1 Corinthians 5:16-17

BASIC TRUTH SERIES No 2.

1 Corinthians 5:16-17
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.

I don’t know if you realize that most of today’s so called Christianity is a religion according to Jesus in the flesh. I call it the "Jesus cult." You can tell by their songs and their attitude towards a Holy God and to his Holy Word. It is a Jesus in the image of man, who was born in Bethlehem, lived a good live and was crucified. But the Apostle Paul gives a different view, and according to him he is not just a Jesus, but the Lord of Glory, he is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. A few thoughts on John’s vision of Revelation chapter one should settle our minds. You see John was with the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration, and what he saw was a vision of Christ in His glory under the title as the Son of Man, but notice the difference when he sees the same Person on whom he leaned at the last supper. When John saw Him in Revelation chapter one, he fell at His feet as dead. And the reason, he saw the Lord Jesus in all His heavenly glory, because when the Lord ascended from Mount Olivet into heaven He changed - just like we are to be changed in the twinkling of the eye. To what degree this change will be for us I am not quite sure, but every true Christian should keep in mind the words of 1John 3:1-3. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3, And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

The Lord Jesus is now in heaven, invested with all power over heaven and earth, invested with all power and glory, and a name that is above every name that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is why the Apostle Paul wrote - henceforth we no longer know Christ after the flesh. Do you know Jesus as the living and glorified Lord and Saviour who has all power in heaven and earth, or is he like a supermarket item you can take or leave or even perhaps wait for the opportunity when he is on special. The true Christian is urged to worship Him as the exalted, holy and lofty One.

F.J.R. 9.3.1997.