In Colossians 2:15-17, Paul reminds believers that the rituals and laws related to food, festivals, and the Sabbath were simply a shadow of the things to come, with Christ as the true fulfillment. He emphasizes that focusing on these external rules can distract from the greater reality found in Jesus. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has accomplished what these practices pointed to, inviting believers to experience a deeper, more authentic spiritual life that is rooted in Him, not in religious regulations.