The Case Against The Flesh

The Case Against the flesh

           Examining the achievements and the honor given men and woman since the beginning of time, we can't help but wonder how it is that  problems and difficulties are always present. As we look around the world today, we find astounding progress and at the same time huge problems with no solutions. There is always hope that men will find a cure for all the ills that plague mankind, but will they? Is there a case to be made that the utopia men desire will evade them? There is one authority that many believe in and it is the Holy Bible.

      Before getting into the word of God, I think it would be worthwile to note a reasonable consideration. A manufactor that produces a product is no different than our great God. When one purchases a car or a washing machine etc; there is always an instructional manual that is included in the product. Is our Heavenly Father any different? Is the Bible our instruction manual that reveals that there is a purpose for life and a reason for the creation for men and women?Does any man have more authority to facts with reasonable conclusions? We can always agree with someone's intellect and subjections, but that dosn't make one an authority.

       There is a statement made in Genesis the 6th chapter verse 3 that needs to be considered concerning man and his wisdom. And the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for he is also ". And verse 6, :It repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth and it grived Him in His heart". Father has feelings and emotions just as we do.

      Most would just cruise over these scriptures and never stop to consider what is being said. Why would God have a change of heart for making man on the earth? The seemingly insignificant statements that are made in the early chapters of the Bible are the foundation on which we can build a better understanding throughout God's word.

       We read in Genesis 1: 27 that God created man and female. In Genesis 2:27 we read that He not only created man but that He wanted to form the man also. This pratice is practiced all the time by men. A sculpture is made from an existing created materal (clay) and then moulded and shaped (formed ) into an image the artist desires. The same is true when parents bring ( create ) a child into the world. Thats the easy part. The harder part is the moulding and shaping (forming) the character of the child. And so it is with God. Genesis the 2nd chapter reveals that God is the creator and also the one that forms the man. He placed Adam in the garden of Eden and instructed him as any parent would instruct a child. But because of the disobedence of the man, he was put out of the garden. Some believe that because of the disobedience of Adam, all humanity was put under a curse. This is not the case. So why did it repent the Lord that He had made man on the face of the earth? Breaking into the middle of verse three of chapter six gives us the answer, " He also is flesh". And in the same chapter, in the last part of verse 12 we read," for all flesh had corupted his way upon the earth". Even those that were created in Gen. 1:27, who never had the opportunity to take of the tree of life. This man Adam was put in the garden of Eden and was to take of the tree of life. That would have moulded a new nature in the man and he would have passed that nature down to his children if they wanted it.

         That tree represented Jesus Christ and with the help of God's Holy Spirit would have moulded a different character in the man. But now, because of Adam's disobedence, the tree of life was closed to him and God would work out His purpose another way. That other way is the reason why Jesus Christ is called the 2nd Adam. He would set the example for the rest of us and teach us how to overcome the deeds of the flesh. something the 1st Adam didn't do.

         This same subject, concerning the flesh, is described in many ways in the word of God. Circumcision, once commanded, is an ordance and not a law. It pictures the removal of the flesh, but now circumcision is of the heart. In Isaiah 40: 6-8, and 1st Peter 1:24, God compares flesh to grass and tells us what happens to grass. The case against flesh continues in the New Testament also. Considers what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 8: 13, " For if you live after the flesh, you will die, but if through the spirit you do mortify the deed's of the body (flesh) ye shall live". When Jesus Christ was in the garden of Gethsemane praying to His Father,we are told in Mark 14:38, "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation". And He goes on to say, " The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak". And in the Gospel of John, we read, " As thou has given Him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou has given Him". ( John 17:2)

          John 1:1, " In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God". Rev. 19:13 " And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood and His name is called the Word of God". These verses are talking about Jesus Christ. He is symbolically the Tree of Life that the 1st Adam should have taken of. His Word, our instruction manual, teaches us how to defeat the deeds of the flesh and how to have sucess in our families and in our community.

                                 Conclusion

           The case against the flesh is made throughout the Word of God. Starting from Genesis to the writings of Paul, a span of approx. 4 thousand years along with the writings of many of the prophets who are all saying the same thing, that the deeds of the flesh get men and women in trouble. Some would tell you that the Bible was only the writings of men. Peter answers them better than I ever could. 2nd Peter !: 20,  "Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the scripture is of any private interprention". And verse 21, " for the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit".