Scripture
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Reflection
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Our righteousness is not a result of what we do. The law no longer has any authority over our lives. We are FREE!
How is this possible? Because we are IN Christ. Jesus, God’s only Son, came to this world to satisfy the requirements of the law. His death set us free. His resurrection gives us life. And His Spirit was sent so that we may live in fullness even now as we await His second coming.
This is the hope of the Gospel – that we are no longer slaves to the law, to this world or to our fleshly desires. God’s power can be made manifest in us so we can live in abundance as we walk in His Spirit.
So, are you living in the flesh or in the Spirit? If you struggle with a “mind that is governed by the flesh,” then there is good news: God is waiting for you to turn back to Him (and turn away from the things keeping you from Him) and His promise is to remake you into His image as you accept His life-changing grace (Charlie).
Thoughts for the day
- Do you ever feel ‘condemned?’ If so, why?
- Are there things in your life that you feel enslaved to? Food/drink, relationships, material things, habits?
- How can you change from having a “mind governed by the flesh” to one governed by the Spirit?
Prayer
Stop and ask God to place a nation on your mind and heart. Pray for the people to blessed by God, the church to shine brightly and for God to be present in that place.
