09.02.2017 Views

The Golden Chain - Robert J. Wieland

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

us, "Let this mind be in you which was also in<br />

Christ Jesus." <strong>The</strong>n he lists seven steps in<br />

condescension that Christ took in our behalf,<br />

extending to "even the death of the cross"<br />

(Philippians 2:5-8). Such a "mind" was pure and<br />

sinless. Paul sharply contrasts the "mind" and the<br />

"flesh" in Romans 7:23 and Ephesians 2:1-3.<br />

Christ's flesh was our flesh; His mind was His,<br />

totally guided and filled by the Holy Spirit. To<br />

confuse Christ's mind with His flesh is to betray a<br />

basic misconception of New Testament teaching<br />

about Christ's righteousness as well as the nature of<br />

sin.<br />

14. If Christ truly took our nature, would not<br />

His righteousness have been frustrated by that<br />

sinful nature?<br />

<strong>The</strong> answer can be found in Romans 8:3, 4<br />

where Paul declares that "the righteous requirement<br />

of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk<br />

according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."<br />

<strong>The</strong> "might" is the subjunctive mood of the verb,<br />

indicating that the righteousness can be "fulfilled in<br />

51

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!