Print article:
The spirit of the flesh, of the world versus the character traits belonging to the spirit of God, the holy spirit.
"What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us" -1. Corinthians 2:12
We do not work to overcome the physical flesh, but the spirit of the flesh, which must be rooted out gradually by the spirit of God in the sanctification process. By grace through faith. This has to do with our character, our hearts and minds.
That being said. Our earthen vessel, the physical flesh, is still being referred to as darkness. See 2 Cor 4. We need to be filled in our inward man, our hearts and minds, our character with the spirit of God and the character traits that stem from this spirit. This will gradually take the place of the spirit of the flesh, of the world and its character traits. This is how we are formed by the word, by Christ. This will be the light (in our hearts) that shines in darkness (earthen vessel). "The kingdom of God is within". Luke 17 KJV. (I also acknowledge a literal heaven of course).
Some examples of the different qualities of the spirit of the flesh, such as pride in the self and the flesh, prejudice based on external factors. We must surrender these "demonic" (worldly) qualities by receiving the qualities offered to us by the law and Spirit of God. Pride in the outer is replaced by humility and seeking God first and becoming more and more concerned with the moral law, the inner and deeper values. We must surrender these "demonic" (wordly and fleshly) traits, by receiving the traits that are offered us from the spirit of God. Prejudices in the outer characteristics (See Gal 3:26-29) is exchanged with tolerance where we look past these puter barriers, and we are united by faith in Christ and His law, rather. Partiality (see Jacob 2:1 and 8-11) is exchanged with impartiality. Unforgiveness with forgiveness (because we believe in transformation of the heart for every sinner who accept Christ and His law, His word and spirit). Same goes for many such traits. But notice that God and hence also we, are to look pass these outer barriers, but we should be very concerned about the inner qualities, faith. because true unity can only be achieved by being united in one faith, under one Lord: Jesus Christ.
"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Galatians 3:26-29
"There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism," Ephesians 4:5
Here we must receive it by grace through faith, and then start to practice these new traits we accept, because we love Him and His law as opposed to the law of the flesh, of the world. In his way, sin will gradually be purified (exorcised) in the divine school of Christ. (the path of the righteous). This is to learn to walk with God and walk by the spirit.
"Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the *sanctification* without which no one will see the Lord." -Hebrews 12:14.
The law, character and spirit are interconnected. God's kingdom involve all.
The new covenant is not about the law and spirit of the flesh, but of faith, of the law and spirit of God. This mature law represent more the inner qualities. Heart and mind. See Romans 2:28-29 and Galatians chapter 3.
However, there is still value with regards to the outer, the more shallow, the physical, the literal, the apparant. We are to take care of our bodies, eat healthy, get fresh air, exercise, sleep well and so on. But it is of a secondary value, compared to the inward work.
"continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.…" Philippians 2:12-13
Satan, or man in the natural, representing the law and spirit of the world, of the flesh, is lord only over the outer, the physical, literal, the earthly. Hence a minor god. Representing the created rather than the creator.
While God/Christ, representing the law and spirit of God, is lord over both the outer (physical) and the inner (spiritual). See Matthew 10:28. Hence He is a major, greater God. The creator himself.
Sidenote: "Soul" can be used to mean both outer or inner, depending on the context. It is a word used as "man" is used. For instance, inner soul or inner man, vs outer soul or outer man.
But Christ is also represented by His law. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments". (John 14:15). As a natural consequence of loving Him, we would want to keep His law, His commandment.
Christ did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the law. See Matthew 5:17.
The law of God is built upon His character, which is Divine love. The ten commandments can be summed up in 1. Love for God (first 4). 2. Love for your neighbor (last 6). Every character trait I mentioned that stem from the law and spirit of God, stem from the overall principle of "Divine love". Impartiality with regards to outer factors stem from the overall principle of "divine love". See James 2:1, 8-11.
God is love. His character, His law and spirit is Divine love. So that which is Jesus Christ, is also the law, the teachings He represent. This represent His kingdom, and His heavenly throne.
A man is just a vessel which can be filled with either the law and spirit of this world, or the law and spirit of God. Most are filled with a mix of both. Refer to it is different degrees of gray (mix of black and white). In a sense this represent Babylon. Our goal is to be filled more and more with the "white" (see illustration), representing the holy law and spirit of God. Christ represent a human filled perfectly with the holy law and spirit of God.
The problem is not a law, but the wrong version of the law. Say a limited version. The old law under the old covenant, is after the death of Christ, in the category of a fallen law and covenant. We do not want to walk according to the old covenant and law, but the new covenant and law. His law written on our minds and hearts, by grace through faith in Christ (His law, His spirit, His word and teachings, His kingdom).
"Hebrews 8:10: "This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
The word and law is kind of the same. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" John 1:1
A being is represented more by His inner values and principles, his character, than outer characteristics, like a name or label. See Galatians 3:26-29. This represent the mature law and the new covenant, which better represent what God values higher. His law is built on His character. The word is a revelation of Christ: His law and character. His kingdom.
"The kingdom of God is WITHIN". Luke 17:21
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or. the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.". Matthew 5:17
The physical, outer body/temple is still of a secondary value compared to the inner temple. The inner man/temple, filled with the holy spirit is more like the holy of holies, which was the innermost chamber of the sanctuary. The ten commandments was placed inside the Ark of the covenant, in the most holy place. The new, mature covenant, where Christ is the high priest, is about having the law of God written on our hearts and minds, by grace through faith. The earthen, human vessel is referred to as darkness, while the inner character is referred to as light. Christ's treasure was his inner soul or heavenly temple, much more than the outward, which is the earthly.
"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
"Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:" 1. John 4:2
We are to take up our cross and follow in the footsteps of our Lord. We have to wear a crown of thorns in this life. Crucifying and denying the law and spirit of self, of the world, which is the law and spirit of death, in order to receive the crown of life in the next.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2
In this way, if we advance, the perishable will clothe itself with the imperishable.
"... and the mortal with immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:53
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8: 1–2: " The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you" - Romans 8:6-9
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." 1 Corinthians 2:12
Judging based on outer characteristics, which is by definition prejudices, do not belong in the new, mature law and coveant. See Galatians 3:26-29 and Romans 2:28-29. It represent the old law and covenant; the shadows, the age of shadows, if you will. The Bible reveal light gradually, and go from darkness to light.
Limited Love of this world versus Divine Love.
Love as we are familiar with do not have ingredients like "impartiality". Nor does this limited type presented in the world involve forgiveness for all trespasses if repentance happens. Nor is it enduring during tribulations. Nor does it obey God first and foremost, but often focus on humankind and observable creation only. Same goes for many characteristics of this divine type of love. The Bible reveal the law of God. That is, it reveal the love of God. It has changed somewhat from the old to the new testament. There is an apparant difference from the old to the new pact. That being said, salvation is reached only through the blood of Christ (justification) and sanctification also for ancient Israel.
Christ demonstrated the law of God, His version of love (Divine love). It is of course not only by reading, but both reading while simultaneously taking the path of righteousness that involve life experiences, testing and trials. This is both our relationship to Christ, our education to prepare us for the society of heaven, and a transformation and purification process FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW (From the old, immature, earthly law, covenant, temple/kingdom, man. To the New, mature, heavenly law, covenant, temple/kingdom, man). It involve studying and meditating upon the word, prayer, practice and witnessing. We must not only read, but also receive the word. The word is a revelation of Christ. He showed us the way and demonstrated His law. So our understanding of the word, and His law, and of Christ will go from immaturity to maturity. We will not receive that which we are not ready for. We must walk the walk. That is how we reach a fuller understanding and become wiser in the wisdom of God.
"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5.14 The old, immature law and covevant also represent the legalist mindset. This is to think we obey the law of God perfectly by simply knowing the law and avoid sinning WITHOUT taking the path of holiness. and being equipped with the spirit of God to works of righteousness. The path where we are tested, tried and educated and purified from sin in the higher school of Christ. We must partake in the sufferings of Christ in order to really learn to hate sin. It is only by hating sin and love God who is contrary to the law of the flesh, that we will really learn to walk by the spirit of God. In this way we will have the law of God inscribed on our hearts, and not just intellectually in our minds. This represent the new law, covenant and kingdom/order. We must have the word and law of God written, not only intellectually, but also spiritually. In this way we will start to act according to the law of God by the new spirit, by being baptized not only by water, but also by fire and blood. The more devoted we become to God and Christ, the more we will start to act according to His spirit. The holy spirit of God and of Christ. “If you love me, you keep my commandments,” John 14:15. Entire series: "The Old vs. New Law, Covenant and Order"
Comments