LED BY THE SPIRIT

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17)

Devotion 11 of 20

A SIGN OF SONSHIP

The nature of spiritual life is little known in "church" circles. An emphasis on institutional growth has supplanted that of spiritual growth. The effect is that a shroud of ignorance has enveloped multitudes of religious devotees. Unaware of the resources belonging to them in Christ, they seek to work their way to heaven on their own. It should not surprise you that confidence in Christ and the assurance of salvation is scarcely known in such circles.

Two realms

The Spirit is very specific on the matter of our involvement in salvation. There are two realms to which we are subjected, and two aspects of our person, with which they are involved. The "flesh" is the realm of the curse, and is found in the unregenerate part of our persons. The "Spirit" is the Divine Representative, and operates within the person born from above. We cannot be indifferent to these two influences: the flesh and the Spirit. Hear the word of the Lord. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Rom 8:14). The leading of the Spirit is not something about which we are to speculate. It is the unequivocal sign we ARE the sons of God!

Living, Yet Dying

The gravity of the situation is seen in this affirmation; "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die." There is not the slightest degree of leniency in this statement. If one chooses to follow the dictates of "the flesh," death is sure to follow. This "death" is separation from God. The "flesh" is a term loosely translated "the sinful nature" in the NIV.

The word "flesh" comes from the word sarx, denoting everything about us that is "natural." Jesus said it this way, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). It is interesting that the NIV translates this verse as follows, even though the word "flesh" is taken from sarx. "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." The point Jesus is making is the necessity of the new birth. It is not possible for the natural part of us to produce a spiritual part. A regenerate nature cannot grow out of an unregenerate one. Thus, salvation is not reformation. Rather, it is transformation.

While it is true, you can be instructed in the manner of the kingdom (Matt 13:52), you cannot be instructed INTO it. Men are born into the Kingdom, not taught into it. We are "translated" into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col 1:13), not educated into it. Learning is necessary in the process, but faith, not knowledge, effects the change (Gal 3:26).

If men choose to walk according to nature, they will die. Spiritual life cannot be sustained in "the flesh." This means that academic pursuits cannot produce or sustain spiritual growth. Neither, indeed, can a meticulously disciplined life--even if it follows the perceived intent of Scripture. The tragedy of our day is that so much religion is nothing more than "flesh." As such, it is not only useless in matters of faith, it actually inhibits spiritual growth.

If we are going to dwell with the Lord forever, we cannot live under the domination of the flesh. The solemn warning is this; "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die" -- be separated from God, finally and eternally. When Jesus died, He was "put to death in the flesh" (1 Pet 3:18). God "condemned sin in the flesh" of His Son. As it is written, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh" (Rom 8:3). The whole natural order has been repudiated by God. It is absurd to suppose that identity with God can be realized while one is dominated by the thing God has condemned! Yet, as you must know, myriads suppose this to be the case. Thus, they allow themselves to be dominated by "the flesh."

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, give me strength to walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh.

-- TOMORROW: WHAT IS "THE FLESH"? --