That which is usually "not dead yet" is the flesh and the ways of the flesh in a man. One who has only the flesh and the ways of the flesh will have nothing at all remaining when his flesh returns to the dust. On the other hand one who has Life [the Life which Jesus is] should be working on killing the ways of the flesh in himself so that when his flesh returns to the dust, only the Life which Jesus is remains.
Who or what is an Overcomer as per Rev chapters 2 and 3? Is an overcomer not a killer of the ways of the flesh in himself?
John
I don't see it quite like that ....This puts me right back into the thread about 'entering into rest.'
How much do "we" do, and how much do we do by staying in the Spirit and
abiding there?
I presume when Jesus is speaking in Rev 3 about the overcomer being a "
pillar in the temple and shall go no more out..." Is that not referring to our "in and outness" of walking and
abiding in Him... ?
To me, the 'work' of the death to self/flesh is always in the denial of the self and the choosing of Christ. Not in denying my flesh of another lump of ice-cream , but of denying of the me, and focussing on Him who went before.
I think that some people get caught up in the trap of 'putting to death the deeds of the flesh' ...I don't think that self denial can do it..that has been done by monks , Buddhists , hermits etc
No, having an outhouse, no running water and eating only beans doesn't change the inside..we can't , He can.
The denying of who I think I am, and the strong belief in who He is..the moment by moment choice. ....to me is running the race, and fighting of the good fight of faith. It is work. ( the work James speaks of = faith without work/labour is dead.
We enter His rest, His victory, His life...we have nothing ...