Life
In The Spirit
When we think of living our lives, most people think of living in the flesh. Yes, we must all live in the flesh with these bodies that our Heavenly Father has given us. However, our Father has also given us a soul (which is our self), and it is as unique as the physical body that He has given us. Our spirit (which is the intellect of the soul), is also unique in an individual sense, but we are all pretty much the same when it comes to life in the spirit. The difference between the flesh and the spirit are that the flesh can make us weak, while the spirit can make us strong. The flesh brings us unrighteousness, and the spirit makes us righteous. The flesh brings us sin and displeases God, the spirit keeps us from sin and pleases God. The flesh can condemn us to death, the spirit can bring us eternal life. Lets go to the book of Romans and see how the apostle Paul explains it to the saints of God. (Those who walk after the Spirit)!
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). No condemnation for those who believe in Christ and walk after the spirit. (Galatians 5:16, 5:25, Titus 2:11-14). So, there are conditions here. First we must be believers in Christ, then we must try our best to walk after the Spirit (the Holy Spirit), and not after the flesh. We need to know Christ through His Word, and we need to live in this world with common sense and wisdom. (You can't just play church and expect to receive blessings from God).
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2). Because we believe in Christ and walk after the Spirit we belong to Christ. Because we belong to Christ, the Spiritual law of life has freed us from the power of sin that leads to death. (2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1), Christ has made us free. (John 8:32). Make sure you stay free and don't get all tied up in the chains of slavery to the Jewish laws and ceremonies. (Acts 15:10). Don't get tied up under bondage to any religion, organization, or traditions of men.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. (Romans 8:3). The law was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. God did what the law could not do by sending His Son in a body like ours. Yes, a flesh body just like we sinners have with all the temptations. An as an example to us, Jesus walked in righteousness without sin. In that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for all our sins. (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, how can we walk in righteousness being led by the Spirit and become better Christians in this world? (I Peter 4:1-2), Arm yourself with the gospel armor (the Word of God), for Christ is that Word. This will make it easier to fight off temptation. When you suffer for Christ, even when mess up at times, your sins are forgiven upon repentance.
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:4). God did this so the requirement of the law would be fulfilled for us, who once walked after the flesh, but now follow the Spirit. Christ would say Himself: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17).
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5). Those who are dominated by the sinful nature do sinful things. Those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit do good things that please the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25, Ephesians 5:9, Colossians 3:1-3).
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6). If you let your sinful nature control your mind, this will lead to death. If you let the Holy Spirit control your mind it leads to eternal life in the next life and peace of mind in this world. (Galatians 6:8). If you search out doctrine or material things to please your flesh, you will reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death. But, if you search and plant good sound doctrine and truth in the Word (good things of the spirit), then you will reap the everlasting life which the Holy Spirit offers.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7). The sinful nature is always against God. It never obeyed God's laws, and it never will.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8). If you let your flesh control you, you can never please God. (Galatians 5:17). Our flesh always wants to do wrong and what is the opposite or against the Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit wants to do what is right and what is the opposite or against the flesh. (Romans 7:15, 7:23).
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:9). Here is the condition again. You are only controlled by the Spirit, if you have the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit), living in you. And remember, those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all. (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, 1 John 3:24).
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10). When this physical body dies because of sin, the Holy Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God as a believer. (Romans 5:21, Philippians 3:9). Not counting on righteousness through obeying the law, but rather become righteous through faith in Christ. Much of the law was nailed to the cross. (Colossians 2). This does not mean that we should not obey the laws of God. The commandments still apply to us all; yes we may fall short at times and we are all sinners, but through Christ and repentance we all can have salvation. Paul explains to us that becoming right with God depends on faith.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11). The same Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. (If you are a believer), and just as God raised Christ from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit. (John 14:17). The world at large cannot receive Him, because they are not looking for Him and do not recognize Him. "If you do not get to know Christ through His Word, you will never know who He really is." This leads you to being set up for the anti-Christ at his return in the near future. Remember that the anti-Christ comes first pretending to be Christ and will deceive many because they do not know Christ. Do not be deceived!
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (Romans 8:12). In other words, you have no obligation to follow your sinful nature as it urges you to sin. "Take control of your mind through meditation in the Word."
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13). If you live as your flesh body dictates, you will die. However, if you live through the power of the Holy Spirit, you break that bondage of your sinful nature and you will live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14). If you are led by the Spirit, you are a true child of God. (Galatians 3:26)
Living in the spirit isn't that hard if you take control and feed the spirit on a regular basis. The more you feed the spirit, the more your thoughts of the flesh will die. Don't be lazy by just following others and their religious ways of the world; getting all tied up into bondage, traditions of men and false teachings. The majority of religious leaders, organizations and denominations will feed you what you want to hear as long as you support them. Remember the old saying: "The best things in life come free." (The best of Gods Word is also freely given and received). Research for yourself, keep a positive attitude, meditate and study the Word, and you will do fine.
Keep The Faith,Barton