I am grateful that we are able to compare and contrast scripture when studying events that occurred in time past, in Christ's ministry before the cross, and Paul's teaching on similar issues like the struggle we all experience in our flesh. In Matthew 15:1-20 and Mark 7:1-23, Jesus dealt with the conflict of tradition versus commandment, exposing the true issue -- a wicked and deceitful heart.
In these three weeks, we have extensively studied Paul's teaching on the conflict we all have between our old Adamic nature, known as the flesh, and our new man we are in Christ. It is always an issue of the heart. Before the finished work of Christ, men had to conquer their deceitful, desperately wicked heart through a sheer act of the will. In the dispensation of the grace of God, we receive the sealing / baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation. This permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit strengthens us to overcome our flesh.
As we have seen, Paul lists many sinful activities that our flesh craves to be involved in, as well as attitudes and actions for our new man to focus on in this journey into Christ-likeness. WE are to put off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new man (Colossians 3:9-10), which is renewed after the image of Christ! We are crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)!
What commandments are we to follow in this mystery period known as the dispensation of the grace of God? Since we are free from the law of sin and death, the commandments given to us come by revelation to the Apostle Paul.
1 Corinthians 14:37: If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
When we get a full grasp of Paul's writings that they are written to us, not just for us, we have clear commands on what we should and should not do. Our new man has been called unto liberty, and we are to stand fast in that liberty (freedom to do what is right).
Galatians 5:1,13: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
