“CHRIST, MY ALL”

Colossians 2:13-23

Thursday, 19 February 2026

“…but the substance is of Christ.”   -Colossians 2:17 

The epistle to the Colossians draws our attention to the preeminence of Christ-He is all-sufficient for the believer. Believers in Colosse were trying to reach for some mystical and spiritual experiences beyond what the Apostles taught. Apostle Paul reiterates that they needn’t go beyond what Christ offered- for in Christ “…dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him…” (Colossians 2:9,10).From our text we can look into a few dangers that the believers faced in Colosse which is still applicable for us today:

• Legalism (V.16)

False teachers were advocating for the continuation of Jewish observances like the food laws, festivals, Sabbath, etc. This was like adding on, for their justification or sanctification. We may find today well-meaning “believer” churches having become legalistic with their own protocols of behavior, way of attire, observances, etc. There are believers in our time who try to observe special Jewish days or festivals in relating them to Christ. See what Paul says: These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. When we have the real, why should one go back to the shadow?? A believer must understand that none of these can effect his/her salvation or cause the Lord to be more pleased to accept him/her as Salvation is through Christ and Christ alone!

• Mysticism (V.18)

Worship of angels in considering them to be mediators for prayer and worship also crept into some. Sometimes “personal experiences” are so much spiritualized that others try to copy them, thinking they are means of better spiritual experiences. It is dangerous to lose our focus from Christ in order to experience something beyond the ordinary—it can cause people to be puffed up with pride and prominence, that make people to follow them instead of Christ. Paul says of such people: “They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.” (V.19). Christ the head of the Church (the body of Christ) has to control and connect every member to grow in Him. The “other” experience seekers are a disconnect from the head and body!

• Asceticism (Vs.21-22)

Self-restricting rules for strict adherence can take away the life of freedom in a believer. The believer who has been brought into the newness of life in Christ is no longer subject to human rules and laws that restrain one’s life in Christ. Our new way of life is in the power of the Holy Spirit and not under the captivity of the rules and regulations of the Law. Man-made rules of “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” may reflect pious and self-imposed discipline, but they cannot conquer a person’s inherent evil desires. Paul makes it clear to them.

Today many are lured into new philosophies or way of life or “deeper” experiences that shove Christ off from His preeminent position in the life of a believer and the Church. New age philosophies, yoga, meditation are some that have acceptance in believers, adding them to their faith in Christ. Unless Christ is given preeminence in our lives, there is always the danger of replacing Him.

Friend, would Jesus Christ become the reality- the SUBSTANCE in your life? If you still haven’t given Him the first place, would you today? May Christ be your Master and Lord!

Think on: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith…” (Colossians 2:6,7)

Listen: 'Christ is enough for me'