Originally published in "The Lord's Coming Herald & Wesleyan Bible Prophecy Advocate," Summer Edition 2004
Have Crucified The Flesh
"They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof" (Gal. 5:24).
Have crucified. Something has been put to death. Paul calls it "the flesh." We understand that to be the carnal nature, the "old man" of inherited depravity. Crucifixion of carnality, Paul is plainly saying here, is the experience of those who belong to Christ.
Call this sinless religion if you will. The Bible calls it "being made free from sin" (Rom. 6:22), or "saved from sin" (Matt. 1:21; Lk. 1:74-75). Those who are so born of God into the fullness of his kingdom "do not commit sin" (I Jn. 3:6, 9; 5:18), because they have been made "free indeed" (Jn. 8:36).
This is good Bible religion. Antinomians (lawless professors of Christianity) hate it. The carnal mind in them is at variance with the holy law of God, which is the expression of his will and purpose for mankind (Rom. 8:7). Because Antinomians are not free from sin themselves, they foolishly imagine that nobody ese can be either. Only one person in the entire world, however, who knows that he/she has truly been cleansed from all unrighteousness (I Jn. 1:7), belies all prejudice to the contrary.
We will contend for for Christian perfection because the Bible teaches it, and because we ourselves have felt the cleansing Blood applied. This casts us in the role of being an "anti-antinomian." Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (I Jn. 3:8). Antinomianism is a monster that, like the devil, lives in darkness. Bring light upon it, and it expires.
If we walk in the light, the Blood cleanses. And those who are cleansed by the Blood know the reality of a life in Jesus Christ that is free indeed from sin.
That that are Christ's have crucified the flesh. It's done. We did not do it, God did it in us, and for us.
Have crucified. Have you been crucified?
They that are Christ's have.
Where are you? Are you an Antinomian, or are you a real Christian?
Think about it.
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The Simple Bible Plan Of Full And Free Salvation
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