From Death to Life: Living in the Freedom of Christ (Colossians 2:13–23)
From Death to Life – Living in the Freedom of Christ
Colossians 2:13–23
As we head into a new week and move toward the Advent season, Colossians 2:13–23 invites us to slow down and remember what Christ has already done for us. In this rich passage, Paul shows how the gospel moves us from spiritual death to life and calls us to live in the freedom only Jesus can give.
This Sunday at Priceville Baptist Church, we will walk through this text together in a message titled “From Death to Life – Living in the Freedom of Christ.” You are invited to come, open God’s Word with us, and discover how this truth can reshape everyday life.
The gospel’s power: from death to life
Paul begins by reminding believers that apart from Christ, we were spiritually dead in our sins and unable to fix ourselves. Yet in His grace, God stepped in, forgiving our sins, canceling the record of debt that stood against us, and triumphing over the powers of darkness through the cross. Passages like Ephesians 2:1–5 and Romans 8:1 echo this hope, showing that those who are in Christ are no longer under condemnation but are made alive with Him.
The cross is not only about wiping the slate clean; it is about victory. Colossians 2:15 tells us that Christ disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, putting them to open shame. In other words, the enemy has been defeated, and believers are no longer under his control or accusation.
- The gospel moves you from death to life.
- Your guilt and shame have been nailed to the cross.
- You can walk in victory because Christ has already won the battle.
Live in the freedom of forgiveness. If you are in Christ, you do not have to carry what Jesus has already carried for you. Preach this truth to your heart: “God made you alive with Christ.”
Freedom from legalism and false spirituality
After celebrating the power of the cross, Paul turns to a sober warning: do not let anyone judge you or disqualify you because of man-made religious standards. Some in Colossae were insisting on rules about food, drink, festivals, and mystical experiences as if these were the real markers of spirituality. Paul says these things are shadows; the substance is Christ Himself. Galatians 5:1 and Hebrews 10:1 reinforce this truth, reminding believers that Christ came to set us free from the yoke of legalism.
Legalism and mysticism can be subtle because they often grow out of things that look “spiritual” on the surface. The danger comes when our focus shifts from Christ’s finished work to our own performance, preferences, or experiences. When that happens, joy fades, assurance weakens, and pride or despair takes root.
- True spirituality is Christ-centered, not rule-centered.
- Religious pride and false humility can pull your eyes away from Jesus.
- Holding fast to Christ, the Head, keeps your faith anchored and alive.
Refuse to let anyone define your relationship with God by external measures or man-made systems. Cling to Christ as your Head, and let your confidence rest in who He is and what He has done, not in what you check off a list.
Dead to the world’s rules
In the final verses of Colossians 2, Paul presses the question: if you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why do you still live as if you belong to them? He exposes the emptiness of systems that say, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch,” and reminds us that such rules may look wise but lack any power to change the heart. Jesus makes the same point in Matthew 15:9, and Titus 1:14 warns against chasing human commands that distract from the truth.
Self-made religion can be impressive from the outside, but it cannot free a guilty conscience or transform a sinful heart. Real change comes from union with Christ—being connected to Him by faith, indwelt by His Spirit, and shaped from the inside out. That is where true holiness grows.
- Christianity is not behavior management; it is new life in Christ.
- External rules cannot produce inward transformation.
- Union with Jesus is the source of real holiness and lasting change.
Reject a version of faith that is all form and no power. Evaluate where you may be trusting in routines or rules instead of relying on Christ. Ask the Lord to grow a heart-level obedience that flows from love for Him, not pressure to perform.
A call to live in Christ’s freedom
Colossians 2:13–23 gives believers a clear call to live out what Christ has already accomplished. Because of Jesus, you are no longer dead in sin, enslaved to guilt, or bound by human regulations. You are alive in Him, forgiven, and free.
Here are four simple responses to this passage:
- Rejoice in your forgiveness. Thank God that in Christ, your sins are fully forgiven and your record of debt is canceled.
- Reject judgment and disqualification. Do not let others set the standard of your spirituality by anything other than Christ and His Word.
- Rest in Christ, not rules. Let your daily confidence come from His grace, not from how perfectly you think you are performing.
- Reflect on your union with Christ. Remember that you have died with Him and been raised with Him; let that reality shape how you think, choose, and live.
Join us this Sunday
If these truths stir something in your heart, consider this your personal invitation. This Sunday morning at Priceville Baptist Church, we will open Colossians 2:13–23 together and unpack “From Death to Life – Living in the Freedom of Christ” in greater depth.
Whether you are exploring faith, returning to church, or looking to grow deeper in Christ, you are welcome. Come discover the freedom of the gospel, the victory of the cross, and the joy of living in daily union with Jesus as we prepare our hearts for the Advent season.
