Chapter Three - Church Binds People to Clocks and Buildings

Reason Three:

CHURCH BINDS PEOPLE TO CLOCKS AND BUILDINGS

Is there anybody out there being criticized for not doing some religious and holy thing "for God?" Are you hearing it because you don't "go to church?" on the "Christian Sabbath" (What Christian sabbath? There is no such thing as the "Christian sabbath." The phrase does not exist in scripture). Do your pseudo-Christian friends think you're headed for their version of hell because you haven't joined their club? Then quote them this passage from the apostle Paul:

"You, who were spiritually dead because of your sins and your uncircumcision, God has now made to share in the very life of Christ. He has forgiven you all your sins: he has utterly wiped out the written evidence of broken commandments which always hung over our heads, and has completely annulled it by nailing it to the cross. In view of these tremendous facts, don't let anyone worry you by criticizing what you eat or drink, or what holy days you ought to observe, or bothering you over new moons or Sabbaths. All these things are no more than foreshadowings: the reality belongs to Christ."*

I just quoted Colossians 2:12-17 there. It's a tremendous passage, fraught with freedom. Don't let anyone worry you or criticize you for not observing certain days or performing certain rituals. These things were shadows meant only to point to Christ, to suggest Him before He came. They were hazy pictures that would prepare people for the clear reality. Christ is the clear reality. When the reality comes, it's immature to live in the shadows. Really, it's dumb. It's like talking to the shadow instead of the person casting the shadow.

Christ has arrived. He is alive and sparkling with stars and comets. So why perform old, shadowy rituals like Circumcision? Or baptism? Why be enslaved to sabbaths and other holy days when the Spinner of Planets occupies our midst and has unveiled new levels of grace?

*(Colossians 2:12-17 from JB Phillips)