We are in union with Christ’s death, resurrection, and life (Romans 6:3-5). Paul is telling you here that in Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world. You are now set free from the sinful world in which you live as a Christian. You are dead to the world and alive to Christ. Paul’s question is, “Why do you still live as though you are in the World?” There are those who will teach things that sound spiritual and good, yet they are a self-made religion that pushes you to asceticism (severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons) and sever actions and attitudes towards your physical body. These have no value in stopping sin. To do that, we must continue to look outside of ourselves (our work, our efforts, and our suffering) and look to Christ.
