2Corinthians 5:16 (Amplified) says, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from (purely) a human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value) (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now (we have such knowledge of him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)."
This bold and strong statement causes many, even today, to stagger at it's implication for us. Many would deem this statement as being blasphemous or sacrilegious to make, but Paul knew it was the Holy Spirit's revelation goes way beyond what our human eyes can see.
Jesus' disciples and those He interacted with, while He was on earth, only knew Him "in the flesh." They could see the miracles and hear His Words, but could not comprehend what He was saying when He said He was the Son of God. They were spiritually dead men without the Holy Spirit in their lives. They could eat with Him, touch Him and hear His Words in the natural, but they had no revelation of Who He really was.
Even many in today's Church still identify more with Jesus as the Man rather than with the Spirit. Many of our hymns and sermons are more about the Man than the Christ. And, because we've had such a very limited viewpoint of Him, our faith level hasn't been about what He's doing now, but in what He did in His earthly walk.
Only the Holy Spirit can reveal Who and What Jesus is in the Father's presence, on our behalf. We don't see "through the veil," because we still see the veil. When Jesus was raised from the dead and crowned Lord of All, everything changed forever. For most of us though, some things changed, but not everything has changed because we still see ourselves and others after the flesh. We also still see Jesus after the flesh.
Hebrews 10:18-22 (Amplified) says, "Now where there is absolute remission (forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty) of these (sins and lawbreaking), there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin. Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the (Holy) of Holies (by the power and virtue) in the Blood of Jesus." Verse 20-22 go on, "By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies) that is through His flesh, And since we have (such) a great and wonderful and noble Priest (Who rules) over the House of God, Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness) having our hearts sprinkles and purified from a quality (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water."
We still try doing God's will through deeds of the flesh instead of accepting what our Sacrifice accomplished for us in the Spirit. Hebrews 10:9-10 (Amplified) goes on to say, "Behold, (here) I Am, coming to do Your will, thus He does away with and annuls the first (former) order (as a means of expiating sin) so that He might inaugurate and establish the second (latter) order. And in accordance with this will (of God), We have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all the Body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One)."
The difference between simply "reading" these things and "knowing" these things, is the revelation that only the Holy Spirit can reveal to our spirits. We still operate in the flesh and see ourselves only after the flesh when we don't allow the Holy Spirit to perform His work and ministry in our lives. Most of our walk in the new birth has been after the flesh because we still see ourselves and Jesus after the flesh and as "mere men."
Hebrews 9:15-17 (Amplified) says, "(Christ, the Messiah) is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an (entirely) new agreement (testament, covenant) So that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfilling of the promised everlasting inheritance-since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions under the (old) first agreement." Verses 16-17 go on, "For where there is a (last) will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be establish, For a will and testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force or legal power as long as the one who made it is alive."
We've been reading the will as though the "Testator" is still alive and after the flesh. Until we finally begin seeing Him after the Spirit, we will never fully be able to put faith in the "Will" He left on our behalf.
We seem to forget that this Man Jesus actually died. The One Who was raised from the dead is a "First Fruits" of the new creation. We still fail to see ourselves as having died as yet, but only in a religious way. This is why Paul said in 2Corinthians 5:16 (Amplified) that, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a (purely) human point of view (in terms of natural standards of value). (No) even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a Man, yet now, (we have such knowledge of Him that) we know Him no longer (in terms of the flesh)."
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