“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.“
Colossians 3:1-10 NLT
We’ve all seen the movies where the good guys, thinking they have destroyed the bad guys, are caught off guard, injured or killed, when the bad guys have somehow returned to deliver another blow.
We have been discussing the importance of carrying our own cross. We have come to understand that our cross is obedience to the will of the Father. Additionally, we have seen that the Lord has given the Holy Spirit to help us to do the will of the Father. And, today I will add, it is in the actual doing of the Lord’s will that the flesh is killed and stays dead.
“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.“
Romans 8:12-14
We avoid the possibility of the sin nature (the desire to walk in sin) “resurrecting,” as long as we are walking in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
When we are walking in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit of God, we remain free from the law of sin and death, free from control by the sinful nature, free to fulfill the will of God in our lives.
We must not fail to appreciate that walking in disobedience to the Holy Spirit, makes one vulnerable to again fulfilling the deeds of the flesh. And when we indulge in the deeds of the flesh (living a lifestyle of sin), we cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.“
Galatians 5:16-25 NLT
In our opening scripture we see that walking in newness of life, requires that we focus our minds on the things of Heaven. As I have shared before, I do not believe that “you can be so heavenly-minded that you’re no earthly good.” That is never the case.
Being truly heavenly-minded is being sensitive to the voice of the Spirit of God, setting our eyes on the Lord, and not allowing ourselves to become distracted by temptation.
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.“
James 1:12-16 NLT
Dear child of God, don’t allow the sin nature to sneak back in like those bad guys we were referencing earlier. Stay the course. Carry your cross. Walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit so that the sin nature stays dead (in terms of its control).
Again, daily walking in the Spirit, leads to staying free from the control of the world system, free from the desires of the flesh, free from the deception of the devil, and alive to God (able to walk in unfettered fellowship and obedience to Him).
Remember, soon, and very soon, the Lord will return; and—as the old song goes—we will “trade the old cross for a crown.”
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.“
2 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
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