Romans 8:6-7 KJV
[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
As it has been established over the years, there is no sitting on the fence when it comes to light and darkness. Light and darkness are governed by two different authorities, and were not intended to co-exist in the same space at the same time. As we recall, at the time of creation, the first thing God did was to speak light out of the darkness that covered the earth, and separating light from darkness. There were lights created to rule the day, and other lesser lights were created to rule the night. We can apply the same picture to the spiritual phase. The Flesh and the Spirit are also two very exclusive powers and realms, with their own laws and powers, and we all must fall under the control of one of them. Before a choice is made between these two opposites, you have the power to choose. You can take your time to choose, but as soon as the choice is made, the consequences of your choice begin to follow you. That is what is established in the extract above. The end of flesh's control is death, while that of the Spirit is life and peace.
Fortunately, the choices we make are not permanent; we are free to switch allegiances as often as we like, as long as we are alive on this side of eternity. Unfortunately, because the effect of our choices are not immediately visible and apparent, we think we have plenty of time and that we can switch allegiances any time we like. By the time reality dawns, we have crossed into immortality and the consequences of our choices on earth will determine where we spend eternity. Let it be clear: the flesh can never please God. There is no sacrifice, moral living, alms giving or physical show of piety that can make up for the lack of substance that the Spirit gives. Ask Cornelius. In the old testament, people had to offer the blood of bulls and goats so many times, just to cover up their sins. The blood could not wash sins away, so the sacrifices were grossly inadequate for the remission of sins. Christ's sacrifice, however, is a once-and-for-all offering that takes away sins permanently, and is a free gift we all are invited to take advantage of.
No other offering can please God, because the best and the greatest offering has already been made. If a man therefore seeks to please God, he must take advantage of this free gift on offer. The Spirit gives life and peace to all who accept this free gift, and at the end, eternity is secure. Let nobody deceive you into thinking that we were made to live forever on this side of eternity. Yes, we were formed to live forever, but the choice of residence is determined by the choice of masters we submit to while on earth. As it has always been laid out, the choices are laid before me. Men like Joshua, Moses, Samson, Judas Iscariot, Demas and Alexander the metalworker all made their choices at different times. The results of their choices are seen in the stories we read in the bible. The world is reading me today. I ask God for His help in deciding for Him. I ask for grace to follow Him and depend on His Spirit every day of my life. May the world hold no attraction for me. God's time of favour is here.
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