“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.” (Gal. 5:24)

Should I say it louder for those in the very back? There really are not a whole lot of other ways to express or translate that statement. If there is another scripture found in our beloved Bible that can really ‘throw a wrench’ in our modern day Christian theology, I don’t know what it is... other than maybe John 10:27; and both verses seem to make very clear identifying remarks pertaining to those who belong to Christ.

It can be quite easy as you well know, for anyone to ‘profess...they know Christ’ (let alone belong to Him)... but it’s in the actions or ‘fruit’ they produce that they are really known by as to who they belong to, or not. (Titus 1:16; John 12:34-35; Matt. 7:17-20; 1 John 3:10,7)

How do we get around those words in Gal. 5:24 to make it say otherwise? If you or I or anyone else truly ‘belong’ to Jesus Christ, what has taken place? And please note – it’s one thing to be tempted or enticed, where our ‘enemy’ comes about like a ‘roaring lion seeking to devour...’ (1 Pet. 5:8), but it’s another thing all together to yield to and ‘give him place’; which we are warned repeatedly not to do (Eph. 4:27; James 1:13-16).

Jesus Himself was tempted repeatedly, just as we are in every area of our lives, yet He did not yield to it nor sin (Heb. 4:15). And IF...we are truly ‘abiding in Him’...then guess what we will be doing and/or not doing? (1 John 2:3-6; 3:6).

Let me remind you again- It is not a ‘sin’ to be tempted to sin, or to ‘have bad thoughts’. In fact, it’s not a sin for anyone who is truly abiding in Christ and ‘walking as He walked’...to experience human emotions like frustration or anger, which may confuse some of us at times. Perhaps that is why Paul made a point to mention that we can ‘be angry...but don’t sin’ (Eph. 4:26). Experiencing anger is not inherently sinful but acting on it destructively...is.

And IF...we do sin, then we have a place where we can find forgiveness and deliverance from that sin; but the bottom line is...if we are truly following Him...we will no longer continue to practice that sin (1 John 2:1; 1:7; 5:18).

Which takes us back to the passage we’ve been studying the past few days in Ephesians 2:1-3. We were looking at what it means to be ‘dead or alive’...In Christ. We were all once dead (spiritually) because of ‘sins and trespasses’, but those who truly heard His voice and responded accordingly...have been ‘quickened and made alive’.

We read in vs. 2 what the reason was for this spiritual death (caused by separation from God), and what was actively working ‘in’ us – the ‘spirit’ (demon) and who continues to work IN those who refuse to obey God. And it’s verse 3 that brings much clarity as to ‘how’ these unclean spirits work and operate and yes...even influence if not control us...if/when we are not abiding in Jesus. What were we presumed to have clear understanding on based on what John wrote in 1 John 5:19?

So let’s review again what gives this controlling influence of evil ground in our life, or ‘gives him place’ (Eph.4:27). It is our flesh nature. And Paul gives us quite the list of these ‘evident deeds’ of the flesh in Gal. 5:19-21, emphasizing that anyone who continues to live this way or practice those things...will ‘not inherit the kingdom of God’. He even hints that we can be easily deceived when it comes to this fact in Eph. 5:3-6.

Would you take a moment and make sure you have Romans 8:6-9 marked in your Bible. What are we told there is our condition if we remain to be ‘carnally minded’ (in the flesh)? Did Paul say we are hostile towards God, incapable of pleasing Him and will not subject ourselves to His law (to love as He loved)? And how important is it that we fulfill His law as He did (Rom. 2:13)? Oh, don’t forget to circle that 2-letter word ‘if’ in vs. 9 where it is affirmed that we are ‘not in the flesh....

Maybe this is why Paul admonishes us to take the time to examine our hearts and lives to make sure that Christ is indeed...’in us’ (2 Cor. 13:5). And instead of getting tangled up and confused by empty words and phrases that suggest one is ‘saved or not’, maybe we should just spend more time and effort in making sure we are allowing the Holy Spirit to get us aligned with God’s word instead?

So please make note of the ‘verb tense’ found in Eph. 2:3 where we are reminded that those who have truly been ‘made alive’ ...’once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as others’.

Do you think this might be the reason that one of the first things the Holy Spirit begins to lead us to do after we come to Jesus...is to begin ‘putting to death this flesh nature’ (Rom. 8:13)? Perhaps starting some nice ministry instead...was your sincere idea or that of some other ‘well meaning’ folks...as to what was really important. And yet what are we reminded of in Matt. 7:21-23 and 1 Cor. 13:1-3?

Allow me to leave you with the somber words written by Paul, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1)

Yes, it is important and it is serious. God is waking up a sleeping church and wanting us to make sure we are ‘ready’ for an upcoming wedding (Matt. 25:1-3; Eph. 5:8-17, 27; Rev. 19:7)