I will take a look as you have asked, but just so I understand what you're telling me, are you saying that the sin nature of our flesh was also crucified with Christ? That our physical bodies are no longer under the curse of sin? I just want to make sure I'm understanding your position correctly.
Thanks.
Christ has been spiritually Circumcising hearts from the beginning. Abel was the first True Prophet of God, thus his heart was certainly lifted of the Curse that pointed back to mom and dad.
The Sin Nature is not associated with our physical flesh, but our Spiritual Flesh. This is one of the ways that God kept His Plan hidden from the unregenerate. The simple fact that you're asking questions is amazing . . . and a great sign that your heart has, in fact, been Circumcised by Christ. Spiritual Circumcision is the dis-association of the Sin Nature from a person's "heart" so that they can see. Above, you referenced John 9:39 . . . my friend, that is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible. All physical healings are the physical representation of Spiritual Healing . . . the removal of the Curse. The removal of this Curse is what allows a person to be able to "see," and of course, Paul outlines this as he discussed the Veil of Moses. If you remember, when the Veil was up, Israel could not understand the things he, Moses, was talking about, nor could they obey. This is all pointing to the Work of Christ, but no necessarily on the cross.
Also, I'd say that it is important to understand the timing of what Paul is discussing in Colossians 2:9-15, for this is AFTER the resurrection of Christ, which one could argue, then, that a person would be a beneficiary of ALL the Works of Christ in one full "giving." They are:
1) The Circumcision of Christ (removal of the Sin Nature, which is simply the Mind of Satan versus the Mind of Christ)
2) The Granting of the Ability to Turn and Repent
3) The Gift of the Holy Spirit
4) Death on the cross paid for the debt of sin
The first three having been taking place since the beginning. As you recall, Jesus said, "Before Abraham was born, I am." Jesus referenced Abraham because Spiritual Circumcision was instituted (established) in his life, made evident by physical circumcision. Again, God has kept His Mysterious Plan of Circumcision literally behind the phallus of a man . . . the man's penis. The Old Testament often refers to the shame of a man, such as Noah's being shamed by Ham. Noah's "shame" was exposed. We, to this day, are ashamed of the word Circumcision, which is why we NEVER hear anyone talk about it in church . . . BUT WE SHOULD BE!!! Imagine two children discussing Circumcision! Most people would be shocked, but in reality, it is the Heart of the Gospel . . . it is the essence of our Faith! Man alive . . . God is incredible. To think that His Holy Circumcision and highest Covenant is inscribed on a man's penis is just incredible, for each time that we abuse that "member," we are literally abusing the representation of the Holy Covenant. And this is why it was said that any man who fails to be circumcised shall be cut off from the Covenant Family . . . or, the Family of Circumcision. That physical mark is the embodiment of our Faith in the lives of Jews, or any gentile man who has received it. It is the most Holy of all marks upon a man's body, but it is no more powerful than is water baptism . . . of which they both point back to the exact same thing . . . the Circumcision of Christ.
I encourage you to read the NLT along with your favorite translations. My two favorites are the KJV and NLT . . . reading the two has completely changed my entire life.
So, no. The literal flesh is not taken to the grave with Christ. That is impossible. This, it is the Spiritual Flesh that is Circumcised, and it is this Flesh that has been nailed to the cross and put to death forever. Like being uncircumcised . . . it isn't coming back.
The Curse seems to be at least multi-layered. The Curse of physical death will always remain, but the Curse of Spiritual Death is lifted by the Holy Work of Christ. We know this, for how else could those of the Old Testament be referred to as Righteous, Blameless, Holy and Pure? How could David sing and write about his Holy Salvation over and over and over again? So no, our hearts are relieved of this Curse, and without this Curse, the physical flesh is tamed by the Holy Spirit. We learn to overcome human temptations, but when we do sin, we have an advocate. Because the Curse has been lifted, and because of Jesus's one-time sacrifice, we can no longer fall back into the group of the "corruptible" but have been reborn of the Incorruptible. Again, if we sin after Circumcision of the Heart, we are not Spiritually Corrupt. This is the Promise given to Abraham and Sarah. This is the beauty of our remarkable Gospel! I love it so much!! I cannot tell you of how much I love God's Almighty, Holy and Powerful Plan. It staggers me to even write about it.
Lastly, I would say that I have come to this conclusion not because I have read the commentary of men. But because I have refused to read the commentary of men. I have depended upon the Spirit, and thus, my entire view of the entire Bible has come alive. I once was ignorant, even referring to myself as a "master" of certain Biblical concepts such as Eternal Security, but I was stupid. I didn't understand the very principles that I was claiming to be a master. I knew nothing about Abraham. I knew nothing about Jesus, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, and why their relationship is as it is. I was a "Master" yet I hadn't even read the Old Testament. I was a total hypocrite living in utter debauchery, yet I was "saved." Unbelievable. I was just un-flipping-believable.
