Colossians 2:20-23 – “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations —  21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using — according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”  NKJV

Paul begins this passage with two important words “therefore” and “if”.  If we are to grasp and receive the full benefit of the promises of God and the life that He has come to bring both these words must be reconciled in conjunction with the words of this text.

Therefore – If you truly died with Christ.  If you truly died from the basic principles of the world, Why is that important?   Why do you continue living as though you were subject to the regulations of the world?  Why do you continue to subject and subordinate your faith to the regulations of this world?  Why do you allow ‘self-imposed’ religion to mandate what you can eat, wear, think or do?  Why become ensnared with that which the enemy of our soul advances whether through unbelievers in some governmental regulations or unsuspecting church officials?  Why continue in things that have no value in helping you to war against the indulgence of the flesh?  WHY?

The Big IF is the key.  If we have truly died in Christ and risen to newness of life through the applied blood of Jesus, by grace through faith that life is not our life.  Why allow things that are temporary and passing control your life?  You are a citizen of a new kingdom and your genealogy has changed from whatever you were to Christian!  You are now an heir of God and a joint heir with the Lord Jesus Christ.  You are now a Kingdom of Priest.  You are now a Royal Priesthood.  You are now a New Generation.  You have passed from death to life so why allow death to have supremacy over life?

IF – If we are who we claim to be through our profession of faith then Christ is “in us” and if He is “in us” He will live His life Through Us and manifest Himself in our thoughts, words, and deeds.  Therefore, it is imperative that we turn or focus from those things that are earthly to Him who is at the Right Hand of the Father and declare our members now dead to the things that destroy and alive to the eternal things of God.  We put off the garment of flesh and put on the garment of faith.

IF – If we are born-again believers it is time that we live like what we declare we are and allow the manifestation of Christ through the Holy Spirit to make us epistles known and read among me.  It is time to demonstrate, Christ in us the hope of glory!  It is time to walk out into the Abundant Life that Jesus came, lived, died, rose, and ascended for.

God bless you as you Become that which He declares you to be!  Blessings!