God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7). I have seen in the ministry some of the truths have been taken so lightly. Speaking faith is good, but not beyond the word of God. When the truth of God is taken lightly, it becomes flesh. That’s why John 3:6 says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” When it comes from flesh, it may not be exact, but when it’s from Spirit, it’s absolutely exact.
1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
It says absolutely exactly – not in between. Either Jesus is accursed or Jesus is Lord. Nothing more and nothing less. The key driving force here is the Spirit of God alone. Not our intellect or somebodies’ emotion or craftiness or loud cry. However, many times – preachers use their emotions or craftiness or loud cry thinking that will move the Spirit of God.
Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”. Many times I see, in church services, slaying in the Spirit happens, but after a few days – that same believer backslides. That indicates, they are just carnal, from flesh rather than actual Spirit of God. People give testimony of healing due to the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord – he is powerful. The actual miracle – breakthrough is to come in our heart – against sin, flesh, unbelief. This rarely happens in the body of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states that, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” When someone accepts Jesus – believers, even Pastors say – Yay! – now you are a new creature. That is not true most of the time. It says, “if anyone is in Christ..” A person accepting Jesus as Lord doesn’t mean he is in Christ yet – yes, Christ comes in him. In verse 5:17 – the verse starts with “Therefore if anyone…”(NKJV). That means the reason or virtue behind true new creation is mentioned in the previous verses.
How do you know that you are a new creation in Christ? You will know it when you know it.
Starting from verse 14-15, it says, “One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again.” One should die before new birth. But if you analyze the way someone accepts Jesus as Lord, they rarely confess this. Most of the Pastors and Preachers have missed this. Yet, they say newly converted, “You are now a new creature”. That’s not scriptural. Further down, in verse 15, it says, “they should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again”. Has that been really true? Is the new convert ready to live for Christ alone or just looking for blessings – healing and prosperity – which is the majority ?
Further down, if we read verse 16, the reason behind new birth is FLESH. “One according to the flesh” – has appeared in verse twice. Now we know him in this way (according to the flesh) no longer. That is a profound truth. Yes, if a convert is looking into someone according to the flesh – that probably means he is not born again yet.
For an illustration, let’s consider a blind man – by birth. Never has seen this world, of course he has heard and touched tangible things. What would happen if he gets a chance to see this world at the age of 30? You are right, his perspective towards this world will be different, way of living will be different. Exactly, a believer born again in Christ will have a different perspective looking into not only Christ but also every man. He doesn’t look at anyone according to their height, color, financial status, intellect, strength, education, title/position, outfits, etc. However, it’s not true even in the anointed Pastors, leaders of the churches. They value prosperity, they value outfits, they value intellects, backgrounds, etc. They show favor towards the believers who bring more offerings and tithes. That’s such a pity – it’s happening in Churches of Christ today. I have cried for this many times in my life.
Jesus said in John 8:15, “You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.” Let’s look in our heart, is it still true in us? If that is yes, even 1% – we should cry out to the Lord for his grace and repent before him. Opposite of the Flesh is Spirit. John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”