Life in the Spirit

(Romans 8:13) “For if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

This verse is so importance that it should grip our hearts and bring about a change in our everyday lives. Yet if we do not acknowledge the destructiveness of the flesh and we somehow feel that we are immune to its disparaging power, then I think we cannot understand salvation and therefore may think we are saved when in fact we are not!

This war between the spirit and the flesh will continue until we put off our flesh, death will be sweet in that regard as the constant battle between these two enemies would have run its course. Death will have its reward! Having said that, when we breathe our last, then we can no longer find reparation for the mistakes we have made by seeking God’s face and finding repentance. It is a beautiful privilege to be able to call upon our God and ask for forgiveness when we have stayed from the truth and we no longer walk in the spirit but are slaves to the flesh. The flesh can only produce death; the danger of finding justification through the flesh is a constant skirmish we must always be aware of. We must put to death the deeds of the flesh by walking in the spirit and when this becomes a way of life, then we will have peace with God, and we will live.

So while we still breathe may we make it our lifetime goal to master the art of walking in the spirit. It can only ever be done through the work of Calvary and only after we have received Christ spirit at salvation. The one thing I struggle with most in my life is the consistency of applying this instruction from Paul to my life. I seem to be like a yo-yo at times and forget what it cost the Lord to free me from the bondage of sin and death. I am in constant repentance and have to often call upon my heavenly Father and ask Him to forgive me. How thankful I am that when we fail, he does not cast us aside as you would a bone once the meat has been cleaned from it. He is so great that I can barely contain my absolute bewilderment when I consider His love and mercy, and then when I consider His grace the wind is knocked out from me so that I can barely breathe. How great is our God! (Proverbs 24:16) “For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.”

No matter where you may find yourselves this morning, no matter how you may have fallen in this area of your life, if the flesh is the dictator of your life and death surrounds you, remember that God is able, not only is He able but willing to forgive you of your sins, turn to Him, repent, and you will find forgiveness, but we must acknowledge our sin and our shortcoming in this area of our lives, otherwise how will we become more like our Saviour? We must also remember His example and how God taught Him obedience through suffering. When the going gets tough may we find refuge be in our Lord and Saviour, even Jesus Christ our Lord. No matter how many times you may have fallen in a particular area of your life, remember the skin from your knees will heal as long as you call upon the name of the Lord.

Lord forgive me and all those who have received the spirit of God who struggle in this area more than most; Help us to be mindful of what it means to walk in the spirit, so that we may find life and live pleasing you by bringing honor and glory to you, our God.

So to all of us who profess to be children of God may we be mindful of this truth;

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Signing off

Tyrone