I wonder how many of us who
profess to believe in Jesus Christ are taking literally the life of the inward
man as we are dealing with that of the outward man despite the fact that we
have been duly admonished by the apostle Paul saying; “Therefore we do not lose
heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being
renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is
working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do
not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.
For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen
are eternal” (2Corinthians 4:16-18).
When we look at the rapid deterioration
of our physical human body whether due to age or sickness and despite of this
rapid deterioration we have received the consolation and assurance saying; “Therefore
we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward
man is being renewed day by day.” My humble question is how many of us
literally take into consideration this passage of scripture and meditates daily
on how we are to renew the inward man?
And also, whether there a process,
a formula or a standard procedure on how to renew the inward man day by day? The
answer to this question is an absolute yes, but how many of us who know,
understand and believe the formula or standard procedure established by the
Lord by which the inward man is being renewed day by day?
So then, let us look at the formula
or standard procedure by which our inward man can be renewed day by day:
- Present our bodies a living sacrifice to
God
One must first take cognizance of
the fact that, our body does not belong to us for we have been duly admonished
by the apostle Paul saying; “ Or do you not know that your body is the temple
of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your
own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in
your spirit, which are God's” (1Corinthians 6:19).
This thought should continue to
resonate in our minds daily and remind ourselves of another very important instruction
from the apostle Paul which states; “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).
In order for the inward man to be
renewed day by day one must consider and acknowledge the fact that, we are not
just a physical human being, but we are both flesh and spirit and if our human
spirit is joined to the Spirit of God we should no longer live our lives in
accordance to the flesh because, the admonition from the apostle Paul is, “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).
There is therefore, a literal, practical
life style which is in accordance to the flesh and there is a literal, practical
life style which is in accordance to the Spirit and for the inward man to be renewed
day by day we have to meditate daily on the things that relates to the life of
the Spirit, as we have been duly admonished by the apostle Paul 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.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law
of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please
God.” (Romans 8:5-8).
So for the inward man to be
renewed day by day we must remind ourselves of the spiritual warfare that takes
place daily in our minds and be ready to cast down all arguments and every high
thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought
into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
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To be continued
With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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