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Intention

Legalism lurks in every human heart — but Christ died to free us from every form of it.

Scripture

“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

Reflection

Picture a child lying awake long past his bedtime, listening for the sound of his father arriving home. Light spills under the door as footsteps move closer. A shadow stretches across the floor, growing clearer with each step. The door opens, and his father walks in with arms ready for an embrace. Instead, the child keeps staring at the floor, fascinated by his father’s shadow instead of the man standing right there who loves him.

It’s a strange image, yet Paul suggests something similar was happening among the Colossians. They were captivated by shadows — festivals, food rules, sacred days — things that were never meant to hold their gaze. Jesus Christ stood before them, yet their attention was elsewhere.

That same drift still happens in our hearts. We can feel watched, judged, and pressured to measure our spiritual maturity by particular habits or opinions. Legalism slips in quietly, especially when we convince ourselves we’re doing it to please God. A small conviction becomes a rule, a rule becomes a standard, and a standard becomes the way we assess ourselves and everyone around us.

Paul wrote Colossians because believers were being drawn into a mix of worldly thinking and spiritual-sounding demands. They were told to avoid certain foods, observe certain festivals, pursue harsh forms of discipline, and treat personal visions as spiritual credentials. Paul gathers all of it under one banner: “self-imposed religion.” It looked serious and sounded holy, but it was leading them further from Christ, not closer.

Legalism gains strength when we confuse matters of obedience with matters of conscience. In His Word, God speaks clearly about holiness, compassion, purity, and much else besides. Scripture gives us many commands like “do not” and “put to death” and “put on,” drawing clear lines around His moral will. Yet, in many other areas, God is silent. In the silence is where He gives us room for wisdom — and difference. Legalism fills that space with demands. It insists others must live according to our conscience. It watches closely, expecting agreement, and quietly condemns those who don’t comply.

Into that confusion, Paul lifts our eyes to Jesus. “He cancelled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands… nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). If Christ has dealt with every charge that was against us, why would we keep inventing new charges for one another? Jesus is the substance behind every impressive-looking shadow. Everything we need for salvation, identity and spiritual growth is found in Him.

Paul warns us of the dangers that grow when legalism takes root. Legalism causes us to miss the point entirely because it keeps us staring at shadows when Christ is the One standing before us. It breeds pride by creating an in-crowd and an out-crowd. It fractures the church and severs us from Christ our Head who gives us life and unity. It offers no power over the flesh because no rules can transform the human heart. And it denies the finished work of Jesus by suggesting there is still something left for us to add.

The gospel tells a far better story. Christ has nailed all our striving to His cross. He has delivered us from darkness and brought us into His kingdom of light, grace and love. When we cling to Him, we discover true freedom. We find the strength to obey God’s clear commands and humility to let others walk according to their God-given conscience. And we find the rest that comes from knowing Christ has done everything needed for our salvation.

The more we rest in Him, the less power legalism holds over us. The shadow fades when our gaze is fixed on Christ.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for cancelling my debt and setting me free. Reveal any legalism still hiding in my heart. Give me wisdom to walk in Your grace and humility to let others follow their conscience with joy. Help me cling to You, my all-sufficient Saviour.

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