Imagine stepping onto the gridiron, the roar of the crowd echoing in your ears, the weight of the helmet on your head, and the determination in your heart to push through every play and sprint toward the end zone. In football, true grit isn’t about flashy moves or self-imposed training rituals. It’s about the inner strength that comes from teamwork, coaching, and a relentless pursuit of victory. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, when we speak of holiness, we mean that spirituality flows from Christ alone, empowering us to live holy lives without the burden of empty rules or rituals. This is true grit holiness.
Keith Drury, a mentor of mine, described holiness as Christlikeness! Let’s look at Colossians 2:16-23 to see how Paul guides us toward this Christ-centered holiness. The passage says: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’ (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”
Paul begins by challenging us to reject judgment based on shadows and embrace the substance of Christ. In Colossians 2:16–17, he warns against false teachers who imposed Jewish ceremonial laws as measures of spirituality. These “shadows” pointed forward to Christ but were never meant to be the goal. This critiques any form of legalism that prioritizes outward appearances over inward transformation by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that holiness is a heart issue empowered by God’s grace. Consider a football team fixated on pre-game rituals like wearing lucky socks or eating specific meals, believing they guarantee victory. Now compare this to a team filled with true grit that comes from the coach’s strategy and team unity, not superstitions. Christ’s substance, His being our Savior and Lord, frees us from ritualistic judgments. Mike Ditka, former NFL coach, shares this insight: “Success isn’t measured by money or power or social rank. Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace.” Let me encourage all of us to identify and let go of any personal “shadow rituals,” like rigid routines without heart, that we’ve used as a spiritual crutch. Instead, focus each day on Christ’s substance through simple acts like reading Scripture, reminding yourself that holiness is about a relationship with Him, not rules. Perhaps share with a friend how embracing Christ over “shadows” has brought freedom into your life.
Paul continues by encouraging us to guard against being disqualified and to hold fast to Christ. In Colossians 2:18–19, he exposes mystical or ascetic teachings that inflate egos while dividing believers from Christ. “Let no one disqualify you” means not to be deceived or robbed by accepting wrong ideas about Christian living. These false teachers boasted of secret knowledge, but all they had was spiritual pride. Even angels cannot bring us to God; salvation is only in Christ, who surpasses all heavenly powers. Christ is the Head; only by staying connected to Him can we be nourished and united through love. Our unity with Christ allows us to grow spiritually, both personally and as a church. Tony Dungy shares his experience during the 2006 Indianapolis Colts season, where, after personal tragedies and team setbacks, he relied on faith and unity instead of self-imposed pressures, leading to a Super Bowl victory. His perseverance demonstrated grit rooted in divine guidance and living in the right community. Don’t be misled by false teachings; stay rooted in Christ and live in genuine community with fellow believers. Dungy admits: “I don’t have the strength or wisdom to get through a single day without guidance and grace from God.” Reflect on areas in your life where over-spiritualization disconnects you from community or Christ. Commit to engaging with your church family to stay “knit together,” and begin each day with a prayer of dependence on God’s guidance, not your own plans or efforts.
Paul concludes by urging us to reject worldly rules and pursue holiness without relying on self-made religion. In Colossians 2:20–23, those who have died with Christ are freed from sin and are not bound to follow false teachers’ regulations like “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch.” These focus only on outward self-denial and originate from people, not God. Following them fosters self-pride and is unhelpful in stopping fleshly indulgence. Without a heart change, we can follow rules but still disobey God. The Bible highlights sanctification as victory over sin through Christ’s power inside us, not harsh physical discipline. Consider a coaching staff enforcing arbitrary rules, such as “no water during practice,” to build “toughness,” which only exhausts players without developing actual endurance. Genuine grit comes from proper training and rest under wise leadership, just as Christ’s grace enables holiness beyond mere self-denial. Reject worldly rules and pursue holiness in Christ. Dungy shares how Christ has impacted him: “People look at me and see a calm, cool guy on the sidelines, and I want them to know that my Christian faith affects my coaching and everything I do.” Reflect on self-made rules in your spiritual life and replace them with practices centered on Christ. Embrace your “death with Christ” by confessing worldly indulgences and seeking the Holy Spirit’s power for real transformation. Ask yourself: Is this rule helping me love God and others more, or just creating self-imposed severity?
Let me encourage us to examine areas where we’ve relied on rituals, rules, or self-effort for holiness. Let’s reconnect with Christ through prayer, Scripture, and Christian community. Surrender daily to the Holy Spirit. Picture a seasoned quarterback, battered and bruised in the fourth quarter of a championship game. He inspires his team not through harsh self-discipline or empty pep talks but by drawing on the wisdom of his coach and the bond with his teammates. With one final, grit-filled drive, they secure the victory. Our spiritual journey, rooted in true grit holiness (Christlikeness), culminates in Christ’s victory, empowering us to finish strong, free from man-made burdens, and set ablaze by His grace. Remember: True grit holiness isn’t about grinding through rules on life’s field; it’s about drawing strength from Christ, our ultimate Victor. Release the shadows, hold tightly to Christ, and run the race with the perseverance He provides. May we believers be empowered to live holy, not by our might nor by our power, but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!