posted
As God's children and disciples in training, it seems that the power of dualism exists in the choice we are offered to make between the flesh and the Spirit. The degree of obedience that comes through, either reveals the health of one's growth in the wholesomeness of all in all, or it draws one's soul into the living death of the flesh, where only the discipline of the cross can overcome, conquer our will power, and which releases us into the liberty of the Spirit, as we get fed the truth of the Word made flesh, which sets us free from the law of sin and of death:
Paul describes the state of conflicted dualism by telling to the Galatians:
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Gal 5,16-26
So the state of conflicted dualism is grounded in each one's personal life.
And the victory over this conflicted state of existance can only come from the state of obedience which most Christian leadership warns against, although perfect obedience is not possible nor available to us, as if the New-Testament was lying to us.
The end of the battle and all of its trials and tribulations are indeed yet to come, but not our access to the victory ground of our risen Lord, where we are called from and to, in order to walk out into the world to spread our measure of eternal life, in the name of Christ-Jesus, expanding the Kingdom of God, being maintained into His holiness by the power of His resurrection, planting and watering the seeds of eternal life, that gets to be sprouted and grown by God Himself, against all odds!
Jesus tells us to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, when speaking of God's love, no less! While Jesus says so, James tells us that one who is in control of His tongue is a perfect person and Peter quotes the old testament where the Lord Himself says: "You shall be holy because I am holy". Paul greats farewell to the Thessalonians with: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1Thess 5,23-24
"Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;" Heb 12, 12-15
-Dear Lord, please guide us out of the state of conflicted dualism and into the fulness of Your work of completion, in which Your very own obedience gets to sprout to maturity in each one of Your children and families, just as what You have come to institute on our behalf. Guide us to Your pleasure of being hosted in our bodies, Your temple, so that we may know how to offer You our service of worship in truth and in spirit,where and how lies Your satisfaction. In the name of the Christ-Jesus I and we pray, amen to Your Yes in us all..."
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Heb 4, 14-16
Email this page to someone.
