Lynne Baab

Life in Christ brings freedom, parts 3 and 4

Lynne Baab • Thursday July 2 2026

Overall theme from January until mid-July: God’s law is love

Lesson 12: Life in Christ brings freedom, parts 3 and 4 (Colossians 2:6-23)

Key verse: As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. Colossians 2:6-7a.

Sinews and ligaments that connect us to the head

The relationship between inner faith and outer actions has been a topic of discussion and debate throughout Christian history. Paul here is addressing a particular component of the debate. He focuses primarily on the human tendency to criticize others based on what we see them doing, and in this passage, he is addressing the Colossians who are receiving criticism. The specific behaviors that are being criticized relate to lack of observance of the Jewish law, festivals, and traditions, as well as neglect of forms of strict bodily discipline and embrace of angels and visions. These have “an appearance of wisdom,” Paul admits, but these forms of “self-imposed piety . . . are of no value in checking self-indulgence” (Colossians 2:23).

Paul’s primary argument here is practical. The forms of piety that we generate ourselves — whether that involves pride at obeying rules, careful observance of traditions, or strict bodily discipline — simply don’t work as a way of helping us grow into the people God created us to be. Elsewhere in Galatians he explains why this is the case. God gave the law as a tutor, not as a source of life (Galatians 3:23-24). The tutor was put in place to set up limits both for protection and learning, but ultimately the law cannot justify. Here Paul notes that the law and other forms of strict self-discipline cannot make us better people.

Paul contrasts following Jewish tradition or Greek religious practices with “holding fast” to Jesus, who is the head of the body and “from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God” (Colossians 2:19). Growth and spiritual health come from connection to Jesus. In this practical argument, Paul seems to be saying, “People will give you all sorts of advice about how to live a spiritual life. People will criticize when you don’t follow their advice. Only one thing is necessary. Hold fast to Jesus.”

Many growth metaphors in the Bible rely on agricultural pictures of connection. In Psalm 1, the tree is planted by streams of water, and in John 15:1-11, the branches remain connected to the vine. Because of their connection, they bear fruit. Here in Colossians the growth metaphor relates to the physical body, where the ligaments and sinews support the body and keep it connected to the head, Jesus, who directs the growth and brings health. Paul charges the Colossians to focus on staying connected to the head rather than listening to critics. God invites us to hear those words, too.

What helps you cope with critical voices? Do you have different strategies depending on who says them or what words they say?

Stepping into the world

A human body grows for many reasons, including good food, clean water, sufficient movement, and because all the parts are connected to each other. According to Paul, spiritual growth happens when we are connected to the head of the body, Jesus. Christians throughout the ages have pondered how to nurture that connection.

Many Christians have looked to Psalm 1, where the person of faith is compared to a tree that bears fruit in its season. The identifying characteristic of this fruit-bearing person is joy in meditating on God’s truth. Many forms of Bible study and meditation, both communal and individual, have been essential in helping Christians stay connected to Jesus. Strong preaching has been a priority for two millennia. God’s word to us in the Bible is essential for drawing near to Jesus and living there.

Many Christians love the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Martha is concerned with many tasks, while Mary sits at Jesus’s feet. “There is need of only one thing,” Jesus tells Martha (v. 42). Sit with me, be with me, and listen to me, Jesus seems to be telling Martha, like Mary has chosen to do. Countless books, classes, seminars, videos, and blog posts help us try to figure out what it looks like in real life to do exactly that. Spiritual practices from journaling and prayer walks to Sabbath keeping and fasting help Christians embrace a pattern of life that centers on being with Jesus. We do all of those spiritual practices with a spirit of connection and relationship, not with a desire to prove anything to ourselves, others, or God.

We stay connected to Jesus by embracing his values. We see Jesus touch a leper (Mark 1:40-45), and we wonder who God might be calling us to reach out to. We hear him talk at length with a Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42), and we wonder if God wants us to talk to someone across social and ethnic boundaries. We listen to Jesus tell his parable about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and we recognize that Jesus values helping relationships with unexpected people. The head of the body, Jesus, grows the sinews and ligaments in his church so that we can serve as he wants us to serve.

When people try to force us into a box that feels like it violates the values of Jesus, who we love, we can tell them “no” or refuse to listen. We stay connected to Jesus because we love him, not because we need to earn his love or gain the approval of others.

What helps you stay connected to Jesus, the One who already loves you? What helps you rest in God’s love?

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Next week: Liberty not license. Illustration by Dave Baab: The tree in Psalm 1.

This is the third to last post in a series that began in January. Some earlier posts:

• Jesus eats with a Pharisee (the first post in the series)
• The Sabbath, the law, and love
• Keeping the law inwardly

This lesson appeared in the Fall 2023 edition of The Present Word adult Bible study curriculum published by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Used with permission.

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Lynne M. Baab, Ph.D., is an author and adjunct professor. She has written numerous books, Bible study guides, and articles for magazines and journals. Lynne is passionate about prayer and other ways to draw near to God, and her writing conveys encouragement for readers to be their authentic selves before God. She encourages experimentation and lightness in Christian spiritual practices. Read more »

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