How does the living by the Spirit work in us? If we have died to the law so that the law no longer holds us in bondage, and come alive to the power of the Spirit in us…how do we live this new life in practice?
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)”
Romans 8:5-9 NLT
Those who have traded “road rules” outside for the Holy Spirit inside through faith in Jesus, have a new way of navigating life. Instead of trusting self with its perpetual drag towards sin, we look and listen to the Holy Spirit Inside us to give us the power to stay safe on the road and walk in the right direction.
We must learn to think what is now true. Which way are we thinking? If we keep thinking about ourselves…listening to what our sinful desires demand…we will be pulled in that direction. Paul said that this will take us downhill into death…slowly cutting us off from the life of Jesus in us.
“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)”
Romans 8:9 NLT
Here’s the thing! Despite our bodies being subject to death now, our spirits are alive because of Jesus…and the Holy Spirit, who now inhabits our bodies, will bring our bodies back to life. We have spiritual life now. When Jesus comes, we will also have physical, resurrection life. Guaranteed!
“And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
Romans 8:10-11 NLT
So, instead of looking inside and finding sinful desires, we must look inside and find the Holy Spirit at the steering wheel. The old self has been replaced by another “driver”. He waits for us to acknowledge Him and let Him be in control.
The obligation to sin because of the hold sin had on our flesh, has gone. There is another who has power in us…the Holy Spirit. We can and must choose to give Him the power to neutralise the pull of our flesh.
“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
Romans 8:12-14 NLT
It’s all about perspective and choice. We have a new perspective…the Holy Spirit in us, not our sinful desires, is in control. Our minds…the way we think…and what we believe to be true…play the major role. We are now free to choose who or what will influence the way we will go…downwards into sin or upwards into obedience and holiness.
“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”
Romans 8:17 NLT
This thought leads us into another big subject…
To be continued