Scripture: Romans 8 v 1 - 5: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
Many times we have heard preachers say that when we are in Christ there is no condemnation. Being 'in Christ' means we are part of His Body. Not so many give the full meaning of this verse, they omit 'who walk not after the flesh'.
It's true meaning is that there is no condemnation, guilt or judgment when we stop walking in the flesh. This type of walking is a state of mind, not the physical stroll. The fleshly mind, or carnal mind, is what we enjoyed as sinners. The flesh is sinful, and so is the carnal mind.
These are of the world with its lusts, raunchiness, teasing (tormenting), corruption, scams, gangs, criminal activities, intellectual pride, idolatry and rebellion. There is no room for godliness, holiness, purity, self-control in the flesh.
The carnal mind of people torments other people who are just slightly different to the norm. They judge that person as inferior, useless, foreign, lame or someone they don't need to have fellowships with or care about. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
In my neighbour there is a man who is a car guard at a shopping centre. He is from Zimbabwe where he qualified as a medical doctor but cannot do what he is good at because his qualifications are not recognised in South Africa. That we have a shortage of good doctors does not change his chances at all. Now this is carnal and fleshly thinking. God is not pleased.
When we are baptized in water we get a new nature, and our old nature dies under the water. However, our enemy discovered that he could resurrect this old nature if he played his cards correctly. He sends his carnal people into the situation who must talk the new convert out of this new born again life, label it a crutch, ridiculing and mocking its blessings.
If these people are loved and admired by the new convert it may be all that's needed to abandon his new life for the way things were before. It's called backsliding, and there are thousands of people who have lost their way. They are fallen Christians and we must do whatever we can to pick them up to restore them back to Christianity.
We need to know what it means to walk in the Spirit, because this pleases our Heavenly Father. We have to become more like Jesus. This is not accomplished in a day, a month or a year, its something that gets a lifetime achievement award. We need to work on it daily, forever. Until Jesus comes, because at that moment we will be changed to be 100% like Him. All our effort will be rewarded.
It means fostering our relationship with Jesus as the most important person we could ever meet. Instead of emulating fashionistas, famous actors, sports icons, music idols etc. we need to know all that Jesus taught His disciples about love, giving, healing, prayer and ministry.
We need to study the Word and view each person through His eyes. The Samaritan woman at the well; the Gadarene Demoniac; the people who were healed; Mary Magdalene; His disciples and Lazarus the beggar. Also Lazarus who died and was brought back to life.
He interfered with the Pharisees interpretation of the law when a woman was to be stoned for being caught in adultery. Let he who has never sinned cast stones at her was His rebuke to them. He healed people on the Sabbath, a total Pharisee no-no. He even told the paralyzed man who was healed, to take up his bed and walk....on the Sabbath!
He shook up the religious hierarchy with truth and Grace causing them to become His enemies. They felt threatened by Him. He was disturbing the status quo. He was causing Jerusalem to be in an uproar just before Caesar was to visit, which would cause the Romans to clamp down hard on them. So they crucified Him, or persuaded the Romans to do it for them.
It is our loving duty to become like Jesus. We need to make people think with their spiritual minds, not carnally. The Pharisees were extremely carnal, as were the Romans, but Jesus confronted them head on. He wanted the people to see the religious guys as false. This would open their eyes to the gospel.
We need to do all we can to lead people towards Jesus. We may sow a seed that becomes faith in the hearts of those who hear it. If we do not sow in righteousness, how will they ever know.
We must be prayed up and ready to sow a word in season, a seed that will germinate and bring forth fruit. The whole of Heaven rejoices over every new born citizen. If we actively prevent the gospel reaching people, what are we good for?
Acts 2 v 37 - 39: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
This is the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His Church just before His Ascension.
Matthew 28 v 18 - 20: "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
This is the desire of His heart for each one of us who believes. This is what He expects us to do. Just attending a church on Sundays and a prayer meeting mid week is not fulfilling His will. Lift up the name of Jesus and He will draw people unto Himself.
On a recent trip to the Eastern Cape some brethren and myself were amazed that everyone we met were drawn to Jesus in us leading to salvation and deliverance and praying for me to return soon which I intend to do. Permanently! It's a wide open door for us to walk through. The Lord has already shown us His plans and provision for these last days. It cannot be done in the Flesh because its not by power, nor by might but by My Spirit says the Lord.
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank You for Your Grace and Love poured out on my recent travels and the hunger for truth and reality in the people we encountered. They were lost sheep seeking a shepherd. Lord bless them all and keep them safe from harm till we are reunited by the Holy Spirit.
Lord change everyone that reads this epistle from carnal and fleshly to strong in Spirit to fulfilling The Great Commission. In Jesus' name. Amen.