THE HOLY SPIRIT and SONSHIP Devotion 11 of 30 The mortifying of the deeds of the body is nothing less than sanctification – LEARNING how to possess our vessels "in sanctification and honor" (1 Thess 4:4).
"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 is a progressive work in which we are to become more proficient. The New American Standard Bible emphasizes this perspective: "but if by the Spirit you ARE PUTTING TO DEATH the deeds of the body . . . " This implies not only consistency (faithful to always put to death the deeds of the body), but proficiency (becoming more wise and adept in putting to death the deeds of the body.
This progressive nature of spiritual life is seen in several Scriptural expressions.
CHANGED FROM ONE STAGE OF GLORY TO ANOTHER. As it is written, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18). The NRSV reads, "from one degree of glory to another," while the NIV says, "with ever-increasing glory." Behind this statement is the revealed purpose of God: "He also did predestinate to be CONFORMED to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29). It should be obvious that this is a progressive objective. It is true that our bodies will be conformed to the image of Christ instantly in the resurrection (1 John 3:2). However, so far as our character is concerned, this does not occur suddenly, but by stages wherein we become more and more like the Lord Jesus. The effort is our own, but the power that makes it happen is from the Holy Spirit, and the means through which that power is realized is our concentration upon the Lord Jesus Christ – beholding the glory of the Lord (also, 2 Cor 4:6). Part of this increasing change is the subduing of our fleshly nature, in order that we might be more fully used for the glory of God – sanctification.
ADDING TO OUR FAITH. Faith is the foundation upon which other indispensable virtues are built into our character. This is the activity to which Peter referred when he wrote, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue (excellent moral character, or the ability to choose the good and refuse the evil); and to virtue knowledge (personal acquaintance with the truth); and to knowledge temperance (self control); and to temperance patience (endurance); and to patience godliness (reflecting God's nature in our choices and expressions); and to godliness brotherly kindness (properly treating the people of God); and to brotherly kindness charity (loving as Jesus loved)" (1 Pet 1:5-7). Integral to this growing process is the successful subduing of the body.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH. There is to be advancement in Christ Jesus. Without this advancement, there is no hope of survival. This is involved in the admonition, "let us go on unto perfection . . . And this will we do, if God permit" (Heb 6:1-3). The words that follow this exhortation are some of the most sobering in all of Scripture. They reflect what WILL occur if we do NOT "go on to perfection." "FOR it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame" (Heb 6:4-6, NKJV). That liability is reason enough to make some progress in becoming like Jesus, or going on to perfection! This is also involved in the admonitions, "GROW in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 32:18), "GROW up into Him in all things" (Eph 4:15), and "desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may GROW thereby" (1 Pet 2:2). Again, mortifying the deeds of the body are an essential part of that process.
Speaking of this day of salvation, the Psalmist described this progressive work. "They go from STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God" (Psa 84:7). There is an increase in strength, so that greater tests can be endured. Solomon spoke of the process in this way, "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth MORE AND MORE unto the perfect day" (Prov 4:18). Paul described the same process when he spoke of the church "INCREASING in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:10), and "INCREASING with the increase of God" (Col 2:19). Once again, mortifying the deeds of the body are a vital part of this increase.
Several things become apparent when we consider our text: "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom 8:13).
1. We are never rid of "the deeds of the body" while we remain in this world. Too, these "deeds," or expressions, are so powerful they can only be put to death with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
2. The word "IF" confirms that a choice is involved in this matter. The involvement of the Holy Spirit in this work assumes He is not being quenched or grieved.
3. It is imperative that this work be done. It is not an instant accomplishment, nor is it one that is imputed to us.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for everything that is required for me to become better and better at subduing my own body with its sinful inclinations.
– Tomorrow: –