(Romans 8 v 3- 14)
What is it about “the flesh”
That gets such bad publicity?
(And sometimes gives us such a hard time)
Some would do away with this troublesome thing (as if that were possible)
Because it seems to set itself against holiness and the best that God wants for us
We could be more spiritual without it’s detractions
And yet, the cry of God’s heart is not destruction
But redemption.
Because, if the flesh were in itself bad
Jesus would have come “in” something else.
But as it is, he came in the likeness of sinful man (i.e. in a flesh body)
So as to redeem it. Us.
And this is important for us.
If we see our bodies, our flesh, as something “less than”
Then – shockingly – any abuse of our bodies could be in part legitimised because it is the spiritual life that matters!
But abuse is a feature of the sinful life, not the spiritual one.
In another place, the same apostle is quite clear that what we do with our “members” really matters.
To engage with the redemptive plan, then, seems to also mean we care about how we treat our bodies and what we do with them
A solution to the many conflicts and difficulties we all encounter in this area is graciously provided
As the blood of Jesus covers and cleanses, it is, again, the Holy Spirit that leads us and empowers.
To live continually led by the Spirit (which is what v14 means) is to allow that life within us to have full reign through us.
So that in every way possible, we live out the spiritual through the natural.
And at every failure as well as victory, Jesus stands for us, making intercession before the Father.
What a wonderful Saviour we have.