"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Romans 8:5
Oswald Chambers states, "The Spirit alone does in us what Jesus did for us." Jesus by his death and resurrection defeated sin and provided salvation for those who believe in him. The Holy Spirit enables us to live out the salvation life that Jesus has provided. As we depend on Jesus to save us, so we must depend on the Holy Spirit to sanctify us (conform us to God's will in our daily living). We must work with the Spirit in this process by turning our minds away from the desires of the sinful nature to focus them on the desires of the Spirit. As we work with the Spirit we will move from victory to victory in Christ-like living.
Father, thank you for giving me Your Spirit to live in me and transform me according to Your will. Help me to be fully cooperative today with the Spirit's work of sanctification in my life.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
In Genesis 27 is one of the many great true stories of the Bible that Romans 8:5 can be applied too. The story of Issac, Esau and Jacob; that depicts a carnal minded Issac love for venison and not for a man who possessed the hoilness of God. Obviously Issac must have known of God's declaration of Jacob as holy, yet Issac was persistent to diobey the Holy Spirit and bless Esau for savory meat. The dominant theme in Romans 8 is the Holy Spirit, the new believers indwellng guest. Brother Mark thanks, for yes it is in cooperation with the Holy Spirit that produces the Christ like mind and it is the quenching of the Holy Spirit that scourges our every faculty. Issac's thoughts were dominated by things of the flesh, all but one of his faculties failed him. His mind, thoughts and attitude had become an enmity before God, he could not distinguish Jacob from Esau in the end.
ReplyDeleteHeavenly and gracious Father, as my mind wonders from thought to thought, I pray Father for Your strength to bring each thought inobedience to Christ Jesus that I might live according to Your Spirit.
Thank you Brother Mark and Franklin,
ReplyDeleteThe more mature a Christian I become,the easier it gets to live a holy life.But Satan is aware of this and therefore attacks me where I am the weakest.My thoughtlife.I don't act on thoughts of anger,jealousy,and greed,but I still have the thoughts of these in certain situations.These passages are good reminders of Acts 1:8-We will have power through the Holy Spirit.The power to overcome these thoughts and turn them to the thoughts of Christ.The power to transform our minds and be truly new creations.
Holy Father, Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us through our transformation from children of the world to children of GOD.Without the gift of Your power,we could never change ourselves.Thank You, all honor and glory to You.