“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths,
which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
— Colossians 2:16–17

There was a time in my life when legalism had a tight grip on my heart.
As someone who is naturally performance-driven, it was all too easy to measure my worth—and my closeness to God—by what I did or didn’t do.

I remember hearing a sermon on this very passage from Colossians.
But instead of pointing to freedom, the speaker insisted that the “real meaning” was this: those who were truly walking closely with God would choose stricter practices—observing festivals, avoiding certain foods—and that no one should judge them for it.

It sounds spiritual.
But it’s not the gospel.

Legalism: The Cycle That Never Ends

Legalism is a subtle and suffocating kind of bondage.
It wraps itself in spiritual language and makes you believe that more rules equal more righteousness. That more effort equals more holiness.

But it’s a never-ending cycle.
Especially for those of us who are naturally wired to strive and achieve, legalism becomes an exhausting checklist of what we must do to earn God’s favor.

And here’s the truth: Jesus already did it all.

Christ Is the Substance

Paul wrote to the Colossians to remind them that the Old Testament rules and rituals—the food laws, the festivals, the Sabbath observances—were shadows pointing to something greater.

The substance is Christ.
And once the fullness has come, we no longer live in the shadow.

This doesn’t mean there’s no value in spiritual disciplines or traditions.
But it does mean that they are not the measuring stick of salvation or maturity.

We Must Guard Against “Moralizing Our Preferences”

As a counselor, I’ve seen this over and over again: we are tempted to moralize our preferences.

We say things like:

• “Truly spiritual people only read the KJV.”

• “If you’re really mature in the faith, you’ll follow the Old Testament dietary laws.”

• “Worship should only sound one way—and if it doesn’t, it’s not reverent.”

But Paul is clear: these are not the things that define us as believers.
The Christian life is not built around food, drink, or worship style.
It’s built around a mindset—a heart set on Christ.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
— Colossians 3:2

When our minds and hearts are centered on Jesus, we begin to see things from His perspective.
We live and serve out of love—not legalism.
We offer grace—not judgment.
We prioritize presence—not performance.

What Unity in the Body Truly Looks Like

Within the family of God, there is diversity in practice.
And that’s okay.

As long as a believer is not violating Scripture or teaching heresy, we are called to embrace, not exclude.

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism…” (Ephesians 4:5)

We are made one by Christ—not by what’s on our plates, what translation we read, or which holidays we observe.

A Final Thought

If you’ve been caught in the trap of legalism—believing that more rules make you more holy—let this be your reminder:

Christ is the substance.
The work is finished.
You are free.

Live in that freedom.
Let your heart be anchored in love, not law.
And extend that same grace to others.

“Let no one judge you… for the substance is of Christ.”
— Colossians 2:16–17