Was it Anakins flesh that made him evil?
Galations 5: 16 NKJV
Have you ever thought that there was no good in you that God could possibly see? That, somehow, there was a part of you that was simply in rebelion to your heavenly Father? Well, if you have then you are neither guilty nor condemned in Gods eyes. Remember that we are now dead to the sin life we once lived {Romans 6: 6-11}. But, what about that...thing inside of all of us? You know, that source of all evil which God lovingly created in His own image and made a part of us. I'm talking about the flesh. That part of us who so many pulpit pounders over the ages have tried to convince us that we're consistantly guilty. Well, your flesh is neither evil nor wicked. I know that all too many christians will read those words and call it heresy, but I believe that I have a point here. I believe that the early church fathers were so hung up on the flesh being evil that they translated their own hatred into scripture. Like a CNN journalist talking about Donald Trump, all too many pastors see the flesh as a source of wickedness. Of course, if that flesh, being wicked, then of course we as well can never please God, right? congratulations, you've fallen for one of the great myths of christianity. What is it about our flesh which makes it evil? Now, I will agree that the flesh is that neutral part of our being that is susceptible to any and all of those influences of the environment around us then I'll be on board with that. But the flesh being always evil? I'm not down with that. Rememeber that it is our heavenly Father who lovingly created all that we are, including our own flesh. Remeber also that Jesus had His own flesh. In fact, if it were not for the flesh of Christ we may have never known Him. What? Well, what did the flesh of Jesus contain? That's right, His flesh contained His Spirit. If we are to believe the apostle Paul, then our own flesh is but a vessel which contains the indwelling Spirit of Christ {Galaations 2:20}.
5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, ithe things of the Spirit. 6For to be 2carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8: 5 - 6 NKJV
So, if indeed our flesh is but a vessel for the indwelling Christ, how can it be in emnity against God? Well, that all depends on what is influencing our flesh at any given moment. Yes, Jesus had His own flesh, but Jesus also had His mind in the right place. Jesus knew the truth of His flesh and kept it perspective. We can also. I don't believe that looking at our own flesh as having enmity against God is the right perspective. After all, as I said, we're created in His very image. Yes, that includes our flesh. All that we are has been lovingly created by God that we would be in union with Him. But, how can we be in union with God if there is a part of us that is evil? Well, that is part of what I call the great church deception. We're told that, being sinners, we can never attain a close relationship with God while we are alive. Indeed, it will not be until the second (or third...or fourth) coming of Christ that all will finaly be put in order and we will achieve a close personal relationship with God. Well, that's bunk! Jesus Himself prayed that we would be one in He and the Father {John 17:21}. So, how is it that I can be one in the Father if my flesh is wicked? Notice that Jesus did not pray that we would be one in the Father ATER His return. No, the desire of our heavenly Father is that we would be one in He and Christ NOW. Jesus knew, as I do, that it has never been our flesh which has made us wicked in Gods eyes. But Scott, what about the bad things the bible says the flesh has done? Well, the context of that is that FOLLOWING the influences of the world can and will bring about wickedness. I'm sure we all understand that. It is our flesh, that neutral part of our being, which will be easily influenced by our surroundings. However, if we are aware of the truth of the flesh, then we can live in peace that it has never been our Lords creation that has made us wicked in His eyes.
20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who 10will believe in Me through their word; 21g“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, jthat they may be one just as We are one: 23“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17: 20 - 23 NKJV
~Scott~
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