Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:1-10
Basic Principles
Intro.
1. The Periodic Table lists the 118 known chemical elements that compose the physical world (Material universe, 2 Pet. 3:10, 12).
2. God’s word identifies the basic elements of the world (system of evil that opposes God) and the basic elements (first principles) of Christ. [Rudimentary]
3. Must be grounded in elements of truth to follow Jesus, Col. 2:5-6.
4. Consider the basic elements of the world and the first principles of Christ.
I. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE WORLD, Col. 2:8. [SIN]
A. The Elements Are Not According to Christ, Col. 2:8.
-Against Christ and enslave our souls to serve sin, Gal. 4:3.
B. The Rudimentary Elements of the World Include:
1. Unbelief (its darkness, ignorance, and death), Eph. 4:17-19.
2. Traditions, commands, and doctrines of men, Col. 2:8, 20-23.
3. Carnal lusts and their works, 1 John 2:15-17; Gal. 5:19-21.
4. The will of men instead of God, 1 Pet. 4:2-3.
C. The Elements of the World Enslave People in the Guilt and Death of Sin, Rom. 3:9-19; 6:16-18, 21, 23.
II. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST (GOSPEL), Heb. 5:12-6:1.
-(First principles: Milk…unskilled…babe…foundational).
A. First Principles are a Starting Point for Our Faith, not the End, Heb. 5:12.
1. Foundation for growth, Heb. 6:1. Elementary (arche): “a commencement, beginning, corner, (at the, the) first” (G746).
2. Putting away past sins prepares the heart to receive and grow in truth, 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:1-2 (repentance is foundational to spiritual growth).
3. Grow by putting away sin and doing the word, James 1:21-25.
B. First Principles Help Christians Become Skilled in Using the Word of God, Heb. 5:13-14.
1. By learning and using (walking in) truth, 5:14; 2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 5:8-10.
2. Add to your faith, 2 Pet. 1:5-7.
C. We Must Build on First Principles, Not Forget Them, Heb. 6:1.
1. “Leaving” (6:1) is the idea of advancing to something higher; do not linger, but go onward to higher attainments – Lest by lingering on the fundamentals we recede and fall away through neglect, 6:3, 4-6, 11-12.
2. Never tire of and always remember the truth, 2 Pet. 1:12-15.
3. Spiritual growth is not “seeking some new thing.”
4. Spiritual growth is being trained by the word of Christ and following it to mature into the image of Christ in everything, Luke 6:40.
Conclusion
1. The basic principles of the world destroy lives as they lead to eternal destruction. We must repent of them all.
2. The first principles of Christ lay a foundation of faith upon which we can continue to build and mature as we “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted June 8, 2021