Made Holy

 

“If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

Colossians 2:20-23 ESV

 

Our sinful nature controls us, prior to our salvation. It dictates everything that we think, say, and do. However, our struggle with our sinful nature does not end when we come to faith in Christ. It persists even then.

 

Quite often, people tell us, there’s something we can do to gain control of the desires of the flesh. And we easily fall into this mindset. We fall into it because it speaks to the natural tendency of our old nature. It feeds into the idea that there is something we can do to save ourselves and to become holy.

 

For this reason, like the Colossians, we begin to submit to these human teachings and rituals. We submit to various rules, dealing with the things of this world, thinking that they will help. And we do so because they have the appearance of wisdom. We do so because those sharing these teachings seem very convincing.

 

We fail to realize what Paul is communicating in the above verses. We fail to realize that we died to these principles, to these spirits, in Christ. And, because we have died, they no longer apply to us. They have served their purpose.

 

We fail to realize that the things of this world, addressed by these rules, perish as they are used. In other words, they are temporary in nature, and not eternal. Therefore, they can do nothing to help us when it comes to the eternal.

 

We fail to realize that, although these principles have the appearance of wisdom, they promote a self-made religion, asceticism (extreme self-denial), and severity to the body. In other words, it is not from God. It’s not consistent with the faith taught by God in Scripture.

 

And, finally, we fail to realize that these principles are of no use in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. They do absolutely nothing when it comes to overcoming sin. They do nothing when it comes to restraining sin in our life.

 

This isn’t meant to discourage us, as we long to overcome our sinful nature and our struggle with our specific sinful tendencies. Nor is it meant to drive us to despair. However, if this is to happen, we must look not to ourselves. We must look only to Christ.

 

We must do so because, just as we can contribute nothing when it comes to our salvation, neither can we contribute anything to our sanctification. As we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus, so are we made holy. This is wholly the work of God.

 

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m trying to say. I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t resist the desires of the flesh, nor am I saying that we shouldn’t strive to live according to the Word of God. We must do so with the grace and strength that God provides. And, as we continue to fail, we must live a life of ongoing repentance and faith.

 

When we fail, we’re to confess our sins to the Lord. We’re to recognize our sin for what it is, rejecting it and turning away from it. And we must ask God to forgive us and to strengthen us, that we might live according to his will.

 

As we look to him, he will work in our life. As we trust in him, he will transform our heart. And as we believe in him, he will make us holy.