Romans 8:1 In order to understand verse 1 we need to read thru verse 4. This is awesome news for those of us who have the law (righteousness by good deeds) so ingrained in our psyche from our upbringing that we lack the peace and freedom we have in Christ. In other words we feel guilty 90% of the time unless we are doing something we believe is good or holy. Verse 1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Condemnation is the feeling that "I'm a sinner" and "I'm definitely not on God's good side." This is very defeating and it's a lie. Feeling convicted on the other hand is authentic sorrow we feel when we disappoint God, which most importantly draws us closer to God in the end. Condemnation draws us apart, conviction draws us closer. Without reading verses 2-4, we may think that "do not walk according to the flesh" means living a perfect life. However, "the law" would be a better phrase to use in place of "the flesh". This agrees with the whole of Paul's writings because we are not right with God by following the law but by walking by faith in Jesus Christ. If we substitute law for flesh in all of chapter 8 it will give us an easier time understanding what Paul was saying.
Romans 8:13 "Put to death". I love this statement because it correctly describes what I feel I am doing to my old self and the sinful practices I used to do and still carry the desire to this day. I need to kill those thoughts everyday, I don't think they will ever completely go away.
Romans 8:17 If God owns everything, and we are heirs (joint heirs with Christ), then how rich are we, really? as Children of God? Wow!
Grace, MB
2 comments:
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires"
This is why it is so important for us to stay in the word and remain in prayer throughout each and every day. If you aren't walking with God, it is so easy for your sinful nature to shift your mindset to what "nature desires". But if we stay plugged into God, we will focus more on what God desires for us. I really struggle with this... which tells me that I need to start spending more time with Him!
I also really liked where Paul talks about us being more than conquerers. Sometimes I feel like I'm not strong enough to handle temptation or certain situations. And I am not strong enough. But God is. And through Him, I am more than a conquerer.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Carrie, your right. If we're not plugged in we can succomb to the sinful nature so easily. We all need to spend more time with Him, but remember, it's never going to be enough. Not in this fallen world. Like you said, if we can just give our day to God from the start and not try to do it on our own, we will be more than conquerers. Remember though that Paul is talking about conquerering death in the spiritual sense, not in the physical, at least for now. Someday we will strap on immortality, I can't wait. MB
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