If You Live According to the Flesh, You Will Die–Romans 8:13-14
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” –Romans 8:13-14.
When ‘death’ is mentioned throughout Scripture, it is at times referring to a physical death. But it could also be referring to a spiritual death – or, becoming “lost” by ways of the world. The flesh (worldly desires, i.e. money, fame, power, career, relationships, false idols, etc) or our desired sin, takes first priority in our life and God ends up taking second (or, tragically, isn’t a priority at all). Paul describes living “according to the flesh” as living a life outside of Christ and His Commands; outside of His protection and provision here on earth, and thus, outside of His saving grace (eternal salvation). Paul further clarifies this deep (yet profoundly and gravely important) theological statement as: those who choose to live without Christ cannot, for obvious reasons, please God and thus will not only suffer a spiritual death (forgoing the abundant life Christ died to give us) but also risk obtaining eternal life in Heaven.
More than anything else, God wants a relationship with every one of us. He wants a deep, intimate relationship that is so carefully and lovingly nurtured that, over time, we become more and more like Christ – growing in Holiness and securing not only our own salvation, but helping others secure theirs as well.
This is an eye-opening, yet beautiful, verse. When we are walking with Christ, through the mercy and power of the Spirit, our entire world changes. We will experience Heaven on earth as well as secure our eternal destination with God for all time. And nothing (absolutely nothing!) is more important or more time sensitive than that.
“Draw near to God, and [then] He will draw near to you” –James 4:8.
[Read and meditate on this verse today. Think about what it means to walk in the ways of Christ, to live by His Commands, and to the glorious future you have in Heaven. How does this speak to you? Let us know in the comment section below.]
Just as happiness is a choice, so is prioritizing one’s life. Turn off the noise! Stay close to your Heavenly Father in prayer and thanksgiving.
AMEN!