simple answers. Rom 8.5
- samuel stringer
- Aug 29, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 26, 2022
Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
An abandoned military site, Romania.
Rom 8.5
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
The typical explanation is that, as Christians, we live according to the Spirit and set our minds on the Spirit. The Spirit, by his presence and power, determinedly orients us toward God so that we are pleasing to him.
This is, unfortunately, the opposite of that Paul is saying, first because it views God as we want him to be, and second because it allows us to live as we want. It is wrong because it says we are pleasing to God by virtue of his Spirit in us. It is wrong because it lays the responsibility upon the Spirit.
Truly: we all know the typical explanation is wrong. It's not true of people we know in the church; it's not true of us. We can make ourselves believe it only if someone with credentials convinces us to believe it. But it takes a lot of convincing because our daily evidence is that it's not true: we do not live according to the Spirit, we do not set our minds on the things of the Spirit. We couldn't even explain that verse without help.
Because the expert explanation of this verse does not match up with what we know to be true, we accept the expert explanation as a truth that is beyond our amateur level. We require a pastor or an itinerant preacher to convince us, strongly, and sometimes loudly. We know it's not true, cannot convince ourselves it is true, and so we coat that doubt with emotion. It must be true, we are going to make sure it's true, so we put a thick layer of frosting on it, so it doesn't bother us any longer. Problem solved!
Then someone comes along and doubts the explanation or suggests another answer. The problem is only frosted over, and the person knows there's nothing down there, so the same emotion that smothered the logic now comes to its defense. The result is friction, and friction produces heat, and heat hurts. Those people cannot talk to one another now, so a new denomination is formed.
It is a tragic situation created by the experts who insist something is true that isn't. The beginning point of any search for understanding is courage. If you're afraid what you may find, you'll stop before you get there.
In all sincerity, a good method for understanding Scripture is to read a couple of the experts and then decide that this cannot be the explanation. Looking for the thing that the expert doesn't want to see will often bring you to a good understanding of what Scripture is actually saying.
We begin with some foundational points.
"flesh" can refer to:
circumcision, and hence to the Mosaic law
all humanity
unredeemed humanity
our natural human impulses and desires
Paul is not talking about a, b, or c. It's d, and d in it's worst form: something that should not be.
Paul often speaks of things as they should be. The fact that he brings it up usually means things are not as they should be.
Escape velocity from earth is 25,000 mph. Getting a person into orbit requires 78,000 pounds of thrust.
The verse is actually quite simple to understand: Christians who live as the world lives have no desire for the things of God. Their eyes and minds and hearts are on the things God will destroy—and the things Jesus died to extract us from. There is nothing unusual about it. It is, in fact, completely natural. That's the problem: it's completely natural. It is where we started and where we will stay unless we continuously, consciously struggle against its gravity.
We know Paul is not casually discussing the normal Christian life because until now he has been at war with his readers. From chapters 2 through 7 he has been in a long heated debate. In chapter 9 he continues the very strong language. Is it possible that only in chapter 8 does he reverse himself and not talk about problems in Rome? That is highly unlikely. He changes his tone for sure, but that is because he is Paul: he is nothing to them. He had never been there. He is an apostle but not the Apostle Paul that we know. He can teach and cajole, but they will not accept harsh language from him. He is pleading with them to see things clearly and to understand the truth. But he is not congratulating them on their good behavior. Impossible. He is saying, as nicely as he can, that there are people in their group who are living far too closely to the world. He doesn't know who they are and he doesn't know how many, but he is saying: I know something is going on, and it's wrong.
Rom 8.5 is a self-evaluation. The expected Christian life is away from the world. The expected Christian life is to desire the things God desires and to not want the world. If the desire for the things of God doesn't exist, where is the proof that you are the genuine thing? If you live in the world and have only a casual interest in the things of God, does that not tell you where you fit in?
We naturally fit into the world. It takes no effort to do that. The Spirit is given to equip us for the things God wants of us. The Spirit is not needed for us to act naturally.
If you are more involved in the things of the world than the things of God, the leading and equipping of the Spirit is not evident in you because God does not give the Spirit without reason. If you are setting your mind on the things of God there would be evidence that his Spirit is doing something in you. God does things with us for his reasons. He does not give the Spirit as a conversation piece or as a pendant to wear on a necklace.
God is the only one who makes a person a child of God. Only you and he know that. But, negotiators in a kidnapping require a proof of life before the ransom is paid. No one can tell God who he can have as his child, but we can ask for proof of life. Is there anything in your life, lifestyle, desires, plans, workweek, buying, or anything else that shows you are a child of God? It's a serious question. Babies don't give birth to themselves. Dead people don't resurrect themselves. Only God gives life.
God knows who are his and no one has the right to ask God what he is doing. But, it is legitimate to ask for proof of life when none is apparent, and it is the duty of everyone to examine themselves to see if they are in Christ of not. Possibly that walk down the aisle 15 years ago was just a walk down the aisle.
Gravity is one of the most powerful forces on earth. We stay down unless a strong exertion of force gets us off the ground. Anything higher than a few feet, for a couple seconds, is impossible for a human being. Escape velocity is the speed needed to attain a height where you no longer fall back to earth. That does not happen without massive superhuman effort.
If you jumped and landed back where you were, you never left the grip of gravity. If you live in the world and are comfortable there, and are interested in the things of God only occasionally and when they require no effort, then possibly you never left. Take a look. In these past 15 years, is your life any different than if you had not walked down that aisle? If God had done it, everything would be different. If you did it, everything would be the same.
escape velocity
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