Ensure you read Yesterday's Sunrise (PS. We will be posting tomorrow so stay tuned)
Yesterday we learned the first stage of the operation of Faith; the circumcision of the flesh by Christ. Remember that all the stages happen in an instant, we are however, slowing them down for teaching sake. We learned that the body of sin is cut away from the soul and that sin is cut away from the flesh. It is sanctified and made clean by the power of the Spirit. Moreover, I gave an abundance of scripture to prove that the flesh is holy for the sons of God. Nevertheless, the Lord has made me know to cover all bases.
In the church world, it is commonly believed that the flesh is sinful. Many believe that the sons of God carry a dual nature. The spirit being of God or having partaken in the divine nature, and the flesh a 'lower nature'. However, the bible tells us that the flesh of the sons of of God is of God, and belongs to God (1 Cor 6:19-20, 2 Cor 5:17-18). It is His temple. However, there are certain scriptures that are used to seemingly confirm that the flesh of the son of God is sinful, if we however, keep them in context we will see the truth. Let's deal with the entire chapter of Galatians 5.
GALATIANS 5
Galatians 5:16-17
16 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. ---
The scripture above seems to say that we must walk in the Spirit so that the lust that is in the flesh will not get the best of us. It continues to say that there is a war between the Spirit and the body, and it seems sometimes the body over powers the Holy Spirit, thus stopping us from always being able to perform righteousness. However, this is error!
To understand this scripture we must keep it in context.
Galatians 3:1&3
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
...
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? ---
The context of the entire book of Galatians is that false teachers had crept into the church teaching the law. Quite a large number of the membership was leaving the principles Paul taught to perform the works of the law. However, the law was given to a natural people (fleshy); on the other hand, the laws of Christ are to a spiritual people.
Thus, Paul asks them why have they begun in the Spirit to now be perfected by the flesh? In other words, why have you begun in the Spirit, and have now reverted to the law given to a fleshy people.
Paul had to ensure that He contend for the faith. Back to Galatians 5 but let's go to some verses above verse 16.
Galatians 5:7-9
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. ---
Once again Paul makes it clear that individuals had entered the Church trying to teach them the law. He is saying if you add a little false teaching, it will affect the Body of Christ (little leaven leavens the lump). In other words, verse 9 is saying the same thing as verse 17 (mentioned above), however we will explain it further.
Galatians 5:10
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. ---
Once again, context reveals that there were individuals in the Church who had begun teaching false doctrines.
Galatians 5:11
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. ---
This is an interesting aspect of this scripture. Paul is asking them, "Seeing that I preach circumcision, why do the Jews persecute me?". Yes, Paul was a preacher of circumcision, but not the circumcision made with hands, by the cutting away of the foreskin, instead He was a preacher of the spiritual circumcision of Christ, that is done without hands, that cuts away the sins of the flesh (Col 2:11 - see yesterday's Sunrise).
Galatians 12:-14
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ---
After wishing that these false teachers be removed (verse 12), Paul teaches that the sons of God are called to freedom in Christ, however, they should not use their liberty to give place to the flesh. Once, again, flesh here means fleshy laws of man. Instead of reverting to the fleshy laws (the law of Moses), all you need to do is love thy neighbour.
Galatians 5:15
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.---
Here is where the rubber meets the road. There was war in the church! War on doctrine. Those who believed that the Spirit and faith were sufficient were debating with those that believed that the law was necessary even with Christ. This war is being described as biting and devouring. As long as they bite and devour one another they can never do what they would as a Church.
Galatians 5:16-17
16 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.
Thus He is saying here, if we walk in the laws of Christ, we will not walk in the lust of the flesh. Why, because the flesh is lusting after the Spirit. In other words, there will be no wars among you if you all walked in the Spirit, because if there is division among you those that believe in the law (teachings of flesh) will war against those that believe in faith. Thus, you will be a kingdom divided against itself, struggling to stand (cannot do the things ye would). Thus Paul is speaking about two sets of people. He is not speaking about the body fighting with the Holy Spirit.
If we walk in the teachings of Christ, the works law is unnecessary.
Galatians 5:18-19
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,...
Notice, how Paul jumps back to the law. It is because he was always speaking about the law. Verse 18, is also saying the same thing as verse 16. If we be led of the Spirit we will not be under the law. Why is this so important? Well, 2 Corinthians 3:6 explains it, saying, for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
When the law was given, it had the righteousness of God, however, it could not spiritually circumcise sin from the flesh. Because of this, men were sinning even though they knew not to. This made it worse, and God was now just to do away with them. Thus, Paul says, the letter (law) killeth. When the law was installed, it caused the 17 lusts of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21 run rampant. Lust was the product of the law.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23
However, the law of Christ by the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit, thus fulfilling the righteousness of the law, without sin.
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. - Galatians 5:24-25
Paul then says, Moreover, those that belong to Christ their flesh have already been crucified with all its lust and affections (emotions). This, would further prove why we should not revert to sin as born-again believers, because sin has already been purged from the flesh. Now, the commandment to us is to walk in the Spirit. If we do so, we will not walk in the lusts that the law produced in the flesh.
Stay tuned with us as we continue to unravel those scriptures used to teach dual nature. Tomorrow we will deal with Romans 7. We praise God for the truth, because the truth will set us free.
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Yesterday's Sunrise -https://www.sunrisewithjesus.com/blog/the-operation-of-faith-the-circumcision-of-the-flesh
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