So don’t let anyone judge you about eating or drinking or about a festival, a new moon observance, or sabbaths. These religious practices are only a shadow of what was coming—the body that cast the shadow is Christ. Don’t let anyone who wants to practice harsh self-denial and worship angels rob you of the prize. They go into detail about what they have seen in visions and have become unjustifiably arrogant by their selfish way of thinking. They don’t stay connected to the head. The head nourishes and supports the whole body through the joints and ligaments, so the body grows with a growth that is from God. If you died with Christ to the way the world thinks and acts, why do you submit to rules and regulations as though you were living in the world? “Don’t handle!” “Don’t taste!” “Don’t touch!” All these things cease to exist when they are used. Such rules are human commandments and teachings. They look like they are wise with this self-made religion and their self-denial by the harsh treatment of the body, but they are no help against indulging in selfish immoral behavior. Therefore, if you were raised with Christ, look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at God’s right side. (Colossians 2:16—3:1, CEB)
Who gets to make the rules you have to follow?
Now don’t get me wrong, laws are in place to make society less chaotic, and for there to be some semblance of order. But that is the end to laws. They can not save you so religious laws are personal and should not be forced on or given to others. What helps you have a deeper spiritual life might send someone else further from God.
What works for you may not work for others and if it doesn’t deal with civil order then it isn’t something we can make someone else follow.
Love all and allow them to practice their religion as is best for them.
Follow and do what God has led you to, not what some other human says you must do.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 