Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Better to View People This Way

2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Barnes' Notes gives us this thought,
"In view of the fact that the Lord Jesus died for all people, and rose again. The effect of that has been to change all our feelings, and to give us entirely new views of people, of ourselves, and of the Messiah…"

Paul had determined to see every human being, not for who they were physically, but who a God intended them to be spiritually. This sort of view would:
  • Eliminate issues of prejudice and intimidation on account of office
  • Squelch the bitterness of grudgery and
  • Inoculate against inward hatred of those who had in some way harmed us
It is a position no Christian can hold perfectly because, though we have been born of the Spirit, yet we still live in a body of the flesh. Paul's lesson does, nevertheless, equip us with a tool to strengthen the foundations of our heart in regards to others.

  • It is impossible but that offenses will come, but it is possible to not be offended by them
  • It is impossible but that there will be inequality of wealth and privilege in this world, but it is possible not to be envious of others
  • It is impossible but that we will experience enmity from others, but it is possible that we hold no ought against them

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