14. We owed a debt because we broke God’s laws. That debt listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us that debt. He took away that debt and nailed it to the cross.
15. God defeated the spiritual rulers and powers. With the cross God won the victory and defeated them. He showed the world that they were powerless.
16. So do not let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about a religious feast, a New Moon Festival, or a Sabbath day.
17. In the past, these things were like a shadow of what was to come. But the new things that were coming are found in Christ.
18. Some enjoy acting as if they were humble and love to worship angels. They are always talking about the visions they have seen. Do not let them tell you that you are wrong. They are full of foolish pride because of their human way of thinking.
19. They do not keep themselves under the control of Christ, the head. The whole body depends on Christ. Because of him all the parts of the body care for each other and help each other. This strengthens the body and holds it together. And so the body grows in the way God wants.
20. You died with Christ and were made free from the worthless rules of the world. So why do you act as if you still belong to this world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these:
21. “Don’t handle this,” “Don’t taste that,” “Don’t touch that thing”?
22. These rules are talking about earthly things that are gone as soon as they are used. They are only human commands and teachings.
23. These rules seem to be wise. But they are only part of a human religion. They make people pretend not to be proud and make them punish their bodies. But they do not really control the evil desires of the sinful self.