14)
For the love of Christ constraineth
us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15)
And that he died for all, that they which
live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for
them, and rose again.
16)
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the
flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth
know we him no more.
17)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new.
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t may be that Man finds it so difficult to understand the ways of God because of his tendency to “transfer”—that is, to relate things to his (man’s) own ways and desires. Since Man, in his “natural state is flawed, he will miss what God may be trying to accomplish.
In
order to recognize God’s will, we must all be “on the
same page.” Since God is a Spirit and we have become spiritual beings,
the only way to accomplish this is for our communication to be on a
spiritual level. The man who is still in his original, “natural” state must
understand that he will be able to meet God only by the Word and in
the Spirit!
Particularly
today, it seems as if men who consider themselves “educated” gravitate to particular
types of churches not previously stigmatized as attracting the “un”-educated.
The error here is in assuming that the Lord cares about one’s education. You
see, neither lack of, nor an abundance of education is an issue with God. His only
concern is that Man become one who can communicate “on the same plane” as his
Maker. “Learned” or ignorant, “all men will have to be spiritual to be
able to understand God.
Perhaps
our best illustration of this is in ancient times. The Lord taught through
precepts and by examples and laws, but what good did it do? Not much, because
it was not received spiritually, therefore, could not be “… mixed with faith”
by those who heard and ultimately, could not profit them.
In
all congregations (and we dare say particularly in this one) there are those
who believe that they will be profited either by attending a specific church or
simply by attending church. But, the question, is does this mean anything to
God? Only if those who attend are, collectively, “on
the same page.” You see, it only stands to reason that only “damage” (to
the Lord’s program) can be wrought where everyone has his own “vision” and
“revelation.”
To
make it into the
The
“new creature” that we become through Christ cannot be a creature of
sin. Sin is old nature and not party of what God imparts, but rather,
strips away. There is, however, personal effort involved with remaining free
from sin after salvation. Scripture tells us that “… the love of God contraineth us …” but what we fail to understand is that
the reference is not His love for us, but rather our love for Him. Is
our knowledge of His love toward us enough to keep us from sinning?
Absolutely not! It is only when we reciprocate this love
that (that is, love Him back) will be kept from doing just “anything.”
What
we cannot do is look at the plan of salvation as a “process of
elimination”—type proposition. In other words,
“I’m-saved-because-I-stopped-this-even-if-I-didn’t-stop-that.” This is
why the love of God, demonstrated as it is by the plan of salvation, is so
personal and individual. You see, we are asked to accept His death for ourselves!
We then begin to live to glorify the Lord. We then begin to live in “change”
and as “a new creature.”
God’s
power and plan of salvation is so drastic that the old no longer is even to resemble
the new. Old things “are” passed away—they are not to be “passing” or looked
“to pass.” They are spoken of in the past tense because they are to be no
longer present.
If
God, Himself, is supernatural, then all that is His must be, also. How
“super”—natural is it for saved man to be like he was before
salvation—with all of the same bad habits and attitudes? Neither should we be
making the same choices or receiving the same answers to problems. Is it a sign
of ignorance or mental retardation if e now ask God
what to do? Hardly. Rather, it is a glorious
manifestation of His power toward and in us that we have a means by
which to communicate with Him.
When
one belongs to the Lord, there is no “just existing.” The supernatural form of
existence” is living for God. We have been given by Him an “extension”
(via the Holy Ghost) that we might be able to “make it” a little further.
The
one who is “a new creature in Christ” is obligated to follow “super-natural
order.” This means that he is obligated to allow trials and tests to elevate
him that he might become of full use to God. This prepares us not only to bless
God, but to help those around us. An example of this principle that all should
study is Joseph.
Our
“preparation” has been done and our “directive” received from the lord in
numerous forms. Have we then not accomplished it through fear or doubt? Would
He direct us to do what is not possible? He has told us to live saved—possible. He has told us to go worldwide—and has proven
that it is possible. He has directed us to praise Him through all—and has
shown us that this both possible and profitable. All this is present and
possible because of our new creation in Christ. The greatest feat that He
has made possible is for us to live sin free. A mind focused on its position
in Jesus finds this easy to accomplish. He is the only One Who should be able to move us (“pull our strings” if you will.)
If we are true to Him, we will be true to ourselves and sin will be “anathema”
to us—“ …new (creations) in Christ.”