Romans 8:9-13 A change of one’s spirit will lead to a change of destiny
Romans 8:9-13 A change of one’s spirit will lead to a change of destiny
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 understood from the previous article, those who seek to live independently of God’s rule; to actualise their dreams, to realise bliss and happiness for themselves are fundamentally hostile to God. And such (who are in the flesh) cannot please God and will not experience life and peace. On the other hand, those who give up their rights and ideals; who seek to actualise the Christ within, will experience abundant living through the Spirit. That said, how do we achieve abundant living and create a glorious destiny?; by regenerating our spirit through seeking the face of Christ. In so doing, our hearts, minds and bodies may be nourished by His Spirit. Today’s devotion teaches us: A change of one’s spirit will lead to a change 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 dichotomy between those who are of the flesh and those of the Spirit. One cannot be of the flesh and the spirit at the same time, for they are diametrically opposed. Put it simply, those who possess Christ’s Spirit; who belong to Him will endeavour to live in the manner that He lives. Nevertheless, there remains an existential tension between the righteousness of Christ’s Spirit within, and the sinful tendencies 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.
The mortal body comprises the faculties of the natural man: his spirit (identity), heart (desires), mind (understanding) and body (works). Before man can experience abundant living, his mortal body must first be regenerated by Christ’s Spirit. The regeneration of the mortal body is realised in two stages: firstly, Christ regenerates man’s spirit, heart and mind while he is in the flesh. As man’s identity, desires and understanding are being regenerated, he begins to live out the abundant life. Abundant living can generally be described as freedom from sin, poverty, sickness resulting in enduring prosperity. The apostle John prayed,
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul (spirit, heart and mind) prospers. – 3 John 2.
Lastly, at Christ’s return, our natural and perishable bodies will be given a spiritual and imperishable one. Paul said,
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 the light of believers receiving their resurrection bodies, Paul reinforces the believer’s obligation to live according to the Spirit. In making a covenant with Christ, we receive His Spirit to live and walk with Him. The word “obligation” should be understood in the light of our covenantal relationship with Christ. Therefore, believers are indebted to Christ to live not according to the desires and agenda of the flesh but according to His Spirit.
Paul puts forth a warning: the danger of falling away from the resurrection life if believers do not persevere in putting to death the deeds of the flesh. Therefore, it remains for the believer to be vigilant, to pursue the things of the Spirit and live according to His virtues.
Truth
A change of one’s spirit will lead to a change 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.