Romans: Two Ways to Live
As spring unfolds before us, it is a picture of life reborn. This beautiful awakening reflects the profound importance of the resurrection. Just as spring signifies rebirth, so does Christ's victory over the grave, offering us a fresh start, a new life in Him. This season also ushers in a time of sowing and tending gardens, a labor of love for many. My gardening experiences have taught me that without consistent care — watering, weeding, and protecting from the harsh elements — what was meant to flourish can quickly wither away. This experience parallels two distinct paths of life Paul describes in Romans 8:5-11: the barrenness of a life led by the flesh versus the vitality of a life led by the Spirit.
When the garden of our lives is neglected and left to the whims of the flesh, it is prone to worldly challenges and the grasp of worries, leading to a fruitless existence. However, as believers, we are called to a more abundant, spirit-led life. One that mirrors the lush, fruitful garden that many meticulously cared for. In this passage, Paul gives us a choice: Will we let our spiritual gardens become desolate through neglect, surrendering to the harshness of the flesh? Or will we choose to cultivate our lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ensuring a harvest rich with spiritual fruits?
As we step into this season of growth and renewal, let us reflect on the state of our spiritual gardens. Are we, even as believers, experiencing a drought of the soul, living as though we are disconnected from the Vine? Or are we flourishing, deeply rooted in Christ, and abundantly producing the fruits of a life surrendered to the Spirit? Let us tend to our spiritual gardens with the same diligence and care as we do to our earthly gardens, ensuring that it is not just the physical world around us that blossoms, but also our faith, our relationship with God, and our impact on others.
1. Avoid a Fleshly Mindset
In Romans 8:5-8, Paul presents a compelling contrast between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit. The flesh, with its disordered desires and rebellion against God, leads only to spiritual desolation. On the other hand, a life led by the Spirit promises growth, vitality, and the abundant fruit of righteousness. Much like my less-than-successful gardening attempts, a life guided by the flesh is like a neglected garden. Without regular care — spiritual watering through prayer, weeding out sinful behaviors, and protecting our hearts from worldly influences — our spiritual growth is stunted, and the potential for fruitful living withers away. Paul warns us of the dangers of a fleshly mindset, urging us to recognize the barrenness it brings and to consciously avoid this destructive path.
The concept of a "fleshly mindset" goes beyond mere actions; it encompasses our entire perspective on life. It's the lens through which we view our world, make decisions, and interact with others. When our minds are set on the flesh, our lives reflect those disordered desires, leading us down a path of selfishness, rebellion, and ultimately, spiritual death. Unbelievers find themselves trapped in this mindset, unable to please God or escape the cycle of sin and death. However, believers too can find themselves entangled in the snares of the flesh, choosing to live in a way that belies their new identity in Christ. Whether through active participation in sin or a passive acceptance of a worldly lifestyle, the result is the same: a life that fails to reflect the transformative power of the Gospel.
As we stand at the crossroads between the flesh and the Spirit, let us choose the path of life. Let us be like the well-tended garden, flourishing under the care of the Divine Gardener. The stakes are high because the mindset we cultivate determines the fruit we bear. We should reject the barren wasteland of the flesh, with its false promises and fleeting pleasures. Instead, we should embrace the abundant life offered to us through the Spirit — a life marked by peace, joy, and righteousness. In doing so, we not only experience personal growth and fulfillment but also become beacons of hope and grace in a world desperate for the life-giving message of Christ.
2. Actively Pursue a Spirit Led Mindset
This season of rebirth serves as a perfect backdrop for diving into Romans 8:5-11, where Paul explains the stark difference between a life governed by the flesh and one led by the Spirit. Paul pleads with us to abstain from having a fleshly mindset. A fleshly mindset allows disobedience and worldly desires to choke out the potential for spiritual fruitfulness. This mindset, rooted in rebellion against the Divine, leads only to spiritual desolation and death. It is where the soul, entangled in its disordered desires, finds itself at enmity with God, incapable of pleasing or experiencing the fullness of His grace.
Paul exhorts us not merely to evade the fleshly mindset but to actively pursue a Spirit-filled life. This transformation begins at the moment of salvation when the Spirit of Christ comes to dwell within us, equipping us with everything necessary for a life of godliness and empowering us for the mission of the Kingdom. The Spirit's indwelling is not an abstract concept but a dynamic, transforming presence that prompts a shift in desires, priorities, and actions. It is the catalyst for change, urging us from complacency into having an active faith. As we yield to the Spirit's guidance, our lives begin to reflect the image of Christ, marked by love, joy, peace, and righteousness. This Spirit-led journey is characterized not by passive observation but by active engagement in God's redemptive work in the world.
Living by the Spirit transcends more than just avoiding sin; it is a proactive embrace of God's will, displayed in a life of worship, service, and witness. It challenges us to rise above the mundane, to give up the patterns of this world, and to engage in the transformative work of the Kingdom. The Spirit-filled life is a call to action, a summons to embody the love, grace, and truth of Christ in every interaction and endeavor. As we witness the rebirth of spring and celebrate the resurrection of Christ, let us also commit to the renewal of our own lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.