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To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. (Romans 8:6-11)
Where is your focus? That's the basic question being asked here. If you're turned inward (selfish), you may be saying you belong to yourself only. If you're turned towards God (service), you are saying you belong to God. Imagine the distractions of living in the largest and busiest city in the world at the time, which was Rome, and trying to live a Christian life? Everything you can imagine is there; yours for the taking, and Paul says, "Take God!" Anyone can take the things of the world and live a carnal life. The higher and more blessed calling is to take the things of the Spirit and live a spiritual life - that's the life in abundance that Jesus spoke of, and it's also a life of peace. Paul reminds those turned inward that a life lived only for and in the flesh becomes hostile to God. These are the ones who complain that God is demanding too much; and you can list the list they have that shows in their mind as being too demanding. And these people never please God. Those who live in the Spirit are guided by the Spirit and they please God, and they belong to God. And the graphic sums up the power that dwells within us: "The same power that raised Christ from the dead is living in you." That's an awesome thing to know and to be guided by. God will give us the life that blesses our "mortal bodies" and will take us to higher and deeper blessings in Him.
PRAYER: Living God, speak to us right now. Help us to realize that Your power that raised Jesus from the dead is living in us and can guide us and bless us to Thy service. We pray in Christ Jesus' powerful name, amen.
Go and overcome the world!
Eradio Valverde
