God Calls You to Life in the Spirit, but First…
As followers of Jesus, we follow all the way. That means that we live in the power of the Spirit. To truly live in the Spirit is to live in the power of the resurrection. But there is no resurrection without a crucifixion. And my experience is this: it is much harder to die to the flesh than to live in the Spirit because life comes from God and death is self-initiated.
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:12-17 (ESV)
Die
We must put to death the things of the flesh. This sounds rather harsh but if you will stay with me, you will see a wonderful promise unfold.
What are the things of the flesh?
Physical needs are the most basic things of the flesh – our needs for food, shelter, clothing and rest. Without these things, our bodies will soon perish. But there are other things of the flesh such as our physical and emotional desires. These things include the desire for success, recognition, significance, acceptance, love and intimate relationships.
With out these things our lives would be empty and bleak but we must put these things to death because the pursuit of any of these things often results in sin!
Everything that has to do with and is limited to our temporal existence is a thing of the flesh. Everything we could express that we want or need that we no longer will want and need when we are physically dead is of the flesh.
How are we to regard the things of the flesh?
We are not under obligation to them. We must realize this important truth. We cannot build our lives around obtaining them. These things cannot govern us. As followers of Jesus we consider them to be superfluous and not to be pursued.
What happens when we live by them?
If all we do is live by the flesh, we will die and cease to have those desires. Since we have no life after death, we exist in hell rather than live in heaven.
How do we put them to death?
Embrace the reality that all our desires of the flesh are indeed temporal. Every description of the things of the flesh reminds us that they do not last.
We must open our minds and hearts to the reality that there is something far better.
While putting to death the things of the flesh is something we must do, the Spirit of God will help you. It is natural for us to pursue the things of the flesh. We must decide that it is futile to continue that pursuit and ask God to help us put them to death.
We make the decision to put them to death.
It is an intentional and rational decision. Romans 12:1 says, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual (literally, rational) worship.
In order to truly put to death the things of the flesh, we must inventory those desires. This helps us make it real.
We change our lifestyle through the power of the Spirit to make no allowance for them. In other words, we don’t chase after them.
Now here’s the good news. If you thought you cannot live without some of the things of the flesh, you are right. By putting to death the things of the flesh we no longer pursue them but allow these things to come to us, as God has promised! (Matthew 6:33) Jesus was so clear in his teaching. When we pursue the things of God, he promises to provide all the physical needs we will ever have.
Your Turn
Go ahead, die!
Live in the Spirit
But, to die to the flesh leaves us empty unless we replace those desires and needs with something else. So we pursue a higher calling.
We must pursue the things of the Spirit.
What are the things of the Spirit?
Eternal things. Whatever transcends the temporal realm is a thing of the Spirit. That means every activity of the kingdom of God, including our spiritual welfare and the spiritual welfare of others.
Spiritual desires are also things of the Spirit. They include things like spiritual growth and maturity, Christlikeness, Kingdom service, fruitfulness, strength, power, spiritual gifts, consistency, faith and confidence.
How are we to regard the things of the Spirit?
Simple – as indispensable and essential. They are the sole reason we live.
We recognize that to live in the Spirit is to truly live. The Greek word used in verse 13 translated to live is also used to describe the life of God, the incarnation of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, spiritual life (as here) and the present state of departed saints (in heaven). Now that is life!
What happens when we live by them?
Living by the Spirit means we experience adoption as God’s children rather than slavery (to sin and fear).
We become children of God.
Children have rights and privileges. We have unfettered access to our heavenly Father. We find our identification in him. And as a perfect Father we enjoy protection and provision.
Children also have responsibilities for which we are accountable. We are to be obedient. We are to be transformed. While we cannot transform ourselves, we facilitate God’s work by putting no barrier it. We are responsible to diligently seek to be conformed to the image of Jesus.
As children, we also inherit a spiritual legacy. Our legacy includes the great prophets and kings of the Bible, the privilege of Christlikeness, the Kingdom of God along with suffering and glory.
How do we gain that life?
We must simply say yes to it!
We have two options: live by the flesh or live by the Spirit.
We just died to the flesh. We ask that the Spirit of God make us alive in the Spirit.
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