The Real Reality

Scripture – Colossians 2:16-19: ¹⁶Therefore 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. ¹⁷These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. ¹⁹He has 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.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) It is easy to get caught up in externals. I guess everyone carries around some idea of what a Christian should look like. Baptists especially have been good at judging the depths of a person’s spiritual life by any number of artificial measures. It’s a new day. And the new technology around us affects all areas of life. It’s not up to me to judge various churches because they look and sound different than mine.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I’ll be careful about doing that. When I think less of another church, it’s usually my pride at work. I will remember, “the reality…is found in Christ.” As long as He is being proclaimed, that will be enough.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, help me see the planks in my own eye and remove them first. Sometimes I can’t see as clearly as I think. Please be patient with me as I keep re-learning the same lessons.