Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. - Romans 8:1-2THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS INDEPENDENCE OR AUTONOMY!
I know that is an uncomfortable line for most people to hear, but it still remains true. All things in life are inherently spiritual. Everything we say, think and do always draws back to a fundamental foundation. In that regard, we essentially never make a totally free choice.
It all comes down to what power we live under and serve.
And there are only two powers at work: sin/death or the Spirit of life.
Every human being, whether they know it or not or whether they like it or not, live under one of these two powers. Each one of these powers represents, in effect, a regime and each regime makes demands on us and requires our service.
The power of sin/death is a regime that is opposed to all things having to do with God's will and way. It demands absolute loyalty from its citizens and will always lead them, implicitly or explicitly, away from God. Likewise, the sin/death regime will direct its citizens toward sin. For example, it will encourage lusts, self-indulgence, hatred and discord, etc. It will even convince its citizens that this is the normal and best way, that there is no other way. And while the citizens of this regime follow the power of sin/death they move toward their own eventual self-destruction. Everyone starts out as citizens of this regime, under this power.
On the other hand, the power of the Spirit of life is a regime centered in God's very heart and mind. It too demands absolute loyalty from its citizens, but will lead them implicitly and explicitly, toward God and away from sin. This regime liberates people from the paths of destruction they are on and adopts them as brand new members (citizens) of a new regime. As citizens of a new regime, the Spirit of life produces fruit in the lives of its citizens, fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. While there are still hints and reminders of the old regime in our lives, we are always driven more and more away form sin and toward God and the Spirit's fruit. In time, we not only are new citizens, but we begin to look more like it too.
This is possible only because Jesus, our liberator and Lord, sacrificed His life for us on the cross. That was and is no small thing, something fit for a child's Sunday School lesson, but not really valid for us grown ups. No, Jesus invaded the regime of sin/death and made a way for us to escape to His regime, the Spirit of life. It was our only hope and there was no other way. Because of Jesus, we have the opportunity to escape the regime we started in and live as citizens of His regime.
Which regime are you living under? When did Jesus free you form the regime of sin/death?
Where do you see the fruit of the Spirit taking root in your life?
This is one of, if not the best.."sermom" I have heard. One thing, the discussion about there being just two regimes. Feel that many people think there are three. Many people explain that some person is such a good person,helped many people, and even goes to church at times. Get the impression that this is a christian, but nothing has been said about the death and resurrection of Jesus.Somehow, just recently,have been so aware that many people really do not understand what is required, and it was so totally spelled out in this writing.If you feel that I am wrong, would encourage you to have a conversation with an acquaintance who is not into christian things, so much, and really listen to what he says.Wonderful to be free from the regime of sin and death, and am thankful that I know people who feel free to discuss these things with me..and happy to have a copy of this blog which will be helpful in talking with them. HSM
ReplyDeleteOk,already! See my error..not sermom, but sermon.
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