Inside Out

The outward man we take care of pretty well.

We clean it, have its hair cut and make sure it is dressed properly.

As far as diets go we make sure for the most part to watch what it eats or make it follow some new fad plan of eating.

When people see it and they say it looks good that makes the outward man feel good.

We make sure it lives in a comfortable home with all its amenities.

If the outward man gets sick we get it to the best doctor available, researching the doctor’s background and expertise.

Entertaining the outward man is essential. Taking vacations, having a hobby or being involved in some projects so that when people ask what it is up to we can have a list of topics to discuss.

But what about the inward man, how are we taking care of it?

We can’t really grab a hold of the inward man or look in a mirror to see it, but it does exist.

Paul speaks of renewing this inward man in his writings.

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Ephesians 4:23

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2

The renewing of the inward man comes by studying and reading the Word of God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16-17

The Holy Ghost also has a part in this renewing process.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Titus 3:5

During this process of renewing we put on this new man which is the Body of Christ. You can only find out about this new man in Paul’s writings.

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Colossians 3:10

There is a purpose for the renewing of this inward man, not only for ourselves but also for others.

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Titus 1:9

We put a lot of effort into the care of the outward man shouldn’t we give the inward man care and attention also?

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

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.

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

To see Souls saved and Saints edified!

Things are a Changin!

If you have read through your Bible, you might have noticed how things have changed since the world began.

The only thing in Scripture that doesn’t change is God, that is His person, His character and His promises.

For I am the LORD, I change not;

Malachi 3:6

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8

Most of Christendom takes these Scriptures out of context and say this means God is doing the same things today as He had in the past with mankind.

But how could that be?

Let’s take the Garden for example before Adam sinned he didn’t have to worry about weeds and planting seeds. God took care of the growing.

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food;

Genesis 2:9

After the fall it was a different story.

Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3: 17-19

Just in this instance alone we can see God dealing with man differently.

How about a man’s diet?

In the Garden they were vegans. After the flood,

Noah was able to eat any living thing.

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

Genesis 9:3

We can also see that God gave Israel some dietary restrictions under the covenant He made with them. There were clean and unclean animals. You can check that out in Leviticus 11.

Could the requirements of salvation have changed through the ages?

Peter says in Acts 2 after Pentecost.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2: 36-38

Let’s look at the context. Peter is speaking to the house of Israel, not to Gentiles. They ask him what shall they do? His instructions are repent, be water baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Is this our gospel? Is this what we share with someone when we are telling them the means to be saved? 

Why isn’t Peter speaking to Gentiles? Could there be some new information coming and a change in the gospel that is being preached?

In chapter 2 of Galatians, we find a meeting between Paul with his group and the Apostles in Jerusalem.

This was 17 yrs. after Paul’s conversion.

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles,

Galatians 2:2

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Galatians 2:6-7

Why 2 different gospels? The easiest thing to see here is that those of the circumcision are under the law which would be Israel and those of the uncircumcised would be Gentiles.

Paul had a different message, things were a changin!

Under Paul’s gospel, there is no Jew or Greek, we are not under the law, there is a spiritual baptism and believers are put into the Body of Christ.

The Gospel that saves today is by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

You can only understand this change by reading and studying Paul’s letters, Romans through Philemon.

Things have changed and you need to grasp that change to understand why God did it and what He is doing today.

To see Souls saved and Saints edified!