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Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland

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her conception, so that she was unable <strong>the</strong>reafter to<br />

s<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> thought, word, or deed. This superhuman<br />

advantage made her "<strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r of God" with<br />

virtually holy flesh. S<strong>in</strong>ce she herself was thus cut<br />

off from <strong>the</strong> stream of fallen humanity, she was<br />

enabled to endow her Son with her same k<strong>in</strong>d of<br />

holy flesh, different from all o<strong>the</strong>r human be<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />

<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Adam <strong>in</strong> his fallen state.<br />

S<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> only k<strong>in</strong>d of flesh <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

world is our fallen, s<strong>in</strong>ful flesh, this teach<strong>in</strong>g<br />

effectively declares that Jesus did not "come <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

flesh." There is a serious element of fraud <strong>in</strong> such a<br />

"Christ," for <strong>the</strong> Bible claims that Jesus "has been<br />

tempted <strong>in</strong> every way, just as we are—yet was<br />

without s<strong>in</strong>." Hebrews 4:15, NIV. But if He did not<br />

take our fallen flesh or our human nature, His<br />

temptations were a sham. He could be tempted,<br />

yes; but not "just as we are." Such a "Christ" can<br />

claim all He likes, "Be of good cheer; I have<br />

overcome <strong>the</strong> world" (John 16:33), but his is a false<br />

boast, because <strong>the</strong> temptations of "<strong>the</strong> world [are]<br />

<strong>the</strong> lust of <strong>the</strong> flesh, and <strong>the</strong> lust of <strong>the</strong> eyes, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> pride of life" (1 John 2:16), and if Christ did<br />

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