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Christian
Education Pre-K-12
Richmond Academy
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Flesh or Spirit?
Rom 8:1-9 – (Mathew Henry) “Believers may be chastened of the
Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ
through faith, they are thus secured. What is the principle of their walk; the
flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which
of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The un-renewed will is
unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward duties,
requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of his
Son in the flesh, that the believer's person might be pardoned and justified.
Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice, and the way of salvation opened
for the sinner. By the Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart, and
though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God,
it is fulfilled in us; there is that in all true believers, which answers the
intention of the law. The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns
of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit
do mind. Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure? Which way go our
plans and contrivances? Are we most wise for the world, or for our souls?”
We could all probably write our own views about how applying the scriptures to
our lives has caused us to find them to be true, but have we yet gained a new
will?”
Luke 22:40-42 (KJV) “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that
ye enter not into temptation. (41) And he was withdrawn from them about a
stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, (42) Saying, Father, if thou be
willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
This degree of surrender is not to be taken lightly. Just because we have
surrendered to the Father’s will in a certain situation, that doesn’t mean we
always will. It takes more than just making up our minds to reach this degree of
surrender; otherwise, Jesus would not have told the disciples to pray that they
would not enter into temptation.
Jam 1:12-15 (KJV) “Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is
tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them
that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for
God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man
is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when
lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death.”
Not only does surrender of our will require prayer, but it also demands a
lifestyle of walking after the things of the Spirit while at the same time
refusing the demands of the flesh. If there be any controversy or failure to
distinguish between what is flesh or spirit, we will let the word of God be the
judge.
Gal 5:16-25 (KJV) “[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not
fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so
that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit,
ye are not under the law. (19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which
are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
(21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I
tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the
Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
-Kurt Thurston
May Newsletter 2007 |
Press On with Obedient Faith |
Restoration part 1 of 2
Pastor's Journal May 2007 |
Flesh or Spirit
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Biblical
Counseling for Leaders
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