Q, Redding, California — “In Romans 7:18 we read, lIn the flesh dwelleth no good thing.’ Christ was in the flesh and He was perfect. How can we explain this?” A. The phrase, “In the flesh,” does not always mean the same thing. Some times the Bible uses the word “flesh” in connection with the body. Our spir its are housed in our bodies. Other times “flesh” means carnal desires; the fallen or Adamic nature. The sev enth chapter of Romans reveals the struggle of the believer with the “old man.” Paul is pointing out that justi fication is not by works. Just as we had to allow God to save us from the pen alty of sin, so we have to allow Him to deliver us from the power of sin. He shows the distress of a saved man whose new nature has a desire to please God while he finds another strong pull, an inclination to sin. He realizes that the degraded nature of man has no good whatsoever. It is only when the new nature is given free course, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, that one can accomplish the will of God. This is an entirely different matter from what our Lord Jesus Christ was in the flesh. He was in a body, but did not have any carnal nature; He did not inherit Adam’s fallen nature. The Sav iour had a fallen mother but no human father. The Holy Spirit was the One who begat this blessed One through the virgin. Christ was tested in all points like as we are yet He was without sin in nature or in deed. Q. Cupertino, California — “How can we know God’s w ill for our lives?”
A. It is much easier to tell other peo ple how to know the will of the Lord than it is to find it out for yourself. First of all, let us be sure to use the Word of God as our standard of con formity. Secondly, we need to make sure that what we are doing will be for the Lord not for self. One of the most significant passages of any pray er is at the close when we say, “This we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” To be honest, how many times would we have to say, “This I ask for my own sake.” Next, with other conditions in proper perspective, we should make certain there is peace in our lives about the matter we are considering. The old adage is often applicable, “When in doubt, don’t.” It is not an easy thing to know God’s will. If anything shows the fallen nature of man it is his con stant desire to please self and not the Saviour. Q. Saratoga, California — “How does Mat thew 24 tie in w ith the rapture of the church?” A. Matthew 24 and 25 is the longest prophetic address ever given by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a tremendous prophetic discourse. Some Bible teach ers belieye the rapture of the church takes place in Matthew 24 after the 14th verse. Others teach that it takes place around the eighth verse. We do not believe that the church is in this portion at all. There are spiritual ap plications here but we are talking about primary interpretation. This portion of Scripture refers to Christ’s second com- (continued on next page) 15
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