Reality!

Reality!

Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; Romans 8:6 AMP

The Context and Focus:

There is power in control. If you are able to determine the choices of another person, you have power over that person. If you are able to influence the direction of another person's life, you can actually determine the eternal impact of that person. This is the message of today's verse, and it is a lesson that all of us must understand, and also apply to our lives, so we can end up the right way. At all times, in all dispensations and generations, there are two control centres. You are either under the control of the flesh or the Spirit. There is no middle ground; no demilitarized zone, no fence to sit on here. You cannot be under the control of both at the same time. This is where the decision of submission matters; I have the power to decide which one I will submit to. Up to the time I decide who to submit to, I have the power. The moment I then decide who to submit to, the effects and consequences of my choice then begins to control my life. This is why I have to be careful and deliberate about my choice.

The Message:

This is the thrust of today's verse. This verse tells me what the choices are, as well as the physical fruits of the choices and the eternal consequences of those choices. The flesh is one of those choices. It is as old as man, because all men, after Adam, were born with the seed of sin in them. All men inherit that sinful nature, and nothing can save you from its hold, except the Spirit, which is the other nature and choice. One comes with the human nature; the other comes with the spiritual nature, born of God and sustained by God Himself. The mind of the flesh has no other end except death, because it is the natural end of sin. God has made it clear that the wages of sin is death, and no amount of education, enlightenment, energy, elocution or earnings can change that. As the verse above also says, the consequences of the power of the flesh, as well as the power of the Spirit, is both now and forever. That tells me I have to be sure of who is in charge of my life, if I am to end right. 

The Conclusion:

I have to be sure of where I am headed. It is not a decision to be left to other people to define for me, because all men will have to face the judgment seat of God. Why would I allow other people like myself define what is right and wrong for me, when I have access to the truths of God's Word, as well as access to the power of the Spirit? If I can ask God for His help, I really do not need the approval of men to live up to God's standards. The end of sin is ALWAYS sin, no matter how nice the world tries to dress it. As long as God has said it is sin, it is sin. The Spirit will not permit sin, and sin will not allow the Spirit thrive. I have to make up my mind where I want to end up. I have to consider my eternal reality. Life is more than the earthly benefits; a man's life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses. At the end of the day, I take nothing away from the earth, except that which I have done with Jesus. That is all that really matters on the long run. In light of the information above, what decision do I have to make? What of you? God's time of favour is here.