After coming to Christ, the road that I had to traverse was a very lonely and daunting one for quite a while. I was a total mess when the Lord God in His great Mercy had saved me from my wretchedness. Maybe, my soul had to be restored from much vileness and sinfulness before God could entrust me with good things. And for that, He had to let me through much fire. I’ve learned things the hard way and for years I’ve been harassed and tormented by devils; not to mention, and the law of sin, which is in my members. That does not mean, I did not experience the goodness of God at all. God’s goodness was all over my life despite the ordeals that I had to endure. My intention here is to let the reader know that we carry within us two natures, which oppose each other. The word of God comforts us with the fact that only the children whom He loves would go through His chastening – Heb 12:5-11. The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death (Psalm 118:18), and I am glad that He chastened me sorely. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes (Psalm 119:71). The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly (Proverbs 20:30). Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15). Sorrow (godly sorrow – 2Cor 7:9-11) is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance, the heart is made better (Ecclesiastes 7:3).
I also believe that not all problems are Chastenings of the Lord, but most of them would be the direct result of our sinful disposition and transgressions. God chastens us for our profit, that we might partake of his holiness (Hebrews 12:10).
It is not just knowledge that I am imparting to you here; I am giving you a piece of firsthand information that could keep a Christian on an even keel and not be taken captive by the devil and the sleight of men.
The duration in which, a soul that has come to experience the grace of God is most vulnerable is, the time between, the seed of the word gets planted in the soil of the heart and till it sprouts and becomes a strong and fruit-producing tree. According to the Bible, them that reaches full age/become mature in spirit – Heb 5:13,14; henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive – Eph 4:14 – and in our spiritual infancy phase we are not spiritually oriented, as our spirit man is not yet mature to receive the strong meat of the word; for he is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe – Heb 5:13,14 – and a babe differs nothing from a servant, yet carnal – Gal 4:1,2/1Cor 3:1-3 – and thus are in a vulnerable position to either:
- Rebel
- Transgress
- Drawback
- Err from faith
- Being led away
- Fall away
- Fall from grace
- Fail of the grace of God
- Bring no fruit to perfection
- Become unfruitful
- Taken captive by the law of sin and death
- Be brought to bondage
- Be entangled with the yoke of bondage – 1Cor 3:1-3/Rom 8:6,7/2Pet 3:17/Heb 6:4-6/10:38,39/12:15/Gal 2:4/4:3,9/5:1,4/1Tim 6:10/Luke 8:13,14/Mark 4:19/Rom 7:23/2Pet 2:19/2Cor 11:20.
We all know how vulnerable children are, right! When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Cor 13:11). Genuine repentance (metanoia – Reformation) takes place only when we reach maturity – 2Cor 7:10,11. In the natural, the instinct of the parents would take all the precautionary measures to protect the child; even in the animal kingdom, we see that. But sadly in the spiritual world the false shepherds that had crept in, has had destroyed many lambs. The hireling (one who entered in for sustenance) flees (in times of danger), because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep (John 10:12,13). Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber (John 10:1). We have an enemy within and without as well. One is the enemy of the soul and the other, our own fallen nature. Either way, you have to fight to stay. Thank God, we aren’t alone in this! He hath given us the Holy Ghost, who abideth with us, interceding for us continually and guiding those that are receptive to his voice.
To him that is afflicted, pity should be shewed from his friend (Job 6:14). When I was afflicted, the majority of them were quick to judge than to show little pity. I wondered how the love of many hath waxed cold and why they could not even feel the rush of fellow feeling toward me? When the Lord taught me things, I understood why it was so?
Few Facts:
The Bible depicts our body as an earthly house, a tabernacle – 2Pet 1:13,14/2Cor 5:1,4.
And God who is Perfect and Holy and Just, predetermined to dwell in this tainted and imperfect earthily vessels (we have this treasure in earthen vessels – 2 Cor 4:7), because of the atoning sacrifice of His beloved Son Jesus – 1John 2:2. God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6). That’s why it is called GRACE.
We also know that God is in Christ – Gal 3:17/2Cor 5:19/John 14:8-11 – and that in Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily – Col 1:19/2:9.
Eternal life is nothing but Christ living in us, isn’t it? John 15:4-7/Gal 2:20/4:19 – The Lord is that Spirit – 2Cor 3:17 – Christ in us, is the hope of our glory (Col 1:27) – Knowing the Father and the Son is what eternal life is all about – John 17:3 – Now Christ lives within a believer – He (the Grace of God) is the one that must have the sway in every believer – Col 1:29/1Cor 15:10.
This is where many falter at. We must not forget the fact that there are now two natures within us that we need to contend with. The flesh (carnal Mind) and the Spirit (the Divine nature – 2Pet 1:4/Heb 12:10). These are contrary the one to the other – Gal 5:17. One is very active and the other needs to be nourished and built. The former is our fleshly mind, which we are familiar with, and the later is in its embryonic state, which needs the sincere milk of the word to grow and gets renewed in knowledge (Epignosis) of the Scripture – 1Pet 2:2
Epignosis: “denotes exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition, and [expresses] a fuller or a full “Knowledge,” a greater participation by the “knower” in the object “known,” thus more powerfully influencing him. Vines’ Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Use this link to know more about “Epignosis”
So, since we possess these two natures, the outcome is determined by which one we let to reign in. Sin unto (until) death or Obedience unto (until) righteousness – To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey is crucial (Romans 6:16). If we live after the flesh we shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (Romans 8:13) – means, your spirit, which after God is created, the incorruptible word seed – will survive only if we would, through the Spirit, work out to subjugate our carnal Appetite. This mortification process is vital; lest it would choke the word seed and becomes unfruitful. Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves (put off the old man with his deeds, which is corrupt – Col 3:5-10/Eph 4:22) from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor 7:1). As we possess these two natures, we also have two works to do as well – One is to live after the Spirit and the other to mortify the deeds of the flesh (Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof – Romans 6:12 – we now hold the rein; for sin is condemned and holds no power over us when we would walk in the Spirit/put on the Lord Jesus Christ – Rom 6:11,14/13:14/Gal 5:16). Whom ye yield yourselves as servants to obey, his servants ye are, right! The motions of sins, if we let it reign, if we permit it to work in our members again, it shall bring forth fruit unto death (Romans 6:19/7:5) – For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6). We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ (activate the new man – Eph 4:24/Col 3:10), and make not provision for the flesh (obstruct/ restrict all the supply line that would nourish the fleshly apetite), to fulfill the lusts thereof (Romans 13:14)
When the Spirit of God cautions us about something, we better heed!
He warned Adam not to eat of the tree that is in the midst of the garden; neither shall he touch it, lest he dies (Genesis 3:3) – and you know the outcome, right? Again the same warning is been repeated in the book of Romans 8:13 – Now He says, if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die (Romans 8:13).
Another warning He’s giving us is to “Flee” – what does that mean? It means, to just flee; lest you suffer needlessly in the flesh. This particular sin is done against your own body and you will have to bear its repercussions. The reason why the Lord God hated Esau is that he was a fornicator, a profane person – Heb 12:16.
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body (1 Corinthians 6:18) – fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints (Ephesians 5:3).
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness (which is idolatry – Col 3:5) – For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience (Colossians 3:6)
We’ve been urged not to covet after money; lest we err from faith. Thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life – 1Tim 6:8-12 – endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3) – No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Timothy 2:4). Who do you want to please in this life? Yourselves, the society, the peers, your family or God?
The reason why this mortification of the flesh/ the carnal appetite is so vital is that, this law of sin and death, which is in our members, that persistently wars against the law of our minds, can bring us into captivity again (Romans 7:23).
For this very reason, we must work out our own salvation (from the depravity of our soul) with fear and trembling – Phil 2:12 – by putting off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed (in knowledge – Epignosis!) in the spirit of our minds (Eph 4:22,23,24/Col 3:5-10). Receiving the end of our (tried) faith –1Pet 1:7/4:1,2,12-14/Heb 11:17/James 1:3/2:22, even the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9).