OVERCOMING THE FLESH. by tonabamiro @ 2011-06-05 – 18:08:39 I usually like Sunday because it is a time I use to fellowship, and fellowship. Today was another exciting time at the Ibadan Varsity Christian Union (IVCU). Speaking on the mystery of the cross, Bro Towobola made a mention of John 21:18. He used this verse in a significant way, in which he typified the death of the flesh as Peter being led wherever he would not go, this signifying the Lord Jesus now had full control over his life, the flesh had been crucified. I completely agree with such an interpretation of verse 18 of John 21. Jesus says anyone who would follow him should deny himself (tantamount to denying the flesh), carry his cross daily (day after day), and follow him (the Greek says keep on following him)- Luke 9:23.` So we need to deny ourselves, we need to crucify the flesh. I now quote from the same John, from verse 10 to verse 19. This would be expedient, because I want to use certain parts of that passage in what I would discuss further. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come [and] dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry [thee] whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Peter, Petros, means little rock. The Greek word for a big rock is Petra. Jesus told Peter, thou art Peter (Petros) and upon this rock (Petra, big rock) I would build my church. While the dragon made war against the saints and prevailed in the book of Revelation, the gates of hell would not prevailed over the sons of God, the little rocks, if they completely abide in Christ, the Son of God. Jesus says without me ye can do nothing. Even if you tried to do anything as a son of God, without Christ, it would all be tantamount to nothing. Before, we all had our conversation in the flesh, we all walked after our own will, but when we receive Christ, we should allow him to lead us everywhere, even to places we would not like to go. We should surrender our flesh, take up the cross, and follow him. We should deny ourselves. One of the ways we deny ourselves is by loving truly. That means we are mature, old men, just like Peter would become. Jesus told Peter twice, Do you love me, Agapas Me Pleon Touton, are you loving me of these? He used the word for love from Agapao. Peter replied Jesus both times using the word for love in the Greek, derived from Phileo, the love of a friend. But Jesus expects us to have the love of God for him, and also for the brethren, the love God has shed abroad in our hearts. Only then are we mature in love. The third time Jesus had to descend to his level, he used the word for the love derived from Phileo. Still Peter remained at his own level, remaining in Phileo. We need to be mature in love. It is no coincidence that they caught fish this time. Fish is symbolic of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for fish, Ikthus is formed from every initial of the word Iesous Kristos Ho Huios Tou Theo, Jesus Christ The Son Of God. So we should truly love the brethren, if we say we are sons of God, by abiding in love. The LORD helps us to crucify the flesh. Sin shall no more have dominion over us, for we are sons of God. I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT. This is the remark of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 12:44:34 +0000
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