WALK ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 04, 2023.

SUBJECT : WALK ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT!

   

Memory verse: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2 vs 5.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 1 - 8:

8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

8:3: For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 

8:4: that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

8:5: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

8:6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

8:8: So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

INTIMATION:

Those who are in Christ walk according to the Spirit; they are spiritually minded. Such persons focus by faith on the cross and God’s grace. They have life and peace of mind because they are trusting in the grace of God, and not in their abilities in reference to law-keeping. The persons who persist on remaining “in the flesh,” that is, focusing on their own meritorious performance of law, are actually working against the plan of God to have all men trust in Him for direction. Such persons are focusing on themselves and not on God’s grace. They are the persons who seek to walk by sight, and without the faith that is necessary to please God. 

People, according to Scriptures, are into two categories; those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures, and those who follow after the Holy Spirit, and these people are said to be “in Christ.” All of us would have been in the first category if Jesus hadn't offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will continue following Him, because His way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to focus our lives on God. 

“In Christ” is a metaphor that refers to one’s close spiritual and salvational relationship with Christ. When one has been immersed into Christ, that is, accepting the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for our sake in redemption, he comes into a saved covenant relationship with God wherein he is not in a state of condemnation. In this state wherein there is no condemnation, one is free from the bondage of sin. 

“In Christ” is metaphorical in the sense that through immersion one comes into a saved relationship with God. He comes into a covenant relationship with God where he is declared righteous because he has come into contact with the blood of Jesus. Therefore, only through immersion into Christ can one come into this relationship wherein he puts on Christ. 

In Christ one is not directing his life according to the desires of the flesh, but according to the directions of the Spirit (Galatians 5 vs 16). He is not walking according to the pride of meritorious conduct, but according to his submission to the word of God. We must not understand our walk to mean that one is directed by inner nudges of what one would interpret to be a supposed direct intervention by the Spirit. Our walk is in obedience to the word of God.

In Christ we are no longer guided by our subjective emotions that focus on the emotional performances of the individual apart from a knowledge of God’s will. When one is guided by the Spirit, he is directed by the Spirit-inspired word that comes from God. Therefore, walking according to one’s performance of law and meritorious deeds is opposed to one’s walking in response to the grace of God. 

One establishes and signs a covenant to trust in God for salvation by His grace when his faith moves him to respond to God’s grace. This response is immersion into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Baptism is not work of law in order to earn God’s grace. It is a response to grace by the believer who at the time of immersion contacts the blood of Jesus that came as a result of the grace of God. 

The person who lives after the Spirit has crucified the old man of sin (Romans 6 vs 6; Galatians 2 vs 20). He has put to death the desire to allow the lusts of the flesh to direct his life. But the person who lives according to the lusts of the flesh in order to follow his own will is headed for eternal condemnation. 

Those who have crucified the old man of sin by repentance and immersion into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus have begun their lives in the Spirit. And since they have begun their new life in the Spirit, the Spirit of God is in them because they have given themselves over to the direction of God. 

The sons of God are identified by their obedience to the gospel. By their obedience they have crucified their desire to walk after the flesh. It is for this reason that God claims them as His sons.”For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3 vs 26 - 27). The life-giving Spirit is the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world, and he is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian. He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life. 

Those who behave according to the Spirit-inspired directions of God are not living according to their desires to live after their own wills. Walking in the Spirit is the same as walking in the light. By walking in the light the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. (First John 1 vs 6 - 9). 

Prayer: Abba Father, let that mind which was in Christ be in me, that I may be walking in the Spirit at all times, my trust and faith anchored in You in all things, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!