The Holy Spirit & the Act of Pleasing God Posted on October 15, 2013 by Bro. Kelly Jack Dearly beloved brethren, in view of God’s mercy, let us offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is our true and proper worship. We should not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Then we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is and his good, pleasing and perfect will (see Romans 12:1-2). Carnal pleasure, worldly profit and honour, the things of sense and time, are the things of the flesh, which unregenerate people mind. While the favor of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, is the things of the Spirit of God, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. It has been observed that those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures(flesh) live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves thinking and doing those things that please God (see Romans 8:5). Conflicting between the flesh and Spirit characterizes the Christian life (see. Gal.5:16-26). Setting our mind on the things of the flesh or on the things of the Spirit means being oriented to or governed by those things which we focus on. The man or woman is as the mind of that individual. The mind is the creator of thoughts. For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, he will say to you; but his heart is not with you (see Proverbs 23:7). When an individual focuses on pleasing the desires of his/her flesh results in death (see 1 Timothy 1:5-6) and the individual with carnal mind is an enemy of God (see Romans 8:6-7). The mind of the flesh is hostile to God and can never submit to the law of God. 1 Timothy 1:5-6Living Bible (TLB)5 What I am eager for is that all the Christians there will be filled with love that comes from pure hearts, and that their minds will be clean and their faith strong.6 But these teachers have missed this whole idea and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. Romans 8:6-7Living Bible (TLB)6 Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death 7 because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God’s laws and it never will. Being in the flesh means being unregenerate or sinful. People in that state cannot please God. It is well noted that when a Christian follows after the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit in his/her life, it leads to an inward harmony and tranquility in such a life. Apart from God’s Spirit, humanity cannot have life and peace, for the flesh is hostile and cannot please God (Romans 8:8; those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God). To be Christ’s (that is, to be a Christian indeed, one of His children, His servant, His friends, in union with Him) is a privilege and honour which many pretend to that have no part nor lot in the matter. None are His but those that have His Spirit; that is, We cannot walk in His steps unless we have His Spirit; the frame and disposition of our soul must be conformable to Christ’s pattern (i.e. We are meek, lowly, humble, peaceable, patient and charitable to one another). We are to be led and guided by the Holy Spirit of God, as our sanctifier, teacher, and comforter In conclusion, we will like to use this medium to encourage every Christian to no longer live according the flesh, under the control of their sinful human nature. Instead, we should be guided and led by the Spirit, which will make us children of God through our Lord Jesus Christ and the mercy of His Spirit helping us live a life that is pleasing unto God. Romans 8:9King James Version KJV :9 But ye 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.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 23:14:53 +0000
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