abstinence

In Collose, Paul is being opposed by Jews how were attempting to demonstrate holines through strict adherence to the law. These people measured their place in God's favor by doing works and by abstaining from certain things of the flesh. Paul in response to this questions these people by asking, "if you with Christ died to the elemental spirits of thwe world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to its regulations -"do not handle, do not taste, to not touch"... What is Paul saying here? Is he saying we have no need to abstain from the indulgence of the flesh because we are dead to it? (This would seem like a Gnostic argument.) No, what he is saying is that Holiness is not meausred in the law but rather in the heart. If we read the early part of the chapter (vs. 8-15) we can clearly see that verse 20 and 21 are a mere echo of what is formerly stated: Holiness and salvation is found in Christ and in the heart, not the flesh.