There are two crucifixions spoken of in the Bible. First is the crucifixion of Christ at Calvary that every man is familiar with. The second is a crucifixion that pertains to self or what the Bible calls the "Old Man". The crucifixion of the Old Man is a part of the Spirit's sanctification that gets the believer away from the I, me, and mine, part of life, to a better life that comes through the fullness of the Indwelling Spirit. The Old Man is a great hindrance to a life in the Spirit. Both the Holy Spirit and the Word of God agree on the fact that a believer can, crucify the lusts flesh. Notice how the Apostle Paul said, "I am crucified".
Gal 2:20-21...I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God
Gal 5:24-25...And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Crucifixion of the old man is an actual Christian experience of putting away selfish lusts in effort to obtain a totally surrendered life to Christ. This is perhaps one of the greatest blessings a Christian can receive in this life pertaining to the fullness of Salvation. Crucifixion leads to a life of full contentment in the Spirit without the conflict of the flesh. Unfortunately the crucifixion of self is often hindered, dodged, or misunderstood throughout many believers' courses of life. One reason for this is because it's not taught or encouraged from behind the pulpits today. By not being taught, it allows very few to hear of, or realize the great worth of death to the old man. This has caused many to miss the fullness of the Spirit's work in the life of a believer. Crucifixion of the flesh gets the believer away from the self controlled life, to a completed life in Christ controlled by the Spirit of God.
Gal 5:16-17...This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Lack of knowledge or wrong indoctrination concerning the crucifixion of self can sway a believer's life in the Spirit. Selfish inclinations like doubt and rejection of truth can also sway him. A child of God must understand, "its Calvary and the Holy Spirit's witness that draws all believers to the crucifixion of the old man". Crucifixion of the old man is a Gods way of purging the believer from worldly lusts, or earthly things which are not sin that attach to selfish side of man. Unfortunately some believers never experience this part of the Christian walk until their final hours. However, when the flesh is mortified the fullness of the Holy Spirit comes in and takes full possession of a part of man that self once governed. A crucified man is "dead" to the old man.
Col 3:1-5...If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
Crucifixion of the flesh is a believer's path to receive the fullness of the Indwelling Spirit. A believer must realize that all of self must be emptied out before the Holy Spirit can fill him. After a believer dies to the old man, sanctification through the Indwelling Spirit thus destroys the inherited body of sin not dealt with at the new birth. This inherited nature is the selfish side of man that a believer is unable to get rid of through forgiveness from God or confession of sin. When the believer realizes that a conflicting helplessness exists and surrenders it totally to Christ, the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost destroys and purifies that soul from a fallen condition.
Rom 6:6...Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Crucifixion of the flesh does not take place at the new birth as many think. Crucifixion takes place after a believer experiences Salvation of the soul, where the Holy Spirit changes a man's desires, affections, interests, motives, habits, etc. These functions within the make-up of man are swayed by the power of the Holy Spirit's witness and lead him to the crucifixion of self. Remember after the new birth, self's natural inclination begins to conflict with the Holy Spirit's witness! Crucifixion or death to the old man gets the believer away from this inner struggle however; human struggle is not limited to an inner struggle only.
......... from christianblog.com
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