"In The Flesh" is not always "In The Flesh." We are required to be Spiritual beings while we live in the physical Flesh. God expects and enable us to become spiritual beings through the New Birth. Though we are in the physical Flesh, we should live in the Spirit. Those who are in the Spirit do not focus on the carnal, temporal, sinful world; though in the body, they are not in the flesh
MESSAGE...
MESSAGE...
The word, FLESH is used primarily in two ways in the N.T.
FIRST, the word FLESH is used in reference to the physical flesh.
While the physical flesh has been weakened and affected by sin, physical FLESH is not sin.
Adam was created with a FLESHLY body, therefore a physical body is not a sinful body.
Likewise, Jesus became human FLESH in the INCARNATION.
When our bodies are raised from the dead, they will be raised physically, that is, we will be raised as FLESH AND BONE creatures.
Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Co. 15:50).
Flesh and Blood is a phrase used in reference to a human being.
Flesh and blood is the physical condition of a person who has not yet died physically.
The Bible says the life of the flesh is in the blood. Our life depends on our blood.
Leviticus 17:11
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood...
The passage goes on to tell us that atonement is made through the sacrifice of blood.
Leviticus 17:11
11 ...and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.
When Christ came into the world, He was a FLESH AND BLOOD man and He was The Lamb Of God That Takes Away The Sin Of The World (Jn. 1:29, 26).
As a human being, blood flowed through His veins.
Through the shedding of His blood atonement was made for the sins of the world (Ro. 5:6-18).
Hebrews 9:22
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was not raised, FLESH AND BLOOD, since His blood had been shed for the remission of sins; He was raised, FLESH AND BONE.
Luke 24:36-40
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Jesus was raised physically from the dead.
His body was raised.
Though He had spilled His blood, He was raised FLESH and bone.
In this sense of the word, FLESH is not the same as sinful.
SECOND, the word FLESH is used in reference to the inherited sinful nature (old man, carnal mind, evil heart of unbelief, root of bitterness).
Adam was created with a human nature (the nature to be human), which includes Body (our “other” consciousness through seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting), Soul (our “self consciousness” (through reason, emotion, desire, conscience and will) and Spirit (our “God” consciousness).
Adam was not created with a sinful nature (the nature to be sinful).
However, when Adam exercised his free will in disobedience, sin affected his human nature and he allowed an different nature, the sinful nature (the nature to sin) to enter his own heart. This attitude, sinful nature, has been passed on to all of Adam's descendents. This sinful nature (also called, “the Flesh”) focuses on, and loves the things that are temporal and godless. Those who live according to the Fleshly appetites are not in a right relationship with God.
No one is IN THE SPIRIT unless and until they are BORN OF THE SPIRIT.
At our birth, we were not born OF THE SPIRIT, we were born in the FLESH, the physical flesh, with an inward inclination for the things of the flesh (sin). This is why we must be BORN AGAIN. Jesus told us that we must have a spiritual rebirth.
John 3:3-6
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Being BORN AGAIN (born of the Spirit, having a new birth) is essential to a spiritual relationship with God.
Being BORN AGAIN is not physical re-birth, however, it is a new start, a new beginning.
In order to enter the kingdom of God, we must be born of water and the Spirit.
Being born of water refers to our physical birth.
Before we are born, we are carried in a sack of water, which breaks at the time of our birth. Being born of water is a reference to our physical, or natural birth.
Jesus linked being Born Again, that is our second birth, with the regeneration of our spirit, whereas He linked the idea of being Born of Water with our first birth, the birth of our physical body (the Flesh).
Born of water and of the Spirit.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
First birth is physical birth in the flesh and water; Second birth is spiritual, by the Spirit.
Being born of the Spirit is not all that is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must also walk in the Spirit.
Remember, God is Spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:23-24
23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Those who are in the Spirit (follow the Spirit, are focused on the Spirit, draw their life from and spend their life in the Spirit) do not live in the FLESH, and they are not condemned.
Being born of the Spirit is the beginning of spiritual life, but God expects us to walk in the Spirit.
God expects us to live in a vital relationship with Him.
Romans 8:1-9
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his
FIRST, the word FLESH is used in reference to the physical flesh.
While the physical flesh has been weakened and affected by sin, physical FLESH is not sin.
Adam was created with a FLESHLY body, therefore a physical body is not a sinful body.
Likewise, Jesus became human FLESH in the INCARNATION.
When our bodies are raised from the dead, they will be raised physically, that is, we will be raised as FLESH AND BONE creatures.
Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Co. 15:50).
Flesh and Blood is a phrase used in reference to a human being.
Flesh and blood is the physical condition of a person who has not yet died physically.
The Bible says the life of the flesh is in the blood. Our life depends on our blood.
Leviticus 17:11
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood...
The passage goes on to tell us that atonement is made through the sacrifice of blood.
Leviticus 17:11
11 ...and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.
When Christ came into the world, He was a FLESH AND BLOOD man and He was The Lamb Of God That Takes Away The Sin Of The World (Jn. 1:29, 26).
As a human being, blood flowed through His veins.
Through the shedding of His blood atonement was made for the sins of the world (Ro. 5:6-18).
Hebrews 9:22
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was not raised, FLESH AND BLOOD, since His blood had been shed for the remission of sins; He was raised, FLESH AND BONE.
Luke 24:36-40
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Jesus was raised physically from the dead.
His body was raised.
Though He had spilled His blood, He was raised FLESH and bone.
In this sense of the word, FLESH is not the same as sinful.
SECOND, the word FLESH is used in reference to the inherited sinful nature (old man, carnal mind, evil heart of unbelief, root of bitterness).
Adam was created with a human nature (the nature to be human), which includes Body (our “other” consciousness through seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting), Soul (our “self consciousness” (through reason, emotion, desire, conscience and will) and Spirit (our “God” consciousness).
Adam was not created with a sinful nature (the nature to be sinful).
However, when Adam exercised his free will in disobedience, sin affected his human nature and he allowed an different nature, the sinful nature (the nature to sin) to enter his own heart. This attitude, sinful nature, has been passed on to all of Adam's descendents. This sinful nature (also called, “the Flesh”) focuses on, and loves the things that are temporal and godless. Those who live according to the Fleshly appetites are not in a right relationship with God.
No one is IN THE SPIRIT unless and until they are BORN OF THE SPIRIT.
At our birth, we were not born OF THE SPIRIT, we were born in the FLESH, the physical flesh, with an inward inclination for the things of the flesh (sin). This is why we must be BORN AGAIN. Jesus told us that we must have a spiritual rebirth.
John 3:3-6
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Being BORN AGAIN (born of the Spirit, having a new birth) is essential to a spiritual relationship with God.
Being BORN AGAIN is not physical re-birth, however, it is a new start, a new beginning.
In order to enter the kingdom of God, we must be born of water and the Spirit.
Being born of water refers to our physical birth.
Before we are born, we are carried in a sack of water, which breaks at the time of our birth. Being born of water is a reference to our physical, or natural birth.
Jesus linked being Born Again, that is our second birth, with the regeneration of our spirit, whereas He linked the idea of being Born of Water with our first birth, the birth of our physical body (the Flesh).
Born of water and of the Spirit.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
First birth is physical birth in the flesh and water; Second birth is spiritual, by the Spirit.
Being born of the Spirit is not all that is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must also walk in the Spirit.
Remember, God is Spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:23-24
23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Those who are in the Spirit (follow the Spirit, are focused on the Spirit, draw their life from and spend their life in the Spirit) do not live in the FLESH, and they are not condemned.
Being born of the Spirit is the beginning of spiritual life, but God expects us to walk in the Spirit.
God expects us to live in a vital relationship with Him.
Romans 8:1-9
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his
