“For the minding of the flesh is death; but the minding of the Spirit is life and peace” (vs6).
The only hope for life (spiritual life to serve God) and peace (the peace that surpasses all knowledge in the gospel of Jesus Christ, forgiveness, and LOVE to my neighbor) is by the law of the Spirit, whereby God REWARDS you and me for what the Lord Jesus Christ did, giving us what we need for life and peace. He GRACES us FREELY amidst our sin, because Jesus’ DEATH to pay for sin ANSWERED justice completely - “For what the law (of Moses) could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law (love, spiritual life) might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit“ (Rom 8:2-3). Now, according to God, we must receive spiritual life because we are justified, and the just must live, even as Christ, who redeemed us from sin, must rise again to declare His righteousness and obedience is perfect. God has done this for us in Christ Jesus, and we’re to receive JUSTIFICATION by faith as the assurance of SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit by the same faith that’s in Christ Jesus.
Do not walk on any other terms; do not walk in merit, getting what you and I deserve, but ALWAYS walk before God RECEIVING what Christ DESERVES to give, freely, unexpectedly, and IN THE FACE OF your horrible sins. Don’t minimize your sin, but magnify God’s grace, the power of Jesus’ blood, and the Spirit, knowing that God is GOOD enough, JUSTIFIED, and POWERFUL enough to do for you what you need, even giving you the Spirit of LIFE (love for others) and PEACE (God’s love known in your soul). Do not earn these GIFTS, but receive them daily and continually, knowing that God must save and will save all who believe. Look away to Jesus all the day, and walk in the FINISHED work of Christ with THANKFULNESS and openheartedness to RECEIVE what you need, what He gives.
The gospel is powerful, but it is by faith only; it cannot be felt in the first place, though the power is real. It cannot be EARNED by resolve, but it is GIVEN to all who believe. And, it is God WHO draws us to Jesus, exposes the cross, makes us HATE our sins, and gives us confidence and peace. We CHOOSE the blood continually because He chose us; it is the evidence of faith, which God gives to all He loves.
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