Shadows & Substance

February 5, 2026 — Krystal Craven
A rustic wooden table with light cast upon it from a window. On the table is a bible, a loaf of bread, and a glass cup filled with a reddish liquid, all casting a shadow upon the table. Overlaying the image are the words "Shadows & Substance".

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ… If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:16-17, 20-23)

Christ has called us to freedom—so why live under the weight of legalism? Paul warns that there will be those who judge us for not keeping their man-made rules or interpretations of the Law. But the Law was only a shadow, and chasing shadows when we have the substance—Christ Himself—is a tragic waste.

Romans 10:4 says Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes. He fulfilled it. Now His Spirit lives in us, writing God’s law on our hearts. We’re no longer bound by the Law, but we willingly walk in its moral truth as we follow our Savior in freedom.

Paul reminds us we have died to the world and are alive in Christ—so why submit again to its regulations? Galatians 5:1 is clear: we’ve been set free, so don’t take on the yoke of slavery again. Legalistic rules may look wise and offer an enticing image of “Christianity”, but verse 23 tells us they are nothing more than self-made religion—powerless to actually stop the indulgence of the flesh.

Only God can keep us from stumbling and present us blameless (Jude 1:24–25). When we try to add our own works to secure righteousness, we’re feeding pride and rejecting the simplicity of grace. Jesus already paid our debt with His very life. The only truly correct response to God’s grace is to receive it fully, walk in His freedom, and abide in Him—the only place where true victory over the flesh is found.

A rustic wooden table with light cast upon it from a window. On the table is a bible, a loaf of bread, and a glass cup filled with a reddish liquid, all casting a shadow upon the table. Overlaying the image are the words "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ… If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? (Colossians 2:16-17, 20-22)".