Fullness of Life in Christ

6 Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding [fn]in it with thanksgiving.

8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men and the elements of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For all the fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not done by hands, by putting off the body [fn]of the sins of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ. 12 Having been buried with him in baptism, you have also been raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And [fn]although you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Christ. He forgave [fn]us all our trespasses 14 by blotting out the certificate of debt that stood against us with its legal demands; he took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 He stripped the rulers and authorities of their power and made a public display of them, leading a triumphal procession over them by the cross.

16 Therefore let no one judge you in regard to food [fn]or drink, or in the matter of a feast, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance is Christ. 18 Let no one who delights in false humility and angelic religion disqualify you. Such a person takes his stand on things he has [fn]not seen, being puffed up without reason by the mind of his flesh, 19 while not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supported and knit together by its joints and tendons, grows with a growth that is from God.

20 [fn]If you have died with Christ to the elements of the world, why, as though you were living in the world, do you submit to regulations such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch”? 22 Such regulations are based on the commandments and doctrines of men, and apply to things that will all decay with use. 23 Although these regulations have a semblance of wisdom in self-imposed piety, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are of no value in restraining fleshly indulgence.