Afterwords -- week 50
"For 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. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:5-6)
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25 NIV)
December 4, 2022
Dear friends,
I have been thinking about this quote from Francis Schaeffer: "We are always 'minding' something, and the minding is produced either by the flesh or by the Holy Spirit. There is no such thing as neutrality where our relationship with God is concerned." (From The Finished Work of Christ) I have often recommended Schaeffer's True Spirituality, but this other book, published posthumously by Crossway in 1998, contains Schaeffer's verse-by-verse commentary on Romans chapters one to eight (given in the 1960s), with so many rich insights related to spiritual life. Against the backdrop of sin and death, Paul's epistle to the Romans displays the crown jewels of our new life in Christ. This week I embarked on a fresh re-reading of Romans -- especially chapters 6 through 8 -- along with Galatians chapter 5.
The Lord has been impressing upon me the vital truth that I (we, you, all of us) need to be walking by, setting our minds upon, living by, being led by, and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. All these verbs are used in Romans 8 and Galatians 5. He (the Holy Spirit) is the most precious gift the Lord has given to us (Lu 11:13; Acts 2:38; Gal 3:4). He comes to apply God's salvation to us, and to give us new birth. Day-by-day, he prompts us to follow the Lord, and applies truth to our hearts. He strengthens us to trust the Lord and to do his will. A. W. Tozer wrote, "To possess a Spirit-indwelt mind is the Christian's privilege under grace."
This is not some impractical discipline but is our very real and daily experience. As I see western civilization growing dark around us, I feel this spiritual battle inside of me more every day. How easy it is to let our minds and motives wander back under the influence of the world and the flesh. We, however, are called to freedom, as beloved children of the Father, to live under the gracious influence of the Spirit. The Christian's mindfulness (a popular word) is to be continually "setting their minds" on the things of the Spirit. That's not some mystical exercise apart from the Bible. As John Calvin wrote, "God does not bestow his Spirit on his people in order to set aside the use of his Word, but rather to render it fruitful."
Regarding the Spirit, Jesus told his disciples in the upper room, "He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." (Jn 16:14-15) We should ask ourselves at any moment in the day, what is my mind set upon? Am I aware of my union with Christ? What am I reckoning to be true and real and valuable? Is the Holy Spirit leading me in paths of righteousness? Have I grieved him? (Eph 4:30) Am I keeping in step with him? Am I walking by his power and influence... right now? Remember, this is our great privilege under grace!
LISTENING.
-- The Spirituals Choir. We've been enjoying their Christmas music!
-- S. Lewis Johnson (Believers Chapel, Dallas, 1989), messages on the book of Revelation.
RECENT ARTICLES.
-- A new series on great missionaries by The Gospel Coalition. First up: Amy Carmichael.
-- This was written by a father whose college-age son died not long ago.
-- "The key feature of de-conversion, however, is that the individual was once on the 'inside' of the faith, and later ends up on the 'outside.'” (Michael Kruger, on the de-conversion of Saruman.)
-- And here's something I wrote after visiting a liberal, mainline church.
FINAL QUOTE.
"The Holy Spirit is the great beautifier of souls." (John Owen)
That's it for week 50!
Sandy
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.