If Christ is in us through the Holy Spirit, we no longer live according to that old-time religion. We no longer see outward works as a path to righteousness, enlightenment, or some kind of nirvana. “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch… are matters which have… the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value…” (Colossians 2:21-23). Our obligation is not to the flesh, but we are obligated to now deny the kind of fleshly religion—which is opposed to true godliness.

Our obligation is now to Christ, explicitly to put to death the deeds of the body (self-made religion, prohibitionism) and take our minds off the mere deeds of the flesh. Instead, we live as adopted sons of God the Father and co-heirs with God the Son. We live by God the Spirit, who testifies with our spirits that we are children of God. This does not remove moral considerations from the life of the Christian. It does, however, change our ethic. Instead of living prohibitive lives in self-made religion, we live proactive lives. Our religion is not restrictive but ready to consider others as more important than self in honor and priority—focussed outwardly rather than inwardly. This leads to humility rather than pride in our works. It puts judgmentalism and unjust discrimination to death. It is the death of the old self and old time religion.

We are free.

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