Sunday, December 6, 2009

92) Hostility toward God

Romans 8:7-8 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. (8) Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The unbeliever’s mind is set on the flesh and is hostile to God and the things of the Spirit. The unregenerate mind does not submit to God’s law and does not have the ability to do so. Flesh, sin, and the Law produce only physical and spiritual death. In Romans 7:13-25 Paul explained how the Old Covenant Law is a ministry of death. It was never intended to be a means of pleasing God and Paul once again drives that point home in this passage.

Focus on Christ #92

3 comments:

jazzycat said...

Back to Romans 8. See devotionals 13-18 for verses 1-6.

mark pierson said...

"hostile to God... does not submit... cannot"...
Then verse Romans 8:9 goes on to say "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit dwells in you." You make some good points here. The law arouses the sinful tendencies of the flesh; that was its purpose. It then drives that elect one to Christ for salvation from the wrath to come. While not forgeting the love that the Psalmists had for the Law, or the wisdom and understanding it gave them in their walk with God, we cannot forget also what Peter said in Acts 15:10 where it was spoken of as a "yoke ...which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear."

jazzycat said...

Mark,
Good points. I will continue with verse nine next.