Man
is the offspring of both Adams.
To
better understand the struggles that we face as human beings it is imperative that
we know, understand and believe that we are descendants of two Adams. From the
first Adam, we inherited a sinful corrupt nature, which according to
scriptures, “Is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; It is
hostile towards God, not subject to His laws, nor can it ever be: and, it is a
temporary physical existence (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 8:7 James
4:14; Hebrews 9:27)
On
the other hand, we inherited from the last Adam Jesus Christ, spiritual life
which is eternal, with a holy righteous nature which is in harmony with God,
and it is in subjection to His laws. We therefore have a conflict or a battle
that takes place in our mind between two diametrically opposite natures the
desires which reside in man’s flesh, and the desires which reside in man’s
spirit are in conflict with each other and so, we have been duly admonished
saying: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit,
and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against
the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one
another, so that you do not do the things that you wish (Galatians
5:16-17).
Those
who live their lives according to the desires of the flesh set their minds on
the things of the flesh. They sow to the flesh, and will of the flesh ultimately
reap corruption. For we have been instructed saying; “For those who live
according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those
who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit: For to be carnally
minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
We
have also been forewarned saying’ “Do
not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also
reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he
who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (.Romans
8:5-6; Galatians 6:7-8).
Those
who live their lives according to the desires of the Spirit, set their minds on
things above, the things of the Spirit, they sow to the Spirit and will of the
Spirit reap everlasting life. And so the admonition is; “Therefore put to death
your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil
desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath
of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once
walked when you lived in them.”
“But
now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have
put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed
in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is
neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave
nor free, but Christ is all and in all” (Colossians 3:1-11).
And
so, instead of exhibiting the works of our former carnal nature which is to be
disobedient to the laws of God and fulfilling the desires of the flesh, we now as
the elect of God, holy and beloved, have to put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one
another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you,
so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond
of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in our hearts, to which also we
were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-15).
And
so the question is, are we striving to be slaves of righteousness so as to be clothed
with immortality and be forever the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit? The
choice is ours.
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Love in Jesus’ name.
Lucius Joseph
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