Colossians 2-3

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (2:8). Paul reminded the believers that Jesus had completely forgiven them, nailing their sins to the cross, and he had completely disarmed the powers that tried to dominate them (2:13-14). They no longer had to bow to the world’s ways. They did not have to embrace selfishness, arrogance, and cruelty (3:5-8), nor did they have to make themselves holy through strict rules (2:20-23).

Instead, Christ gives us his own holiness and helps us change from the inside out: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (3:12).