"And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 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."
Rom. 8:10-14
Rom. 8:10-14
As we take a look at verse 10, it would be good to consider it as three separate parts:
"And if Christ [be] in you"
"the body [is] dead because of sin"
"but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness"
"the body [is] dead because of sin"
"but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness"
Now, let's take a look first at the second part. The body (Greek σωμα, soma, meaning the entire, whole physical body) is dead. Why? Because of sin. Or, as it says in the Greek, δι αμαρτιαν (dia hamartia, or "through offense".) A bunch of nice Greek words that show that what is translated is what was there. Sin brought death. The flesh is dead, it just hasn't figured out that it should just fall down and be done yet.
In opposition to that, we see that the third part of the verse tells us that the Spirit is life. Why? Because of righteousness. As we saw in part one of this study, Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the law. This proved His righteousness. That same righteousness became His to impart into His people. When do we receive this righteousness?
In opposition to that, we see that the third part of the verse tells us that the Spirit is life. Why? Because of righteousness. As we saw in part one of this study, Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the law. This proved His righteousness. That same righteousness became His to impart into His people. When do we receive this righteousness?
"And if Christ [be] in you"
When we acknowledge Jesus is our Savior and Lord, He indwells us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives each of His followers access to certain characteristics just by sealing them with His Spirit. This fact comes in very handy in verse eleven:
When we acknowledge Jesus is our Savior and Lord, He indwells us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives each of His followers access to certain characteristics just by sealing them with His Spirit. This fact comes in very handy in verse eleven:
"But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you."
This becomes a verse of promise to the believer. If the Holy Spirit is dwelling in a person, then their flesh (which was dead from sin) will be made alive (Greek: ζωοποιησει, zoopoieo, to make alive) by God through the presence of the Spirit.
At first glance, one may wonder why, if the flesh is such a source of failure in a persons life, would God want to grant it life anew? Does He want us to try to live our life in the flesh? Let's see....
At first glance, one may wonder why, if the flesh is such a source of failure in a persons life, would God want to grant it life anew? Does He want us to try to live our life in the flesh? Let's see....
Verse twelve tells us:
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh."
Here again, commas appear where the Greek really doesn't seem to call for them. Let's take out the third comma, just to get a little clearer reading along the lines that the Greek shows:
Here again, commas appear where the Greek really doesn't seem to call for them. Let's take out the third comma, just to get a little clearer reading along the lines that the Greek shows:
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh."
OK, that helps a bit. Since God has quickened us (who are of Jesus, and filled with the Holy Spirit), we are debtors to Him, to live in accordance to His will. We owe nothing to the flesh, which would have led us to death. God has a much more important goal for our newly revived 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."
Verse thirteen continues with the same line of thought as in verse twelve. Just because you have a new life in the flesh doesn't mean you can live a life in the flesh. To do so would result in death, as we saw in part two of our studies. However, we are told that if we put to death the deeds of the body, doing so by the power and ability of the Spirit, we will live. Hearing this, it is easy to understand verses such as Luke 9:23-24
"And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
We are given a new spiritual life when we are born again, saved by Jesus Christ. At that time, our flesh, which was dead, is made alive again. But, the life of our flesh is not ours to live, but to be sacrificed daily to Jesus. When we put to death the deeds of our body, we lose our life for Him. When we follow Jesus, and let the Spirit guide our actions, we surrender our life to Him, to be used as He sees fit. By doing so, we are showing evidence that with the loss of our physical life, we have gained a spiritual life.
And what is the result of doing these things. They produce a simple but awesome fruit:
And what is the result of doing these things. They produce a simple but awesome fruit:
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Our actions of following the Spirit for the sake of Jesus, in honor of God, is a living proof that we are members of family of God Almighty.
May we always pray to see those fruits produced in our lives!
Next time, we'll take a peek into life as a child in the family of God. Until then....
Grace and Peace....
May we always pray to see those fruits produced in our lives!
Next time, we'll take a peek into life as a child in the family of God. Until then....
Grace and Peace....
