God’s
strategy was the cross. The cross has inherent power. The centrality of any
gospel preaching is Christ’s work on Calvary’s cross. 1 Cor 15:1-4: Christ died
for our sins. His blood was shed for us. We receive redemption through His
blood. His sacrifice is the atonement for sins. Without shedding of blood,
there is no remission (forgiveness) of sin. Here, we are simply talking of justification,
redemption, forgiveness, adoption and becoming born again. He took our place so
that we would not be condemned to death. His sacrifice is the basis of the
forgiveness of our sins (the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:19-21). He was delivered
up (crucified) for our offences and was raised up again for our justification –
Rom 4:25. The forgiven is brought into a relationship with God. Our faith in
Christ and His sacrifice brings us salvation.
PROGRESSING INTO SANCTIFICATION
The
meaning of sanctification is perfection. Here, the products of Mr. Flesh are not
the main concern but the principle of sin within man. God calls His people to
holiness of life but how may this be attained? It must not be by struggle. It
must be a crisis experience that leads them to a victorious Christian living.
Victorious Christian living is a possibility. The old man is taken out at
sanctification. We are made wholly clean from within. Words that refer to this
principle of sin include: old man, old things, carnality, flesh, old leaven, self,
rebellious son, Adamic nature.
WHAT IS
GOD’S SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF THE FLESH? – CHRIST CRUCIFIED AS US
The flesh is too bad to be cleansed; it must
be crucified – Watchman Nee
John 12:24 – The corn of wheat must die
before it can bring any fruit to God
Matt 16:24 – The self-life must be denied,
rendered useless, dead, nonexistent, absent, and irrelevant [Even though he is
asked to do this, it will take grace to obey this injunction and so God’s
operation is needed]
Rom 6:6 – The old man is crucified
Gal 2:20 – ‘I’ (Self) am crucified
Gal 5:24 – Crucified the flesh with the
affections/passions/lusts
2 Cor 5:14, 15 – If one died, all are
dead...we live unto Him.
1 Cor 5:7-8 – Purge out the old
leaven...remove totally! [The Passover clearly depicts our salvation experience
and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is sequential after it. This is very
figurative, applicable, scriptural and practical]
Rom 6:6 –
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified that the body of sin might be
destroyed...
a. The singularity and definite
nature – It is something we need to know and this knowledge ought to do something definite in our lives – the
crucifixion of our old man.
b. The spirituality involved
(spiritual knowledge) – This is not mere human knowing. It is not an intellectual
matter! Come to terms with it and receive it by faith because it is a finished
work as well.
c. The continual nature of such
knowledge – Know’ING.’
d. The subsequent nature – It is a
letter to believers to open their eyes to the truth about their holiness.
e. The power of such knowledge – The
old man is crucified. The body of sin is destroyed!
It is
done by faith based on the word of God.
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