Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Good News: Life Through Death

Romans 8:12-17
 

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” 

The book of Romans is rich with theological underpinnings. In today’s devotional passage, the Apostle Paul dives deep into ideas that are not unfamiliar to believers: the flesh and the Spirit. These two are often times pit against one another in Scripture to reveal the glory of God and the fallen nature of man. Why does Paul choose to place such an emphasis on the Spirit? One reason for this is because the Spirit is key to living a purpose-driven life, which truly glorifies God.
Death and life. Slavery and liberation. The flesh and the Spirit. The concept of duality is put on full display in this text. Paul’s admonition to the faithful in verse 13 is to “put to death the deeds of the body”. In other words, crucify the flesh. Paul sheds light on the overarching theme of spiritual warfare. There is a battle taking place that is not visible to the naked eye. On one side are those who are led by the Spirit, and on the other side, are those who walk in accordance to the flesh. Believers are, at times, caught in “no man’s land” in the middle of the battlefield. This is where the Spirit comes into frame in the life of the struggling Christian. The Spirit of God is the driving force that calls believers back to the light.
On this side of eternity, Christians will always have an internal conflict to contend with. In different forms of media including television and cartoons, this idea is sometimes depicted visually. An angel and a devil stand on the shoulders of a character. The angel and the devil may whisper some words of counsel to the character. Those words of counsel stand in stark contrast to one another. This concept of the angel and the devil can often be used for comedic effect, but the illustration does merit some truth. The ultimate choice is left to the character. By extension, the ultimate choice is also left to the believer when presented with the flesh and the Spirit. It is an ongoing conflict where the believer has the freedom or free will to choose from one of the two: life or death.
Here’s the good news for us – our Father has given us freedom, life, and His Spirit. His Spirit is capable of overcoming our innumerable insufficiencies and shortcomings. The spirit provides us with course correction when we fall astray. In His Spirit, we find sustaining nourishment. His Spirit makes us His children and co-heirs with Christ. There is no richer treasure than that. Let that be flag that we brandish on this battlefield of life.

Prayer

 Lord Jesus, we thank you for the gift of another day. We thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that you promised to those who put their faith in you. Lord, walk us through this season of our lives. Give us Your Spirit in greater measure so that we may live a life pleasing to you.


Thought for the Day

The Holy Spirit is the rallying cry for the believer to run to Christ and
effectively put the deeds of the flesh to death.

Christin Mathew
Epiphany MTC, NY

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more