“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME. And THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I live BY FAITH in THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” (Galatians 2:20)
“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.” (Romans 8:1) Note, the modern translations leave this portion out, “do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.”
“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. FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH, but to be SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE. Because THE CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY (echthes: hostility) AGAINST GOD; for it is NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, nor indeed can be. So then, THOSE who are in the flesh CANNOT PLEASE GOD.” (Romans 8:5-8) “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. For as many as are LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THESE ARE SONS OF GOD.” (Romans 8:13-14)
So, what are the works of the flesh? “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that THOSE WHO PRACTICE SUCH THINGS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” (Galatians 5:19-21) “For the mind that is set on the flesh IS HOSTILE TO GOD, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. THOSE WHO ARE IN THE FLESH CANNOT PLEASE GOD.” (Romans 8:7-8)
“IF WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT, LET US ALSO WALK IN THE SPIRIT.” (Galatians 5:25)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham