Introduction: A number of years ago, on a Sunday after church, we took a group of children to a recreational state park for a sack lunch and fun. Having a pond close by where we were going was on the radar for some, with fishing in mind. So, after enjoying a sandwich and sharing a devotional message, some in the church group set out to do some fishing. Although there was not an enormous catch, most had a good time.
Later, after arriving home, the phone rang. On the other end of the line was a dear Christian lady that flat out asked this question: “Preacher, did you take some children fishing on Sunday? How dare you!” While explaining her dissatisfied feelings about our church taking a group fishing on Sunday — even after attending both Sunday school and church — she expressed her convictions on the matter based on growing up unable to do anything on Sunday. Her parents were very strict.
Sympathetically, while understanding her position, it seemed best to apologize. After all, the blessings from the Lord were more important than a defense or being right at the time. It had become a stumbling block to her. She also just happened to be a good teacher and a dear friend. This passage of Scripture reminds us of such a similar situation in the early church. Read on.
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.”
1. What is meant here by JUDGING? (Col. 2:16) – “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.”
That is, impose his own laws upon you; i.e., Jewish dietary laws. See Rom. 14 & 15 — holyday (feast), or of the new moon, or of the sabbath.
The word “judge” is κρίνω, which is pronounced kree-no. It can be translated to mean condemn, avenge, decree, determine, esteem, go to (sue at the) law, to call in question, sentence to.
2. How were these early Christians in Colossae condemning each other? (Col. 2:16) – “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:”
Obviously, in this context of the early church, with both Jews and Gentiles integrating into the body of Christ, the word “judge” means condemning. Apparently, there were some Jewish Christians that were imposing their customs and laws — i.e., dietary, festivals, and other Jewish practices — on the Gentiles. To refute this position, Paul clarified the flaw with this standard of thinking.
Does this same “judging” happen today? When? How? Where?
Do you remember the “kosher” Jewish laws? What about dietary laws such as eating no pork? These unclean animals were listed in the book of Leviticus as non-kosher. In other words, they were forbidden to eat them. Some groups today still adhere to these laws, like SDA.
The new moon or festivals — (7) Passover, etc. Sabbath days — Saturday. Have you ever talked with an SDA (Seventh-day Adventist)? How did you respond?
3. Where do we “judge” others? (Col. 2:16; Matt. 7:1–5; 1 Cor. 11:31) – Remember Jesus talked about “judging” in the Sermon on the Mount. First, He said get rid of the big 2×4 out of our eye before we try to get the speck of dust out of our brother’s eye (paraphrasing). Honestly, it’s easier for us to see other people’s faults than see our own. Time for a checkup.
Conclusion: Here are two extremes. Can our liberties or convictions become a stumbling block to others? Think about how you feel about certain personal Christian liberties such as worship, dress, etc. And then think about certain personal convictions we all develop that we impose on other Christians.
Bottom line: Either we are stepping stones or stumbling blocks.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
