Romans 8:6-7 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. English Standard Version (ESV)
For today's verse we'll skip ahead a few chapters to Romans 8 which relates to yesterday's verses. As we look back in the Bible we can see those who set their minds on following God and those who were consumed with their own personal accomplishments. These verses reveal the end results of their pursuits.
The Message paraphrase for verses 7 and 8 bring this light "Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored."
Today's modern society is filled with examples of people who have been obsessed with self and achieved and accumulated great wealth and a mountain of things, but how often do we see this end in tragedy, loneliness, and with empty hearts. God isn't pleased with being ignored. To reject Him is to cut oneself off from the One who can truly provide what the heart needs.
But a life filled with faith, hope and love in the Spirit will find life and peace. You've heard it said in TV commercials "what's in your wallet", a better question might be "what's in your heart". I'd rather have life and peace than silver or gold.
- I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand- Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today. (Rhea Miller)
- Refrain:
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Romans 8:5-8
The Message (MSG)
5-8 Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.
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