Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Man’s Essence


Romans 8:5-14Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Last week, at our church’s Wednesday night Bible Study in the “Truth Project”, the lesson was looking at the Apologetic of Anthropology in the primary Doctrine of “Who is man?” and “Who is God?” Professor Dr. Del Tackett stated that the answers to these two questions form the foundation of everyone’s worldview. In the description of human essence, Dr. Tackett illustrates the states of man as first being “innocent” - Genesis 1:27So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Second, as “fallen” - Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” If mankind dies in this state of “fallen in sin” then the result is “eternal damnation in Hell” forever - (a reality that, if we grasp completely, will drive us to reach the lost in sin) - Revelation 20:13-15 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” 

Revelation 21:3-7 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

The third state is “Redeemed in Christ” – John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” When the “fallen” are “redeemed” by saving faith in Jesus - the Savior of the world, then the result is “glorification” in eternal life. Hallelujah – Praise God! Hear the voice of God in His holy Word, depend upon the providence of God, and live in obedience to the Lord.

Next post, we’ll explore the battle between dualistic and monistic Philosophy in the Anthropology of life. It is what Dr. Tackett calls the “cosmic battle” of the sin nature of man in constant conflict with God’s Spirit.  




In Christ, Brian

2 comments:

child of God said...

Love this youtube song!
Yes brother, I do believe!!
God changes people. When you truly seek Him with your whole heart, He transforms you. It is amazing. He is transforming me and even though the process is hard and hurtful what I see coming out is so worth it because I see Him being reflected in me.

Blessings,
<><

Brian Ray Todd said...

Great point Child of God. God is in the change business, so to speak, but change from what to what? This transformation that takes place is necessary for what reason? Why is this metamorphosis of people from the inside out requires? What is the cosmic battle between the sinful flesh, the God-rejecting world system and Satan verses the Creator of the Universe? When we are able to see the lies and destruction which we are being changed and saved from, then we rejoice in the Truth of what we are saved to in this metamorphosis, born again, born anew, born from above ... from death to life by the Lord and that life eternal in glory. That revelation is the purpose of 'The Truth Project". Thank you for the great comment sister.