Yesterday was quite the beginning of understanding Paul’s apostleship in this “Mystery Period” known as the Dispensation of Grace. Ephesians 2 is a critical foundation chapter in understanding the three historic statements found in this chapter: “Times Past”, “But Now”, “The Ages to Come.” We will continue our examination of these statements this coming Sunday.
Our discussion of the “old man”, the nature we are born with, also known as “the flesh”, and our “new man”, the regenerated, new creation we are in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), was quite enlightening, as we read the 18 works of the flesh (Galatians 5:17-21) we are all capable of. Our old man, Adamic nature can never be rehabilitated. It will always crave to wallow in the mire of the works of the flesh. Thankfully, the flesh does not inherit the Kingdom of God. It is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical kingdom!
1 Corinthians 15:50: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
John 3:6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The only way to have victory over the cravings of the flesh is to strengthen our inner man to crave the heavenly things of Christ. The old man never weakens, so, it must be the intentional decisions and actions of the new man that will strengthen each of us to overcome what we were — children of wrath.
Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.