So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, 

or for not celebrating certain holy days 

or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 

For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. 

And Christ himself is that reality.

He canceled the record of the charges against us 
and took it away by nailing it to the cross.  
In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. 
He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

You were dead because of your sins 
and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. 
Then God made you alive with Christ, 
for he forgave all our sins.