Christ According to the Flesh vs. According to the Spirit of Holiness

 

Christ According to the Flesh vs. According to the Spirit of Holiness

Ro 1:3 Concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

Rom 1:4 Who was designated the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead;

Ro 8:29 For those whom God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

 

Aspect	According to the Flesh	According to the Spirit of Holiness
Type	David as King of Israel	Resurrected Christ as God's Firstborn
Significance	• Christ took on human form, became flesh • Had only the form of fallen man without the sinful nature • Descendant of David, with royal identity	• Marked out as the Son of God through resurrection • Possesses divine nature and glorified humanity • Became God's Firstborn as prototype for many sons
Characteristics	• Divinity concealed in flesh • Has humanity but without sinful nature • Recognizable as human by appearance	• Divinity fully manifested • Humanity sanctified, uplifted, transformed • Possesses both divinity and glorified humanity
Distinctions	• Limited to human realm • Bound by time and space • Divinity relatively hidden	• Transcends human realm • Unbound by time and space • Divinity fully manifested
Explanation	When Christ became flesh: • Took on the likeness of fallen man • Had only the form of sinful flesh, without sin • Recognized as David's descendant	After Christ's resurrection: • Marked out as Son of God with power • Brought humanity into divine sonship • Became the Firstborn with both divine and human nature
Relationship	• According to flesh for redemption • Process of divinity entering humanity • To bring God into man	• According to Spirit for producing many sons • Process of humanity brought into divinity • To bring man into God
Related Verses	• Matt 1:1 - Genealogy of David • Rom 1:3 - Seed of David according to flesh • Rom 8:3 - Likeness of sinful flesh • 2 Cor 5:21 - Knew no sin • Heb 4:15 - Without sin	• Rom 1:4 - Marked out Son of God in resurrection • Luke 24:26 - Suffering and glory • John 17:5 - Receiving glory • Acts 13:33 - Resurrection as Son of God • Rom 8:29-30 - Conformed to Son's image

  

Conclusion:

This comparison reveals the progressive revelation of Christ's person - from His incarnation according to the flesh to His designation according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection. This progression shows how Christ brings God into man and subsequently brings man into God, fulfilling God's eternal purpose.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 13 David’s descendants become the sons of God