Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland

heaven, which is what he does in the dogma of the
immaculate conception. Paul uses the word
likeness (with good reason) to denote the reality of
Christ's full identity with us, yet making clear that
He in no way participated in our sin. Christ's
glorious victory lay in the fact that He was
"tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was
without sin." Hebrews 4:15, NIV. We have all
yielded to temptations; He "condemned sin in the
flesh" with all its allurements.
All the New Testament confirms this good
news. "We were slaves to the elemental spirits of
the universe... [But] God sent forth his Son, born
of woman, born under the law, to redeem those
who were under the law." Galatians 4:3-5, RSV.
He entered the sphere where those spirits of sin
were entrenched, and having invaded the enemy's
territory, conquered.
"You, who were once estranged and hostile in
mind [that's what sin is all about!], he has now
reconciled in his body of flesh by his death." "He
disarmed the principalities and powers and made a
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