Encouragement in CHRIST JESUS, 18 February, 2023 A.D.

"Henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh; yet henceforth know we Him no more." —I Corinthians 5:16 [KJV] 

How eminent does the grace of God shine in the conduct of Levi! when the glory of Jehovah was at stake, when his honor was to be vindicated against those who had sinned with an high hand, "He said unto his father and mother, I have not seen him:"—that is, no one that mine eye shall pity, nor mine hand spare, who has transgressed in this matter. "Neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor know his own children."—Deuteronomy 33:9. The Lord our God is a jealous God. It behoves His children to be valiant for the truth as it is in Jesus. It is our duty to face all opposition against it; to stand in defence of it from every quarter, and to know no man after the flesh, so as to give up the truth for fear of Him. This is our highest honor; and this is highly acceptable in the sight of our God. "Those who honor Me I will honor," saith the Lord. But "knowing men after the flesh," proves a snare to the soul. Many have suffered loss hereby. While they have conferred with flesh and blood, listened to the wisdom of carnal men, and consulted the judgment of the wise of this world, how have their minds been drawn from the simplicity that is in Christ! The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. The righteousness of the flesh is abomination in His sight. The Spirit of inspiration hath taught us this profitable lesson, to glory ONLY in Christ as our wisdom and righteousness. This sweet mystery of faith makes us dead to the life of the flesh, the lust of the flesh, and the glory of the flesh; yea, gives us the victory over the flesh. So we live in a spiritual kingdom, glory in Jesus as a spiritual Saviour, are delighted with spiritual companions, and are made comfortable by spiritual gifts and graces.  

While a Pharisee, Paul gloried in carnal privileges and the attainments of the flesh; but, "Behold he prayeth," saith the Holy Ghost. Blessed proof of a new-born soul, when it soars to Jesus, and is dissatisfied with all the objects of nature, time, and sense, and incessantly cries, "I count all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ."— Philippians 3:8.  

To know my Lord IN mortal flesh, Doth ev'ry comfort bring: AFTER the flesh to know the Lord Is quite a carnal thing.  

With spiritual views my soul delight, Of Jesus' lovely face, O heav'nly Dove: so make me run With joy my heav'nly race. 

-William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.) 


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