Correspondence: Tit. 3:5; Rev. 4:7-9 and 5:8, 11; Flesh vs. Old Man; 2 Tim. 2:4

From: Young Christian: Volume 18, 1928

• 4 min. read • grade level: 6

Question: What is meant in Titus 3:5⁵Not 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) by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost? B. N. Y.

Answer: The word “regeneration” is used in Matthew 19:28²⁸And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28) for a new order of things in the Millennial day. And here it is used for a new order of things in the believer.

It is not improving the old Adam nature. It is a new life, the life of Christ in us, and thus has the moral nature of Christ.

The Holy Spirit is used as its power, and has given the believer a new position and a new object to live for. Also he is no longer a Jew or a Gentile, he is now a child of God with a heavenly calling.

Question: Please tell me what the four beasts represent in Revelation 4:7, 8, 9⁷And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. ⁸And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. ⁹And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (Revelation 4:7‑9), and 5:8, 11? W. W. H.

Answer: As the word “beast” is used in a bad sense generally, we call these “living creatures.” They symbolize or represent the attributes of the throne of God.

Full of eyes before and behind and within: perfect perception.

The courage of the lion.

The intelligence of a man.

The patient strength of the calf or ox.

The swift discernment of the flying eagle is seen in them.

God’s mind is carried out by them, though they may use other instruments to carry it out. (See for this 1 Cor. 6:2, 3²Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? ³Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:2‑3)). God speaks, and it is done.

Question: What is the distinction or difference between the “flesh” and the “old man.” S. G.

Answer: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6⁶Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6).

“Having put off the old man,” “and having put on the new man” Ephesians 4:22, 24²²That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:22)
²⁴And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24) (see N. T.).

“Having put off the old man with his deeds, and having put on the new man.” Colossians 3:9, 10⁹Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; ¹⁰And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:9‑10).

In these verses we see that our old man is judged and crucified in the death of Christ. Believers stand now in Christ before God. We are not now seen in the old man. Like the stones put in the Jordan, our old man is gone forever.

The flesh is the body with its will; it is sin in us. “Reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, though Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11¹¹Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11). Sin is in us, but we are not to let it have dominion over us. We are to put off all that which is the outcome of the flesh in us (Col. 3:8⁸But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)). It is good to remember that we are, as to the old man, crucified with Christ, and now Christ is in us (Col. 3:11¹¹Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11)).

Question: What do you think entanglements are in 2 Timothy 2.4? F. E. H.

Answer: The man of God, of whom Timothy was one, is represented in a threefold way here: as a soldier (verses 3, 4); as one striving for the masteries in the games (ver. 5), and as a husbandman (ver. 6).

In the soldier, purpose of heart to please the one he serves, teaches him to take his share in suffering, and in singleness of eye, refuses everything that would hinder his service to his master. The earnest soul will find out what are the things that will entangle or hinder his service.

The runner, contending with others, must obey the rules of the game, or he will lose the prize (Ver. 5).

The husbandman must labor – plowing, harrowing, sowing the seed, cultivating, and then wait with patience before he gets any results out of his field.

May we each, who are children of God, seek also to be men of God – in singleness of eye, and purpose of heart; in obedience to the blessed Word of God, and in enduring labor, go on till we see our blessed Lord, that we may hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21²¹His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)), and it will all be done by the love of Christ constraining us (2 Cor. 5:14¹⁴For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (2 Corinthians 5:14)).

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