Not in the Flesh, But in the Spirit Romans 8:9

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”, because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” He continued, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God”, and in chapter eight and verse nine of Romans, Paul told his readers, “you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if...the Spirit of God dwell in you” where we read:

But you 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.

The verse begins, “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” Paul began with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “you are not in the flesh” or “Paul's readers in Rome are not of the mere human and earthly nature of man apart from divine influence and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God”, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover and” “in the Spirit” or “by and with the third person of the triune God who is the Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-eternal with the Father and the Son ”, “if so be” or “whether indeed and since” “that the Spirit” which refers to “the third person of the triune God who is the Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “of God” which means “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “dwell” or “inhabits, resides, occupies, remains and cohabits” “in you” which refers to “within Paul's believing readers in Rome”. Paul shared how his “believing readers” in Rome were no longer “merely human,carnal and opposed to God” but living according to the “Holy Spirit” of God who “resides” within them.

The verse goes on to say, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Paul added the word, “now” which means “moreover and” “if any man” or “whether any person male or female” “have not the Spirit” which refers to “who does not have the third person of the triune God who is the Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “of Christ” which means “pertaining to the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”, “he is none” or “that person is not and in no way” “of his” which refers to “Jesus Christ Himself”. Paul shared how the person who does not have “Jesus' Spirit” within them are “not and in no way” God's.

When we meditate these words of Paul, we see his encouragement toward the “believers” in Rome. As believers in Jesus, they were no longer to be ruled by their “carnal minds”,but are to be governed by the “Holy Spirit” of God. People who have received Jesus and His Holy Spirit are to live their lives according to His guiding and instruction. Those who do not have “God's Spirit” within them do not have a relationship with God, and as Paul wrote, they are “none of his”. Jesus Christ died on the cross for the “sins” of the whole world, and for a person to have His Spirit governing inside they must “repent of their sins, ask Him to forgive their sins and receive Him as “Savior and Lord”. From that point forward, the Spirit of God comes into them and begins to govern over their attitudes, actions and words. May all who consider these words “receive” Jesus Christ into their lives today.

Next time Paul tells his readers, “if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.