take care of our bodies, being good stewards of the gift of life God has given us.
Interestingly, the Scripture doesn’t say “Forbid people from special diets or special days.” Instead, it says, “Don’t let anyone judge you either way.”
There is great liberty in what Christians can do! We can keep days and diets or not. The point is, laws, Sabbath rules, and special offerings are not bad. In fact, they are usually good and edifying.
They aren’t the real thing. They are a shadow of things to come.
Jesus is the real thing.
He is the fulfillment of all the laws. He is “the fullness of the Godhead.” He is the alpha and omega. He is everything we need to know the depth of God’s love and the key to abundant living—and He is available whenever we pray. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” —2 Corinthians 3:17
