Life and Peace
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Today’s Text: Romans 8:1-11 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
Do I live according to the flesh or according to the Spirit? It depends on what my mind is set on. If my mind is set on what the flesh desires, I will definitely do what the flesh desires. If my mind is set on what the Spirit desires, I will do what the Spirit desires.
Most of the time, I am not conscious of what my mind is set on—which probably means that it is NOT set on what the Spirit desires. It takes discipline to set my mind on what the Spirit desires, but upon reflection, I realize that I don’t conscientiously exercise my mind like that.
And that is why Romans 8 may be one of the most encouraging passages in all of Scripture for me.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.
— Romans 8:1-3a
What the law cannot do in terms of making me righteous, Christ did. What I am powerless to do to make myself righteous, Christ did.
And so because of what Christ did, even if I do not conscientiously set my mind on what the Spirit desires every day and every moment of my life, I can live in the confidence that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6).
And because of what Christ did, even if I do not set my mind on what the Spirit desires 24/7, my mind is NOT governed by the flesh, but governed by the Spirit.
However, the key to a fruitful and happy life is to work out the salvation that God has worked in us through Christ Jesus, as Oswald Chambers says.
As a Christian, if I dare to ask myself the question, “Do I want to be fruitful and happy,” and if I dare to answer that question with a resolute “Yes,” then the only response in my life ought to be a pursuit of an obedient life.
Father, You are so gracious and kind. I find myself so far from You sometimes. Remind me and help me to set my mind on the Spirit daily, so that I may live according to the Spirit, and enjoy the fruit of abundant life and peace. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
