#378 Kingdom: The Mystery Of The New Creation

Many times we read certain scriptures and never really understand what it says. That indicates there are various dimensions of the verses that are understood at different levels and at different times. If we could read and understand everything by reading the Bible once there would be no need to read it again. The Bible is so unique that no matter how many times we read it, it delivers new truth for that precise time. There is the height, the depth, the width and the breadth of the scripture. Most of the time we read the verses in a one dimensional context as a flat verse that only reveals the most obvious interpretation. Then when we preach this verse we call this “the ministry of the Word.” At the very best this is just the ministry of words that have NO DIMENSION.

This dimensional characteristic is true of these verses that follow! We have been sharing on these verses dealing with the new creation, the new inner man and the inner Life for several weeks now but we have missed so very much of what these terms mean.

Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

Whether we are speaking about Jew or Gentile, God’s purpose is to bring both together into CHRIST who IS THE ONE NEW MAN. Does this mean that God has a special dispensation for the Jew in which they can be “saved” outside of Christ and create TWO NEW MEN in eternity to fulfill God’s Eternal Purpose? One MAN being Christ and His body and the other be made up of Jews? That would require one man for the Old Covenant and another for the New Covenant?

The Mystery of this ONE NEW CREATION MAN is that EVERYBODY in it must be new creations. Are there Old Covenant dispensations of Jews that are not “new creations?” Certainly, ALL the Old Testament saints, including John the Baptist, is of that dispensation but that is NOT our calling. The “least in the Kingdom dimension” is greater than John the Baptist who was the greatest of the former dispensation. It can only indicate that there are different places in heaven for different dispensations that have come to the perfection of that time and revelation.

In this verse it should be understood that Christ will not include in the ONE NEW MAN the earthly Israel or other dispensations before Christ. He can only include in the ONE NEW MAN those who have come to the measure of the stature and the fulness of that ONE NEW MAN. In other words, Christ cannot include in Himself any of the old creation men. In that same way, Christ CANNOT include in Himself anyone just because they are Jew or Gentile, IF they are not ALSO of the New Creation.

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Our “growth” is not into “perfect men” but into one perfect MAN, even Christ. In other words, we must grow up into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; THEN WE and CHRIST become the ONE NEW MAN. This combination of “full grown members” along with Christ make up the BODY OF CHRIST. To suggest that everyone who believes something about Jesus is included in His body is not encouraging the believers to grow up in ALL thing into Christ. This doctrine really deceives the believers into thinking they are included in His body BEFORE they develop or grow up into Christ! This promotes the “Status-Quo doctrine of just believe and you shall be saved!” We must be careful now to make a distinction between the “saved” and those who have grown up in all things into Christ, who is the Head of this new body of this ONE NEW MAN.

This is why the Lampstand Church {which is His Body} is NOT in the Outer Court (among the saved) but in the Holy Place. The Outer Court is the process and preparation where we grow up into Christ. This involves getting rid of the temporary and the old things of Adam AND adding the eternal things of Christ. This is the process where Christ is being formed in us and we are growing up in ALL THINGS into Him. Teaching that the “Lampstand Church” exists in the Outer Court is a very serious error and promotes an apathetic group of “believers” who are satisfied with the status quo.

2Cor 5:16 Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

The priority here is to be found IN CHRIST. The evidence of that position is that all the

old things that made up our life before have passed away and ALL new things have come. In this state we are New Creatures or {the same word} New Creations. The have started a totally new beginning. The root word is “a new formation.” Whatever is NOT of this New Creation cannot be “in Christ.” EVERYTHING “in Christ” is of the “New Creation.” Those who assure old creation men that they are “saved” and are “in Christ” because they believe certain things, are not helping these poor souls who are outside of Christ and without hope of fulfilling God’s eternal purpose. Those who are ONLY known after the flesh are still of the old creation. The “old” flesh things are predestined to pass away.

Gal 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

All these outward things that are necessary and insisted upon by “religion” are all

irrelevant if there is no new creation. That means nothing is really relevant until AFTER there is a new creation. The primary characteristic of Christianity is this new creation. Messianic groups have missed the point of the transformation and conversion from the old to the new if unless they insist upon the new creation. AFTER there really is a new creation, the keeping of these rituals soon become irrelevant. What exactly is the point of the old creation man putting on the scull cap and wearing the prayer shawl and beads. More to the point; how can the new creation man put any of these thing on? They are ONLY outward things that have become irrelevant. For example; Is it right to burn natural, physical incense? There is no law against it but what is the point if our new inner man has become the Incense Altar? It appears that all these outward things have become a substitute for reality because of the lack of development of the new inner man. Religion is a substitute for true Christianity. The old creation man will worship things in place of Christ. The old creation man is ALWAYS drawn toward the flesh and outward appearances and is identified by the flesh.

Rom 7:22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

In this important verse, Paul reveals the principle of a process where one law is laid aside

that we may walk in obedience to a higher law. According to JFB commentary, the word “law” here means an inward principle of action, of good or evil, operating with the certainness and regularity of a law. The apostle found two such laws within him; the one “the law of sin in his members,” called “the flesh.” This indicates that there is still the sinful principle in the regenerated person. We don’t need to debate this because we ALL have experienced this thing working in us!

However, there is this other principle called “the law of the mind” that also works in us. This cannot be the old unrenewed mind of the old creation man but the new renewed mind of the new creation man. This “law of the mind”is a manifestation of the renewed nature. Not only are there two principles working in us but Paul says he discerns one of these principles is in conflict with the other. Each principle [ law] is seeking to become predominate within him.

If there is NO CONFLICT within us it can only mean there is only one nature in us. If there is ONLY one principle working it can only mean that we have not escaped from the fallen life of Adam. If the lower nature is winning in this conflict, it means the new inner man has not grown or gained dominion within us. In other words, the greater Kingdom has not yet come in power as an experiential principle within us. These two natures have their source in two kingdoms, one from below and one from above.

2Co 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

If we can “see” those things that are “not seen” with the natural eye, it is evident that we are seeing with the eyes of the new inner man. The outward man can ONLY see the things that are temporarily visible in the natural realm. However, the New Inner Man can see things in the eternal realm. This is the identifying mark of the new inner man. If there is NO Eternal Vision there must either be NO new man OR the new inner man has not developed “eyes” that can see into the invisible realms.

The outer “physical” man is decaying and his eyes are dimming in the natural realm. However, if we are progressing into God’s purpose, the new inner man is growing and is strengthened and can exercise more dominion day by day. His eyes are increasing in vision in the invisible realms each day. The “old man taking dominion on earth” is one error of “dominion theology.”

It is the conflicts, tribulations and afflictions that cause the new inner man to experience and manifest that eternal weight of glory. Even if the prophets are prophesying that a tremendous glory is about to descend upon the church, it is all fantasy until there are the conflicts and afflictions that produce the glory.

Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

We wonder what it means to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. The combination of Spirit and Power confirms what Jesus said would happen after He went away. However, this Spirit and Power works IN THE NEW INNER MAN. This “Spirit and Power” is not upon but within. Therefore, we assume that this anointing {within} is different than what they experienced at Pentecost. This anointing is obviously the one spoken of in 1 John 2:27. This anointing abides in us and from within He teaches us “Truth” in the inner man.

1John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

In these many verses it is evident that the development of the new inner man is essential for these verses to be real and our actual experience. If the new inner man is still functioning in the baby stage, it is doubtful that the inner anointing will be effective in teaching us all things. For that reason it is necessary for the Father to grant that we be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. If we are in the process of growing up in ALL THINGS into Christ it indicates the “growing” is limited to the new inner man.

If the new inner man is still just in the baby stage of growth, Christ is limited to how much of His fullness can dwell in our hearts or inner man. As the new inner man grows there is more of Christ that can dwell in our hearts. Since Jesus Christ IS Love, the more of Him we are able to contain, the more of His love and the fullness of the dimensions of His Love we can know, experientially.

Col 3:8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him 11 --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

These fallen characteristics are identified as flesh and manifest anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech, and lying to one another. These characteristics are normal in the “old self” and are the manifestations of the old man. The difference between the “old self” and the “new self” can be identified by these outward things. Where ever we see these things of the flesh manifested we are warned that the new man has not grown so he is not able to exercise any dominion over these fallen things.

The evidence of the growth of the new inner man is that he is being renewed to an “epignosis” of Christ. If we are NOT growing in our “true knowledge” of Christ it reveals that the new self has not developed. Obviously there should be a much greater percentage of the “new self” in the church than the percentage of “old self” in the church. If there are ONLY the old self “Christians” in the church it is evidence that this is NOT the Church that Christ is building.

It IS the “new self” that is being created in the image of Christ. The “old self” with its evil practices is still created in the image of Adam. The “old self” will recognize everyone by their outward distinctions but the “new self” doesn’t see these distinctions but only recognizes that which is of Christ.

Eph 4:20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

The “old self” is in a continuous state of corruption and being further corrupted by the lusts of deceit. When the “old self” is the leading factor in the church, it is evident that this CANNOT be the church Christ is building. The “old self” is ONLY wood, hay and straw and can NEVER be used to build anything permanent or eternal. The blessing of God is when he comes and burns up all this inflammable, earthly stuff so we immediately get the revelation that we have wasted our time building with ANYTHING that is NOT Christ.

Rom 6:5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

The “body of sin” {or what another translation calls “the sin factory”} is intricately linked to the “old self.” To close the “sin factory” we must close down the “old self.” God’s plan for the “old self” is death and burial. There IS NO OTHER PLAN. God’s purpose for the “new self” depends upon our resurrection from the grave of baptism into a whole “new Life.” IF our “old self” was crucified, the next event is DEATH and then God commands us to bury the dead before sundown. Don’t hold the “old man” over for another performance but bury him out of sight, six foot under.

It is interesting to observe that we are not encouraged to “crucify the old self” because the “old self” WAS crucified with Christ. However, we are encouraged to lay aside the “old self” and bury it in baptism. Only when “the old self” is experientially dead and buried will we be free from sin. Up until that time we will be slaves of sin, even if we are not actively involved in sin at the moment.

The next “experience” we need is seen in Romans 6 following the death and burial of the old self.

Rom 6:22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

Full consecration of our new inner man is essential if we are going to mature into the full stature of Christ. There is a casual attitude toward our Christian growth that seems to be universal in the visible church. The current focus of the visible church is upon church attendance, paying tithe and submitting to the particular church system of that group. None of this promotes the development and maturity of the new inner man. Neither does listening to another sermon or adhering to certain outward principles, customs and traditions. The revelation of the pure gold Lampstand Church will eliminate most of these outward counterfeits and promote a Holy Place Life and Ministry!

The type of the SANCTUARY in the Tabernacle of Moses as a picture and type of our NEW INNER LIFE and the indwelling Presence of God is clear enough. However, this complete dimension is invisible to the natural man and is hidden EXCEPT to the New Inner Man. Still, the new inner man must function within the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek before he can fully participate in this dimension of His Life. NOW, Seeking the Kingdom IS Seeking This Life.