"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
Rom. 8:5-9
Rom. 8:5-9
As we start our study today, we see in verse five that there is a clear division to be found in all people. Every person that is alive will either be mindful of things of the flesh or of things of the Spirit. First, we ought to be clear just what it is to be "mindful" of something.
The Greek word used here is φρονουσιν (phroneo), which means to be disposed intently or to interest oneself with concern or obedience. It would imply much the same effect as following directions to get to a person's house. You apply your mind to looking for signs, making the turns in the right places--basically putting your mental focus on making it to the house.
So, we'll put the word focus into our reading here, and we see that a person will either be focused on things of the flesh or things of the Spirit. Flesh, as seen here, is using the Greek word σαρκὸς (sarx), which can mean the meat of the body, but it also is used to describe the human nature (morals or passions.) We can ascribe it to being the lusts of the physical body. Spirit is πνευμα (pneuma), which is often applied to the Holy Spirit, as it means the air, such as that Holy Breath from God. So, now that we have the players all lined up, we see that the dividing line is drawn. On one side, you have people that are focused on their own physical needs, wants and desires. On the other side are the people that are focused on the needs, wants and desires of the Holy Spirit. The selfish and selfless.
In verse six, we are given the results of being on either side of that dividing line. The Greek word for "carnally" is the same as for "flesh: in verse five. So, we know we are talking about the same thing in both verses. The first half of the verse gives a grave warning. To be focused on the physical lusts of the body is death. The Greek word for death here is θανατος (thantos), and it means exactly what it was translated to say: death! However, the second half
says that to follow the directions of the Holy Spirit is life and peace.
Something to consider here: Is this saying that we must chose the focus of our life, in order to receive one or the other of the two listed results? Or, is it saying that, based on what we are set in motion to do, we will be found to do one or the other, and will display the results accordingly?
An interesting question. Let's continue on and see if we can find an answer ahead.
Let's take a close look at verse seven:
The Greek word used here is φρονουσιν (phroneo), which means to be disposed intently or to interest oneself with concern or obedience. It would imply much the same effect as following directions to get to a person's house. You apply your mind to looking for signs, making the turns in the right places--basically putting your mental focus on making it to the house.
So, we'll put the word focus into our reading here, and we see that a person will either be focused on things of the flesh or things of the Spirit. Flesh, as seen here, is using the Greek word σαρκὸς (sarx), which can mean the meat of the body, but it also is used to describe the human nature (morals or passions.) We can ascribe it to being the lusts of the physical body. Spirit is πνευμα (pneuma), which is often applied to the Holy Spirit, as it means the air, such as that Holy Breath from God. So, now that we have the players all lined up, we see that the dividing line is drawn. On one side, you have people that are focused on their own physical needs, wants and desires. On the other side are the people that are focused on the needs, wants and desires of the Holy Spirit. The selfish and selfless.
In verse six, we are given the results of being on either side of that dividing line. The Greek word for "carnally" is the same as for "flesh: in verse five. So, we know we are talking about the same thing in both verses. The first half of the verse gives a grave warning. To be focused on the physical lusts of the body is death. The Greek word for death here is θανατος (thantos), and it means exactly what it was translated to say: death! However, the second half
says that to follow the directions of the Holy Spirit is life and peace.
Something to consider here: Is this saying that we must chose the focus of our life, in order to receive one or the other of the two listed results? Or, is it saying that, based on what we are set in motion to do, we will be found to do one or the other, and will display the results accordingly?
An interesting question. Let's continue on and see if we can find an answer ahead.
Let's take a close look at verse seven:
"Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
First, we need to see what "enmity" means. It is from the Greek word εχθρα (echthra), which means hostility or hatred. So, the nugget of the first half this verse is "the physically lustful mind is hatred directed towards God." Now, we add the second part of the verse, and we see WHY it is so hostile. That selfish persona, if you will, is not "subject to the law of God." In the Greek, it reads νομω του θεου ουχ υποτασσεται (nomos ho Theos ou hupotasso), or "law of God not subjected." The verse ends with the fact that not only is the carnal mind not under the submission to God's law, but in fact it cannot be.
Wow! So, the unsaved person, with their physical lusts being the focus of their life, has a mind that is pure hatred toward God, because they ARE NOT UNDER SUBMISSION TO GOD'S LAW! This is a very important point to be clear on. This doesn't mean that they are not responsible to the law. It means that they are still in open rebellion to His law. The reason this is so important to understand is that it shows that, without an outside force making a change in a person, they are, to a person, actively rebelling against Him. Sort of hard to "choose to follow Jesus" when you are making every effort to fight against Him, doesn't it?
It also clears up our question from earlier. If we are unsaved, we are fighting against God with open hatred against Him ("For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Rom. 5:10.) If we are saved, then that salvation was effected upon us while we were yet rebels ("We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19.) Once we have been saved, we are no longer in open rebellion against Him, but we have become new creatures in Him.
So, as for the question of if this is a choice we make or the result of a choice that was made for us, it is clear that these are results of what was done to and for us. They are another type of fruit that grows out of our being indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
Verse eight puts the cherry on the top: "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Those that are on the physical side of that line have no way to do anything that would please God Almighty.
Now, many people will try to say it is possible to "backslide" right out of salvation. But, there is a reason to doubt this. As we've seen so far, the changes that bring a person under submission to God are, in fact, done by God to those that are His enemies. They are given faith to believe the Word of God (Jesus). That is a gift bestowed by the grace of God. At the moment of our spiritual rebirth, we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. As it is said in Ephesians 4:30:
Wow! So, the unsaved person, with their physical lusts being the focus of their life, has a mind that is pure hatred toward God, because they ARE NOT UNDER SUBMISSION TO GOD'S LAW! This is a very important point to be clear on. This doesn't mean that they are not responsible to the law. It means that they are still in open rebellion to His law. The reason this is so important to understand is that it shows that, without an outside force making a change in a person, they are, to a person, actively rebelling against Him. Sort of hard to "choose to follow Jesus" when you are making every effort to fight against Him, doesn't it?
It also clears up our question from earlier. If we are unsaved, we are fighting against God with open hatred against Him ("For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Rom. 5:10.) If we are saved, then that salvation was effected upon us while we were yet rebels ("We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19.) Once we have been saved, we are no longer in open rebellion against Him, but we have become new creatures in Him.
So, as for the question of if this is a choice we make or the result of a choice that was made for us, it is clear that these are results of what was done to and for us. They are another type of fruit that grows out of our being indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
Verse eight puts the cherry on the top: "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Those that are on the physical side of that line have no way to do anything that would please God Almighty.
Now, many people will try to say it is possible to "backslide" right out of salvation. But, there is a reason to doubt this. As we've seen so far, the changes that bring a person under submission to God are, in fact, done by God to those that are His enemies. They are given faith to believe the Word of God (Jesus). That is a gift bestowed by the grace of God. At the moment of our spiritual rebirth, we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. As it is said in Ephesians 4:30:
"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
The Holy Spirit of God is with each believer until the day of redemption, which is the day that we are either raised from the dead to be with Jesus or raptured straight from life to be by His side. There is no provision for removing that seal while we are on earth. Period.
So, with that in mind, what do we find in verse nine?
So, with that in mind, what do we find in verse nine?
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."
If you have been saved by Jesus, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit. If you are sealed, the Spirit dwells in you. If that Spirit is in you, it will never be taken out of you. If that Spirit is in you, you are NOT focused on the flesh. If you are not focused on the flesh, then your life will produce fruits that are of life and peace.
Paul has laid out an argument in this passage that can't be denied. For a person to say that works are in any way required for salvation is to go against what Paul has said here. For a person to try to say salvation can be lost is calling Paul a liar. And, let's face it, Paul was being inspired to write this God Himself ("All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16-17.)
A final couple of points in this verse.
Paul has laid out an argument in this passage that can't be denied. For a person to say that works are in any way required for salvation is to go against what Paul has said here. For a person to try to say salvation can be lost is calling Paul a liar. And, let's face it, Paul was being inspired to write this God Himself ("All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16-17.)
A final couple of points in this verse.
"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."
First, we see that what Paul was referring to at the first of this verse as "the Spirit of God" is now referred to as "the Spirit of Christ." The two are, as far as Paul is concerned, the one and the same. This is a key to the proof of the Trinity.
God = Jesus ("I and [my] Father are one." John 10:30)
God = Holy Spirit ("But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Rom. 8:9)
Therefore: God=Jesus=Holy Spirit.
God = Holy Spirit ("But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Rom. 8:9)
Therefore: God=Jesus=Holy Spirit.
The second point is that if the Holy Spirit is not found dwelling in a person, that person is NOT part of the body (church) of Jesus. That means that this person is unsaved, of the flesh, and bound for death ("For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.)
Next time, we'll see how the death of our fleshly life ties us to eternal rewards.
Grace and Peace....
Next time, we'll see how the death of our fleshly life ties us to eternal rewards.
Grace and Peace....
