Hello, and happy Friday :) 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Jesus took his flesh with him when He ascended into heaven. We know the brethren that are alive and remain after the inner man. The New Creature is a Spirit Man inside of an old wines skin. (Luke 5:37-8) Men that are not saved have a spirit man inside of their body, but that spirit man is not renewed. They need to be born again. When I received Jesus as Lord, one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that was immediately operational was the gift of the discernment of spirits. Whether born-again or not, I knew people after their spirit as well as their flesh. I had a neighbor friend one Halloween run up in a full body costume and made an uncharacteristic growl. I just said "Hi 'so and so' saying her name. I didn't think anything of it. She was FURIOUS! HOW DID I KNOW WHO SHE WAS.!! I was taken back, I didn't understand why she was so upset. It was obvious, I thought. I realize now that everybody has a peculiar what I call "Spirit Print" Just like each of us has a unique finger print, I know people after their Spirit. Masks and costumes cannot cover your spirit. Paul says specifically of us who are born again we do not know one another after the flesh. I include in that our sins, because that's what they are... after the flesh. If a brother is walking after the flesh that is different than a temporal sin committed. Some sin is to be rebuked sharply and in others we have patience, love, and understanding. Still, flesh is flesh. The Lord is faithful to finish the work he has begun in us. God is faithful. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Hallelu Jah. Lord help us to walk in the spirit and be aware of the spiritual blessings and needs of the people we know and meet. Help us to be instant in prayer, in Christ Amen. Have a good weekend. With love in Christ, Robert |