Roma
6:5-6 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will
certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our
old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away
with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--
My
last post focused on the fact that when you and I were born again we inherited
the DNA of our Heavenly Father. We are His children, born of His Spirit. We are now living spiritual beings. We have
a mind and a body, but we are spirit, and the life we now live in the body we
live by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
In
Romans 8:12-14, the Apostle Paul teaches us about this life in the body after
we are born again. He writes, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we
have an obligation--but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if
you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to
death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the
Spirit of God are the children of God.” As children of God, we want to
offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Paul tells us
that by the Spirit we can put to death the misdeeds of the body, we are
no longer slaves to sin. Paul didn’t know anything about DNA, but if he had I
think he might have said that, just as the physical DNA of our earthly
parents guided the physical growth of our bodies, the spiritual DNA of
our Heavenly Father guides our spiritual growth, producing in us the fruit of
the Spirit. As I mentioned in my last post, the “self-control” that is a fruit
of the Spirit is really Holy Spirit control. My spirit united with His Spirit
puts to death the misdeeds of my body – not perfectly in the present age, but
perfectly for all eternity.
I now
turn my attention to the mind, which must not only be made new but must be
totally transformed by the new birth. Here also it’s all about Holy Spirit
control. Paul writes, “The mind of
sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
(Rom 8:6). Just as self-control of my body is really Holy Spirit control when
my spirit is united with His, so also this union controls my mind, producing
freedom from conflicting thoughts and anxiety. The peace that is generated
passes all understanding; and is a fruit of the Spirit that can only be
received. We cannot make it but we can give it to others. I agree with Pastor Mike Plunkett when he
suggests that Matthew 5:9 should really be translated: “Blessed are the peacegivers,
for they will be called children of God.”
