What's on Your Mind?
Thinking about Romans 8:5.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5)
Paul finished Romans 8:4 by talking about those “who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Our new life in Christ - who did for us what the law could not do (Romans 8:3) - requires that we no longer live for our old master of sin but for our new Master.
Our “walk” is connected to our “mindset.”
The “walk” from Romans 8:4 refers to our way of life.
To “mind the things of the flesh” is to have the things of the flesh as the absorbing interest in one’s life. By the same token, to “mind the things of the Spirit” is to have the things of the Holy Spirit as our interest, affection and purpose in life. - Wacaster, Studies in Romans, 280
Living the Christian life - walking according to the Spirit - is impossible if we set our minds “on the things of the flesh.”
Those whose “walk,” or way of life, is focused on the flesh think worldly thoughts; they “set their minds on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). Their conduct and actions flow from their fleshly minds, and their lives live out what they think about. The same is true for those whose lifestyle centers on the Spirit (see Philippians 2:5). Their lives and deeds show the kind of thinking they do and what they dwell on. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 266
The way we live our life demonstrates where our loyalties truly lie.
A person can claim to love Jesus and may even come to church “every time the doors are open,” but if they live a life “according to the flesh,” then they demonstrate what they really love and what they serve.
Jesus told us we cannot serve two masters.
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
All of this continues to make Paul’s point that he started making back in Romans 6 - “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!”
Why not?
Because a Christian’s mind should be set on the things of the Spirit - the things of God - not the sinful things of this world.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
If you ask me “Who do you say you are?”, I will quickly retort “I am an ambassador of Jesus, the Christ.” This comes from within me, my hidden truth. It frames what I think and do. Likewise with all people. Your thinking and actions are framed from your identity. You cannot have a spiritual context without identifying with Christ. Thank you Jameson.
Great entry, Jameson.