Post by randy on Aug 24, 2021 18:18:22 GMT
Col 2.16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day... 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
What are the elemental spiritual forces of this world? I believe they are angelic and human choices that take place autonomously, ie apart from the Spirit of God. Instead of walking in God's word, the spirits of this world follow their own minds, and do not consult the mind of God. These "forces of the world" are in opposition to Christ, who is to be our sole arbiter of what is right in our choices. We must always conform our attitudes to Christ's Spirit, to ensure that we act in the right spirit.
Note that when Jews came into Christianity after being under the Law of Moses, they sometimes tried to draw along with them their Jewish traditions. And I'm not saying that is always wrong. But establishing tradition as a cover for independent judgment, in opposition to Christ's Spirit, is a return to the "elemental forces of this world."
To try to observe Sabbath, to get circumcised, or to observe any tradition of the Law, as if it it critical to, or a replacement of, walking in Christ, is a threat to returning to the forces of this world, or self-autonomy. Making rules for ourselves is as bad as "doing our own thing." Adopting traditions for rules, in place of consulting Christ, is replacing Christ with rules to govern our behavior as we wish.
What are the elemental spiritual forces of this world? I believe they are angelic and human choices that take place autonomously, ie apart from the Spirit of God. Instead of walking in God's word, the spirits of this world follow their own minds, and do not consult the mind of God. These "forces of the world" are in opposition to Christ, who is to be our sole arbiter of what is right in our choices. We must always conform our attitudes to Christ's Spirit, to ensure that we act in the right spirit.
Note that when Jews came into Christianity after being under the Law of Moses, they sometimes tried to draw along with them their Jewish traditions. And I'm not saying that is always wrong. But establishing tradition as a cover for independent judgment, in opposition to Christ's Spirit, is a return to the "elemental forces of this world."
To try to observe Sabbath, to get circumcised, or to observe any tradition of the Law, as if it it critical to, or a replacement of, walking in Christ, is a threat to returning to the forces of this world, or self-autonomy. Making rules for ourselves is as bad as "doing our own thing." Adopting traditions for rules, in place of consulting Christ, is replacing Christ with rules to govern our behavior as we wish.