Setting our minds on the right thing
"6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace," Romans 8:6
There is no getting away from it, when our minds are set on the things of the flesh, and that includes following rules, it is death. When our minds are set on following the living God’s personal instruction spoken instruction, it is life.
"7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so," Romans 6:7
This is the sad fact, the person who thinks they love God because they do what His word says, are actually hostile towards God! Why? How? Imagine your financial adviser ringing everyday and you don’t even pick up the phone because you are happy to follow the financial rulebook! Would the financial adviser not feel that you were being hostile towards him? You employ him and then ignore him. We could split hairs over meanings of words, whether ignoring is the same as hostile, but here we are told "The Flesh” is hostile towards God, not us. Ignoring God is one outward sign of inner hostility.
Imagine a policeman having to slow traffic down in an area because of an accident, but then someone driving through at 30 because the sign on the road says "30!" Wouldn't the policeman feel that the person is being hostile towards him!
This morning we were told again that we are all missionaries based on the great commission! One day I'll tackle that, but for now, this guy this morning was saying that if we do not speak then we could be the reason why that person doesn't go to heaven. The trouble is, it is because we speak that a lot of people don't got to heaven! It is so easy to put people off. People fuelled with the "need" to share, fire off at people in very in appropriate ways. That is being led by the flesh. Being led by the Spirit we would speak what the Spirit gives us to speak when the Spirit tells us to speak. We would have a relationship of trust.
Many would rather have a relationship with a rule book than have a relationship with a living God. Even though they can kid ourselves we have a relationship with Him. The point is that our relationship with the living God is first. Then and only then the rule book that lets us know we are doing it right.
Imagine someone having a photo of their partner and instead of ever looking at the person they look at the photo. They are in love with the image of their partner rather than actually with their partner. It is nonsense.
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Romans 6,7 & 8 part 12
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3 comments:
You've said so many good things in this post!
On one point, I've heard a lot of stories from pastors how we are letting God down by not sharing the gospel, and how many people are going to hell because of our failure.
I don't think this is true! I don't think someone else's salvation is based on me. It's God's Spirit moving in that person's heart. And if I fail to give that person the message of salvation, God WILL bring someone else. Does that mean I shouldn't share if I feel led too? No, of course not. But God's salvation isn't limited to my obedience. I can't make him mute or powerless by my disobedience!
Many pastors I grew up hearing would end their sermon with what we called "the dead dog story". It was the sad story at the end about someone's brother, for instance, who died before somebody went and told him about Jesus. "If only I had gone and told him (weep weep)".
Bull sh--!
Guess you've hit on a nerve of mine.
Anyway, I'm enjoying your Roman's study! Love your police man and photo example.
Keep going!!
I've heard the one about the guy on the golf course, who thought that his life attitude would witness to his golf buddy, then when the golf buddy dies, he thinks he realises said anything!
So, what's wrong with that? I knid of think that for someone to decide they want to be a pastor, go through all the training and interviews, they have to be of a certain "got to do it" mentality.
I have to say that I can't think of many times in my life when someone "witnessed" to me. But there have been those who have tried to defend threir faith when I was questioning. That didn't do anything for me. God's timing was prefect. He had played me like a chess piece and when I was ready, the right person was their.
Like in most areas of theology there are two distinct camps over evangelism (proactive witness) one side says we should all do it, and the other says only a few have the ministry of it!! No one denies that we all are called to reactive witness, that is giving an account to those who ask.
As for me, it is irrelevent really, if the Holy Spirit prompts us to do something then we do it! But I strongly defend myself with the stuff about pearls before swine!!
Yep!!
And like you said, being sensitive to the grief of others is one of the lovingest things to do.
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