Elementary Principles of the World
From an email friend:
Way back in the early 90’s, you came to Baton Rouge and ministered for a week at Lanier Baptist Church. It completely changed the direction and purpose of my life. I found peace for the first time. We haven’t crossed paths again so I never got to thank you. Thanks!
You’re welcome. I remember that conference, and a conversation I had with the liberal pastor of the biggest “church” in town. He wasn’t interested in attending my conference, because he was satisfied using Transactional Analysis, which will not completely change the direction and purpose of anyone’s life. Even at the time that secular theory was passé. All the analysis in the world doesn’t set anyone free. I wonder what pastors and counselors like him think when they come to Paul’s parenthetical insertion (verse 8) in Col. 2:6-10:
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. [See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.] For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.
The whole Christian life is based on who we are “in Him.” That is the basis for the eight-book “Victory Series” curriculum that I just finished. The first four books: God’s Story For You; Your New Identity; Your foundation in Christ; and Renewing Your Mind, are scheduled to be released September 9. The final four will be released February 24, 2015. Bethany House is also releasing Setting Your Church Free September 30, and Setting Your Marriage Free October 14. Remember, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free” (Gal. 5:1).
Dr. Neil
For Spanish, see http://www.ficmm.org/blog
