Are You Walking in Spirit or in the Flesh?

The Bible contains a variety of warnings to Christians in relation to their Salvation.  One such warning in Romans 8:1 states that Christians should NOT “walk in the flesh” but “Walk in the Spirit”.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  (Rom 8:1 - KJV)

So, what does this mean?

The Physical and Spiritual Worlds We Live In

The Bible reveals many things that we need to know about the spirit world around us — because everything in it is “eternal” whereas the physical world in which we touch, see, hear, smell and taste things are “fading away” (Isa 40:7) because they are “temporal” — according to scripture:

“While we LOOK NOT at the things which ARE SEEN, but at the things which ARE NOT SEEN: for the things which ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL; but the things which are NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL.”  2 Cor 4:18

God in His immortal wisdom has stated in scripture that if anyone born upon Earth hopes to spend eternity with Him, he or she “MUST be born-again” — meaning, out of this “temporal” world into the “eternal” spirit world before the eternal life of the believer can commence (John 3:3-8).

In this, each person MUST:

 

 1.  Hear and respond to the True Gospel message

Such a message should convict them in their hearts that he or she: 

• is a sinner;
• is on their way to spending eternity in Hell;
• needs a Savior to prevent this from happening.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY man born-upon the Earth who lived a sinless life; was God’s sacrificial “Lamb that takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29); and then rose again from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion (Acts 10:39-41).  He is THE ONLY SAVIOR of mankind’s souls from Hell.

2.  Repent from ALL of sinful ways.  

No individual is able eliminate every sinful habit the first day he or she receives Christ as Savior.  Fully eradicating sin from humanity's fallen (Adamic) nature and our carnal habits requires a spiritually cleansing process to occur that every Christian must commence and complete.  It can take some time to achieve this (weeks or months) but sinful habits and the overcoming of temptations MUST be overcome. 

“...nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  11 And SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU...”  (1 Cor 6:10-11)

Sinlessness (the dirty word in most churches today) is a fundamental requirement for Christians to become “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:20) and to become “holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

“HE [meaning 'Christians'] THAT COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”  1 John 3:8

“I tell you, Nay: but, EXCEPT YE REPENT [from your sinful ways], ye shall all likewise perish [in Hell].”  Luke 13:3 - Jesus speaking

“Follow...HOLINESS, without which no [Christian] man shall see the Lord:”  (Heb 12:14)

3.  Take up their Cross and Follow Jesus Christ 

Jesus said:

“And he [our "Inward Man"] that TAKETH NOT HIS CROSS, and FOLLOWETH AFTER ME, is not worthy of [spending eternity with] me.”  (Matt 10:38)

Humans are Three-part Beings — Spirit, Soul and Body

Most people (especially modern Christians) are unaware that their bodies consist of a spirit man constrained within their outer man’s physical body of flesh, bones and blood.

It is Satan’s desire that everyone fails to appreciate what their unseen “Inner Man” represents and how "he" — whether the outer body is male or female, functions in their body.

“...but though our OUTWARD MAN [either male or female] perish, yet the INWARD [or spiritual] MAN is renewed day by day.”  (2 Cor 4:16)

 Are There Spirit Beings in the Spirit World?

The Bible indicates there are a variety of “beings” in the spirit world.  These can be categorized into the following groups:

• The Godhead – God the Father; Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
• Seraphim
• Holy Angels
• 24 Elders
• Resurrected Old Testament saints
• Souls of New Testament saints
• Spirit horses
• Evil spirits
• Evil angels
• Satan

For people on Earth to be able to have the appropriate relationship with these “beings”, the Bible is the only means by which Christians can discern who and how to communicate with each when needed:

“Beloved, BELIEVE NOT EVERY SPIRIT, but TRY THE SPIRITS whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”  (1 John 4:1)

The New Birth – John 3:3-8

Jesus says that:

“...Except a man be BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE the kingdom of God...[and] Except a man be BORN OF WATER [the "water of the word - Eph 5:26] and OF THE SPIRIT, he CANNOT ENTER INTO the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3-8)

PLEASE NOTE that Jesus said being "born again" enables Christians to both "SEE" and to "ENTER" God's spiritual kingdom.  If Christians can't "SEE" God's kingdom and report on what they have "SEEN", it is questionable whether they will be able to "ENTER INTO" God's kingdom when the time comes at death.

The ‘New Birth’ represents a spiritual transformation of a person’s “Inner Man” from the values and ways of this world into those of the Spirit World where our Creator God resides with His Son Jesus Christ.

The “spiritual birth” process is much the same as natural birth where the child of God is transformed from the values and ways of this world into the values and ways of God in the spirit world.  

However, it is Satan’s desire that the (spiritual) 'fetus' (or, the Christian who is yet to become a "born again" child of God through the New Birth) becomes 'aborted' or remains dead (meaning, undelivered) in the 'womb of this world'.  In the spiritual sense, such an individual fails to 'mature' in the 'womb of this world' by embracing more the values of 'the Church' rather than pressing into God's kingdom to become "born-again". 

“I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Phil 3:14

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth VIOLENCE [from Satan's people to prevent the New Birth from occurring], and the VIOLENT [children of God] take it [the Kingdom of God as “heirs” – Rom 8:17] by FORCE.”  Matt 11:12

It can also be said that the "New Birth" is prevented when God's people turn to religion as a substitute for "walking in the Spirit".  

However it is God’s desire for every child of His to not only experience the New Birth, but to grow from being a “new born babe in Christ” (1 Peter 2:2) into a “strong young man in Christ” (1 John 2:14).

Walking in the Spirit

In the natural world and in the spirit world, ‘beings’ can do much the same things.  In this, they can:

• Sleep
• Slumber (drift in and out of sleep)
• Awake — but stay in bed
• Walk
• Jog
• Run

In the spirit world, similar activity takes place where God requires Christians to “run the race set before them”, but instead many prefer to remain in a more docile state.

“...and let us RUN WITH PATIENCE the RACE that is set before us,”  (Heb 12:1)

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So RUN, that ye may obtain.”  (1 Cor 9:24)

God does not expect Christians to have to "run" continuously and not rest throughout their spiritual journey in this life.  However, He does expect Christians to “walk in the Spirit” (Rom 8:1, 4; Gal 5:16, 25).

Need to Know More?

An article I wrote back in 2009 explored a number of different aspects relating to the spirit world — in particular the 'POWER' it contains.  This article can be found here.

Similarly, go to My Gospel Blog to read more about this subject and other related subjects the Bible reveals about the spirit world around us.

Revelation's Seven Churches

 Revelation's Seven Churches

Introduction

The Apostle John introduces the Book of Revelation as having been passed to him from God in Heaven in the following manner:

• The message originated from God the Father who gave it to;
• Jesus Christ, who then owned it as "The Revelation".  He then gave it to;
• His Angel, who gave it to;
• John.

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John" - Rev 1:1

The overall message is aimed at informing God's people throughout the ages about events in the future that conclude at the destruction of the Earth by fire (2 Peter 3:7); followed by the creation of the New Heavens and the New Earth (2 Peter 3:13).

Every Christian who reads, studies and applies to their Christian life the lessons contained in this book, God then offers "blessings" to them - as seen at both the beginning and at the end of the book:

"BLESSED IS HE that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." - Rev 1:3

"Behold, I come quickly: BLESSED IS HE that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." - Rev 22:7

The message here is that for Christians to be "blessed" by God, they are required to:

• Read (and continually study) the Book of Revelation, and to
  
• Keep (or retain with a full understanding) the sayings within this book.  

 

Christ's Letters to the 7 Churches of Asia Minor

The beginning of Christ's letter to Christians commences at chapters 2 and 3.  These are known as Christ's assessment of the Seven Churches of Asia.  The image below depicts their general location some 2000-years ago in the region known as Turkey today.

In these two chapters, Jesus Christ gives both His approval and His condemnation of these churches.

Christ also issued commands for congregations to repent (or turn completely) from their sinful ways.  He issued warnings of judgment to come if they failed to act upon His words. One such warning is this - and it should put fear in every Christian who reads it:

Revelation 2:5

"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK out of his place, except thou repent."

The removal of Christ's "candlestick" from a church indicates that where they had spiritual "light" coming from truth originating from the scriptures and confirmed from the church's assigned angel (Rev 1:20).  Once the angel is removed (Rev 2:5), that church will then dwell in spiritual darkness.  This means that God is no longer present in that church once the spiritual "light" has been withdrawn.  It also means another False Christ; a False Gospel and a False Spirit have replaced to True and Living God:

2 Corinthians 11:4

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

 Many churches throughout the world today have embraced an alternative 'godhead' in the same manner as the Church at Corinth did.  These spirits encourage the congregation to sin (1 Cor 5:1).  Once Paul informed the church about its offense to God, it repented and was restored with the "light" it needed to overcome Satan's lies and deceptions.

Also included in the Revelation are Christ's promises to the "Overcomers" - those Christians who are able to discern both "good and evil" (Heb 5:14), and are able to overcome Satan's deceptions and lies - many of which are running rampant throughout most of Christianity today because Christians are "ignorant of his devices" or ways in which he deceives and manipulates his victims.

2 Corinthians 2:11

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Jesus Christ also pronounces 18 blessings to those of His people who achieve "Overcomer" status.

To learn more about these important issues that every Christian should be concerned about, go to My Gospel Blog at https://mygospel.info/revelations-seven-churches/

Blessings!



Alan Manson

Jesus the Stone

Matthew 21:42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, THE STONE which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

1 Peter 2:7

"Unto you [Christians] therefore which believe he [Jesus] is precious: but unto them [the Jews] which be disobedient, THE STONE which the builders [the Jewish priesthood] disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,"

A question was asked - "What does the scripture refer to as Jesus being THE STONE?"

One prophecy about Jesus being the future Messiah of Israel was recorded approximately 1000 years before Christ was born.  In Psalm 118:22, it says:

"THE STONE which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."

During his ministry in Israel Jesus referred to Himself as THE STONE in this statement:

Matthew 21:44

“And whosoever shall fall on THIS STONE shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”

So, what does all this mean?

An explanation

Firstly,if a building of any size is to be built, it needs its foundation to be properly laid.  As any modern-day builder knows, the site must be cleared, leveled and compacted prior to the foundation being laid.

In ancient times, a large stone foundation was laid on level ground to form the structure upon which the remainder of the building would be constructed.  To quote Wikipedia about this:

"The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure."

Therefore, if Christ is "the head stone of the corner", then what does the building upon which its sits represent?  Answer is - the Church:

Ephesians 2:19-24

"Now therefore ye [born again Christians] are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  ²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  ²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

So from the above scripture verses, we see:

• Jesus Christ and ALL that He represents is the church's one and solid foundation!
  
  This means that ALL the words of Jesus recorded in the Holy Bible are what the foundation of the church represents. 
• The church was further established upon this foundation by the Apostles and the Prophets (Eph 2:20).
• ALL Bible-based churches that produce from among their congregation truly born-again believers (John 3:3-8) who grow spiritually to become Disciples of Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33-34), these then become "Living Stones" (1 Peter 2:3-5) in the Temple of Christ on the Earth:

1 Corinthians 6:18-20:

“What? know ye not that your body is THE TEMPLE of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

1 Corinthians 1:10

"Now I [Paul] beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye ALL speak the same thing, and that there be NO DIVISIONS among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in THE SAME MIND and in the SAME JUDGMENT."

But are Christians living their lives according to these and other Bible principles?

Find out more at https://mygospel.info