25 lines
4.5 KiB
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25 lines
4.5 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">February 28</div></div>
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<h2>The Crucial Choice: Flesh or Spirit</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>Those who <b>live</b> according to the <b>flesh</b> set their <b>minds</b> on the things of the <b>flesh</b>, but those who <b>live</b> according to the <b>Spirit</b>, the things of the <b>Spirit</b>. For to be <b>carnally</b> minded is <b>death</b>, but to be <b>spiritually</b> minded is <b>life</b> and <b>peace</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',8,5,6);">Romans 8:5-6</a>)</div>
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<p>The <b>crucial</b> choice that believers in Christ face day by day is between living by the <b>flesh</b> or living by the <b>Spirit</b>. The difference is facing life by <b>our</b> resources and perspectives or by <b>God's</b> resources and perspectives. <i>"Those who <b>live</b> according to the <b>flesh</b> set their <b>minds</b> on the things of the <b>flesh</b>, but those who <b>live</b> according to the <b>Spirit</b>, the things of the <b>Spirit</b>."</i> When a Christian deals with life by his flesh, he typically thinks about "what <b>I</b> want out of my life" or "what <b>I</b> can accomplish with my life." Conversely, when a Christian deals with life by the Spirit, he typically thinks about "what <b>God</b> wants for my life" or "what <b>God</b> can accomplish through my life."</p>
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<p>The <b>consequences</b> related to this choice are <b>monumental</b>. <i>"For to be <b>carnally</b> minded is <b>death</b>, but to be <b>spiritually</b> minded is <b>life</b> and <b>peace</b>."</i> When a believer allows his mind to be set in a carnal direction, he will be thinking about worldly self-indulgence ("what <b>I</b> can <b>get</b> out of this") or religious self-accomplishment ("what <b>I</b> can <b>do</b> for God"). The result of either carnal perspective is <i>"<b>death</b>"</i> (spiritual deadness). On the other hand, when a follower of Jesus sets his mind on heavenly matters, he will be considering issues of <b>humility</b> ("how much I <b>need</b> the <b>Lord</b>") or <b>faith</b> ("how <b>great</b> the <b>Lord</b> is"). The results of such spiritual thoughts are <i>"<b>life</b> and <b>peace</b>"</i> (spiritual vitality and spiritual tranquility).</p>
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<p>Another analysis of these two options can be seen in the contrast between the <i>"<b>works</b> of the <b>flesh</b>"</i> and the <i>"<b>fruit</b> of the <b>Spirit</b>."</i> When we put our hope in our own capabilities, our flesh produces deeds such as <i>"adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',5,'19-21');">Galatians 5:19-21</a>). Contrariwise, when we place our expectations upon the Lord, His Spirit brings forth through us fruit like <i>"love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',5,22,23');">Galatians 5:22-23</a>).</p>
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<p>Consider this fundamental truth. These <i>"<b>flesh-Spirit</b>"</i> choices are what all of us will face every day of our lives. The persistency of these issues is inherent in the fact that God offers only two options for every issue of life; namely, <i>"<b>live</b> according to the <b>flesh</b>"</i> or <i>"<b>live</b> according to the <b>Spirit</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Sovereign Lord, I bow to Your wisdom and authority that offer these two choices alone. Lord, I renounce the natural path of my flesh which brings severe, but deserved, consequences. I gladly embrace the supernatural path of Your Spirit, which brings the undeserved results of Your grace at work in me, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0227.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0229.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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