The Cross of Christ  

We cannot achieve Sanctification by self-effort. Whenever Paul uses the term "the flesh" in a negative sense, he is speaking of the self-efforts of the human being. A few examples of our self-efforts are our abilities, education, strength, power, and self-will, i.e., "the flesh". Within themselves, those things are not necessarily wrong; however, man, represented by "the flesh", cannot effect his own Salvation, and neither can he effect proper life and living (Sanctification). This is why the Holy Spirit through Paul says "So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8: 8). This refers to the Christian Believer attempting to live his life by means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross. The Holy Spirit continues, "For if you live after the flesh (after your own strength and ability, which is outside of God's Prescribed Order) you shall die (you will not be able to live a victorious, Christian life)" (Romans 8:13). To summarize, "walking after the flesh" refers to trying to live this life by any means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross. Next we will explore the term "walking after the Spirit".