Choosing Life in the Spirit

For to set the mind on the flesh is death,

but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

(Romans 8:6 ESV)

Where should we end this week-long celebration of the Holy Spirit? I can think of no greater writer on the Holy Spirit to turn to than that of the Apostle Paul. And I can think of no more profound exposition than his letter to the Romans. But, it’s hardly a place to end. Rather, it’s a place to begin a lifetime of discovery and worship.

The choice, from the beginning, has been life . . . or death. Peace . . . or enmity with God. Once fatally chosen, the people of God walked bound. Captive. They could not walk in freedom with God. But, as John Stott points out in his commentary on Romans, “the indwelling Spirit is our liberator from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). For the law of the Spirit – which is the gospel of the Christ – has set you free (Romans 8:2).

The Spirit does not make you slaves, but children of God (Romans 8:15).

Paul further informs those in Christ Jesus that to live according to the Spirit is to have our minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the Spirit brings life and peace—because He is not hostile to God. However, a mind governed by the flesh, those “who set their minds on the things of the flesh,” equals death (Romans 8:5-6).

Our flesh, our fallen nature, is unable to keep the law—therefore condemning us. But God, who sent the Person of the Spirit into our hearts because of Jesus Christ, empowers us to live by the Spirit. And not the flesh. He has set us free from the power of sin and the condemnation of death—because the flesh could not keep the law and is powerless to free us from sin (Romans 8:3). As Stott points out, “The flesh renders powerless, but the Spirit empowers us to obey.”

Isn’t what the Spirit wants exponentially, infinitely greater than what we desire? Do we really desire what is hostile to God and in opposition to the Lord? No! We who are in the Spirit are able, by the omnipotent, flesh-conquering Spirit, to choose and live in a way pleasing to God (Romans 8:8). We no longer live in the realm of the flesh, but “in the realm of the Spirit,” because the Spirit lives in us (Romans 8:9). And because the Spirit of Jesus lives in us, we will live. Resurrected (Romans 8:11).

He is our victory!

Paul goes on to say, because of all this, we have no obligation to live according to the flesh (Romans 8:12). To quote John Stott, “It has no claim on us.” Which means we don’t have to be controlled by the flesh. But we do have to choose.

The requirement of the law has been perfectly fulfilled by Jesus. His righteousness has been imputed to us. So, we’ve been freed to live by the Spirit. The Spirit who gives life and peace. And produces good fruit.

We are free.

        Free to daily choose to set our minds on the Spirit instead of the flesh.

               Fully free to live for the Holy Spirit.

                       To serve God.

                            And to submit to Jesus as King.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 CSB).