Romans (Written)

Friday, 5 July 2013

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. Romans 8:7

This verse reiterates the phrase used in Romans 8:6, phronēma tēs sarkos or “the carnal mind.” This is more often than not misunderstood to refer to the mind itself as if it is an authoritative statement on the depravity of man. But Paul is speaking of the minding of the flesh rather than the state of it. Whether a man is in Adam and minding the flesh or dead to Adam and alive in Christ, either way he can mind the flesh. When he does, this avenue is one which is at enmity with God.

There is a second problem with the misuse of this verse. Far too often it is used as a text to claim that any person who hasn’t called on Christ is unable perceive any good at all or even understand the contents of the Bible in an real capacity. It becomes a tool of “superior knowledge and spiritual depth” for the believer against the lesser “unregenerate mind.” This is problematic, because it would then logically imply that nobody could call on Christ. The message would be beyond fallen man’s ability to grasp. This leads to the misguided Calvinist doctrine of being “regenerated” in order to believe. After this according to Calvinism, the belief is then what leads to salvation. This concept is found nowhere in the Bible.

If it were true, then after being regenerated the Bible should suddenly be completely understandable to the “now regenerate” soul. This is the last thing seen in believers. There is more disagreement about biblical doctrines among faithful believers than there are grains of sand on the sea.

Another validation of this can also be found in Old Testament verses such as Genesis 5:22-24 – “Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” If Enoch and many others prior to Christ walked with God, then it is obvious that the Calvinist viewpoint is untenable on this issue. “The carnal mind” is the minding of the flesh, not the state of it.

Such things as those found in Calvinist doctrine on this issue are not taught by Paul, nor does the Bible imply them at any point. In fact, throughout the Bible, those who have the Spirit – (David for example in the Old Testament and the Corinthian believers in the New) continuously fail to meet the law of God, and often they even fail to properly grasp it at all. Instead, they mind the flesh – even though they have the Spirit and thus “are not subject to the law of God.” When minding the flesh, indeed, they cannot be. This truth is even seen in the apostles as times.

Where this verse says, “for it is not subject to the law of God” the “it” is speaking of the carnal mind, not the person. This carnal mind, be it in a believer or in a non-believer, is not and cannot be subject to the law of God. This is the reason why we are asked to think on that which is noble, reject that which is evil, fix our thoughts on Jesus, etc. When we fail to do this, our minds are obviously not subject to the law of God.

Life application: When you are born as a human, you can never get “more human,” but humanity can get more of you. When you are born into Christ, you can never get more “born again,” but Christ can get more of you. This is what Paul is speaking of. A person in Christ is in Christ, but Christ is in people in varying degrees. This is a state that we allow based on our obedience to Him, our proper knowledge and yielding to Him, and our fellowshipping with Him. If this is the state you desire, then fix your thoughts on Him and allow His Spirit to fill you and guide you.

Lord Jesus, You are my hope, my desire, my longing. I shall set my gaze upon You and fix my thoughts upon You. Fill me and guide me. Keep me from myself and my earthly desires and give me the ability to understand the things of God which are revealed through You and Your Holy Spirit. I praise You for what You have done and will continue to do in me. Amen.

Thursday, 4 July 2013

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6

This continues the explanation of 8:2 – 8:5. It is now the fourth “for” in those verses. Paul’s idea here is the building up of a storehouse of knowledge concerning his thought in verse 1. It is a logical defense of the difference between being in the Spirit and being in the flesh and what the benefits of being in the Spirit are.

Two thoughts to reconsider are that anyone who has called on Christ is positionally “in the Spirit.” However, we can and often do live in the flesh actually. Paul is giving this instruction to show us the importance of living in the Spirit. As he says today, “to be carnally minded is death.” Those who haven’t called on Christ are already condemned (John 3:18) and they cannot please God because the wall of sin and death from Adam remains.

Those who have called on Christ are the ones with the dilemma to resolve. If we remain carnally minded and don’t give up on life in the flesh, it can only lead to death. A person who returns to drugs after calling on Christ will eventually suffer the results of the addiction. This is true with whatever carnal sin captivates our mind. It leads to corruption and death.

On the other hand, Paul say that “to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Calling on Christ is what restores us to God. It is the bridge we need to move to peace and fellowship with Him. If this is so, then the obvious path to peace and life would be to live in the Spirit which was granted when we made the call. God will not work contrary to His own will! Therefore, what He wills us to do is what is right and proper.

This train of thought is the obvious conclusion of what Paul is saying as is evidenced by verse 12 which still lies ahead. There he says that “we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” The choice must remain or he couldn’t even make this statement. Yes, we are saved, but we can and far too often live as if we are not. It is our choice and so we should endeavor to choose wisely.

Life application: It is often said that the Bible is a book of “don’ts.” This is true to an extent, but every “don’t” is given by the One who created us and therefore it is an admonition which looks to our ultimate good and for our benefit. Don’t get bogged down in the mire of dismissive people’s comments about the negative side of the Bible. Instead, know that for every negative, there is a resulting positive. God loves you and has blessed you with valuable instructions for life and peace.

Heavenly Father, I know that there are many “don’ts” in the Bible, but I also know that every one of them is meant to lead to a resulting good. If You give a “don’t” it is because You fashioned me and have my best in mind. I will rejoice in the “don’ts” because they will mold me into Your likeness as much as the “do’s” do. Thank You for the “don’ts.” Amen.

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

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. Romans 8:5

A good complimentary passage to this verse can be found in Galatians 5:19-26 and will help one understand the difference between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Also, in Matthew 15:19, we see Jesus’ words concerning such things – “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

These are things which could be described as “according to the flesh.” It should be noted that some of them are a result of our humanity and not necessarily our physical being itself. In other words, the word “flesh” which comes from the Greek word sarx, gives the idea of something physical and tangible, but the things Jesus mentions like “thoughts,” “false witness,” etc. are not physical in nature. Instead they come from the mind.

This then is tied into what Paul is saying. Those who live “according to the flesh” will inevitably “set their minds on the things of the flesh.” This is the state of man, even those who are believers. The state of our walk with the Lord can be determined by how much of our mental capacity is spent mulling over the things which are flesh-directed. But it’s important to note that being “in the flesh” isn’t the same thing as the flesh being in us.

When we receive Christ as Lord, we move from being “in the flesh” to “in the Spirit.” The old man is crucified and our headship changes from Adam to Christ. The flesh is still in us and it will remain so until we die or until the Lord comes at the rapture. Until one of those events occurs, we should attempt to live the life we have been granted. As we develop and mature as Christians we should “live according to the Spirit.” This is an attitude where our minds and our lives are directed away from worldly things and lusts and toward the heavenly, eternal things.

For some, the change never really takes hold. For others, it may be delayed for even years and then suddenly grasp them. And yet others may have a profound change in their lives from the moment they receive Christ. In the end, the sadness of a life saved by the Lord and then never bearing fruit for Him will be realized in many when they stand before His judgment seat. Let us endeavor to not be in this position on that day.

Life application: If we are “in the Spirit” then we should endeavor to have the Spirit in us. Be filled with the Spirit through right thinking, reading and studying of the word, a healthy prayer life, and fellowshipping with others in praise and worship of the Lord. This is certainly pleasing to God and is His desire for your life.

Lord Jesus, You saved me from the pit and have set me in broad spaces. Now be with me as I learn Your word and endeavor to live according to its precepts. Help me not to misuse the intent of Your word, but to walk rightly and with pure doctrine. Lead me, guide me, and instruct me in the beautiful pages of the Bible. Amen.

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

…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. Romans 8:4

The previous verse noted that Jesus “condemned sin in the flesh.” This verse is follow-up to that. By coming in the likeness of sinful flesh (being found in the appearance of man – Philippians 2:8) He prevailed over the flesh for us. In reality, in Him “the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us.” This is the Bible’s doctrine of substitution, one thing taking the place of another in order to accomplish an act or provide a benefit.

In the Old Testament, an animal was sacrificed in place of the sins of the people. The animal had done no wrong, but the sin was transferred to it as a temporary means of expiation and propitiation. These sacrifices looked forward to the coming Christ who would die on behalf of fallen man. In like manner, the righteousness of Christ is transferred to us. He did the work, fulfilling the law’s righteous requirement and that is granted to those who trust in His work.

Because of the work of Christ, we have the ability to move from Adam to Jesus. The sin transfers to His cross; His righteousness transfers to us. This fulfillment of the law is granted to those “who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” This is the same concept as verse 8:1 which said that there is “now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

To understand this often misinterpreted phase, refer to the comments on 8:1. In short though, believers are in Christ positionally the moment they call on Him. We are justified and have moved from Adam to Christ. However, we can and often do walk contrary to this positional change because we are still in our fallen bodies. When we fail, it isn’t the fault of the Spirit who has sealed us, but our carnal selves working to satisfy their own lusts.

How will this affect us if not for salvation? The answer is through rewards and losses. We all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive our rewards for our proper living and losses for our failures. Therefore, it is important for us to walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Life application: Christ has fulfilled the law on our behalf. It is finished and nailed to the cross. Why would we attempt to go back and try to merit His favor by reintroducing that which He has fulfilled? It is a slap in His face and a rejection of what He has done. Let us rest in His work and be satisfied that through Him, the law which was contrary to us is fulfilled and now obsolete.

Lord, when I think of the gift You have presented, it is beyond my ability to grasp. You have offered to give me Your righteousness in exchange for my heavy baggage of a life of sin and rebellion. How could I not but accept the terms? I bow my knees to Jesus and I give my heart to You, O God. Thank You for the freedom by which I am truly free. Amen.

Monday, 1 July 2013

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,… Romans 8:3

Romans 8:3 is one of those verses worth putting to memory. It succinctly states a fact which is otherwise unimaginable. God gave the law to the people of Israel. Within that law is a statement which seemingly is one of the granting of life –

“You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 18:5

However, the reality is that the law actually brought about death. It couldn’t grant life because “it was weak through the flesh.” Man, because of his inherited corruption, is incapable of meeting the demands of the law. What was to bring life, actually brought death (Romans 7:10). And so the law seemed to merely add heavy baggage on the highway to destruction. But then the news of eternal wonder was introduced into the stream of humanity.

What the law couldn’t do, God did for us. Such is the nature of the work of God. It is a gift and it is solely of His doing. Where the law further condemned us, we found a new avenue of release when God sent “His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.” This is the incarnation – God united with humanity and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He bore the garments of flesh that we bear, but unlike ours which have the inherited baggage of Adam’s fall, Jesus came through a woman, but not a man. He was conceived without sin; He had the “likeness” of sinful flesh, but actually was sinless.

God did this, sending His Son, “on account of sin.” Sin entered the world when the devil wrought his work of deception in the Garden of Eden. The devil seemed to have gained the victory, but John tells us in his first epistle that it was, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)”

This is what it means when Paul says “on account of sin.” The devil is the master of this world of sin, but Jesus came to undo his work – and He did! “He condemned sin in the flesh.” By coming as Adam was, Jesus was fully qualified to replace the error he committed. Born sinless, Jesus was capable of prevailing over the law which was given. As it says in Leviticus, “if a man does, he shall live by them.”

The marvel of the incarnation is that by coming in the likeness of sinful flesh, but bearing no sin, Jesus could do what no other person could even come close to doing. Through His work, we are now granted an offer – we can accept the work of Jesus on our behalf and be reconciled to God through Him, or we can choose to stay “in Adam” and attempt to be reconciled on our own merits.

This verse then is an explanation of the first two verses in Romans 8 – “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. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Life application: We are weakened by the sinful flesh we inherited, but Christ had no such limitation. He prevailed over the law, thus condemning sin in the flesh. As great as that sounds, we need to remember that in order for this to happen, Christ had to go to the cross. When you rejoice in His work, never forget the high cost which was paid in the process.

I stand amazed at what happened at the cross. Every word of the law and prophets looked forward to the coming Messiah, but who could have imagined what was included in receiving that title – humility, trials, suffering, and death. Before the exaltation there was humiliation. Before the victory, there was shame. I stand amazed at what happened at the cross. Thank You O God, for Calvary’s cross. Amen.