Live by the Spirit

Romans 8:13; “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Sir Frederick Handley Page, was an English industrialist and a pioneer in the aviation industry and became known as the father of the heavy bomber. He is not only known for his contributions in improving features of aircraft wings that ensure safety, but also his company Handley Page Limited was best known for manufacturing large aircrafts.

One day, he was flying one of his planes in the Middle East. Unaware, a huge rat, attracted by the smell of food in the cargo of the plane, managed to get aboard. A few minutes after the aircraft took off, Page heard the sickening sound of gnawing from somewhere within, as that of a rodent. His heart began to pound as he visualized in his mind the extent of damage this creature could cause to the mechanisms of the plane. Since he was flying the aircraft solo, getting up from the pilot seat in chase of the creature, was not an option. However, if the situation was not addressed, his life was in clear danger. Suddenly, he remembered something he learned in flying school. Rodents cannot survive in high altitudes. High altitudes impede their breathing process. So he set the aircraft to climb higher, and in a few minutes, the sound of gnawing ceased. Upon arrival, he found the rat lying dead behind the cockpit.

Let’s admit it, all of us have rats of “Sin” gnawing at our lives. In Galatians 5:19—21a, Paul says: “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like….” And he clearly warn us that, “…if we live according to the flesh we will die; but if by the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body, we will live (Romans 8:13).” Let us “Therefore put to death our members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).”

It is interesting to note that prior to Paul’s counsel in Romans 8:13, he unambiguously declares that we, in whom the Holy Spirit indwells, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit (Romans 8:9). It is He, by whom we were sealed, when we believed in the Gospel of our salvation, and who is the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13). Let us be cognizant, and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun the good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). My prayer for us is that we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)”

Stephen Thomas (Bobby)

Stephen is an ordained Christian Minister and a Bible teacher who is a mentor to several youth leaders in Crossway Church and around the globe. He is a regular visiting Speaker in Crossway Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at stephenthomas6400@hotmail.com