Life in the Spirit
Romans 8:1-17
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Had you ever considered the fact that those outside of God’s forgiveness are dead men and women walking? Their life is programed to sin, therefore they are already condemned to death because of their sin.
Paul’s powerful statement “... there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” applies to ANYONE who had and has received forgiveness for their sins washed away. “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”
Though no one is obligated to follow their sinful nature, those who do not know the Lord intimately feel compelled to follow their naturally sinful inclinations. We are sinful at birth and accumulate condemnation as we live outside the will of God. I’ve often thought, though a morbid thought it is, that we are born to die, and it is only by the blood of Christ that we can short-circuit the path of death we are on.
Paul makes sure his readers understand that when we receive Christ into our hearts and lives we are able to follow the Lord because the Spirit of God is then IN us to lead and to guide. Can you turn to darkness after you’ve received God’s forgiveness ... sadly yes, but it would come from ignoring the Spirit’s leading and falling victim to sin’s wooing. This entails repeated sinning, not just one sin, for we all sin from time to time even as children of God. Paul tells us “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
To stay safe within the sound of the shepherd’s voice, we must feed our spirit man relentlessly so as to allow your spirit to thrive and become strong. What is the point of becoming ‘saved’ only to live a lifeless, mundane existence that accomplishes NOTHING in the name of the Lord? Once redeemed we must feed off the zeal that exists in knowing the creator of all living things.
Paul accents his statements regarding being an heir of God but saying that we will all “share in (God’s) glory”, however, there’s a foreboding end line which tells us “if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” “What kinds of suffering are we to endure? For 1st century believers, there was economic and social persecution, and some even faced death. ... In many parts of today’s world, Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ’s first followers. ... Christians must not become complacent. To live as Christ did - serving others, resisting pressures to conform to the world - always exacts a price. Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.”
Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His name & for His glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.
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