Amen, Kat. The scriptures you shared are a good match with Anthony's and Romans 14.
"...is it okay to observe any of those things?" I'm assuming you mean the things mentioned in Colossions. It's interesting that the chapter you referenced starts with the two most important 'observances' of the day...circumcision and baptism. It's here that Ray gets scripture for his emphasis on 'circumcision without hands and baptism without water.' Spiritual law recognizes both these observances as shadows and 'prophecies' of their true meaning.
With circumcision, it is very clear from scripture that Gentile believers were no longer required to be circumcised in order to be accepted in the Faith. In truth, they never were, but it took a while for that truth to sink in and to be recorded in inspired scripture. Clearly, with this observance, it was "very different from person to person" in practice.
These days...if a Jew were to come to Christ fully, he would have to know that circumcision is not required...but the deed was done when he was 8 days old and can't be undone. The rest of us can come to Christ without ever being circumcised in the flesh. BOTH have to be circumcised in Spirit, however, to come to a full knowledge of Christ and have His Spirit in them. And women were never subject to circumcision and THEY can come too. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision in the flesh makes one Holy or not Holy. Only circumcision in the spirit is of any value whatsoever.
Now suppose a man wanted to 'cover all the bases' and observe the physical ritual even with an understanding of the Spiritual. It's possible for a man of any age to be circumcised...I suppose it's even possible for a man to be 're-circumcised' (OUCH). You ask, ""...is it okay to observe any of those things?" It's the word 'okay' that is hanging me up. It's not a sin to observe, but why would a man want to?
I can think of a few reasons why he MIGHT want to. There are surely others.
1. His faith is weak. He 'understands' but he just can't quite believe that Christ is sufficient.
"...is it okay to observe any of those things?" It's okay, but such a shame. His sin is lack of faith, not observing or not observing
2. His conscience is weak. Maybe he feels he deserves to make this sacrifice considering how low and base he is.
"...is it okay to observe any of those things?" It is better for him to observe than to not observe, just as it is better for a man to marry than to burn.
3. His Doctrine is wrong. He's been convinced that this rite is necessary, or more Holy, or whatever and he knows no better.
"...is it okay to observe any of those things?" For him, it would be a sin NOT to observe, because he believes in his heart this way.
But what if his reason is: I will be circumcised to prove my superiority over these sorry/sinful/inferior 'other' gentiles? Is it okay then?
Do any of those sound like they would come from a man who is mature in the Spiritual Law?
I don't believe we 'have it'. I believe we are in the process of 'getting it' more and more and more. Very different from person to person.
Paul started the 'chapter' with the MOST important observances of the day. He goes on in the verses you reference to mentioning other things 'in this light'. ...Matters of food and drink or with respect to a festival, a new moon, or a Sabbath day. Was any of this more important than circumcision or baptism?
"Therefore, let no one judge you in matters of food and drink or with respect to a festival, a new moon, or a Sabbath day." These are all shadows too.
I'll admit to a complete ignorance of how these 'festivals and new moons' are made important in some churches, though I'm more familiar with 'sabbaths' and food and drink. The only possible positive value I can see in any of these observances, beyond being the shadow of things to come they were desigend to be, is to maintain a 'community'. Does that sound familiar?
But if "He (who is puffed up and boasts of his spirituality) does not hold on to the head, from whom the whole body, which is nourished and held together by its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that comes from God." then why remain in that community?
And there's another picture of the body of Christ...different members, different offices, different gifts, same head--Christ. "Very different from person to person.", in my opinion.
All I want to add is the reminder that the New Covenant is NOT according to the Old. It's superior, and different by that definition alone, as well as in other ways. That's good news for some of you coming out of these legalistic churches, I'm guessing. For me too.
"So what would be the ultimate commandment--- To each their own and let noone judge you? It cant be that broad in my honest opinion there must be a fine line drawn by/made by Jesus."
Dude, this one was easy!!
Matthew 22: 37 Jesus said to him, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." 38 This is the greatest and most important commandment. 39 The second is like it: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."
And then He launched into parables...and we all know what THAT means.