The Flesh Wars Against the Spirit
If Christ be in you, the body [flesh] is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead [Holy Spirit] dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [give birth to] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you [John 14: 20].
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh,* to live after the flesh [Sin is not a necessity]. For “if” you live after the flesh, you shall die [even the Christian]: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body [proactive; absolute necessity], you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God [On the negative side if you are not diligently proactive in seeking the aid of the Holy Spirit you are not sons of God].
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father [See Hebrews 2: 14-15]. The Spirit [him]self bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
*It is a common fallacy among Christians whereby sin a appears to become a necessity. One might say “I know I will sin, but…” There is willful sin, but there is certainly sinning through neglect where one may be caught unawares. It is not necessary; there is a choice and if caught in a situation that comes from ignorance or negligence there is “a way to escape,” confession and repentance (I John 1-9). Sin is not a necessity it is avoidable: but, it requires effort. One must work at it. (See I Corinthians 10:13-14).
Loading ...