God’s Grace in Romans – Revitalized by the Spirit
We saw in our last discussion that, our reality is produced by the power of our minds; if our minds are stayed upon the truth of God’s word we will produce the life therein, but if our mind is carnal, then it is absent from God’s will, therefore, will produce death.
Even So the apostle continues;
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8
A man without the spirit cannot please God. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit, it is not found in the power of the flesh but in dependence on the Spirit of God.
They that worship God in the flesh without the Spirit cannot please him. This is the huge difference the Christian religion holds with others.
We contact God spirit to spirit and mere observance of fleshly rudiments doesn’t come close to pleasing God. We please God by faith and faith is a fruit of the Spirit of God in a man.
For we hear the apostle explain this huge difference;
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9
Paul explains here very clearly what it means to be in the flesh and to be in the Spirit. The Spirit of God in a man is the difference.
Every born again child of God is in the Spirit and all unbelievers are in the flesh, hence, they can’t please God.
There’s only one way to God and that way is Christ dwelling in a man through his Spirit. Those religions that problem we are also God’s children but reject Christ “are none of his.”
Although the believer cannot be in the flesh, he can go after the flesh. This is why Paul here explains the core difference. We can be tempted and may go carnal; however, we cannot live therein any longer. We are dead to the nature of sin and alive to God through his spirit in us.
Again observe this statement carefully “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
This means that having the Spirit of Christ in a man is what defines our faith, it is not that we believe that one day Christ will come and live in us, No, he lives in us right now and if he is not in you then you are not a child of God.
But if he is in you then we a hear;
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10
This is not a maybe or maybe not issue, this is absolutely none negotiable; Christ must be in you right now and if he is you then you are born again, and if you are, then, though the effect of the sin nature was that your flesh died, it became weak, sick and irresponsive to God.
Now the impact of the new nature is that the Spirit is presently the life of the flesh because he is a righteous spirit.
What destroyed the body was the old sinful nature – what revives the body is the new righteous nature; the spirit of Christ in us.
Just like if someone has cancer and the effect was that body parts are chopped off. Even though the cancer maybe gone, the effects will still be there, the parts chopped off will not be there.
Even so the old nature, though gone, has left its effects, but we have hope, the new spirit is now the life of our flesh.
And so we hear the apostle explain more;
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans 8:11
The apostle here compels us with a powerful picture of Christ’s resurrection. That the same way the Lord’s Spirit came back and entered his body, destroying death and every consequence, any one that has received the Spirit of Christ is revitalized. The Holy Spirit has vitalized our death doomed bodies.
Observe how we have followed this present reality in context; it does not talk of the future but a present experience. Observe again this statement “his Spirit that dwelleth in you” not shall dwell in you.
If you are born again then he dwells in you and as you believe this word and start confessing the reality in your life, you will receive this full quickening into your soul and body and the depressive and suicidal thoughts, the weaknesses and sicknesses, the curse of death will be broken over you.
You will experience the resurrection power of God transforming your body for Christ is a life giving Spirit.
Confession
Thank you heavenly Father for the blessedness of making me a partaker of the Spirit of Christ, in Christ, my body is revitalized.
The curse of death is broken and the Law of the Spirit of life is at work in my members. I refuse to be sick and I refuse to die.
I experience the incorruptible life of Christ in all my members. I am strong and healthy walking in the health and wealth of Christ. Glory to God!
Prophetic Insight
As many sons are pushing forward to enter into this great door of authority, power and wealth, the warfare is strong.
I saw adversaries pressing in on the Lord’s soldiers but I heard a chant of victory in the Spirit as these ones began to proclaim the victors’ declaration “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”
As I saw this, victory broke out I heard the Lord Say “Dear one, I have not given you over to death, I have only allowed you to be refined to work the works of your God.
This is the moment of your deliverance. Take your liberty and rise.
Don’t be discouraged, you are entering and shall show forth my mighty deeds to your generation”
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: Psalms 118:17-19
Blessings in Christ;
~Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church