5-26-20 THOUGHTS

Paul seems to sum up our lives in the following verses.  We are physical, we live in a physical world.  Paul describes it as a “WRETCHED” position to be in.  But Paul, through God’s Spirit has a solution for us.  That solution is TO BE IN CHRIST JESUS!   Paul talked in Romans chapter 6 about our being baptized into Christ.  Rom 6:6   "knowing this, that our old self was crucified with [Him,] in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;"    Now, in Rom 8:9  He says something most interesting...
"However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." 
This is powerful terminology that ought to get my total attention!

Rom 7:23-24    but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24  Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
Rom 8:1-2   Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Rom 8:5-15   For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  6  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7  because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9  However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10  If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12  So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh —   13  for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15  For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

What is not in the passages above is a  life of mundane, apathetic “ho-hum” indifference.  
The words  “SET THEIR MINDS”  in verse 5 are significant!  Each moment of my life is an opportunity for me to declare that “I BELONG TO CHRIST”.  I need to say that to the world, but first, I MUST SAY IT TO MYSELF...
                          AND KNOW THE TRUTH OF THE SAYING!
My Prayer:
Help us Oh Lord to abide in you.  Give us your Spirit that we may ever be in your presence.  May our minds be fixed upon you and our desires be always in your direction.  Thank you dear God for the blessing of knowing you and your awesome love that draws us to you through Jesus.
                            We pray always in his name                     Amen