Wednesday: Christ in You
Paul continues his theme, contrasting the two possibilities that people face in how they live: either according to the Spirit – that is, the Holy Spirit of God, which is promised to us – or according to their sinful and carnal natures. One leads to eternal life, the other to eternal death.
http://www.goodsalt.com/details/dmtag0033.html?r=ssnet
There is no middle ground. Or as Jesus Himself said: “ ‘He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters’ ” (Matt. 12:30, NKJV). It’s hard to be plainer, or more black and white, than that.
Read Romans 8:9-14. What is promised to those who surrender themselves fully to Christ?
The life “in the flesh” is contrasted with life “in the Spirit.” The life “in the Spirit” is controlled by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. He is in this chapter called the Spirit of Christ, perhaps in the sense that He is a representative of Christ, and through Him Christ dwells in the believer (Rom. 8:9-10).
In these verses, Paul returns to a figure he used in Romans 6:1-11. Figuratively, in baptism “the body of sin” – that is, the body that served sin – is destroyed. The “old man is crucified with him” (Rom. 6:6). But, as in baptism, there is not only a burial but also a resurrection, so the person baptized rises to walk in the newness of life. This means to put to death the old self, a choice that we have to, of ourselves, make day by day, moment by moment. God does not destroy human freedom. Even after the old man of sin is destroyed, it still is possible to sin. To the Colossians Paul wrote, “Mortify [put to death] therefore your members which are upon the earth” (Col. 3:5).
Thus, after conversion there still will be a struggle against sin. The difference is that the person in whom the Spirit dwells now has divine power for victory. Furthermore, because the person has been so miraculously freed from the slave master of sin, he or she is obligated never to serve sin again.
| Dwell on this idea that the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, is the same one dwelling in us if we allow Him to. Think about the power that is there for us! What keeps us from availing ourselves of it as we should? |
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Unfortunately translation from Hebrew/Greek into English suffers from a lack of conveying present-ongoing tense verbs. Thus there are concepts that come across as 'one-off' occurrences when they are actually continuously ongoing ones.
I suspect that the concept of the death/crucifixion of the 'old man' is one of those. This cannot be a one-off event otherwise Paul would not have been having the experience that he reported in the latter part of Romans 7 (which is the experience of a converted Christian - otherwise he would not have the desire to live in harmony with the way of the Kingdom of God).
Jesus death was a one-off event. Our application of the awareness of that needs to be continuously ongoing.
Jesus said: He who is not with me is against me. Either surender to the bidding of the Holy Spirit or stay in the flesh. Chose life or death. Deuteronomy 30:19. Can't be any more simple than that. Than act on that choice and follow Christ, growing in Him(santification). The joy, peace, and, Christ like pleasure that comes with following Christ is marvelous. Can I be dead without being dead? Yes, that is what Paul says in Romans 8:10. So if I am dead without being dead, I need life only gifted by Christ by abiding in Christ. Romand 8:11.
John 12:46. Good News.
Perhaps we underestimate this Power. (I say "we", but feel free to be included). As we live a daily life surrended to the Spirit of God we may not even realize how much power is in it! This exercise of meekness and faith must be a growing experience!
And further more, the Child of God in Jesus Christ also not only has power for victory in Jesus he or she also has continuing POWER from 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1,2; Hebrews 4:16, 7:25; if we do fall into sin. And even EGW says, "Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast out or forsaken of God." and she goes on to quote 1 John 2:1,2 for further support of this very fact and promise to us even if we fall into sin, to just go to God for forgiveness and restoration again and not give up the fight to give up sin for good.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to knock on my heart; to help me with my daily struggles. I have made some bad choices and I am living in sadness. I am prayer for restoration. My hope is in the blood of Jesus.
Karin, please don't be discouraged! Your hope is in the right place! Keep in mind that it's not God's will that any should perish. 2 Peter 3:9 And remember that you have an advocate in Heaven with the Father, Jesus Christ, pleading your case. 1 John 2:1,2 What God is expecting from you is a yearning to be forgiven and for your heart to be cleansed. Psalms 51:10 For a broken and contrite heart God will not despise Psalms 51:17 Once this attitude has been placed before the throne of God, He will do the rest.
Thanks for the words of encouragement. God bless you.
The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is now living inside of me. what a great and awesome and wonderful power that is. How can I use this power to benefit me in the present moment for the rest of my life? That is what came to my mind after reading the box above. I know what the Spirit of God is part of me. Permiating every cell in my body. God might even have change my DNA. My mind is still with me but my spirit is different. By actively seeking asking hknocking I am now at a place where I have peace. It comes and goe. But when I set my attention, with the Spirits help, to the things of God I get this piece again.