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A Death That Brings GainThe Watchtower—1972 | September 1
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The apostle Peter wrote in the same vein: “Therefore since Christ suffered in the flesh, you too arm yourselves with the same mental disposition; because the person that has suffered in the flesh [taking up the torture stake of Christ (Luke 9:23)] has desisted from sins,
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A Death That Brings GainThe Watchtower—1972 | September 1
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These, as ‘new creatures,’ are allowed to live on for a while in the flesh to carry out a ministry on earth and to prove their integrity under test. (2 Cor. 5:17) Their bodies are not healed, because their hope of life is heavenward, so these fleshly bodies continue to deteriorate as they grow older, until death. At the end of their course they do not have to be acquitted of their sin by death. This acquitting has already been done by Jehovah when he declared them righteous, accepting them into the new covenant.—Heb. 8:10-13.
Consequently, these anointed ones are not viewed or counted by God as sinners, and are not living and suffering as sinners. They win the conflict that they wage against the sin in their fleshly bodies by reason of the sacrifice and help of their great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Paul explains: “Those in union with Christ Jesus have no condemnation. For the law of that spirit which gives life in union with Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”—Rom. 7:21–8:2.
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