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The Daily Word of Righteousness
The Goal, #7
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10,11—NIV)
Paul was laying aside all else that he might know Christ; that he might gain Christ; that he might know the power of Christ's resurrection; that he might share Christ's sufferings.
Paul was doing this that he might attain to the resurrection from the dead, that is, the resurrection that is to eternal life in the body.
The implication is that if we do not follow Paul in utter consecration we stand in danger of not attaining to the resurrection into life in the body.
We have to sow to the Spirit of God at all times. We must live in the Spirit.
The Law of Moses was engraved in granite slabs. The law of the new covenant is the Holy Spirit Himself.
As we follow the Holy Spirit the righteousness of the Law is imputed to us.
In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:4—NIV)
But if we do not cleave to the Holy Spirit we will reap destruction in the day when the Lord returns.
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:8—NIV)
This is a cause and effect relationship. It has nothing to do with grace or mercy. The law of sowing and reaping is an unchangeable law of the Kingdom of God.
We are in pursuit of the resurrection into eternal life in the body. That pursuit requires that we give ourselves to Christ completely at all times. Anything less than total consecration and diligence will not suffice. This is war!
The second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation tell us of the rewards of life, authority, power, service, and closeness to God that are given to him who overcomes. To overcome means we have chosen to turn aside from the appetites and passions of our body and soul and to seek Christ with a whole heart. By so doing we gain victory over worldliness, lust, and self-seeking.
If we desire to be a member of the royal priesthood, to attain to the first resurrection, we must live a victorious life in Jesus Christ. This is what the Bible clearly teaches.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. (Romans 8:12—NIV)
Because our inward nature is alive because of righteousness, because our body is dead because of the sin that dwells in it, and because it is God's intention to bring eternal life into our body, for these reasons we do not have an obligation to live according to the sinful nature of our body. It does not make sense to do so and will only prevent its resurrection into eternal life.
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:13,14—NIV)
To be continued.