The "Old Man" is Dead-Don't Resurrect him!


In the NIV translation of the bible, the sinful nature is used to describe the Greek word, "sarx". In actuality the literal translation of that word is the word "flesh". Flesh is described as human nature apart from Gods' influence and direction. So this idea that we still have a sin nature once we are a new creation is a man made idea. The phrase, "We need to die to self" is found nowhere in the bible from Genesis to revelation yet this line of thinking and teaching is common for a host of believers in reference to explaining their current fight with temptation. The old man of sin nature was co crucified with Christ at the cross (see Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3 and 9, Romans 6:6 and 14 for starters).
The biggest deception of the enemy is deception. There is nothing new under the sun as he tried the same thing on Jesus in the desert temptation going after His identity. As the first Adam lost his original identity to the deception of satan, don't be hoodwinked into believing you have an old self, "black dog" that spiritually exists. The enemy and his cohorts are simply but methodically trying to convince you that you still carry around that old man nature. The truth spiritually (which is who you really are eternally) is that you are ONE with Christ (Ephesians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 6:17)
You cannot crucify yourself! You were co-crucified with Christ, co buried, and therefore co- resurrected with Him and now seated with Him (I john 4:17, Ephesians 2:6).
The reality of the outward behavior of your physical actions is the result of what and how you believe. What you believe to be true will eventually manifest.
So, Romans 6:10-11 is critical: "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life He lives, He lives to God. Likewise, you also reckon yourselves dead to sin (noun), but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Flesh is a way of thinking that produces self effort and dead works. This flesh is activated and increased by focusing on right behavior rather than right believing. If you begin to believe right, your behavior has no chance but to start manifesting the fruits of the Spirit instead of the works of the flesh.
Any type of religion including works based Christianity will "prod", "poke",  and activate the works of the flesh and not the fruit of the Spirit. Be led by the Spirit and you will see the kingdom of heaven manifest in the earth like never before.
Let that old man stay in the grave! The life of Christ Jesus is in you and He is the hope of manifesting the Glory of God in the earth......

Blessings.......Brad

Keep it Simple

Why is it that the human race finds if incredibly difficult to just keep things simple? We tend to think the more twists, turns, regulations, and instructions the better the end result will be. We may not really want to admit this altogether, but if we take an honest look at our lives we may be surprised where we have complicated things.

One of the reasons why God told Adam and Eve to not partake of the tree of the "knowledge of good and evil" was to keep things simple. Simple in terms of where our focus lies.
In 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 the apostle Paul draws a parallel to Eve in the garden. This verse says, 3"But I fear, lest somehow as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-you may well put up with it!NKJV

I have been challenged lately to keep things focused on the simplicity of the Gospel. We need to be struck again with the wonder and amazement of the depth and riches hidden in the very person of Jesus. If you look at what Paul was also saying to the Church in Corinth, simplicity in where wisdom and knowledge is found. Look at this, Colossians 2:2-4 "being knit together in love, and attaining to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words."

We have this treasure in our earthen vessel. Christ is in us, the hope of realizing the glory He has imputed to us at the cross. As Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the desert on a pole for the Israelites to expectantly gaze upon, a constant gaze upon Jesus will bring manifestation for you today. Amen?