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Crucifying the Flesh, July 10
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts.
Galatians 5:24
.
We are not our own. We have been “bought with a price” (
1 Corinthi-
ans 6:20
), not “with corruptible things, as silver and gold, ... but with the
precious blood of Christ” (
1 Peter 1:18, 19
); “that they which live should
not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them,
and rose again” (
2 Corinthians 5:15
).
All men have been bought with this infinite price. By pouring the
whole treasury of heaven into this world, by giving us in Christ all heaven,
God has purchased the will, the affections, the mind, the soul, of every
human being.... All men are the Lord’s property.
This expression, “bought with a price,” means everything to us. In
consideration of the price paid for us, shall we not yield our bodies and
souls up to Him who has bought us with His blood? Shall not that which
He has redeemed be kept in as wholesome and pure and holy a condition
as possible? ... Our very flesh He has saved at an infinite cost, giving His
own flesh for the life of the world.
The lower passions have their seat in the body, and work through it.
The words “flesh” or “fleshly” or “carnal lusts” embrace the lower, corrupt
nature; the flesh of itself cannot act contrary to the will of God. We are
commanded to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. How shall
we do it? Shall we inflict pain on the body? No; but put to death the
temptation to sin. The corrupt thought is to be expelled.... All animal
propensities are to be subjected to the higher powers of the soul. The love
of God must reign supreme; Christ must occupy an undivided throne. Our
bodies are to be regarded as His purchased possession. The members of
the body are to become the instruments of righteousness.
Jesus will be the helper of all who put their trust in Him. Those who
are connected with Christ have happiness at their command. They follow
the path where their Saviour leads, for His sake crucifying the flesh, with
its affections and lusts. They have built their hopes on Christ, and the
storms of earth are powerless to sweep them from the sure foundation.
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