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NASB | Romans 8:13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 8:13 for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. |
Bible Question: Thank you very much for these scriptures. I am going to take the time to read them thoroughly.I really appreciate the information you have given me. I'm having a hard time seeing the difference, as you said, with the works of the law and the changes that are expected from accepting Christ. The thing is it seems like the changes that are expected from accepting Christ are that you will be following a lot of the law,(do not lie, kill, steal, etc...) and if you're not than you're not really saved? It almost seems like a contradiction to say being saved is a free gift but, we have to be active participants. I promise I'm not trying to argue, I'm just really trying to get this straight in my own head. I have been a Christian since October, and I am doing my best to understand things. I appreciate so much you taking the time to explain things and giving me more to think about. I feel bad for not completely understanding. |
Bible Answer: Hi, leonore! Works of the Law are the things needed to do or not do in compliance with the Law; all must be adhered to in order to obtain perfection. The life in the Spirit (Holy Spirit/the Spirit of God/the Spirit of Christ) is what we do which gives testimony that we are of Christ and in Christ (John 14:15, 21; 15:12). The desires of self-indulgence are always in opposition to the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are in opposition to self-infulgenece: they are opposites, one against the other; that is how you are prevented from doing the things that you want to. But when you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: sexual vice, impurity, and sensuality, the worship of false gods and sorcery; antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements, factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and all such things. And about these, I tell you now as I have told you in the past, that people who behave in these ways will not inherit the kindom of God. On the other hand the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentlemenss and self-control; no law can touch such things as these. All who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified self with all its passions and its desires. Since we are living by the Spirit, let our behaviour be guided by the Spirit and let us not be conceited or provocative and envious of one another. (Galatians 5:17-26) In Galatians 5:17-26 Paul is demonstrating how the flesh (self-indulgence) causes us to fail since living in the flesh breaks away from the Law (transgresses the Law); every single transgression is found in the Law as a command to do something or a command to not do something. When we live in the Spirit we humbly submit ourselves to Christ, we live in His love, and we enjoy life in the Spirit: living to please God. When we live in the Spirit we enjoy the gifts of the Spirit and we strive to please God with our whole being. Here's how Jesus put it: Jesus said to him, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets too.' (Matthew 22:37-40) The difference is Love! When we rebel against God the Law convicts us. When we serve God the Holy Spirit engulfs us in God's Love and we produce the fruits of Love: the fruit of the Spirit! ...active participants... There are people who are very religious; in their own minds, and even perhaps in their social and religious circles, they are saved and awaiting the coming of Christ--yet they have not given up their old habits of killing, lying, cheating, oppressing, hating, discriminating (race, ethnicity, social status, financial status, etc...). These people have claimed salvation because it's there; because it is their right! Jesus warned: "Why do you call me Lord and do not do what I say?" Believing in Christ is not simply saying I believe or I am born again or I am saved: Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe--and tremble with fear. (James 2:19) It is not enough to repeat the words in the Bible--demons also believe that there is only one true God; yet, they refuse to obey His authority! Jesus promised us that if we come to Him He would not reject us. He also promised that if we believe in Him we will have eternal life since He is the Resurrection and the Life! But He also commanded that we abide in Him; that we keep His commandment: John 15:1-17. By allowing the Holy Spirit to change our old nature and by serving God in our new nature we are active participants of that free gift of salvation. God has freely given us Life in Jesus; but He will never take away our ability to give ourselves willingly to Him. As Jesus said: "those who have eyes... those who have ears..." Meditate on the following passage: Titus 3:1-8 3:1--ready to do good in every way 3:2--gentle attitude toward everyone 3:3--We spent our lives in malice and envy 3:5--he saved us... through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life 3:6--through Jesus Christ 3:7--come into possession of the eternal life 3:8--those who believe in God may be concerned with giving thier time to doing good deeds I hope this helps! God Bless! Angel |