Romans 8:5-6 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.… We have here depicted — I. THOSE TO WHOM THE CHRISTIAN LIBERTY HAS NOT COME. 1. Their moral state and character. They are in the flesh. Hence they "mind the things of the flesh," The flesh has bound down the mind to its sole service (Philippians 3:19; Colossians 3:2; Romans 13:14). Under the dominion of this law they walk (Ephesians 2:2), What, then, is this strangely fascinating power? The term (σάρξ) properly denotes the fleshy part of living animal bodies. It is also sometimes used for the whole human person. And it is clearly used here and elsewhere for fallen and sinful human nature (John 3:6, 7; Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:17-21). But why? (1) Not because our Lord or His apostles held our physical nature to be in itself sinful. In Adam the flesh was as spotless as the spirit, and Christ, "who was made flesh," was nevertheless sinless (Romans 1:3; John 1:14; 1 John 4:2, 3; Hebrews 7:26). (2) Not because sin was supposed to affect the physical constitution only. For it is obvious that the physical part of man, by itself, is altogether incapable of sin. A mere animal cannot transgress a moral law. Sin properly pertains, not to the body, but to the soul (Micah 6:7). (3) But because — (a) Sin first found its access to the human will through the medium of bodily sense. (b) By means of this it still maintains its dominion within the soul. (c) Man suffers his spiritual faculties, by which the animal nature ought to be governed and transformed, to be delivered over in servitude to the flesh. 2. To be in this sinful condition "is death" (Romans 7:9; Luke 15:24; 1 John 5:12; John 5:40; John 6:53; Ephesians 2:1-5; Romans 6; Colossians 3:1-4; Romans 7:9-13, 24). Man's true life is not animal, but spiritual. If he attains not to this, or by transgression forfeits it, he does not really live. And so long as he is content with earthly good, he is perpetually sinking down into the "second death." 3. This state, with its consequent course of life, is death because it is "enmity against God" — is directly subversive of His appointment and order. The true life of intelligent beings must consist in conformity to the Creator's purpose and arrangements. The carnal mind being of necessity the very antithesis of God's order, it is not, it never can be, subject to God's law. II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE TO WHOM THE CHRISTIAN LIBERTY HAS COME. 1. Their whole course of life is determined and regulated by the Spirit. The new Spirit of life, imparted to them in Christ, has set them "free from the law of sin and death." They are, indeed, still in the body, but the flesh is but a tabernacle and organ of the spirit. For they now live in the Spirit — "mind" the things of the Spirit, and "walk" according to the Spirit. Not, indeed, that they neglect the body, or despise all earthly good, but even while occupied with mundane things they learn to make them helpful to their true spiritual interests. 2. To be thus spiritually minded — (1) Is life. It not only tends to, but springs from, and promotes life. (2) Peace. The carnal mind is at war with God — with all the Divine plans, purposes, and arrangements — and is therefore evermore fruitful of discord and misery. But the "spiritual" mind brings man into harmony with God, and with nature, physical, intellectual, and moral. Then, too, the things with which the spiritual mind is preoccupied, are so serenely Steadfast and sure, as to communicate something of their own placid character to the soul of him who thus lives in familiar fellowship with them.Conclusion: Observe — 1. That there is no hope of securing the salvation of any man while he continues contented with "the things of the flesh." The first thing needful is to work in him a living conviction that his present course of life is vain, foolish, and wicked. 2. That the new life in the Spirit can be sustained only by continued attention to its interests. "They that are after the Spirit" do mind "the things of the Spirit," and such "minding" is "life and peace." (W. Tyson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. |
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