Based on Romans 8:1-27 (New King James Version)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 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. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Today’s passage is very clear. We need to leave the flesh aside, our flesh. We don’t gain anything by continuing to hang on to that which produced, or is still producing our fall. There are many folks that use this passage (many times illegitimately or for convenience): “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” And yes, it’s true that there is no condemnation for those that “are in Christ Jesus”. But, it is necessary to at least read the whole verse, because the promise is conditional (like many things in the Bible). There is no condemnation for those: “who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” But, if a person continues to persist in the things of the flesh, then, what happens? Well, any person that understands the language would say that, by walking according to the flesh, and not according to the Spirit, then the condition of “no condemnation” is nulled or canceled. And of course, that’s a big problem.
Many preachers, pastors, theologians, motivational speakers, etc. have come up with a doctrine that contradicts many parts of the Scriptures. Basically, and for the convenience of the masses, they have created, or more exact, the devil has inspired them to teach that sin does not matter in the believer, because God has forgiven all sins; past, present, and future. Therefore, they justify people that profess to have a relationship with God to continue following the flesh and its desires. In addition, many Christian denominations agree and put as an example God’s love by accepting homosexuality, adultery, and fornication. In other words, they say: “Don’t worry, God loves you and accepts you just as you are.” And that is very far away from what the Bible teaches.
The issue is that God does love you, and does call you to salvation, but with the goal to free you from that which produces death: the sin that is in your flesh. God intends to transform people, not for them to continue just as they are. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross so that all sinners can obtain the forgiveness of their sins, and to be freed from the power of the flesh that still lives in their being. He sent His Son so that we can cease to be what we were when He found us, lost in our sins, following the evil desires of our flesh. In other words, if a person is a thief, for them to stop being one. If a murderer, to stop killing. If a fornicator or adulterer, to stop practicing such things. Just like the homosexual or lesbian, or folks that practice similar things, to stop doing those things that do not bring them any good. God loves the sinner, but desires for them to stop being that, to be free from those things, and to start doing those things that produce life; not to continue doing what produces death. He wants to break the cycle. That’s why it is necessary to do away with our flesh through Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist said this: “He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30. The Bible also teaches us this: “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:8. It also teaches us that we can change things in our life through His Spirit, through self-discipline. For it is also written: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7. If a person has truly been born again, they have the Holy Spirit in their life, and they can overcome all things, including the flesh that still forms part of their being. It doesn’t mean that we will be perfect right away (because no one is perfect), but what should happen in the believer is a process of transformation, step-by-step, by stopping to do those things that are part of the flesh, of sin. We should always move forward. Otherwise, we will lose if we continue persisting in that which destroys and brings pain, sooner or later. If we look to live in the Spirit, following what God teaches, then all conditions for blessing will become a reality. So then, are you doing away with the desires of your flesh, allowing God to continue changing your life? Lord bless! John