Not I

We have heard of soul mates. I see the soul as the persons self, the flesh and the lusts of the flesh. The soul seeks another soul to control or to have it's needs met. The Spirit of Christ in us, seeks the things of God and is selfless. The mind of Christ seeks to do the will of God. I see that often there is a conflict between soul and spirit. 

Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

Our soul is who we are, but we are not all carnal, fleshly, the spirit seeks God. Jesus makes soul and Spirit one in him. Thank you Jesus for saving me from myself.

 

The mind of Christ in us, is good. We seek His thoughts, we read the Bible, we meditate on it, we do good things; but Paul says in the flesh there is evil. When we give ourselves over to the flesh , then we sin and sin by the law brings death. The bottom line is that the law is holy and good, but our flesh brings sin and death. The good news is that in Christ we are forgiven and we receive his grace. The mind of Christ is all powerful, but the flesh is weak and lazy. Again, we overcome the flesh by faith.

 

 Romans 8 gives us the way of victory.

 

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Spirit requires us to walk by the will of God, he directs our lives and he loves us. Thank you Jesus.

above

I was driving to the college for orchestra rehearsal. I had the radio on listening to a news commentary, it was true what he was saying about the peril our nation is in. I saw the sun going down, so I pulled over to take a picture. I drove a little further and stopped again to take pictures of the LORD's beautiful sunset. We must look at what is good around us to offset the bad news.

Col 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  

We are dead with Christ, our flesh man identifies with his crucifixion, but our spiritual self is alive with Christ. Whether alive or dead in  this body, we are in Christ and when he shall appear, we shall appear with him. There is much evil in our nation and we are to restrain the evil because of the Holy Spirit within us. We do not join with the darkness, but we are to be as the appearance of Christ to this world. We are to shine forth his message of love and hope. Are we seeking the higher calling of God?

Ponder the Path

The Christian walk is a walk of faith. We know who we believe in and we are to know the promises in God's word.  There are other ways that lead to heartache and emptiness. The way of Christ is a determined way of faith. We may not know each step before it is taken, but we walk in His love knowing that he goes with us. If we stumble, he helps us up. The end is eternal life with the riches of Jesus Christ. Keep your eyes on the path of life and show the character of Christ our Master who made the way through suffering and His own blood spilled to bring us to the kingdom of God.

Pro 4:26  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Pro 4:27  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left,.... Either into the road of immorality and profaneness, or into that of error, superstition, and false worship; but attend to the way of holiness and truth, directed to in the word of God; see Isa 30:21; nor be moved out of it by threatenings and menaces, nor by flatteries and promises; neither be cast down with adversity, nor be lifted up with prosperity; but keep on in an even way, attending to that which is just and right; leaving all events with God, as knowing you are in the way of your duty, and in which he would have you walk; (John Gill)

Isa 30:21  And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

 

The walk in the Spirit is a Holy walk. We are yoked together with our Lord and savior, so keep going and keep the faith.