Colossians 2 teaches that in Jesus Christ, the fullness of God's divine nature dwells bodily, and that Christians should not let themselves become captive to human tradition, worldly philosophies or powers, as true freedom and spiritual maturity are only found in Christ. The chapter also deals with the issue of legalism and asceticism, warning against adding or removing from the gospel of Christ, and encouraging believers to stand firm in their faith. It ends with exhortations to the Colossian Christians to live in Christ, having died to worldly living and been raised to new life through faith.