so then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [romans 8:12-13]
we are called, commanded to be “led by the Spirit.” [gal 5:18]
God has said we can only live in the freedom, the abundant life [john 10:10] he has for us if we are walking in submission to the Spirit. every day, every hour, every minute – we must walk in full submission to the Spirit. being led in this way we enjoy the freedom of our life in Christ.
sounds like a paradox – submit and you will know freedom.
sounds like a burden – submit.
sounds … foolish.
for the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [1 coe 1:18]
for the foolishness of God is wiser than men, … [1 cor 1:25]
walking in submission to the Spirit is life.
walking in submission to our flesh is death.
oh, that we would believe the voice of the Lord, the truth of his word, the “foolishness” of his loving call to us.
if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [romans 8:13]
as we submit to the Spirit of God living in us – he will work to put to death the deeds of our flesh. one of the joys of the Spirit of God living in you is killing the desires and works of your flesh. he longs to change your tastes from that of the flesh to that of the Lord. and as he does, he longs for you to see his tastes are good and the tastes of the flesh – are death.
oh taste and see that the Lord is good. [ps 34:8]
o Lord, i submit to your Spirit right now. i submit to your rule, your voice, your power. as the hours progress, call me into further and deeper submission. and, Lord – by your will and your power, do the miracle of putting to death the longings and tastes of my flesh that only seek to bring death to me and others. help me and see your ways and your life and enjoy you today. i freely submit to you, o Lord – help me taste and see you are good today.
in Jesus name, amen!
~ john ryan