Thursday | 20 June 2019
Paul highlighted the reality that a person who walks by the Spirit does not carry out the desires of the flesh. This is because the Spirit is in opposition to the flesh so that our self‑righteous endeavours are frustrated. Those who are born of the Spirit are being led by the Spirit. This is the reality of their life. This is because a person who is born of the Spirit is committed to being a slave‑priest. They are receiving the benefits, or fruit, of fellowship in the offering of Christ. These benefits are exanastasis in their mortal body, and their sanctification; the end result of which is eternal life. Rom 6:22. This is the definition of salvation.
In contrast, Paul noted that the deeds of the flesh are evident: ‘immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practise such things will not inherit the kingdom of God’. Gal 5:19‑21. These deeds are the fruit of living according to the principle of evil within us. Paul noted that even his self‑righteous good was evil, acknowledging that ‘nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not’. Rom 7:18.
The failures associated with pursuing a righteousness of our own are an opportunity to accept and confess, in repentance, that we cannot do as we wish. This is a good outcome, because we cease from trusting in ourselves and, instead, learn to trust in God who raises the dead. 2Co 1:9. With this perspective, we recognise the importance of partaking of communion. We eat and drink the elements of communion in faith for participation in the offering of Christ. 1Co 10:16. In this fellowship, we obtain life and sanctification in Christ, and are being delivered from the other law, which brings us into bondage to sin and death.
Further Study:
2 Corinthians 1
Daily Proverb:
References:
Rom 6:22
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
Gal 5:19-21
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Rom 7:18
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
2Co 1:9
Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.
1Co 10:16
Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a participation in the body of Christ?