Anthony a servant of Christ: by the will of God, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks be unto God who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. To my fellow brothers in the Lord, peace be unto you from the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God for you in that you have a desire within you to learn from those whom the Spirit has sanctified and sent into the world. And that your eyes and ears are opened unto His voice. The Lord of heaven and earth whom gave us His Body, which is Christ: delights in those that diligently seek his commandments.
I am writing unto you concerning those things that you requested that I might make known unto you. We know that all things work together for good to them that love Christ, and are called according to his purpose. Whether they be afflictions or distresses in the body, or whether they be afflictions of infirmities; that is, those things which we seek to be free from. We know that Christ is greater than our weaknesses. And that His grace is sufficient to supply strength unto us when we are inadequate to supply our own strength. Now we know that the flesh is contrary to God; neither can it please God for God delights not in the works of the flesh.
Therefore we know that our flesh is weak, and is subject unto infirmities and weaknesses; Also, because of the works of the flesh, we were subjected unto the law of God to show forth its weakness; (that is the flesh), and inadequacy towards the righteousness of God. That we might not glory in our own works, but rather in the works of Him who has called us to be partakers in the inheritance of Christ Jesus.
Therefore, because of these things, we have weakness in our flesh, but strength towards God through His Spirit. Therefore be joyful and glad in weaknesses, and distresses, and infirmities. For we know that these things work for the perfecting of the Body, and are made sure in the fullness of the Spirit. As it is written, Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Rejoice, and be ye glad, for the Spirit helps our infirmities; for we know not how we ought to pray, but thanks be unto God who has redeemed us by the body and blood of our Lord and savior Christ Jesus.
Now we know that the Spirit and the flesh are contrary one to another, and cannot work together. We must therefore consider this battle that takes place in our body where the Spirit and the flesh war against one another.
If we follow after the works of the flesh and do not nurture the spirit; the spirit becomes unfruitful and will eventually cease to bring forth fruit, and die. And likewise cause us to be gathered up even as a dead branch is gathered up and cast into the furnace and burned: this is that spiritual death which Christ spoke of.
But and if we continue in the Spirit, we cause our flesh to become weak, and therefore our flesh cries out against the work of the Spirit in the form of our infirmities. As it is written, It is no more I that is doing the works, but sin that dwells in me, he is doing the works.
You must understand that all outward forms of infirmities are caused by an inward struggle between flesh and Spirit. Remember that it is written, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Now if we are able to cleanse the outward appearance, there is therefore still that inward struggle which we cannot fight against.
Moses, a servant of God likewise understood that in his flesh; (that is in the natural) he was unable to overcome the inward struggle between flesh and spirit. Therefore God commanded him as a sign, to put forth his hand into his bosom, and draw it out. When he had thus done so he drew forth his hand and it became full of leprosy. Which is an allegory of our inward nature; in that it can not be dealt with except by a divine nature: that is, the working of the Spirit. Then God commanded Moses to return his hand into his bosom and bring it out again. And when he had done this, his hand was made completely whole. All this is a type and shadow of our inward struggle; for when Moses put his hand into his bosom, that inward corruption was made manifest on the outward, (that is in the hand) in the form of leprosy. And we know that leprosy is an incurable disease except by God. All this was to show Moses that God was sufficient for his weaknesses and inward corruption. Likewise, also will he help us with our inward leprosy, which only by the continuance of his Spirit have we hope of a cure.
Remember also that all outward sins are symptoms of an inward corruption which the Spirit must war against. Beware though, lest thou consider this to be a license to continue in sin. Not at all, but rather these things are to show us that while we are still in the flesh we will continually be subjected unto infirmities and weaknesses, and that it is by Christ’s blood that we are able to come unto the Father.
Let us now consider our blood compared to that of the blood of Christ. For we know that it is written, that life is in the blood. Therefore we know that our blood is what gives us life unto death; and that Christ’s blood gives us life from death.
We know that when Adam and Eve were in the garden, they were given a commandment: to touch not the unclean thing; that is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was not unclean of itself, but it had the power to make one unclean. Therefore when they partook of the fruit which the tree bare; they were separated from the Blood of Christ, and the juice of sin entered in and defiled their blood and caused them to enter into death. Therefore there was needed a sacrifice of blood to bring back the body from its death.
So likewise when we come to the Father by the blood of Christ, we are made whole in the sight of God. Also when we begin to partake of the body and blood of Christ our natural blood rejects it and tries to fight it; even as your red blood cells fight against your white blood cells. But and if we continue to partake of the Body and blood of Christ, our system becomes pure and wholly Christ’s: for we have ceased from drinking our own blood, but that which is Christ’s.
Concerning this process; our flesh is subject unto weaknesses and infirmities because our flesh hates to be intruded. Therefore take heed to thyself that you deny not the Body and blood of Christ that you may be filled by his righteousness, and not your own.
Therefore if you are overcome by your infirmities and you are cast down rejoice; for you know that the blood of Christ is greater than your weakness, and He is able to raise you up again unto His perfection. That is, if the blood of Christ dwells in you, you know that you dwell in Christ, and there is nothing that shall separate you from His Spirit. Therefore as long as you continue in the Body and Blood of Christ, whether you race like unto a hare, or crawl like unto a turtle; you need to know that Christ is working in you.
Remember it is the root that supports the branches, and you are His branches. So keep in mind always that which the Body and blood of Christ has saved you from, that is the curse of sin which dwells in us. And know that you are Christ’s, and if you are Christ’s, then you are inheritors of the grace given to us by His Blood which dwells in us by the Holy Ghost. Continue grounded and rooted in Christ, and partake of His Body and Blood always; that you may be able to stand firm and fit against the chief cornerstone.
My brother, believe in the Lord and in the power of His grace which supplies our needs according to His riches and mercy.
Concerning those that proclaim to be something, we know that they are nothing. But those that lift up Christ and not their own selves are true, and there is no unrighteousness in them. For these are they which exalt Him who sent them and not their own selves; continually giving God the praise for those things which he does through them. Beware of those which profess great swelling words; for we know that subtlety is the greatest work of deceit.
There was a certain child which sat by the sea, and there he built him castles in the sand. Then came the wind came and said unto him, “What are you doing here”? The child replied, and said, “Here I sit waiting you see; for behold there is no one to lead me”. Then said the wind unto him, “What is this I see? Haven’t you heard the sea; isn’t he calling out to you. Go down for he is a friend for that will supply your need”. This he said as he blew towards the sea.
Then said the child, “Yes I have heard his voice for a long time, but I do not know how to swim therefore I would most surely drown if I go down there”. “Nay”, said the wind, “But if you would only go down, then you shall easily learn to swim, and then you will be able to be led even out to sea”. The child then rose up to flee from the sea, because he knew that these things were not true. But when the child had risen up to flee the wind struck him with all its strength, and dragged him out to sea, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. Therefore pray that ye may be able to discern the shepherds from the wolves.
Brother, I command that ye rejoice in all things, and that you will be filled with the joy that comes down from above. Husbands love your wives, and wives submit yourselves unto your husband’s in love. Husband’s, I command that you receive your wives even as Christ received you. For we know that the woman is the weaker vessel. Therefore receive her in all her weaknesses, without doubtful disputations; even as God received us in all our weaknesses for Christ’s sake. For we know that Christ received us not doubting, but rather, receiving us even as his own Body. Therefore do likewise, and you and your wife shall be blessed.
Remember the Lord’s Body. Pray for all the saints, and the God of peace be with you always. Amen.
