What are conditions of flesh and spirit on the course of restoration?
The course of restoration requires conditions of both flesh and spirit because both were claimed by Satan at the Fall. Historical figures like Jacob and Moses laid symbolic conditions of flesh and spirit to remove fallen nature, setting the stage for Jesus to demand unity in both aspects for restoration. This dual effort leads to the subjugation of Satan and the realization of God's original ideal.
The interaction between flesh and spirit in the course of restoration is a fundamental aspect of God's providence, clarified profoundly by the Divine Principle. It reveals how both the physical and spiritual dimensions of human existence, which were corrupted by the Fall, must be restored to realize God's original ideal.
The Biblical Foundation
The Bible frequently highlights the dual nature of humanity, encompassing both flesh and spirit. This duality is presented as a site of conflict and a path toward sanctification. Paul famously laments, "For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me" (Romans 7:19-20). This vividly illustrates the struggle between the spiritual desire for righteousness and the pull of the flesh, which acquired a fallen nature. The Bible emphasizes that our bodies are "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), implying their sacred potential despite the Fall. The path to redemption often involves "putting to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit" (Romans 8:13). While the Bible calls for spiritual growth and purity, the precise conditions and mechanisms for the flesh and spirit to achieve unity and perfection on the path of restoration remained veiled. For this reason, various theological interpretations arose regarding the role of asceticism, grace, and human effort. As it is written in Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
Divine Principle's Clarification
The Divine Principle meticulously clarifies the conditions of flesh and spirit for restoration, building upon the biblical foundation by explaining the specific ways both were impacted by the Fall and how they must be restored. Both human beings' flesh and spirit were claimed by Satan, resulting in our fallen nature. Therefore, conditions of both flesh and spirit are required to remove this fallen nature. The Fall was not merely spiritual; it involved the physical body and corrupted the human blood lineage. Consequently, restoration must be twofold, addressing both spirit and flesh.
The Principle highlights historical patterns of how this restoration takes place. For example, Jacob had to overcome the angel at the risk of his life, symbolizing the struggle to resurrect the fallen physical being. To remove fallen nature, Jacob established conditions of flesh and spirit when he gave Esau bread and lentils for the birthright. In Moses' time, God fed the Israelites manna and quail to lay the indemnity condition for removing fallen nature. Jesus came as the True Adam to help people bring Satan to voluntary submission, embodying the substantial course. He called for unity in flesh and and spirit, saying, "Very truly I I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you" (John 6:53). This teaches the necessity of absolute unity with the Messiah in both physical and spiritual dimensions to fulfill the indemnity condition for removing fallen nature. The ultimate purpose of restoration is for human beings to fulfill their portion of responsibility, leading Satan to voluntarily surrender to us as masters of both the spiritual and physical worlds.
The Completed Understanding
When the Bible and Divine Principle are understood together, a complete picture of the conditions of flesh and spirit on the course of restoration emerges. The biblical call to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" (Romans 12:1) is clarified by the Divine Principle's detailed explanation of how physical purity and adherence to moral principles are fundamental for the physical man to become a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). The struggle between flesh and spirit described by Paul (Romans 7:19-20) finds its resolution in the Divine Principle's teaching that both must be restored to their original state of perfection under God's dominion. The Divine Principle provides the specific conditions and the step-by-step process for how this restoration occurs, from individual integrity to family and societal restoration. It reveals that the flesh is not inherently evil but was corrupted, and through establishing conditions of faith and conditions of substance, both flesh and spirit can achieve a reciprocal relationship and perfection. This unified understanding clarifies that restoration is a comprehensive process involving both our inner spiritual life and our outer physical actions, culminating in the establishment of true families and a Kingdom of Heaven on Earth where flesh and spirit live in perfect harmony under God's love, having been separated from Satan. Therefore, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). And as Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
Living the Principle
1. Actively strive for physical purity in thoughts, words, and actions, understanding that our bodies are meant to be temples of the Holy Spirit. 2. Cultivate a deep spiritual connection with God through daily prayer, study, and meditation, allowing the spirit to guide and purify the flesh. 3. Consciously make conditions of flesh and spirit through actions of sacrifice and devotion, to separate from Satan and restore our original nature. 4. Strive for unity with the Messiah, seeking to embody His teachings in both physical actions and spiritual heart, following the example of those who laid indemnity conditions in history.
These answers explain the Bible in the light of the Divine Principle, the teachings of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Read about the author, Sun Myung Moon.
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Sources and further reading
- The Holy Bible, King James Version — Scripture quoted and referenced throughout the answers.
- The Divine Principle (full text) — The complete text of the Divine Principle, the teaching of Reverend Sun Myung Moon that these answers explain.
- Unification texts library (tparents.org) — Large online library of Unification texts, sermons and collected speeches, including the Cheon Seong Gyeong.
- Short video lectures in English — Playlist of short English video lectures presenting these same principles.