Romans 8:1-14 ~ set their minds on the things of the Spirit

Romans 8:1-14

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 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. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.


My mother is about to be 78 years old; she works for a well-known, Horatio Alger Award Winner, lady in Real Estate who is 100 years old. In 1981, my parents divorced and my mother re-entered the work force as her boss' assistant. There is a cartoon Cathy put out years ago that my mom probably still has in her office - it is Cathy carrying two purses and she says, " I have a work out program, a social calendar, a low-fat diet program, a make-up program, a skin program, a business calendar, business ledger, a vitamin program, a budget system, a reimbursement program and tv program. And I carry it with me." Cathy is shown with 2 purses.

I have a mom who does carry two purses. This can be one of the Bible passages we wonder how we ever fit into the Bible passage. It is not easy, we become overwhelmed in life at times.

We can relate to it like this:

Mark 4:37-41
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

When we feel swept along in life - we all do - even the disciples felt confused walking beside the Lord - we have an Advocate.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world

Jesus took time for others. Jesus visited the lepers. They were not going to be the people who increased His salary, His social standing, His reputation. He didn't visit them for the pat on the back.

Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

When we are confronted with a spiritual issue larger than we are. When we have a situation, we cannot fix. We have someone to rely upon - Jesus. He is our advocate, we cannot attain salvation in our own efforts. We remember He is in charge. We remember to appreciate and help others. We strive to think of what is good and be grateful.

My cousin Maxine and Aunt Elois had this framed by their front door: "Dear Lord, I shall be very busy this day. Do not forget me. As I am apt to forget You. " I read it as a young person and was shocked, but it is a humble admission of what we are.

Father God, when we ask, not because we are deserving. You create in us, your children, the ability to take up our mats and walk. In full view of all. You forgive our sins and we are grateful. In the name of Jesus. Amen.





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