LIVING BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Part 15).
Romans 8 Verses 7-9 read:
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh can not please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
It is a risk for a man to live by the unrenewed nature of the flesh because the flesh resists the things of God. The question is, how can a man be successful whilst living in isolation of his God and Maker? It is impossible. God is the source and pivot around whom all success revolve. Yesterday, we said that a man’s mindset defines him. According to today’s text, the mind that is governed by the flesh is hostile to God and does not submit to the person and the law of God. The flesh is by nature unyielding to God. Sadly, the flesh has been the undoing of many believers who were destined for greatness by God’s standards. We must be weary of the flesh. In Revelation 4 verse 11, the following words have been recorded about God:
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
From this verse, we understand that all things, including man, were created for God’s pleasure. Unfortunately, the flesh can not submit to this divine determination. Today’s text goes on to highlight some important points that believers must understand in order to keep a successful walk in the spirit.
- Believers do not operate in the realm of the flesh but in the realm of the spirit. By virtue of the redemptive work of Christ, believers have received what it takes to forsake the flesh and be able to walk in the spirit. Grace is the key. Refer to Titus 2 verses 11-14.
- Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. The Spirit of Christ refers to the Holy Spirit, without whom no man can live a life that is patterned after Christ. As a result of the indwelling Holy Spirit, man belongs to Christ. To belong to Christ means to surrender one’s life to the control of Christ while letting go of his own thoughts, desires, and ways. This is the means by which the flesh gives way to the reign of the Spirit. I pray that the words of the following hymn will be real in our lives: “O thou who camest from above. The fire celestial to impart. Kindle a flame of sacred love on the mean altar of my heart!” SHALOM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏