10/23/2024
To be spiritually minded is life and peace. ROMANS 8:6
Spiritual mindedness is not natural. By nature we are minded to be selfist, defensive, and captious. We love ourselves, justify ourselves, and find-fault with those who are at odds with us.
Spiritual mindedness is supernatural. The fusion of God’s Holy Spirit with our will inclines us to “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22,23).
Everyday we are forced to choose–Will I “hear what the Spirit says,” or will I do what comes natural?
The world, the flesh, and the devil assure us that our reflexive impulse to please ourselves is the only way to live. But sooner or later we discover it to be a mirage. Our ways do not bring life and peace, only death and despair.
Yet amidst the cacophony of life, the still small voice of the Spirit, gently pleads “follow Jesus:”
Be loving (love one another as I have loved you - Jn 13:34)
Be joyful (that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full- Jn 15:11),
Be peaceful, (in me ye…have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - Jn 16:33)
Be forbearing (He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. - Jn 8:7)
Be kind, (Neither do I condemn thee: John 8:11)
Be good, (And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life - Jn 5:29)
Be faithful, (be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life -Rev. 2:10)
Be gentle, (Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!-Jn 11:36)
and
Be self-controlled (Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.-Mt 26:41)
It’s the High way. Take this way and you will certainly find life and peace.