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though our outward man perish, our inward man is renewed day by day. 2Cor4:16b
One of the advantages of living by faith is that our inward man can be
renewed. Not only at regeneration, we are new creatures in
Christ, old thing have passed away, behold all things are new
(2Cor5:17), but renewal can take place as we continue to live and walk
in the Spirit. Romans twelve verse one tells us “be not conformed
to the world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” and
this renewal is through reading the word, knowing the word, and living
the word. Renewal occurs as we live a spiritual life spending
quality time with God, working out our salvation, and loving our
neighbor. St Paul endured many hardships for the Lord and his
body took a beating, but because he lived in the anointing his inward
man could be renewed. We may not have to endure hardships like St
Paul, but the truth be told, if we are blessed to live a long life,
then our outward man will begin to perish. It is the consequence
of the corruption of the flesh and the fall of Adam. Yet if we
learn the secret of a spiritual life, stillness and silence, prayer and
scripture, eating and sleeping well and have received the Spirit,
overcome sin and the works of the flesh, and fulfilled the royal law to
love our neighbor, then we will be renewed. Renewal means that we can prosper and be in health as our soul prospers (3Jn2) and it does not matter what our age is because the anointing keeps us filled with love, joy, and peace. St Paul goes on to say that when he is weak then he is strong and that the grace of the Lord is sufficient fir him (2Cor12) and so will it be with us as we live the great commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength and love our neighbor as our self. The fruit of living by faith is power, love, and a sound mind, not a spirit of fear (2Tm1:6). The importance of being Spirit-filled can not be minimized. Natural strength and willpower will not bring about New Testament renewal. We need the Holy Spirit. We need to know the word of God. We need to practice charity. Unless we have received something personally from God, renewal will not occur. Jesus tells us we must be born again. We must be regenerated. We must be justified by faith to have peace with God (Rm5:1) and that means we have dealt with sin and the works of the flesh by pleading the blood of Christ and confessing the word. Finally we must be sanctified by the renewal of the Spirit and the reception of the Father. The anointing which destroys the yoke (Is10:27) is a result of the abiding of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Renewal is a work of God. Pray for renewal. Pray for the anointing. Live by faith. Amen |