Springs Articles 2021-05 (1)
Romans 8:12-14
Romans 8:15-17
Romans 8:26-27
What does it mean for a believer to live after the flesh according to Romans 8:12-13?
- Being carnally-minded (senses-ruled and full of worldliness)
- Following the dictates of the sinful nature
- Being dominated by the works of the flesh according to Galatians 5:19-21
- Being dominated by lust and pride according to 1 John 2:15-17
What is the consequence of a believer living after the flesh according to Romans 8:13?
- Spiritual death!
- Spiritual death starts with spiritual sickness
- A carnally-minded (senses-ruled) believer is spiritually sick (unwell)
- Untreated sickness can lead to death!
- The dying process is progressive, if left untreated by the medicine of repentance and obedience
- Spiritual death is spiritual darkness which opens the door to all types of physical and spiritual oppression
- A carnally-minded believer can die spiritually and go to Hell if they don’t repent, John 15:6
- Every true believer is called to be spiritual!
- Carnally-minded believers are being unfaithful to the Lord and they will miss the Rapture if they don’t repent. That’s why Revelation 2 and 3 are full of calls to repentance.
How can you overcome the flesh (i.e. the sinful nature) according to Romans 8?
- Renew your mind continuously with the Word!
- Romans 8:5-8
- Yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit!
- Romans 8:13-14, Galatians 5:16
- Present your body as a living sacrifice by laying down your pride (ego, stubbornness, self-centredness, selfishness, self-esteem) at the feet of Jesus
- Romans 12:1-2
- Embrace the mind of Christ (yieldedness, willingness, Christ-centredness, humility, obedience, God-esteem)
- Philippians 2:5-8
What are the implications of being able to call God “Abba, Father” according to Romans 8:15?
- Abba is the Hebrew word for ‘father’.
- Calling God ‘Abba’ means that He is your personal father and you are His son. This is made possible by faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
- Calling God your personal father means that you are now a part of His family, with full rights to His blessings and full responsibilities to His business.
- Romans 8:16-17
- Calling God your Father means that you are accepted and loved. There is no need to hide or run away in fear. You have been delivered from the bondage of slavery to Satan and Sin. You now relate with God in love, rather than fear!
- 1 John 4:18
- Calling God your Father means that you are now free to know, love and serve God from the bottom of your heart to the depths of your soul.
- Your identity as a son of God means that your business is now God’s business, and God’s business is now your business. This is a call to dominion, blessing, faithfulness and fruitfulness.
2021: A Year of Sanctification