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Nature of the Flesh

"...they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh;"   Romans 8:5

The flesh is the unregenerate nature of man, that which can never change. Jesus said, "...the flesh profiteth nothing..."   John 6:63. Until we are born again, we can never be pleasing to God. "...they that are in the flesh cannot please God."   Romans 8:8.

Paul said, "...the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like..." Paul then finalizes the plight of the flesh by saying, "...they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."  (Galatians 5:19-21).

The nature of the flesh is to mind the things of the flesh, it can do nothing else. No matter how you dress the flesh up to look spiritual, it always reverts to type, it can do nothing else. In this fast paced age of drive though conversions, it is little wonder that the church is in the condition she is.

Look past the cosmetics of the modern church and you will find the works of the flesh. Kind after its kind, carnel preachers reproducing carnel christians, ultimately reverting back to their true nature. Paul said they have, "...a form of godliness... Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth"  (2 Timothy 3:5&7). They cannot find truth for the same reason a thief cannot find a police officer, they both prefer the darkness.

—  Randy Munter

Characteristics of the Self-Life

A secret spirit of pride; or an exalted feeling in view of your success or position-because of your good training or appearance because of your natural gifts or abilities, an important independent spirit? Prov. 16:18, 20:6; Rom. 12:3; James 4:6-8.

Love of human praise; a secret fondness to be noticed; love of supremacy, drawing attention to self in conversation; a swelling out of self when you have had a special open door in speaking or praying? Jn. 5:44, 12:42-43; I Cor. 13:4.

The stirrings of anger or impatience; which, worst of all, you call nervousness or holy indignation; a touchy, sensitive spirit; a disposition to resent and retaliate when dissaproved of or contradicted; a desire to throw sharp, heated remarks at another? Psalms 37:8; Eccl. 7:9; Luke 21:19; James 1:19: Rom. 5:3.

Self-will; a stubborn unteachable spirit; an arguing, talkative spirit; harsh, sarcastic expressions; an unyielding, headstrong disposition; a driving, commanding spirit; a disposition to criticize and pick flaws when set aside and unnoticed; a pevish fretful spirit; a disposition that loves to be coaxed and humored? Deut. 1:43; Mal. 2:2; James 3:17; II Peter 2:10.

Carnal fear; a man-fearing spirit; a shrinking from reproach and duty; reasoning around your cross; a shrinking from doing your whole duty to those of wealth or position; a fearfulness that someone will offend and drive some prominate person away; a comprimising spirit? I Sam. 15:24; Prov. 29:25; Gal. 2:12; I John 4:18.

A jealous disposition; a secret envy in your heart; an unpleasant sensation in view of the great prosperity and success of others; a disposition to speak of the faults and failings rather that the gifts and virtues of those more talented and appreciated than yourself? Gen. 26:12-16; I Sam. 18:8-9; Prov. 6:34,14:30; Mt. 21:15; Rom. 12:9-10.

A dishonest and deceitful disposition; the evading and covering of the truth; the covering up of your real faults; leaving a better impression of yourself than is strictly true; false humility; exageration straining the truth? Ps. 15:2-3; Isa. 29:13; Jer. 17:9; Mt. 23:28; Lk. 22:48; Acts 5:2-3; I Tim. 4:2.

Unbelief; a spirit of discouragement in times of pressure and opposition; lack of quietness and confidence in God; lack of faith and trust in God; a disposition to worry and complain in the midst of pain, poverty, or at the dispensations of divine Providence; an overanxoius feeling whether everything will come out all right? Is. 7:9; Lk. 12:28-30; I Cor. 2:14; II Cor. 5:6; Heb. 11:6; I Pet.5:7.

Formality and deadness; lack of compassion and concern for lost souls; dryness and indifference; lack of power with God? Mt. 15:14; II Tim. 3:5; Rev. 2:4, 3:1.

Selfishness; love of ease; love of money; love of your own time? Lk. 12:19-21; I Tim. 6:10-11; Amos 6:1-6.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me..."   Psalms 139:23-24

— Source Unknown

The Old Paths

When modem religionists who scoff at the "old paths" and "worn-out creeds" have had their say, there remains some stem facts which can never be explained away and some questions which can only receive one answer. I ask boldly: what churches have ever had a strong influence and been a profound blessing in their town except those churches which preach the gospel of God's sovereign grace Consistently and continually?

Where are the preachers whose ministries have lived past their deaths except those faithful servants who preached the old-fashioned, distinct doctrines of the early church and the Reformers? Their ministry is God's ministry and lives on through people redeemed through their gospel and young preachers called and sent under their leadership. The gospel of Christ's vicarious death and imputed righteousness is committed to faithful young men who will preach it to their generation!

Only distinct, doctrinal, time-tested theology produces real "FAITH, spoken of through the world," LOVE to Christ and others which grows stronger in trouble and trial, and "HOPE which maketh not ashamed" and is never ashamed of the gospel of our crucified Lord! Preaching which compromises His sovereign grace has wrought no deliverance of captives, won no victories over Satan's kingdom, and has NOT ONE TROPHY OF RACE!

The victories of Christianity, wherever they have been won, have been won by the plain and powerful preaching of our sovereign, victorious Lord Jesus Christ, without the slightest compromise.

— Source Unknown

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