Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death... so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 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... and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him... But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh- For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:1-14 NASBRomans 7 presented the futility of trying to overcome the sinful nature of the flesh by adhering to a set of rules and standards (the law). Rules are obeyed by the natural mind (the flesh), and those who are in the flesh cannot please God
It is time to learn a better way.
Verse 2 says, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death". We are to leave behind the rule book, and listen to the Spirit of God.
Galatians 5.16 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."
How do you walk in the Spirit?
The first thing you have to realize is that when you accepted Jesus as your savior, God placed His Spirit in you. God's Spirit dwells in you.
God is not far away in Heaven He is as close as your own heart. He is always there, and He wants you to hear His voice, as He shows you how to live.
Hebrews 8.10-11 describes the New Covenant this way: "for this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, 'know the Lord,' for all will know me, from the least to the greatest of them."
Under the new covenant we are not supposed to follow any written law or set of rules. God Himself has promised to show us how to live. And He has promised to teach us, individually, who He is, and what is our relationship to Him.
If we allow religion and doctrine to guide us, we lose out on knowing God. We have substituted the teaching of men - even great and holy men - for the personal instruction from God Himself.
And it is all possible because His Spirit dwells in you.
The next thing to realize is that it is your choice whether to walk in the flesh or in the Spirit. Verse 5 says, "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."
Wherever you set your mind, that is where you will be. in the flesh or in the Spirit.
Many Christians neglect daily prayer altogether, turning their mind to the natural world, instead of towards God.
Many turn their mind to God once a day, for their morning or evening prayer time, then go about their business.
Some stop throughout the day to say a quick prayer, turning their mind occasionally, or maybe frequently to the Spirit.
But God wants us to walk in the Spirit. And that means turning your mind toward God, and keeping it there. With some practice you will find that you can keep your mind turned toward God even as you go about the busyness of life.
I believe that if you do that, you will find it transformative. Washing dishes becomes a time of contemplation and prayer. Being cut off in traffic becomes an opportunity to bless the driver who offended. Daily interactions with people become an opportunity to express the patience, joy and love and peace that God is working out in your heart.
Learning to walk in the Spirit is simple, but it is not always easy. When your mind wanders, just pick up again where you left off. There is no condemnation.
When a child is first learning to walk, he falls a lot. Parents don't scold their children if they fall after they have taken their first steps. Instead the parents clap with joy, encourage their children to take more steps (and wishing they had their cameras ready).
God loves you more than any parent loves his children. He won't punish you for being imperfect. Turn your mind to Him. Learn to walk in the Spirit, and let Him encourage you.
Turn to God in the busy times, and receive His peace.
Turn to Him in the quiet time, and hear His voice. Not an audible voice booming from the ceiling. But the quiet voice, as He speaks to your mind.
After all, His Spirit dwells within you. Your spirit is joined with with the Spirit of God. Why would it be unusual for Him to speak to you? When you talk to God in prayer, expect a response. God loves you. He wants to speak to you. Listen for what He has to say.
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