"Christ Becoming Flesh vs. Christ Becoming the Life-Giving Spirit"

 

"Christ Becoming Flesh vs. Christ Becoming the Life-Giving Spirit"

John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and reality."

1 Corinthians 15:45 "So also it is written, 'The first man, Adam, became a living soul'; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit."

1 Corinthians 6:17 "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." 

Aspect	Christ Becoming Flesh	Christ Becoming the Life-Giving Spirit
Meaning	1. Incarnation, taking human form 2. Coming for redemption	1. Becoming the source of life through resurrection 2. Distributing life
Distinctions	1. Soulish body 2. Natural state 3. Redemption phase	1. Spiritual body 2. Resurrected form 3. Life distribution phase
Explanation	- Beginning of incarnation - Preparation for redemption plan	- New identity after resurrection - Imparting life to believers
Practical Examples	- Jesus during incarnation - Christ living on earth	- Resurrected Christ - Christ operating in believers' spirits
Application	1. Redemption 2. Dying in place of humanity	1. Life distribution 2. Union with believers
Relationship Between Two	Incarnation is the premise of redemption; Life-giving Spirit is the realization of life distribution
Key Scriptures	- John 1:14 (Incarnation) - John 1:29 (Taking away sins)	- 1 Corinthians 15:45 (Last Adam became life-giving Spirit) - 1 Corinthians 6:17 (Becoming one spirit with the Lord)
Life Quality	Soulish, Natural	Spiritual, Resurrected
Relationship with Believers	External Redeemer	Internal Life Source
Historical Significance	Representative of Old Creation	Center of New Creation
Ultimate Goal	Redeeming Humanity	Transforming Believers, Building Christ's Body

Spiritual Depth:

1.      Christ becoming flesh is the beginning of redemption, becoming the life-giving Spirit is the continuation of life

2.      Transition from external redemption to internal life distribution

3.      Transformation from old creation to new creation

4.      From substitutionary redemption to organic union

Spiritual Insights:

• Believers are not only redeemed but must experience Christ as the life-giving Spirit
• Life is not about external change but spiritual renewal
• Christ's work is comprehensive: Redemption → Life → Transformation

Practical Application:

• Accept redemption
• Open the spirit to Christ's indwelling
• Live by the spirit, not by the soul
• Pursue life growth and renewal

Interpretative Principles:

• Emphasize the progressive nature of God's redemptive plan
• Highlight the transition from external work to internal transformation
• Underscore the believer's participation in Christ's life

Missiological Implications:

• Understanding the fullness of Christ's work
• Recognizing the dynamic nature of spiritual life
• Encouraging believers to move beyond mere theological knowledge to experiential reality

*Please refer to Life-Study of First Corinthians, Message Sixty-Eight: Dealing with Resurrection (4)

Deliverance from Sins VS Deliverance from the Power of Sin

 

Deliverance from Sins VS Deliverance from the Power of Sin

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1)

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace" (Rom 6:14)

Comparison Items	Deliverance from Sins (Plural)	Related Scriptures	Deliverance from the Power of Sin (Singular)	Related Scriptures
Solution	Through  Christ's Death	"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree"  (1 Peter 2:24a)	Through  Christ's Resurrection Life	"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death" (Rom 8:2)
Meaning	Deliverance from condemnation of sins, judgment, and lake of fire	"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1)	Deliverance from  sin's dominion and bondage	"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace" (Rom 6:14)
Nature	Objective  fact	"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Cor 15:17)	Subjective experience	"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his" (Rom 6:5)
Time Frame	Once And for all	"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" (Heb 10:14)	Continuous process (lifelong, daily, moment by moment)	"Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden" (Ps 68:19)
Examples	- Eternal salvation - Forgiveness of sins - Justification	"The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23)	- Overcoming temper - Conquering personal weaknesses - Daily victory	"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13)
Application	- Accepting Christ's redemption - Believing in forgiveness - Claiming by faith	"For by grace you have been saved through faith" (Eph 2:8)	- Living in resurrection power - Obeying the law of the Spirit of life - Constant renewal and practice	"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection" (Phil 3:10)
Operating Principle	Cleansing by Christ's blood	"Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" (Heb 9:22)	Like an airplane overcoming gravity, the law of the Spirit of life overcomes the law of sin	"He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom 8:11)

Relationship Between the Two:

1.      Sequential: Must first be delivered from the condemnation of sins before experiencing deliverance from sin's power

o   "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations?" (Col 2:20)

2.      Complementary: Both aspects constitute complete salvation

o   "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11)

3.      Dependent: Deliverance from sin's power is built upon deliverance from sin's condemnation

o   "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27)

The distinction between these two aspects reflects:

1.      Two crucial dimensions of salvation:

o   Judicial aspect: Dealing with the guilt and condemnation of sins

o   Organic aspect: Dealing with the power and dominion of sin

2.      The foundation (deliverance from sins) and the ongoing experience (deliverance from sin's power)

3.      Both aspects are necessary and inseparable in the believer's life

This table comprehensively analyzes the differences between "Deliverance from Sins" and "Deliverance from the Power of Sin," supported by relevant Scripture verses. Each comparative item is documented with biblical references, making the contrast both clear and biblically grounded.

*Please refer to Life-Study of First Corinthians, Message Sixty-Six: Dealing with Resurrection (2)

Comparison between the Body and the Church

 

Comparison between the Body and the Church

Aspects	The Body	The Church
Basic Meaning	An organism for Christ to be the life of believers	An assembly for God to carry out His administration
Main Function	To grow Christ and express Christ	To execute divine administration
Key Distinctions	• Emphasizes life aspect • Focuses on organic growth • For organic expression	• Emphasizes administrative aspect • Focuses on administrative management • For God's administration
Specific Description	• Is an organic entity • Lives by Christ Himself • Lives to express Christ • Christ is the essence of the Body	• Has established positions • Has ordered management • Executes God's eternal purpose
Practical Operation	• Growth in life • Organic building up • Expression of Christ	• Exercise of gifts • Coordination of functions • Execution of administration
Application	• Pursuit of life growth • Focus on Christ's expression • Attention to organic reality	• Focus on administrative coordination • Execution of God's will • Attention to practical matters
Related Scripture	1 Corinthians 12	1 Corinthians 14

Relationship Between the Two

1.      Unity in Essence:

o   The Body is the Church, and the Church is the Body

o   Both point to the same entity but viewed from different angles

2.      Complementary in Function:

o   The Body is responsible for expressing Christ

o   The Church is responsible for God's administration

o   Both are indispensable

3.      Coordination in Practice:

o   The Body is needed to express Christ

o   The Church is needed to execute divine administration

o   They coordinate together to fulfill God's will

This table comprehensively compares the similarities and differences between the Body and the Church in various aspects. However, several key points need special attention:

 

l   Although they point to the same entity, each has its special function and emphasis

l   The Body emphasizes the life aspect, while the Church emphasizes the administrative aspect

l   The coordination of both accomplishes God's complete purpose

 

These observations highlight how the two aspects work together while maintaining their distinct emphases.