“We are not justified by the
manner of our walk, but by our being in Christ
Jesus,” observed Spurgeon.
The most important question to
ask ourselves is, “Am I in Christ?” If the answer is
yes, then “There is therefore now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
The individual who is “in
Christ Jesus” does not walk after the flesh, but
after and in step with the Holy Spirit. He walks
according to the guidance of the Spirit. To be
“filled with the Spirit” is to be under the control
of the Spirit. Every believer has the Holy Spirit.
Our responsibility is to be yielded to Him. He has
the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The result of
our justification through faith in Christ is a new
creation, no longer under the control of the flesh,
but in the spirit, a spiritual person.
No, God does not eradicate the
flesh. It is still there striving and warring
against the spirit, and it will be there until the
Christian is taken up into heaven to be with God.
That apostle Paul tells us the
person who is “in Christ Jesus” commits himself to
the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit. He
gives us guidance, encouragement, correction, and
leads us in the paths of righteousness so that we
become more like Christ.
Another important question for
the believer is, Am I walking according to the
flesh? Or, Am I walking in the Spirit? Our response
determines what we produce in our daily lives.
The apostle Paul said, “Do not
walk according to the flesh, but according to the
Spirit” (Romans 8:4).
How do you know the difference?
“For those who are according to the flesh set their
minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are
according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit”
(v. 5).
Is my life conduct under the
control of the Spirit? If so, I will produce the
fruit of the Spirit in my life (Galatians 5:22-23).
It will be the opposite of the works of the flesh
(vv. 19-21).
How is your walk? Your walk is
determined by your thinking. “As a man thinks in his
heart, so is he.” Set your mind on the things of the
flesh, let it be dominated by fleshly thoughts, and
you will produce the works of the flesh. Let your
mind be under the control of the Holy Spirit and you
will produce the fruit of the Spirit.
Kenneth Wuest translates Romans
8:5, “For those who are habitually dominated by the
sinful nature put their minds on the things of the
sinful nature, but those who are habitually
dominated by the Spirit put their minds on the
things of the Spirit.”
Does the Holy Spirit or the
flesh habitually dominate your mind? You will know
by what your life is producing. Set your mind on the
flesh and you will produce flesh. Let it be under
the power and control of the Holy Spirit and you
become like Jesus Christ in your behavior.
The only way to not walk in the
flesh is to change masters of the mind. “Be
transformed by the renewing of the mind” (Romans
12:2). Edgar Goodspeed translated Romans 8:5b,
“People who are controlled by the spiritual think of
what is spiritual.” When we set our minds on the
Spirit we produce spiritual things that are pleasing
to God. Kenneth Taylor paraphrased this verse,
“Those who follow after the Holy Spirit find
themselves doing those things that please God.”
The Amplified Bible reads, “For
those who are according to the flesh and controlled
by its unholy desires, set their minds on and pursue
those things which gratify the flesh. But those who
are according to the Spirit and [controlled by the
desires] of the Spirit, set their minds on and seek
those things which gratify the (Holy) Spirit.”
Where do you choose to let your
thoughts dwell? You are what you think. Will you not
now choose to bow your mind to the control of Spirit
of God? Let Him control your thinking. Let the
desire of your heart be to depend not upon yourself,
but on Christ alone. That is the work of the Holy
Spirit within you. We have everything we need to
live the Christian life in Him and what He chooses
to provide. Our inner resource is God Himself—the
Holy Spirit. Let Him control your mind, your heart,
and your actions will pleasing to God.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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