20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:20-23)
Today we consider the third distraction to our faith pursuit of Jesus Christ: Isolating Asceticism.
In Colossians 2:23 the Apostle Paul highlights "neglect of the body." In so doing, he is getting us to see the third distraction for the believer having intimate and personal fellowship with Jesus Christ.
Asceticism is the practice of self-denial and separation from sin as a means of attaining spiritual maturity. Note Paul's questioning in v.21: "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle." When we cease understanding that Christianity is about knowing the Lord for ourselves, we begin to make it about the non-essentials, like what we touch, taste and give ourselves to.
Notice that this section is predicated upon the fact that the believer in Christ has "died with Christ." Viewing oneself accordingly prevents us from thinking that God is pleased by our negative approach to life, even though these pursuits are good.
Biblical Christianity views everything as sacred! We live in a fallen world wherein that which is sacred has been subjected to sin and death, thus making it less than it truly is.
Due to the above mentioned approach to life, many Christians believe that separation from sin is the means to spiritual maturity. Many say, "if I can get far enough away from sin, then I will be more of a christian and more acceptable to God." This is immature thinking. In fact, Jesus said, "be in the world but not of it." Exposure to sinfulness is not the issue, especially if we are evaluating all things through the lens of scripture.
Many believe that which enters a man is that which defiles him. Jesus said, "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."
Asceticism is not biblical, because we can not get away from sin. In fact, sin still resides within, and the most diabolical danger in our lives is the sinful desires that are still within us. There are times that we, thinking we are doing the right thing, are doing the wrong thing. The attitude of arrogance has been known to nullify many supposed expressions of righteousness.
The danger is trying to elude sin, and in so doing, we miss the Lord Himself. We all know Christians who are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly use to the Lord in other people's lives. What we need to do is to return to Jesus. As we walk with Him, He equips us to confront sin and not be defined by it.
