THE HOLY SPIRIT and SONSHIP Devotion 7 of 30 Ultimately, this death is eternal separation from God. It is the lake of fire, hell, and "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power" (2 Thess 1:9). This death – the death in our text – however, has an impact upon men while they remain in this world. The prayers of such people are not heard. The Lord Jesus will not teach them. The grace of God will not sustain them. The Holy Spirit will not lead them. Their religion is all in vain, because they have the spot of the world upon them (James 1:26-27). They are literally on their own, with no helper from heaven, and at the mercy of the devil. Being "alive unto God" (Rom 6:11), includes all of those privileges. However, they are all lost when one "dies." – Tomorrow:
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors; not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17, NKJV)
This may appear too strong, and thus be pushed from the mind as though there was no truth in it. But it is true, for God is, in no sense, "the God of the dead" (Matt 22:32). He does not tie His name or His benefits to those who are classified as "dead." Bering "dead" is what necessitated salvation in the first place (Eph 2:1,5). How could one possibly retain the benefits of salvation while reverting back to the state from which he was once extricated.
The person who walks after the flesh is "the enemy of God" (James 4:4). He is hostile toward the Lord, and fights against His Law. God is not for that person, but against him. Such have degenerated to the state of an enemy, from which they were once delivered. When God says "YOU will die," there is no power or wisdom on earth that can negate the sentence! Men may object, but God will be "justified" in this saying (Rom 3:4).
WHY SUCH A SOLEMN SENTENCE
It is obvious that the pronouncement is strong. Why is this so? Why is the Lord so intolerant of those who wear His name, yet follow the dictates of nature? There is a reason – a sound reason!
Believers have been "made free from the law of sin and death" (8:2). They have been "delivered from the law," which condemns (7:4). They have been united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (6:1-4). Their "old man" was crucified when their new life began (6:6). They owe nothing to the flesh, and are under no obligation to obey its lusts, or desires (8:12).
Those who "live according to the flesh" have chosen to ignore these realities. They have quenched and grieved the Spirit, resisting both His warnings and direction. They have shut their ears to the voice of the Lord, and listened to the devil and their condemned earthly nature. They did not do this inadvertently, but deliberately and with focused attention. Every advantage was given to them, but they chose to crucify the Son of God afresh (Heb 6:6), rather than hear Him who is speaking from heaven (Heb 12:25).
If all of this seems too strong, ponder again the gravity of our text. There is not the slightest chance that those living "according to the flesh" will NOT die!
By listening and yielding to the "old man," they have put themselves on the broad road that leads to destruction. The only hope is to NOT live according to the flesh! What is more, all of the power required to avoid such living is ours in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I want your approval and blessing, both in this world, and that which is to come. I know I cannot have it if I insist on following the dictates of my flesh. In the name of Jesus, I confess my desire to please You, and ask for grace to do so consistently and effectively.