Key Verse: The Apostle Paul declared, "From now on therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view, even though we once knew Christ (Jesus Christ), from a human point of view, we know him (Christ) no longer in that way" (2 Corinthians 5:16).
Introduction
To Paul, Jesus Christ as the Son of Man, set his mind on spiritual and heavenly things. He thus became the full incarnation, revelation and manifestation of the Godhead in human flesh (Matthew 16:23, Mark 1:14-15, Colossians 2:9). Jesus Christ as the Son of Man is God's Beloved and Anointed Messiah. In the power, guidance and begetting of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ pleased God by laying down living his life here on earth, in the mind of the flesh. Jesus chose to follow God’s plan, will and command to live his life in the mind of the spirit (John 10:17-18, Luke 4:16-21, Philippians 2:5-11). Because Jesus Christ lived the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, Jesus is 'The Christ', the Beloved and the Begotten Son of God, fully revealing God's plan, word and will for mankind, while here on earth (Genesis 1:26-27, 2 Corinthians 5:16, Colossians 1:26-27).
Readiness for the death of the mind of flesh
In today's Epistle the Apostle Paul declares that in mankind’s new covenant relationship with God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, believers must be ready and prepared to live by faith and not by sight. Those who desire the knowledge and power to fulfill God's plan, will and commands for kingdom living here on earth, must be ready and prepared to lay down living their lives in the mind of the flesh. Jesus Christ revealed that God’s wisdom, power and agape love for kingdom living, are by natural and spiritual law, withheld from and rejected by those who choose to walk and live their lives in the mind of the flesh (John 8:42-47). Jesus Christ and Paul assure us that believers, who trust in God, and live their lives in the mind of the spirit, are ready and by faith will open their souls, hearts, minds and lives to the full incarnation and manifestation of the Godhead’s presence, wisdom, grace. truth and agape love in their lives and relationships (Romans 8:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:6-7).
Intentionally dwelling in Christ's Presence
Throughout their reconciliation ministries here on earth, Jesus Christ and Paul intentionally taught, lived and revealed God's way, truth and life, in Christ, God's image and likeness, in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ and all persons . Jesus Christ modeled and fulfilled God’s plan for all mankind to follow him, in the practice of kingdom living, here on earth (John 14:6). Jesus declared to the crowds and his disciples who followed him, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34-35).
The Apostle Paul declares that down through the ages and generations, this mystery of mankind being delivered and passing over from the slavery, sin and spiritual death in the mind of the flesh, into the freedom, truth and grace of God's love in the mind of the spirit, has been hidden from mankind (Colossians 1:25-29). This Paschal Mystery remains hidden from those who choose to live their lives in the mind of the flesh. Today’s Epistle stresses that believers who choose to live and dwell in the mind of the spirit, and practice kingdom living here on earth, must focus their hearts, minds, actions and lives on the things of God and not the things of men (Mark 8:31-33, 2 Corinthians 5:8).
Life in the mind of the spirit
Living in the mind and power of the Holy Spirit engenders holy ambitions within Christ-centered witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities. Life in the mind of the spirit is pleasing to God. When believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, choose to lay down living their lives in the mind of the flesh, and take up living in the mind of the spirit, their hearts, thoughts, relationships, actions and lives are transformed. They will have God's desired authority, power, wisdom, compassion, love and civility to practice kingdom living, here on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10).
Reconciliation within witnessing paschal faith communities
In 2 Corinthians 5:16, the Apostle Paul made this startling affirmation about Christ-centered witnessing paschal faith communities, who live their lives in the mind of the spirit. "From now on therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view, even though we once knew Christ (Jesus Christ), from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way" (2 Corinthians 5:16). Is Paul suggesting that when believers see Jesus Christ in the mind of the flesh, they tend to focus primarily on how different, exceptional and divine Jesus Christ was as a human being, and how condemned, sinful and unworthy we are, compared to him?
On the other hand, could Paul be implying, when believers see Jesus Christ in the mind of the spirit, they will discern and more easily embrace Jesus' full humanity, in the presence and mystery of Jesus Christ's full incarnate divinity (Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 2:9)? Is Paul then suggesting that in the mind of the spirit, with humility, repentance, faith and obedience, believers are more effectively empowered by the Holy Spirit, to steadfastly follow Jesus in living the Paschal Mystery, as witnessing paschal faith communities (Mark 8:31-34)? Is Paul suggesting that believers, who seek and serve Christ in all persons, in the mind of the spirit, are better able to discern, experience and manifest mankind's hidden, inner potential, as God's image and likeness, in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ, all persons and themselves (Luke 17:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)?
Conclusion:
Like the Apostle Paul, are you confident that whether in or out of your present physical body, you are forever present with the Godhead in Christ (LOGOS, ADONAI, JEHOVAH) as LORD (Acts 17:28) Are you pleasing God, in walking by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:6)? Are you now experiencing the Paschal Mystery of resurrection from the spiritual death of the mind of the flesh, and passing over into eternal life in Christ, in the mind of the spirit? Isn't it exciting to experience what Jesus Christ described as being born again, and being born from above, because you have been born of water and of the spirit (John 3:1-21)? Are you now seeing Jesus Christ, all other persons and yourself not just from a human point of view, but primarily from a divine or spiritual point of view in Christ? Have you chosen to lay down your life in the mind of the flesh, and now live your life in the mind of the spirit? (John 10:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:16).
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Season of Pentecost, Proper 6
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