Growing in Grace Part 1

"But if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." 

Romans 8: 13  

Romans chapter 8 is a famous declaration of what it means to live in and by the Spirit.  Paul builds upon all of the great theological reflection through the first seven chapters of Romans to finally proclaim that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.  From this incredible and hard to believe statement, he continues to tell us what this means.  He wants all believers to know that because we are "in Christ" we are able to live by the Spirit.  What is Paul trying to say?  How do we live by the Spirit?

For most of us, we have seen few examples of someone who lives "by the Spirit."  In fact, we have seen more negative examples of people who claim to live by the Spirit but live like "sin" than those who are marked by the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.  

For example, I have met many people who claim to have the Spirit in fuller and deeper ways than anyone from my Christian tradition.  Yet, they do not put to death the misdeeds of the body.  Often they are marked by these misdeeds!  I remember clearly a couple who were brought to me for counseling because their marriage was falling apart due to the man's arrogance and anger and the woman's overspending tendencies.  We never could talk about their issues because the couple informed me they "had the Spirit" and I didn't!

I have also known those who claim great intimacy with God and "victory" over sin.  Yet, they are often filled with arrogance, pride, and judgment of others.  Some of the least teachable people I have ever met have made this claim.  Their sins were like post-it notes all over them that they could not see, but everyone else easily identified!  Where they really living by the Spirit?

Forgetting others, I will speak for myself.  I want to follow God and learn to love others.  I know others do also.  Yet, we struggle and often find the misdeeds of the body (and heart!) keep coming back.  What does this mean?  Amy I living by the Spirit when I struggle?  Are you?

Let's answer these questions in a two part blog post.  Today, we will begin by first figuring out what Paul doesn't mean.

First, Paul does not mean that life in the Spirit will entail sinless perfectionism.  At least if it does, Paul the super-apostle does not live it!  In context, chapter 8 follows chapter 7.  There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (8:1), because Jesus is the one who rescues us from our body of sin and death.  As Paul details his struggles in chapter 7, he affirms that like most of us he knows the good he ought to do.  He just cannot seem to do it!  

He concludes, "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." (7:18)  For Paul, our sin nature/flesh remains with us until death.  At the end of his life, he claims "I am the chief/worst of all sinners." (1 Tim 1:16)  In other words, maturity in Christ does not lead to sinlessness, but a deeper recognition of our sin.  Such a recognition then leads to a deeper dependance upon Jesus for grace and mercy.

Second, Paul does not mean that the Christian life is without struggle.  Some Christians twist Paul's thought to argue that they do not need to grow in increasing personal holiness because God forgives them anyway.  I have met many who recognize their sinfulness- they might even be able to tell you great details concerning their understanding of their sin- yet they do not grow in love for God or others.  In this passage, Paul argues that because of Christ, "we have an obligation- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it."  Paul knows the struggle (see Romans 7), but he encourages us to grow!  Thus, growth in personal holiness is possible and necessary, "if the Spirit of God lives in you."

Finally, Paul is not embracing a weird gnostic spirituality.  There is not a "higher way" that transcends life in the body and life in the world.  In his mind, Christian growth takes place in this world.  It is here that we "share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." vs. 17  It is here that we learn how to grow "in the Spirit," so that we might bear fruit for God's glory.  Paul recognizes that our body and our world are our laboratories for growing in grace.

So, how do we "live by the Spirit."  What does Paul say positively about this life?  Tomorrow's post will explore Paul's thought further!