In our walk of faith, it's easy to get caught up in external expectations and human-made rules. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Colossians, strongly warns against this. He says, “Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day.” These practices, common in their time, were often seen as marks of true spirituality. But Paul clarifies their true nature: they are merely “a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.” Think about that for a moment. Shadows aren't the real thing; they only point to it. The real substance, the real body, is Christ Himself.
Here in Kampala, we sometimes face similar pressures. Perhaps it's a belief that a certain type of fasting, beyond genuine spiritual discipline, is absolutely necessary to 'force' God's hand in a situation. Or maybe it's the idea that purchasing a 'holy' item, blessed by a particular preacher, will guarantee a miracle. These practices, while often well-intentioned, can inadvertently shift our focus away from the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. If we rely on such things for our spiritual standing or breakthroughs, aren't we treating them as the 'substance' rather than pointing to the One who is the substance?
Paul goes on to say, “Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” This speaks to those who might impress with elaborate spiritual claims, visions, or a show of false humility that isn't rooted in genuine devotion. It’s a warning against seeking spiritual experiences for their own sake, or believing that a deeper knowledge comes from things we ‘haven’t seen’ rather than from God’s revealed truth. Such approaches, driven by a ‘fleshly mind,’ can puff us up with pride, making us think we’ve attained something special when we’re actually being led astray.
The core of Paul’s message is found in the phrase, “not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.” Jesus Christ is the Head. He is the source of all true life, nourishment, and spiritual growth. Any practice, belief, or experience that pulls us away from His central, all-sufficient role is a distraction. Our growth doesn't come from human regulations or speculative mystical practices, but from our unwavering connection to Him. He has already secured our prize through His work on the cross; our role is to hold fast to Him.