This quote by Irenaeus (130-202 CE) helps explain why I call myself a Christian. Plainly stated, I just can’t do it alone! Carnal lusts isn’t the term I would use, but on my own my soul and body remain self-centered/lustful. The Spirit, on the other hand, lifts me up to be the better self that I so long to be and that God wants me to be.
Jesus is with me, leading me, picking me up, forgiving me, showing me the way. Although I use the word me to describe what Jesus does, the me is the object of Jesus and Spirit raising me up to the life of God.
The perfect man consists of three elements: flesh, soul, and Spirit. One preserves and fashions—this is the Spirit; the other is united and formed—that is the flesh; that which is between these two is the soul, which sometimes, when it follows the Spirit is raised up by it. But sometimes it sympathizes with the flesh and falls into carnal lusts. Many do not have the Spirit who preserves and fashions: these are called flesh and blood by St. Paul….But all those who fear God and trust in his Son’s advent and who through faith establish the Spirit of God in their hearts, such men as these shall be properly called ‘spiritual’ because they possess the Spirit of the Father who purifies man and raises him up to the life of God.
Jesus is with me, leading me, picking me up, forgiving me, showing me the way. Although I use the word me to describe what Jesus does, the me is the object of Jesus and Spirit raising me up to the life of God.
The perfect man consists of three elements: flesh, soul, and Spirit. One preserves and fashions—this is the Spirit; the other is united and formed—that is the flesh; that which is between these two is the soul, which sometimes, when it follows the Spirit is raised up by it. But sometimes it sympathizes with the flesh and falls into carnal lusts. Many do not have the Spirit who preserves and fashions: these are called flesh and blood by St. Paul….But all those who fear God and trust in his Son’s advent and who through faith establish the Spirit of God in their hearts, such men as these shall be properly called ‘spiritual’ because they possess the Spirit of the Father who purifies man and raises him up to the life of God.
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