Paul urges believers to remain fully grounded in Christ. They accepted him by faith. They should continue to live in him by faith. He also warns his readers to not be misled by hollow philosophies based on human tradition and not based in Christ. The fullness of God dwells in Christ, and through him, we as believers share in his fullness. Through Christ, we have been transformed, which Paul likens to a circumcision of the heart, and symbolized by baptism, where believers die to sin and are raised to new and eternal life. Through Christ, all our sins have been forgiven, and all the powers and authorities have been disarmed.

Paul then warns believers not to let others judge them based on religious rituals, dietary laws, or observance of festivals and Sabbaths, which he calls mere shadows of the reality found in Christ. He cautions against false humility and angel worship, which lack true spiritual value. These man-made rules may seem impressive, but they cannot restrain sinful desires or bring genuine transformation. Paul emphasizes that since believers have died with Christ to worldly principles, they are no longer bound by such external regulations. True freedom and spiritual growth come from holding fast to Christ
Application: Father, in Christ is everything we need.
One Word: In Christ is the fullness