• Tag Archives the flesh

  • What about Christmas?

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

         Over the years, believers have watched as the world’s system annually emphasis Christmas as being about feeding the flesh, feeding lust of the eyes and the pride of life. The gospel writer, John, informs us that this is not the way of God but rather the way of the world’s system that is supernatural and religious in its core elements. “For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1Jn 2:16)”

        The late Adrian Rogers reminds us, “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14.
    The educated man is ignorant, the strong man is weak, and the wealthy man is poor who doesn’t understand the true meaning of Christmas.
    What good does it do us to put a man on the moon if we can’t get God in our hearts? What good is it to know astronomy, how the heavens go, and not know Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star, and how to go to Heaven? What good is it to know botany and the study of flowers and not know Jesus, Heaven’s sweetest rose, the Rose of Sharon, who can perfume any life? What good is it to know the events of history, yet not know that history is His story? What good is it to know geology and the ages of rocks and not know Jesus, the Rock of Ages? “For it is in Him we live and move and have our being.”
    Jesus was not just another child. He was not just the Galilean peasant, the great teacher. He was supernatural.
     You won’t understand Christmas until you understand that this child was born of a virgin. This child is the very Son of God. Never forget this. Read the words of Isaiah 9:6-7. Let his prophecy about this child speak to you today.

     Even though the first paragraph reminds us of the norm for the unsaved, we must be aware that a faction of that vast number does very well in blending in for the season then departing for another year. On the other hand, if believers neglect personal bible reading, personal prayer, and personally fellowshipping systematically with other believers, one day they may very well shamefully discover that their Christian life has reflected themselves more than that of their Saviour!

        Rather than experiencing another ho-hum Christmas season, it does us well to examine ourselves. Perhaps some may see the need and accept Him as the real Christmas gift, transforming from the inside to the outside in this marvelous new birth! The rest of us may   benefit greatly by handing the reigns back to Him, trusting fully in His leadership from this day forward!

        Always remember that true Christmas is 100% centered in Christ! Let Jesus set the standard and watch what happens!

     


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  • The Contrary Desires of the Flesh and the Spirit

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    sheep#10aThe Contrary Desires of the Flesh and the Spirit
    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. (Gal_5:17)
    Every believer in Christ has had the frustrating experience of wanting to do what pleases the Lord, but being unable to actually accomplish such. We are told here a spiritual struggle is behind that failure. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.” The Spirit of God dwells within our lives. He is the “Spirit of holiness” (Rom_1:4). He desires that we be “partakers of His holiness” (Heb_12:10) and thereby walk in godliness. However, the flesh (natural humanity) is also present in our lives. These natural desires of man are not toward holiness, but rather toward self-indulgence and self-sufficiency. Thus, what the Spirit desires and what our flesh craves are set against each other. “These are contrary to one another.” The consequence of this internal conflict is “that you do not do the things that you wish.” Even though godly desires develop in us as new creatures in Christ, we find ourselves unable to implement these new longings by our good intentions.
    The Apostle Paul gave testimony to his own failure in this battle. “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice” (Rom_7:19). The problem was that Paul’s personal resources (the flesh) were not adequate to produce the desired results. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Rom_7:18). Yes, Paul had some godly desires. “For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man” (Rom_7:22). Nevertheless, there was a problem that he could not resolve on his own. “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Rom_7:23). A tendency to sin that dwelt in Paul’s human members (his body, his brain) pulled him down to defeat. He needed help.
    Access to that necessary divine rescue was through a humble cry for a deliverer. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom_7:24). This appropriate confession of the spiritual bankruptcy of his flesh led to another confession of certain victory. “I thank God [it is] through Jesus Christ our Lord! ” (Rom_7:25). This humble turning from self to Christ allows one to walk in the Spirit (Romans 8), living by His victorious resources. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom_8:2).
    Dear Jesus, Mighty Deliverer, I humbly admit that I am not able to implement by my best efforts the godly desires that are developing in me. I need You, Lord. So many times I have had holy intentions that ended up in carnal defeat. So, Lord, I cry out to You to deliver me from my present struggles, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, Amen.

    (The above was written by Bob Hoekstra)

     


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