{"id":2813,"date":"2018-11-09T17:09:25","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T16:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.manual4life.org\/en\/?p=2813"},"modified":"2019-07-17T15:51:40","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T14:51:40","slug":"flesh-spirit-curse-grace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/delevensschool.org\/en\/flesh-spirit-curse-grace\/","title":{"rendered":"Flesh and Spirit, curse and grace"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the study \u2018The law and the curse\u2019<\/span><\/a> we explain that the curse on the law has not been removed, but is still in force and that Jesus has become the curse<\/strong>.
\nAs a result, the curse no longer has any influence upon whoever is in Him<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

That study was concluded with the text:<\/p>\n

\u2026 continue to work out (bring about, achieve) your salvation (deliverance, safety) with fear and trembling<\/strong>, \u2026\u00a0\u00a0 (Philippians 2:12)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Fear and trembling:<\/strong>
\nAccording to the OLB<\/span><\/a> this is an expression describing the anxiety of someone who realises that he cannot completely fulfil all the requirements, but devotedly does his very best<\/strong> to carry out his task.<\/p>\n

The above-mentioned thought is developed further in this new study.<\/p>\n

Basic principle of life as a disciple of Jesus<\/span><\/h3>\n

The above-mentioned text is the basic principle for the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
\nPaul encourages the Christians of Philippi to do their very best to achieve their deliverance<\/strong>, not only when he is present, but also when he is absent.<\/p>\n

And he continues:<\/p>\n

\u2026 for it is God who works in you<\/span> to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose (good will, pleasure, wish).\u00a0\u00a0 (Philippians 2:13)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Works:<\/strong> The Greek verb that can also be translated as to bring about<\/strong>, is conjugated here as a participle, i.e.: bringing about in you –\u00a0 as an ongoing action.<\/p>\n

Interpreted freely:<\/span><\/strong>
\nA disciple of Jesus Christ must do his very best to achieve his deliverance, because God – because of His kindness<\/span><\/a> – is bringing about willing and working in him\/her.<\/strong><\/p>\n

God, from His side, has done everything possible to deliver man from the slavery of sin. Man cannot earn that deliverance; it is received\/accepted through faith\/trust in Jesus Christ<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this respect a believer, as a disciple of Jesus Christ<\/span><\/a>, will have to make an effort to hold on to that deliverance and thus to receive the full life that Jesus promised when He said:<\/p>\n

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.\u00a0\u00a0 (John 10:10)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The life of a disciple:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Life as a disciple of Jesus Christ is living in relationship with Him, protected by Him<\/span><\/a> from the direct attacks of the devil and free from the curse upon non-observance of the law.<\/p>\n

God accepts the fact that a disciple is not capable of obeying Jesus completely, but – as is stated at the beginning of this study – He expects him \u2018to do his very best\u2019<\/strong> to live as a child of God<\/span><\/a>, according to the rules of the Kingdom of Heaven.
\nThis requires constantly making the right choice in life\u2019s challenges, in accordance with the will of God, as He has made it known to us in the Bible.<\/p>\n

The desires of the flesh.<\/span><\/h3>\n

These choices can be hard, when the temptation of the world or of one\u2019s own desire becomes so strong that the whispering of the Holy Spirit is drowned out.<\/p>\n

The Bible calls this: the desires of the flesh<\/strong>:<\/p>\n