Spirit vs Flesh

Spirit vs Flesh

From the fall of Lucifer there has been a battle between good and evil. From the resurrection of Christ, there has been a battle between spirit and flesh.

Romans 8:1-4 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. ³ For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Verse 1 says, there is now no condemnation

That means, there is no:

• Accusation
• Judgement
• Verdict
• Punishment

The word no (no condemnation), literally means never, never, never! We have been exonerated and never will we ever face the death penalty.

for those who are in Christ Jesus.

There is a catch, to become free from condemnation, you must be saved.

As believers, we are intertwined with Jesus. He lives in us and because of this, our status and identity have been completely transformed.

You are Free

Verse 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

It is so easy to live in the flesh. We have a sin habit and a desire to indulge in things that bring pleasure to our flesh. But Jesus has made a way for believers to leave those carnal desires behind and allow Christ’s Spirit of life to live in and throughout us. We now have the freedom to choose our path–falling back to the law of sin or walking in the freedom of life.

1 Corinthians 6:12

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

God Did It

Verse 3 & 4 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The law could not defeat sin, it could only point it out. The only way to defeat sin was for Jesus to become our substitute.

Matthew 27:11-26 tells the story of Jesus and Barabbas. During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pilate was accustomed to pardoning one of the prisoners and releasing them. So, when the people were demanding Jesus be condemned, Pilate chose Barabbas a murderer and a traitor, thinking there is no way the people will want Barabbas released. But that is exactly who the crowd chose. Jesus, the only person in history to not need forgiveness, became the substitute for a man who deserved death. You and I are like Barabbas in this story.

The law was fulfilled because Jesus accepted our sins and willingly took our punishment. Jesus was crucified as a sinner, so we could live as righteous.

Romans 8:16 & 17

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

1 Peter 5:8 warns us to “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Satan is our enemy and he is trying to destroy us any way he possibly can. He will try to confuse us, attacking us spiritually, getting us to doubt our Godly inheritance.

But, Romans 8:16 & 17 tells us that we do not have to wonder if we are God’s children, and His heirs. The Spirit confirms it!

The purpose of a Christian is to become Christlike and as we do, we are more equipped to resist the things of the flesh and walk more and more in His Spirit! This is how we live a victorious life. It is only possible through Christ.

 

Spirit vs Flesh Part 2

 

Verse of the Day