If you have died to elemental principles of this world why as if living in the world do you submit to decree?1
This word for decree is dogmatizó, which means I subject to regulations, it is from dogma which means a decree, edict, or ordinance; specifically of the rules and requirements of the law of Moses. There are elemental principles that Christ has set us free from. These principles are a shadow of things to come, but I am not to subject to such things. Paul writes that if I do, I sever myself from Christ, I fall from Grace.3 Oh but I live in this body where sin dwells in my members, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.4
There is a law of God that sets us free from sin. It is not a law that states do not sin but one that states if you follow this law you will not sin. This is an important distinction as those who get caught up in a legalistic attempt to overcome sin or to be righteous will never succeed, these decrees do not give us any power to overcome sin. Like the Pharisees of Jesus's time, who looked righteous externally and whose hearts were far from God, many today learn to be good religious people, in the flesh. This law of the Spirit is the only thing that sets us free from sin and it doesn't rely on external measures, while they are of little benefit.
Principles of do not handle, taste, do not touch... we are not to submit to, they are of little value to overcome fleshly desires. In Christ we have died to these elemental principles of the world. This word for principle is stoicheion, it is derived from stoicheó which means I walk by, and is derived from stoixos, "a row, line, or rank", properly it means to walk by a line. It is a first principle of the world, of the heavens, it implies order. It refers to those principles deemed elemental to the world but also it refers to teachings of the old covenant. In the new, righteousness before God has been found a part from the law, in Jesus Christ.5
There is a redemptive possession, were God takes ownership, acquired or purchased by Jesus. This word for possession , peripoíēsis, derived from peri which means all around, on every side, all about and poieó to make, act, cause; all around make; obtaining, possessing, possession.This was the purpose of Jesus, only he was able to walk fully by Godly principles on this earth.7 He obtained such righteousness and laid down his life for a redemption for all. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper, so we too can walk in the law of the spirit, to heavenly principles. These principles are from above, not of this earth, but of heavenly things of God. We are to diligently seek these things as if they are of earthly value; of gold and silver.
Christ was raised up to the heavens, at the right hand of God, so that he might make a footstool of the enemies of God. If we are in Christ we are to seek the heavenly things, things that are from above, where he now sits to judge the world. We are to set our mind on the things from above,8 Indeed you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.9 He makes known or illuminates this life to us, and if we have this life we will make it known in his honor.10 This word for honor is doxa, which is derived from dokeō, "exercising personal opinion which determines value." Surely we make known, we honor him, we manifest his glory when our personal opinions (dokéō which is what seems to be, our thinking, judgement) reflects that we value him. Our elemental principles should reflect his inherent, intrinsic worth.
The law of the spirit sets us free from sin.3 We must have God's spirit within us, we must be born again, not of flesh, but of the spirit. This is the defining principle of a believer. When we believe we are sealed with his spirit, not only does this give us access to the power to overcome sin but it is a guarantee of our inheritance as sons.4 in which we cry Abba, Father! We have received Christ Jesus. I am to make as dead (nekroó, corpse-like, lifeless) my members (melos, a part belonging to the whole), to offer it as a living sacrifice, to not let it reign, because my life is something that has been brought from death to life.11 I am no longer a slave to sin, it is no longer my master, that I have died to and given it to Christ. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.12
This is the heavenly principle that if I love him I will obey his instructions. Because I love my heavenly Father, I will want to be like him. Sin still exists within my members, this doesn't define whether Christ is in me but if I am in Christ I am abiding in him. If I am growing my roots deep in his love, like a tree planted by water, I will bear fruit of the spirit in due season. There is a season. The heavenly principle of love I have made my own, I have laid on a firm foundation, where Jesus is the cornerstone. Through Jesus I can overcome sin, I do not let sin reign in my body, I subject my body as a living sacrifice and I am transformed by the renewing of my mind, my habits are renewed. I must keep my eyes on Jesus, He is the end of things, he is the way I can walk this line, this straight narrow path.
A heavenly law says that the state of my mind determines whether I walk in the flesh or walk in the spirit. This is not just positive thinking but focusing on heavenly principles. Anything not of faith or agape love is not walking in the spirit. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Jesus spoke of heavenly principles of the Spirit, his words are spirit and truth, We can not have faith without renewing our minds in his word, his word perfects our faith. If Jesus is the Word of God and we love Jesus then we love reading his word. We have these enemies; flesh, Satan, and the world. We can not overcome these without his words abiding in us,14 We can not present our bodies a living sacrifice without his words of spirit and truth. If I am carnally minded I will be in the flesh, this is the law of sin which leads to death. If I am spiritually minded I will have life and peace, this is the law of the spirit. It is his love that motivates me to live for him, to die to self. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,15
Whether I am a believer or not is a heavenly matter. If there is one thing that one could point to, it would be that we are born again, sealed with his spirit, a relationship is renewed with him. We can judge by the fruit of the spirit, but we must be careful and remember fruit trees bear fruit in season. Sadly Jesus said many will come before him on judgment day and not know him, they will proclaim, didn't I tithe and didn't our church do many things in your name, but Jesus will say depart from me, I never knew you.16 We must be aggressive at proclaiming his heavenly principles so they are not deceived by elemental principles of this world. He gives us heavenly principles, fruit of the spirit, that says we are of him. Do you delight in his laws in your inner being, do you hear his still small voice, does he teach you, discipline you? I love him because he first loved me, I will love others, the least of these, because I know him.
Freedom comes in Christ, In freedom, Christ has set us free, stand firm therefore and do not again tangle yourselves in the yoke of slavery.16 We are no longer slaves but sons, joint heirs with Christ. The heir is no longer a slave but a son, but a child is like a slave, under managers and tutors. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.17 But when the time came, God sent forth his son born of the flesh, born under the Law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.18 Like orphaned children, we need the redemptive love of family. So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Sin no longer defines us, And here is the distinction as a son, as a believer, a son of God. At that time not knowing God you were enslaved (douleuó, properly, to serve as a slave, having all personal ownership-rights assigned to the owner) to nature (phusis, properly, inner nature, the underlying constitution or make-up of someone). This is the freedom, you are a son of God, now you have a new nature, God sent forth his spirit in us, crying Abba Father!
The principle of giving, it is often quoted as God loves a cheerful giver, but it is correctly translated as, those who love God give cheerfully.17 Even in heaven we will continue to know of his love. John writes of a river of living water and trees of life, there will be a continual abiding in Him. There is no depth, height, or width to his love, this is an amazing thing, as even in eternity we will continually be knowing of his love. Like a tree planted by water His spirit produces fruit in due season. Jesus said you will know them by their fruits.17 Imagine a tree, good fruit does not grow from bad trees, grapes do not come from thorn bushes, those trees which do not bear fruit will be thrown in the fire. Now imagine a good tree that bears good fruit, those branches that do not bear fruit will be cut off. We tend to judge by the branches being pruned, not that the tree bears good fruit. Is the fruit of a new covenant believer following the law? surely not. Those who know Jesus do his will, follow his commandments, this is a daily abiding in him, a daily obedience to the spirit. His sheep hear his voice and follow him.
This word for decree is dogmatizó, which means I subject to regulations, it is from dogma which means a decree, edict, or ordinance; specifically of the rules and requirements of the law of Moses. There are elemental principles that Christ has set us free from. These principles are a shadow of things to come, but I am not to subject to such things. Paul writes that if I do, I sever myself from Christ, I fall from Grace.3 Oh but I live in this body where sin dwells in my members, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.4
There is a law of God that sets us free from sin. It is not a law that states do not sin but one that states if you follow this law you will not sin. This is an important distinction as those who get caught up in a legalistic attempt to overcome sin or to be righteous will never succeed, these decrees do not give us any power to overcome sin. Like the Pharisees of Jesus's time, who looked righteous externally and whose hearts were far from God, many today learn to be good religious people, in the flesh. This law of the Spirit is the only thing that sets us free from sin and it doesn't rely on external measures, while they are of little benefit.
Principles of do not handle, taste, do not touch... we are not to submit to, they are of little value to overcome fleshly desires. In Christ we have died to these elemental principles of the world. This word for principle is stoicheion, it is derived from stoicheó which means I walk by, and is derived from stoixos, "a row, line, or rank", properly it means to walk by a line. It is a first principle of the world, of the heavens, it implies order. It refers to those principles deemed elemental to the world but also it refers to teachings of the old covenant. In the new, righteousness before God has been found a part from the law, in Jesus Christ.5
There is a redemptive possession, were God takes ownership, acquired or purchased by Jesus. This word for possession , peripoíēsis, derived from peri which means all around, on every side, all about and poieó to make, act, cause; all around make; obtaining, possessing, possession.This was the purpose of Jesus, only he was able to walk fully by Godly principles on this earth.7 He obtained such righteousness and laid down his life for a redemption for all. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper, so we too can walk in the law of the spirit, to heavenly principles. These principles are from above, not of this earth, but of heavenly things of God. We are to diligently seek these things as if they are of earthly value; of gold and silver.
Christ was raised up to the heavens, at the right hand of God, so that he might make a footstool of the enemies of God. If we are in Christ we are to seek the heavenly things, things that are from above, where he now sits to judge the world. We are to set our mind on the things from above,8 Indeed you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.9 He makes known or illuminates this life to us, and if we have this life we will make it known in his honor.10 This word for honor is doxa, which is derived from dokeō, "exercising personal opinion which determines value." Surely we make known, we honor him, we manifest his glory when our personal opinions (dokéō which is what seems to be, our thinking, judgement) reflects that we value him. Our elemental principles should reflect his inherent, intrinsic worth.
The law of the spirit sets us free from sin.3 We must have God's spirit within us, we must be born again, not of flesh, but of the spirit. This is the defining principle of a believer. When we believe we are sealed with his spirit, not only does this give us access to the power to overcome sin but it is a guarantee of our inheritance as sons.4 in which we cry Abba, Father! We have received Christ Jesus. I am to make as dead (nekroó, corpse-like, lifeless) my members (melos, a part belonging to the whole), to offer it as a living sacrifice, to not let it reign, because my life is something that has been brought from death to life.11 I am no longer a slave to sin, it is no longer my master, that I have died to and given it to Christ. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.12
This is the heavenly principle that if I love him I will obey his instructions. Because I love my heavenly Father, I will want to be like him. Sin still exists within my members, this doesn't define whether Christ is in me but if I am in Christ I am abiding in him. If I am growing my roots deep in his love, like a tree planted by water, I will bear fruit of the spirit in due season. There is a season. The heavenly principle of love I have made my own, I have laid on a firm foundation, where Jesus is the cornerstone. Through Jesus I can overcome sin, I do not let sin reign in my body, I subject my body as a living sacrifice and I am transformed by the renewing of my mind, my habits are renewed. I must keep my eyes on Jesus, He is the end of things, he is the way I can walk this line, this straight narrow path.
A heavenly law says that the state of my mind determines whether I walk in the flesh or walk in the spirit. This is not just positive thinking but focusing on heavenly principles. Anything not of faith or agape love is not walking in the spirit. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Jesus spoke of heavenly principles of the Spirit, his words are spirit and truth, We can not have faith without renewing our minds in his word, his word perfects our faith. If Jesus is the Word of God and we love Jesus then we love reading his word. We have these enemies; flesh, Satan, and the world. We can not overcome these without his words abiding in us,14 We can not present our bodies a living sacrifice without his words of spirit and truth. If I am carnally minded I will be in the flesh, this is the law of sin which leads to death. If I am spiritually minded I will have life and peace, this is the law of the spirit. It is his love that motivates me to live for him, to die to self. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,15
Whether I am a believer or not is a heavenly matter. If there is one thing that one could point to, it would be that we are born again, sealed with his spirit, a relationship is renewed with him. We can judge by the fruit of the spirit, but we must be careful and remember fruit trees bear fruit in season. Sadly Jesus said many will come before him on judgment day and not know him, they will proclaim, didn't I tithe and didn't our church do many things in your name, but Jesus will say depart from me, I never knew you.16 We must be aggressive at proclaiming his heavenly principles so they are not deceived by elemental principles of this world. He gives us heavenly principles, fruit of the spirit, that says we are of him. Do you delight in his laws in your inner being, do you hear his still small voice, does he teach you, discipline you? I love him because he first loved me, I will love others, the least of these, because I know him.
Freedom comes in Christ, In freedom, Christ has set us free, stand firm therefore and do not again tangle yourselves in the yoke of slavery.16 We are no longer slaves but sons, joint heirs with Christ. The heir is no longer a slave but a son, but a child is like a slave, under managers and tutors. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.17 But when the time came, God sent forth his son born of the flesh, born under the Law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.18 Like orphaned children, we need the redemptive love of family. So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Sin no longer defines us, And here is the distinction as a son, as a believer, a son of God. At that time not knowing God you were enslaved (douleuó, properly, to serve as a slave, having all personal ownership-rights assigned to the owner) to nature (phusis, properly, inner nature, the underlying constitution or make-up of someone). This is the freedom, you are a son of God, now you have a new nature, God sent forth his spirit in us, crying Abba Father!
The principle of giving, it is often quoted as God loves a cheerful giver, but it is correctly translated as, those who love God give cheerfully.17 Even in heaven we will continue to know of his love. John writes of a river of living water and trees of life, there will be a continual abiding in Him. There is no depth, height, or width to his love, this is an amazing thing, as even in eternity we will continually be knowing of his love. Like a tree planted by water His spirit produces fruit in due season. Jesus said you will know them by their fruits.17 Imagine a tree, good fruit does not grow from bad trees, grapes do not come from thorn bushes, those trees which do not bear fruit will be thrown in the fire. Now imagine a good tree that bears good fruit, those branches that do not bear fruit will be cut off. We tend to judge by the branches being pruned, not that the tree bears good fruit. Is the fruit of a new covenant believer following the law? surely not. Those who know Jesus do his will, follow his commandments, this is a daily abiding in him, a daily obedience to the spirit. His sheep hear his voice and follow him.
Clearly our righteousness comes through Jesus Christ. We should work out our salvation in fear and trembling. The heavenly principle here is justification; through Grace by faith we have been Justified. a gift from God, not of ourselves. Jesus redeems us, pays the price, makes us righteous. Unrighteous ones, those who do not believe in Jesus, Jew or Gentile, will not inherit the kingdom of God.17 Heavenly righteousness is no longer defined by what we do or do not, a babe in Christ will know only that their sins are forgiven. He will be born again, there is a distinction now, they are no longer defined by sin. The law of sin still exists but the law of the spirit is present, in their inner being they delight in the laws of God. Their identity in Christ, assurance of salvation comes through growing their roots deep in his unconditional love, building a solid foundation in Christ.
Paul writes, the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.18 This word for unrighteous is ádikos (an adjective, derived from A "no" and díkē, "justice") – properly, without justice; unjust. We all have fallen short (I am lacking, fall short, suffer need) of the glory (honor, splendor, divine quality) of God, being justified (made right, divinely approved, cleared of charges) freely by his grace through the redemption (release effected by payment of ransom; redemption, deliverance) that is in Christ Jesus.19 Be not deceived (planáō – properly, go astray, get off-course; to deviate from the correct path, roaming into error, wandering). The righteousness of God is manifested to us, in Heaven there will be no unrighteousness; homosexuality, sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, effeminate. Those in Christ are new creations, no longer defined by sin, they have escaped God's wrath against unrighteousness, and they should not practise these things.
See what kind of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God... what we will be has not yet been manifested, but we shall be like him and everyone who hopes in him purifies themselves as he is pure.20 A babe in Christ can still struggle with habitual sin. but O wretched man is he, though he delights in God's laws in his inner being, the things he doesn't want to do he keeps doing and the things he wants to do he can not. Through Christ he can overcome, abiding in the word, presenting his body a living sacrifice, being transformed by the renewing of his mind, then he can accept God's perfect will. Here again is the swing of the pendulum back and forth and balance is needed. I need to create new habits but I can become a good religious person in the flesh and not walk in the spirit of faith and love. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.21
We must die to elemental principles of this world. We must walk a line that is orderly, so we must not let sin reign in our mortal bodies. If we try to fight sin only with elemental principles we will lose the battle. Bodily training is of brief benefit, and for godliness the whole benefit is the promise of having life of the present and to come.19 This promise that overcomes sin is the life in Christ, abiding in him, this is the straight line of walking in the spirit, of overcoming habitual sin in our members. A young person in Christ will be defined by abiding in the word of God and the battle that is waging, against the evil one, he will overcome. This abiding in Christ, in his word, the renewing of the mind, to have the mind of Christ, a mind set on things of the spirit, this will overcome the enemy, not carnal things, not elemental principles of the world.
See what kind of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God... what we will be has not yet been manifested, but we shall be like him and everyone who hopes in him purifies themselves as he is pure.20 A babe in Christ can still struggle with habitual sin. but O wretched man is he, though he delights in God's laws in his inner being, the things he doesn't want to do he keeps doing and the things he wants to do he can not. Through Christ he can overcome, abiding in the word, presenting his body a living sacrifice, being transformed by the renewing of his mind, then he can accept God's perfect will. Here again is the swing of the pendulum back and forth and balance is needed. I need to create new habits but I can become a good religious person in the flesh and not walk in the spirit of faith and love. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith.21
We must die to elemental principles of this world. We must walk a line that is orderly, so we must not let sin reign in our mortal bodies. If we try to fight sin only with elemental principles we will lose the battle. Bodily training is of brief benefit, and for godliness the whole benefit is the promise of having life of the present and to come.19 This promise that overcomes sin is the life in Christ, abiding in him, this is the straight line of walking in the spirit, of overcoming habitual sin in our members. A young person in Christ will be defined by abiding in the word of God and the battle that is waging, against the evil one, he will overcome. This abiding in Christ, in his word, the renewing of the mind, to have the mind of Christ, a mind set on things of the spirit, this will overcome the enemy, not carnal things, not elemental principles of the world.