Last Updated on : November 23, 2014 | |||
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Mortify The Deeds Of The Body
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"They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, "If ye live after the flesh ye shall die, but if ye through the Spirit Paul makes it very clear in these words that there are two ways of living, two kinds of character and disposition -- the natural and the spiritual; and further, that one leads to death and one to life. One way takes no effort, no knowledge, no ability. It is just acting naturally, pleasing ourselves, doing what we want to do, following nature. Because men's interests and capacities and backgrounds differ, the way of the flesh takes a wide range of courses, some, in fact, very good and commendable from a natural point of view. But all come under the general heading of the will of the flesh, and all end in eternal death at last. The other way is to realize, from the Word of God, that the whole range of the way of the flesh, from worst to best, leads only to death, and to thankfully accept the life-giving way of the Spirit. This way involves setting the whole life to the task of learning and applying the instructions God has given, and constantly seeking His help in absorbing and fulfilling them -- constantly examining ourselves: our hearts, our motives, our desires. The greatest enemy to our salvation is taking it for granted, being satisfied with ourselves, seeing nothing wrong. Baptism, and membership in a Christadelphian ecclesia, is no passport to final acceptance. They are just the barest beginning. We are warned that the way of life is narrow and hard and mortifying to the flesh, but that in the infinite mercy of God it is within the reach of all who give their whole lives and energies to obtaining it. |
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