2 Corinthians 5:16 English Standard Version (ESV) From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

There is a human problem with reconciliation that needs to be addressed. In studying this chapter about the ministry of reconciliation it might best be understood that the difficulty starts here in verse 16.

What does it mean to regard Christ according to the flesh? That is to take a view of him with our flesh and we must remember that the flesh opposes the spirit and the spirit opposes the flesh. In that there seems to be no reconciliation in us as to those two aspects. Reconciliation is not about the conflict within ourselves. Reconciliation is between God and man, putting to an end to hostility and rebellion.

That does not resolve the conflict within ourselves. Flesh and spirit will always be at odds with one another and it is up to us to decide which to believe, which to trust, and which to follow.

God has reconciled us to Him. The war is over from God’s point of view. God does not change and therefore any reconciliation that needs to happen now has to be within us. Verse 20 says “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

We can only do that if we do so in the spirit. If the flesh is allowed to dominate our thoughts and actions, we have not done what is necessary to reconcile ourselves to God. It is not a matter of meeting Him half way.

v. ¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

We should ask ourselves, can a dead man sin? The answer to that is no. This is where the flesh screams “But I sin.” That is true, so what can be said of our old dead man? He is not yet quite dead enough. He will be dead enough when we follow the spirit in all things and do not allow the flesh to control our lives.

1 Corinthians 8:2 English Standard Version (ESV) If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

One of the greatest hindrances in growth in Christ is a mind with excellent reasoning skills. It seems to be easier for children to grow in Christ because they know they haven’t got it all figured out yet.

In the spirit, “I got this” is received as “He isn’t listening.” Once the reasoning mind has settled on an issue it takes extraordinary measures to correct errors. Most of it is related to primary education or thinking is believing what we have been told by people we respect or admire. It could be parents or grandparents. If they do not know truth in the right way, they will mislead us.

2 Timothy 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

To know by faith as a matter of example by lives lived by faith is critical. If our instructors do not know how to live by faith, how can they example living by faith?

Living a life by faith is the only proper way to grow in Christ. It is instruction from our Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who knows what we need to grow in accordance with the plans that God has for each and every life in Christ.

Ephesians 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”^{[and women]}

Faith allows us to open the gift given and discover how to use those gifts in accordance with God’s plan.

Declaring we have a gift that we do not have leads to abuses.