Our Flesh, His Flesh

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus… 

“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ‘the circumcision’ (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,.. and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” Ephesians 2:1-7,11-14,16

Paul draws clear distinctions between the rebel-bent filthy flesh of man versus the redeeming blood-filled sacrificial flesh of Christ. Dead, disobedient, wicked man is made alive by the grace and obedience and immeasurable love of Jesus. Self-serving boasting is swallowed by sacrificial humility so hopeless aliens, strangers, and enemies can be brought near and made whole by the broken body of the Savior. Flesh for flesh, God’s riches for spiritual indigents. The vapid and sin-sick are regenerated to spiritual health and fruitfulness. Alleluia.

In spite of these realities, we keep poking around in the flesh, meandering in worldly thought and flirting with temptations. By nature, we are lazy about changing clothes and habits. Disregarding the spiritual riches in our possession and careless about arming ourselves against enemy wiles, we go about work and play in mediocrity as spiritual paupers. (Luke 22:42; Romans 6:6-7,11-14; Ephesians 6:11-18; Colossians 3:5-17)

Every reminder to shake off the flesh is a call to remember Christ’s. His was perfect! His was surrendered wholly to His Father, and battled with temptation fully yielded to His Spirit and powerful, keeping Word! And in that unblemished flesh He took on my weakness and fallibility so I would not need to any longer! (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15-16)

Will I in bold faith exchange my flesh for His, wrestling for peace? What mindset or practice need I ruthlessly put off? How will I take advantage of heavenly access to rejoice and live freely in His grace? How can the flesh of Christ become my example and sustenance for daily struggles, and victory? (Ephesians 4:22-32; 5:3-4,8-11)

Lord, help me daily die to self and live by faith, as You did, and empower, to Your glory. (Galatians 2:20)