The Deplorables

16Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not dimputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 19 NKJV

I was reminded once again this week of how soon it is that we can forget just how Christ Jesus views not only us, but all of Gods children.  That as christians we certainly do not have a monopoly on our heavenly Fathers goodness and grace.  It is not only for our benefit that God so loved the world.  Far from it, for the love of Christ Jesus is available to all {John 3: 16 - 17}.  However, as I've found out yet again, every so often we find ourselves sliding into the belief that God is for our benefit as christians only.  His mercy and blessings are all designed to bless only those who believe in HIm.  Well, I hate to burst anyones institutional church bubble, but that is not how my God does things.  For if this were indeed the case, then I woud have no hope of being saved.  I was born into sin, and despite this God saved me from my condition even though I didn't believe in Him from the begining.  It is not a exclusive salvation club which we belong to.  This entire discussion began this week as I was having difficulties with a co worker.  In fact, the very thought of working with this person stirred up anger in me.  Why?  Because of what he has done in the past.  But wait, what about what I have done in the past as well?  If God was merciful to forgive me, then certainly He is merciful enough to forgive someone I don't like.  Now, as the apostle Paul so richly tells us in 2 Corinthians 5, we are not to judge anyone by the flesh any longer.  Indeed, Christ was once in the flesh as well, but we no longer see Him in that way.  No, we see Christ Jesus for who He truly is, the image of the invisible God.  So also are we to see others as who they truly are and not by the flesh.

1Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of aGod! Therefore the world does not know bus, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1 John 3: 1 - 2 NKJV

One of the big teaching points in our weekly discussions has been just what our real indentity truly is.  Are we simply the flesh, bone and blood which we ourselves can see, or is there something else in play here.  Well, one thing we have learned is that our real identities are not fleshly but spiritual in nature.  In fact, these flesh bodies of ours are simply containers for our true spirit identities.  This is indeed why Jesus came as fleshly man, that He would be the image of the invisible God.  So, if indeed our true indentity is not tied to our flesh but to our spirit, how does that affect the way we see those around us?  We no longer see others by the flesh.  No, we see those around us by their true identities which is their spirit indentity.  It is here where we then get into which spirit is within them be it the spirit of Christ or the spirit of error (satan).  The point is, if God does not see my identity as a flesh and bone creation but as a spirit identity, then that is how we are to see those around us as well.  It is certainly a good thing that God does not judge His children by the flesh.  We do well to follow His example.

~Scott~