Page 218 - Bible Writers Theology Original

202 ♦ BiUe Writers'Theology Chapter Eight
The earthly flesh, robed by the high priest of the old order, made the law powerless in its regard, because the natural flesh is subject to sin and death. Man was caught in a vicious circle. Power was needed to make a break through. The answer is the weakness of God, as revealed by the Apostle Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians: "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (I Corinthians 1:24,25). Therefore, it is written, "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, sep arate from sinners, and made higher than heavens" (Hebrews 7:26).
The Biblespeaks of two kinds of weaknesses. First, there is the weakness of the flesh of mankind, which is inherent to its nature. It is earthly, under the bondage of sin and death, and cries out for deliverance. God provides for itscrucial need Himself, as Isaiah puts it, to "weary" Himself, to mani fest Himself in His Son in the "likeness of man." Paul called it the weak ness of God (I Corinthians 1:25).
Second, there is what the Bible calls figuratively, the "weakness of God". Itisonlyin thelikeness',forChristtheWordofGodmadefleshisthevery power of God to destroy sin, death, and the works of the devil. It had no affinity whatsoever with the flesh of Adam (I Corinthians 1:24-25; I
Corinthians 15:46-48). The flesh and blood of Adam cannot inherit the kingdom of God, while the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, our God incar nate, is the resurrection and life. (I Cor. 15:50; John 11:25-27; John 6:35-57; Phil. 3:20-21).
Thescripturessay,everyhighpriestis"compassedwithinfirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins, the sinless Christ fulfilled the requirement of the New Covenant by offering up himself", "through the eternal spirit" without spot, once, and
for all (Hebrews 5:1-3; Hebrews 7:27; 9:14).
The earthly high priest had to prepare a way for Christ, our heavenly highpriest. Thereforeitiswritten,"Forsuchahighpriestbecameus,who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26; Romans 8:34). This heavenly High Priest who was tempted in that which He has suffered, is able to help those who are tempted: "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet withoutsin. Letusthereforecomeboldlyuntothethroneofgrace,thatwe may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need" (Hebrews 4:15- 16; cf. Hebrews 2:17,18; Hebrews 2:10).
4 To be Able to Put Away Sin
In Matthew 1:20-23, the angel declares that the child who will be bom of