For those who understand what it means to be a son or daughter of Our Heavenly Father, what THE SPIRIT gave Paul in Romans chapter 8 is truly exciting:
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
As we mature in THE SPIRIT, we will be led by THE SPIRIT in a greater degree. This is a progression that takes time as we plant the Seed (The Word) in our hearts and allow It to produce 30, 60, or 100 fold in our lives. The Word will overtake the enemy and we will see a transformation occur in our minds. Our interest in worldly matters will decrease as our interest in Kingdom matters increase.
This is a daily walk which requires us to maintain a sensitivity to The Holy Spirit in each activity of the day. We will experience greater peace as we begin to see people through the eyes of Jesus, even our enemies. The lawless actions of others will no longer cause us to react in the flesh and we will refrain from speaking or commenting unless moved by The Holy Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
We will look back and see how we walked according to the flesh in the past and how those old habits are no longer affecting our walk. If we do respond according to the flesh now, we are immediately convicted and repent. Walking in faith pleases FATHER and there is no room for the flesh to lead us in any manner. Each Son and Daughter seeks to 100% spiritually minded, knowing that the fruit of life and peace will prevail. What a great expectation to have as we mature in Christ!
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Our mortal bodies are meant to live in Divine health. The Holy Spirit infuses life into our mortal bodies if we truly grasp this reality and walk in it. Our minds must be transformed by the knowledge of The Word, especially this verse. If we walk in unbelief, we limit the power of The Holy Spirit in our lives. We must have genuine faith to receive the stated benefits in the above verse.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
The word “if” denotes a choice in which path we take: the flesh, or the SPIRIT. Initially it is an hour by hour decision but as we become more mature, our walk will become more consistent and we will reap the benefits of life and peace.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
We give an emphatic promise stating who are the Sons and Daughters of Our Heavenly Father. It is totally conditioned by being led by THE SPIRIT thus it is available to all who are willing to make the commitment no matter what your station in life.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
The Holy Spirit in us bears witness that we are HIS children. This is why I refer to HIM as FATHER rather than the generic term “GOD”. We have a relationship of FATHER/son and I know HIS Love for me far exceeds anything I can comprehend. Will I suffer for Christ? It does not matter for eternal life and peace are worth any temporary suffering I must endure. As we are led by THE SPIRIT and produce good fruit, we glorify Our Heavenly Father. What a privilege!