"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
Galatians 5:24
Part 1
Today: A Characteristic of the Genuine Believer
“And they that are Christ’s.”
These beautiful words are about the actions of legitimate believers. These sacred thoughts have no relationship to the pretenders, those who have “prayed a prayer,” and yet there is no change in their lives from “sinner” to “saint.” These words are so severe that no one but a genuine believer could do them by the Holy Spirit’s power. Perhaps this could be why the “church” has so many “professors” and a smaller number of “possessors.”
This verse’s actions belong to those who know Jesus Christ personally, and they belong to Him.
“Have crucified the flesh.”
“The flesh.”
Our “flesh” is a problem for us as believers. After we were born again, our “flesh” did not die. This “flesh” is the same “flesh” that we lived for as lost sinners. It is what drove our rebellion against God and always commanded our lives of sin. Being under the domination of the “flesh,” and “living in the Spirit” can never work together!
Jesus said,
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6).
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
Jesus said that our “flesh” is of no profit to us as believers. When not kept in check, our “flesh” slows down our godly lives. Paul shows us how these work against each other.
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8).
The inability to please God is such a sad state for a believer to be in! Controlled by the “flesh” and displeasing to God. What does God’s child need to do to keep living in the Spirit and not in the “flesh?”
“God has a place for our flesh, with all its passions and desires. He wants us to nail it to His cross, so that it may be under control and the sentence of death”[1] (Guzik).
Our “flesh” needs to be crucified! But who does this, and how can it be done? Come back tomorrow, and we will discuss this idea more.
Quote: “To be ‘in Christ’ is to be covered by the blood of Christ, and now dead to sin (Romans 6:11). Being ‘in Christ’ is to be forgiven by Christ’s sacrifice, His gift to me (Romans 6:23).
To be ‘in Christ’ is to stand by God’s power in His presence, redeemed, righteous, and holy, because of His mercy (1 Corinthians 1:30). To be ‘in Christ’ is to be deserving of eternal death for my sin but have eternal life because of His grace! (John 3:16). To be ‘lost’ is to be ‘outside of Christ,’ with none of the above blessings and no hope. Are you ‘in Christ’?”[2]
[1] Guzik’s quote is from his, Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. Galatians 5:24-26.
[2] Statement developed by mashing several Bible thoughts together (jlh).