Romans 8:9-13 A transformation of one’s spirit will lead to a transformation of destiny
Romans 8:9-13
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Background
As we have seen from the previous article, those who seek to live independently of God’s rule—pursuing their own dreams, ideals, and personal happiness—stand fundamentally hostile to God. Such people, who live “in the flesh,” cannot please God and will never experience true life and peace.
In contrast, those who surrender their rights, ambitions, and self-driven ideals in order to manifest the life of Christ within will taste the abundance that flows from the Spirit. This raises the crucial question: How does one experience abundant living and shape a glorious destiny? The answer begins with the regeneration of our spirit, which comes through seeking the face of Christ. As our spirit is renewed, our heart, mind, and even our mortal body become progressively nourished and transformed by His Spirit.
Today’s devotion teaches us this enduring truth: A transformation of one’s spirit will lead to a transformation of destiny.
Observation
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
There is a clear dichotomy between those who are of the flesh and those who are of the Spirit. One cannot belong to both realms simultaneously, for they are fundamentally opposed. Simply put, all who possess the Spirit of Christ—and therefore belong to Him—will strive to live as He lived. Yet even so, an existential tension remains between the righteousness of Christ’s Spirit within and the lingering sinful impulses of the mortal body.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
A human being consists of spirit (identity), heart (desires), mind (understanding), and the mortal body (material existence and actions). Before a person can enter into true and abundant life, the entirety of his being must be regenerated by the Spirit of Christ.
This regeneration unfolds in two stages.
First, while still living in the mortal body, Christ regenerates a person’s spirit, heart, and mind—restoring his identity, purifying his desires, and renewing his understanding. Then, at Christ’s return, the work of regeneration reaches its fullness when the believer’s mortal body is transformed and replaced with a resurrection, imperishable body.
Paul describes this transformation vividly:
It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
That said, the glory in each body will differ according to each person’s righteousness, as evidenced by their works.
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
In light of the believer’s future resurrection and the promise of an imperishable body, Paul underscores our present obligation to live according to the Spirit. By entering into covenant with Christ, we receive His Spirit and commit ourselves to walk with Him. The word obligation must therefore be understood covenantally: believers owe their allegiance not to the desires or agenda of the flesh, but to the Spirit who now dwells within them.
Paul also issues a sober warning—the real danger of forfeiting resurrection life if believers cease to put to death the deeds of the flesh. Therefore, vigilance is essential. The believer must continually pursue the things of the Spirit, shaping life according to His virtues, and steadfastly resisting the impulses of the mortal body. Only by perseverance in the Spirit’s way can one remain aligned with the life Christ has secured.
Truth
A transformation of one’s spirit will lead to a transformation of destiny.
All things begin with the spirit. A man’s spirit will determine the state of his heart, mind, body and ultimately his destiny.
A man’s spirit pertains to his identity; “Who am I?” His heart pertains to his desires; “What do I want?” His mind pertains to his understanding; “What should I do?” And his body acts to carry out what is in his mind. Therefore, the question, “Who am I?” must take precedence over other questions: “What do I want?” or “What should I do?” However, most people have yet to determine who they are before they embark on the decisions of life. Hence, many are lost and confused. Even as they pursue personal significance and happiness as their primary goal, they are unhappy and perpetually filled with hurts and anger. Despite everything they do, they find themselves back at square one. Until they know who they are and be steadfast in it, they will not experience abundant living.
Who is a son of God?
A son of God is one who possesses the Spirit of Christ. And base on his identity in Christ, he steers the course of his life and arrives at his destiny. As a son of God, he is mindful of his citizenship in heaven. He is obligated to fulfil the divine mission. He guards his heart and does not entangle himself with the affairs of the world.
Jesus, being mindful of His divine call and identity, gave up His rights and His possessions to do God’s will. Thus, those who have the Spirit of Christ will likewise give up their rights, possessions and plans to serve God’s purposes. Indeed, a son of God is evidenced by his desire to seek out God’s will and serve Him despite inconvenience and hardship.
Regenerating our spirits
One who has his spirit regenerated by Christ is fully absorbed into God and His purposes. Thus, he considers himself as having no rights, no possessions, no plans apart from God’s. He takes joy in God increasing and he decreasing until he is fully absorbed into God. Therefore, what belongs to him belongs to God. And what belongs to God belongs to him. Such is like a man looking to invest in a company. When he finds the company of choice, he sells all his possessions to buy the company’s shares.
Regenerating our hearts
One who has his heart regenerated by Christ has died to the things of the world. He guards his heart from being seduced by greed, power and lust. He desires God and the things of heaven. Hence, he seeks out God’s face and converses with him continuously. Such is like a man who goes around looking for a wife. When he finds the woman he loves and marries her, he shuts his heart from other women no matter how beautiful they may be.
Regenerating our minds
One who has his heart regenerated by Christ finds no confidence in his own opinions. He is like a child who is aware of his inadequacies, and who desires the pure revelation of the Father. He judges not according to what he perceives with his eyes or hears with his ears, or reasons with his mind, but he discerns with divine wisdom and knowledge.
How does a man experience abundant living and prosperity?
We experience abundant living by regenerating our spirits to become sons of God. Those who belong to Christ come under His protection, and their descendants dwell in safety. That said, why do we see many “faithful” Christians live in chronic depression? They seem to stagnate in their spiritual journey. Many of them are faithful in reading the bible, and they attend worship services regularly. They serve in various ministries and profess to have obeyed the ten commandments. This is because they have yet to give up their rights to Christ. In desiring to be their own master, they have eaten the forbidden fruit. They endeavour to regenerate their hearts, minds and bodies, but without first regenerating their spirit and identity. Such seek happiness and bliss as their primary goal. They put their confidence in their abilities, people, and money. But those who put their trust fully in God, who look to the interests of others will prosper and live abundantly.
How do we regenerate our hearts and minds?
The key to regenerating our hearts and minds is to pursue the face of God, to know Him, His thoughts and passion. In so doing, our spirits are continuously regenerated by Christ’s Spirit. Because our hearts and minds draw life from our spirits, the deeper we press into God’s Spirit, the purer our hearts and minds become.
Application
How do you regenerate your heart and mind? How much do you desire God? Make it your goal to draw closer to God to understand what is on His heart and mind. Keep abiding in God and do not stray from Him. In so doing, you will experience the peace that leads to abundant living and prosperity.
Dear Lord, I desire to sit in your presence, to know you and belong to you. Receive me as your son/daughter. I put my trust in you. I give up my rights, my possession and plans to fulfil your purposes. Purify my heart and mind so that I may be worthy to sit at your table. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.