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SCRIPTURE:
Romans 8: 5-7; 5 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. 6 For the mind set on the
flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not
subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so;
A. Our Inherent
Weakness
vs. 5a
We saw it stated in Chapter 7, vs. 24; “Wretched man that
I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” Here he
further demonstrates that . . .
1. It’s a Destructive
Mind-Set vs. 5a
“For those who are according to the flesh
set their minds on the things of the flesh, . . .”
Paul here defines the person in question as “according to the flesh”
and demonstrates that they will think in those terms and on that level.
2. It’s a Devastating
Matter vs. 6a
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, . . .”
The awful thing about “flesh” thinking is the consequence; death.
The awful thing about death is that it is not annihilation, it’s eternal
judgment. “According to the book of Revelation, all the dead will
rise on the day of judgment. Then the wicked will be cast into the lake of
fire to suffer their second death.” Harpers Bible
Dictionary
See Revelation 20:13,14; And the sea gave up the dead which
were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and
they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14
And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second
death, the lake of fire.
3. It’s a Desperate
Matter vs. 7a
Paul carries this one step further and demonstrates the inability of
man to accept God’s standard.
The Natural Mind is Hostile
Vs. 7a “because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God;”
There is an inherent hostility toward God within the natural man. This
hostility is evident in the following verse.
Colossians 1: 21 And although you were formerly
alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, . . .”
The Natural Mind is Haughty
Vs. 7b “. . .for it does not subject itself to the law of
God, . . .”
Paul here asserts that the natural man is proud and does not submit to
Divine Law. The Apostle John reminds us of the fact that man's
nature boasts in itself and seeks after the things of the world not the
things of God.
1st John 2:16,17; 16 For all that is
in the world, the lust of the flesh
and the lust of the eyes and the
boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 And the world is
passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does
the will of God abides forever.
B. Our Innate
Inability
Romans 8:7
The Natural Mind is Helpless
Vs. 7c “ . . . for it is not even able to do so; . . .”
Here is the bottom line. Not only will the natural man oppose and
disregard the Word of God, he cannot subject himself to it. It is outside
of his fallen nature to do so. See also 1st Corinthians 2:14 “But
a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they
are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually appraised.”
C. Our Interceding
Savior
vs. 5,6
There is an answer. Our innate inability can be overcome. Not by our
efforts but by God’s intervention. Notice what the verses say regarding
those who do not fit into the category of FLESH!
1. Those “according to
the Spirit” ones. vs. 5
“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.” There are those who are “spiritual” and therefore
do “mind the things of the Spirit. That is good news indeed!
2. Those with the “mind
set on the Spirit” vs. 6
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the
Spirit is life and peace, . . .” More good news! A Spirit Mind Set is
possible and the fruit is life and peace. That being the case one should
want to know how this may occur for us and our loved ones and friends.
Wouldn’t you agree? Well, here is the answer. What we could not do God
did! Remember?
Romans 8:3,4; 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was
through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of
sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the
flesh, 4 in order that the requirement of the Law might be
fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to
the Spirit.
That is right, God did by sending His own
Son as a sin offering.
See Titus 3:4-7; 4
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind
appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have
done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of
regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out
upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that being
justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope
of eternal life.” Praise God!
Why not bring your struggles to Him? He
cares for you and invites you to come to Him. Matthew
11:29,30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and
heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take
My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart;
and you shall find rest for your souls. 30 “For
My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”
Christ Jesus died on the cross as a mediator for sinners such as we. All who
come to Him in repentance He gives life and faith to believe.
John 1:11-13; 11 He came to
His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as
many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,
even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not
of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of
God.
If you have never entrusted your life to Him, why not come to Him today
for Salvation. That's the first order of business.
"And
there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among men, by which we must be
saved." Acts
4:12
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