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Romans 8:9-11
The Apostle Paul has explained to us what it is to live in the flesh by the ways of this sinful world which is ruled by Satan (Romans 8:5-8). In Romans 8:9-11 Paul teaches us what it means to live in the Spirit, being filled with God’s Holy Spirit for all who put their faith in Him. Paul states in Romans 8:10 (NKJV), “And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
This is life through the righteousness of Christ Jesus given through His Holy Spirit to all who will put their faith in Him.
This physical world is ruled by the sinful nature as is a given to every person born physically in this world. Our physical bodies born into this world of sin will die one day as a result, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). But life – in Christ – is spiritual, and the spiritual life is eternal. Satan wants us to believe that once we die physically, life is over – it’s the end. And if we continue to live in the sinful ways of this world – it is, because in the sinful nature is eternal death which is in the reality of the torment of hell for eternity – there is no life to be found in eternal death. We are the prize of God to Himself in overcoming Satan as God is fair and just and will give the opportunity for one to prove themselves, even if they are wrong in their motives. Satan challenged God’s authority. In being fair and just, God has created this place called earth, which is Satan’s world that we are all born in to. God has given Satan every opportunity to prove himself superior. But even though we live in Satan’s world of sin on this earth, God is still the ultimate Authority. And in this world that is governed by Satan, God is still the ultimate Authority. Jesus came into this world (Satan’s world) to prove Himself once for all the ultimate Authority. And in His sinless life in a sinful world, His sinless death and sacrifice for all of humanity, and His resurrection from the dead has proven to Satan in his world that God is the ultimate Authority. When we open our sinful hearts to the forgiveness that God offers to us through the righteous salvation in Christ Jesus, He crushes Satan again and again, in his own world, in showing Satan that God’s power is superior to him. This is victory in Christ Jesus, whom God sent to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17) that we would not be left to those who do not believe as is noted in John 3:18. Life is given to all who will believe and be saved from this sinful world in which we live to a new eternal spiritual life in Christ Jesus as He gives His Holy Spirit as a seal to salvation – in Christ. Romans 8:11 declares, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Dear LORD,
This earth is a battleground for eternal life and death in the spirit. You have conquered Satan once for all through Your Son Jesus Christ – the Savior of the world. Please open our eyes, hearts, minds, and souls to the righteous life that You offer to us in saving us for all eternity – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.