August 26, 2002
CHRIST SUFFERED FOR US. He offered His physical being as the perfect sacrifice for us. The Just One for all the unjust, The righteous for the unrighteous. His reason being that we might be brought into fellowship with God. His flesh was crucified but He was quickened by the Spirit unto life everlasting. Thus setting an example for those who would follow Him and in particular for we who live in the end of the age and have a desire to be in the Bride of Christ. 1 Pet. 3:18 The church has been called to crucify their flesh that they might live in the power of the Spirit of the Lord. The person who has put to death the flesh, and all its corruption, will live joyfully and powerfully in the glory of the Spirit. The moving and operation of the Spirit is hindered and frequently tainted by the flesh or the carnal nature of man. It is time to recognize the call of the Spirit for the church to come to a place of separation between the flesh and the Spirit. Those who will die to the < old man > will find full and absolute victory over the powers of sin and carnality that are so rampant in the church. The dead man has ceased from sin and iniquity. Heb. 4:10
THE EVIDENCE OF THE FULLNESS OF THAT NEW LIFE. We will NO LONGER spend the remaining days of our life here on earth living after the flesh and the worldly lusts that control the unspiritual man. We are exhorted, now that we have been born of the Spirit to live after the Spirit. That does sound reasonable, does it not? The full will of the Lord must become the purpose of our life. 1 Pet. 4:2 There is a process found through out the Word of the Lord that indicates the spiritual status of an individual. For instance, the newborn desire the pure spiritual milk of the word. There are certain elements of the old life that they will lay aside that they might achieve spiritual growth. Many times they are more earnest in their pursuit of spiritual things than those who have < been in the way > for a longer period of time. A desire for the word indicates spiritual birth. 1 Pet. 2:2 The length of time a person has been saved does not give evidence to their spiritual measure or state of being in the Lord. Some, never go beyond the baby stage. Having no desire for anything but the lightness, the frivolity, the social standing of the church crowd. At a time when they should be teachers they still have need to be taught the < FIRST PRINCIPLES > or the elementary teachings of the word. Too often, the spiritual standards of such lean toward permissiveness and the flesh. Heb. 5:12-13 But, strong meat, the likes of which, those who have progressed beyond the baby stage, should be partaking of here and now, will create spiritual growth. It will give a comprehension of that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord. It will teach us in the way of righteousness and purity. It will cleanse and sanctify the whole man and bring the revelation of the Christ of God into the life of the believer. Heb. 5:14 Lord, please give us a hunger for the depths of your Word and teach us how to study it, constantly.