Awkward...

May 28, 2021 (Friday)

 

Yesterday, I covered a theological concept known as “corporate guilt.” That is the guilt a group, such as a nation, incurs when they engage in, encourage, or ignore sin (such as injustice). Today, I want to focus on the individual.

 

Let’s start with good news. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” [Romans 8:1 ESV] Other than the obvious, no condemnation, the key phrase in this verse is “in Christ Jesus.” In fact, that’s a key idea in Paul’s theology.

 

I’m thinking the way to understand “in Christ” is there are honest people who believe, but are NOT “in Christ.” The reason is they are not surrendered to God. They continue in a “carnal” lifestyle. At the core, how they move through life is selfish, not Christ-like.

 

There is a problem with this idea. “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” [Romans 8:9 ESV] The choice we have is to be “in the flesh” or “in the Spirit.” From the “holiness” perspective, the tendency is to see the Christian life as an all-or-nothing.

 

Paul is clear, if you do not have the “Spirit of Christ” (Holy Spirit), then you do not belong to Jesus (or God). So, one way around this conundrum is simple to say any believer has the Holy Spirit. In some sense, this is correct. Becoming a believer requires the work of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, there is the reality that not all believers are “spirit filled.”

 

Let’s be careful to NOT create different categories of Christians. But, we cannot ignore the plain and clear teaching of scripture. How does one end up in this awkward spiritual situation? Paul tells us, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” [Romans 8:6 ESV]

 

Within us seems to be a war. The Holy Spirit vs “the flesh” (“sinful nature”). The war is fought in the “mind” where we think and make decisions. Another image we use for such a place is the “heart,” but we think of it as more emotional.

 

What’s the problem with this war? I am glad you asked!!! Paul explains it this way, “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.” [Romans 8:7 ESV] If our mind (and heart) is set on feeding the sinful nature (theologically “the flesh”) it becomes impossible to submit to God.

 

Another way to understand this is from another translation, “People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God.” [Romans 8:8 CEB] The idea of “self-centered” or “selfish” doesn’t fully cover the theology of “the flesh” but it does capture the core. If we are not pleasing God, then do we truly love God?

 

When we act selfishly or in a “self-centered” way, it means we are not acting according to the Holy Spirit. It means we are not pleasing God. It means we are not submitted to God. It puts is in a very awkward position, at least theologically.

 

It seem, no matter how you view it, NOT being in submission to God… is an awkward place to be.