"When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." (Matthew 3:16,17;4:1)
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me (Paul) free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on he things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8:1-5)
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." (v.9)
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors---not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (v.12,13)
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs---heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together."(v.16,17)
Do you have the Spirit of Christ? If so, you recognize that the He is leading you out into the wilderness. The devil will tempt you to make your own way there. The Holy Spirit will empower you there, revealing His words to you. James writes, 'My brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.'(5:10,11)
Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, while in the flesh. His body is now instructed and empowered to do the same.
2 comments:
I've always found it very telling that immediately after God said he was pleased with Jesus, he immediately is led to be tempted by Satan. Can we parallel this in our own lives that God can be pleased with us but then allow Satan to tempt us in order to mold and shape us (through fire) as a piece of pottery is refined or strengthened during the firing process??
Our testimony, as part of the body of Christ, will be like that of the author and finisher of our faith, in the wisdom of God.
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