"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Gal. 2:20
Gal. 2:20
Paul was teaching us a basic truth to our profession of faith in Jesus: That we are no longer the person running the boat, so to speak.
When we follow Jesus, we are reborn spiritually. But, we still have a life to be lived that is attached to our flesh. Each day, our flesh will yearn to follow it's natural paths to the fulfillment of fleshly lusts. We are told:
When we follow Jesus, we are reborn spiritually. But, we still have a life to be lived that is attached to our flesh. Each day, our flesh will yearn to follow it's natural paths to the fulfillment of fleshly lusts. We are told:
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
Matt. 16:24
Matt. 16:24
What is so important about denying ourselves, that Jesus would make such a specific point of it to those that would follow Him?
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
Matt. 16:25
Matt. 16:25
The very next verse clears that up. This isn't just a statement for those that are killed for their beliefs, as some might say. No, this is a statement to all Christians. We must some how overcome the flesh that will fight for control of ourselves, against the leadership that would come from our newborn spirit and it's desire to obey God's directions.
This is done by taking up our own cross.
If we follow the steps that Jesus took, we are reminded that:
This is done by taking up our own cross.
If we follow the steps that Jesus took, we are reminded that:
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:"
Gal. 3:13
Gal. 3:13
When we put our flesh on the cross daily, we are cursing it...putting it to death.
With the flesh so put to death, our spirit is free from the war that would normally take place between the two. As Paul remarked:
With the flesh so put to death, our spirit is free from the war that would normally take place between the two. As Paul remarked:
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
Gal. 5:24
Gal. 5:24
Notice that he doesn't say "should have" or "might have", but he says just plain ole "have" when referring to crucifying the flesh. It was understood by Paul that repentance from sin also included a turning away from the natural desires of the flesh. The two go hand and hand.
Now, this doesn't mean that we won't commit sins of the flesh. However, it does show us that when those sins occur, they will always be traceable back to a point where the flesh should have been crucified, but wasn't. Sins of the flesh can't occur where the flesh is dead.
So, let me encourge you to start each day by prayerfully asking God to send your flesh to the cross--to lose your life (as you would desire to live it if your flesh was in charge) so that you might gain it (since, when you give up your flesh-based life to Christ, He will provide you with an all-new life in the world to come.)
Now, this doesn't mean that we won't commit sins of the flesh. However, it does show us that when those sins occur, they will always be traceable back to a point where the flesh should have been crucified, but wasn't. Sins of the flesh can't occur where the flesh is dead.
So, let me encourge you to start each day by prayerfully asking God to send your flesh to the cross--to lose your life (as you would desire to live it if your flesh was in charge) so that you might gain it (since, when you give up your flesh-based life to Christ, He will provide you with an all-new life in the world to come.)
"[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
Gal. 5:16
Gal. 5:16
Grace and Peace....
