蛻變的人生（二）

──從屬肉體（血氣）到屬靈

背誦經文：

「因為，隨從肉體的人體貼肉體的事；隨從聖靈的人體貼聖靈的事。體貼肉體的，就是死；體貼聖靈的，乃是生命、平安。原來體貼肉體的，就是與　神為仇；因為不服　神的律法，也是不能服，而且屬肉體的人不能得　神的喜歡。」(羅8:5-8)

經文：羅7：18a，8：6-8、13；加4：29，5：17、21、24、6：7-8；林前3：1-3

 

（一）不先認識“肉體”的可怕，就不易脫離肉體的轄治

──「我也知道，在我裏頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善。」(羅7:18a)

 

──「...體貼肉體的，就是死…體貼肉體的，就是與　神為仇…而且屬肉體的人不能得　神的喜歡。」(羅8:6-8)

 

──「當時，那按著血氣生的逼迫了那按著聖靈生的，現在也是這樣。」(加4:29)

 

──「因為情慾和聖靈相爭，聖靈和情慾相爭，這兩個是彼此相敵... 我從前告訴你們，現在又告訴你們，行這樣事的人必不能承受　神的國。」           (加5:17,21)

 

──「不要自欺，　神是輕慢不得的。人種的是甚麼，收的也是甚麼。順著情慾撒種的，必從情慾收敗壞；順著聖靈撒種的，必從聖靈收永生。」               (加6:7-8)

 

 

（二）從客觀上同釘事實的接受到主觀上在聖靈裡脫離的經歷

──「凡屬基督耶穌的人，是已經把肉體連肉體的邪情私慾同釘在十字架上了。」

(加5:24)

 

──「你們若順從肉體活著，必要死；若靠著聖靈治死身體的惡行，必要活著。」

    (羅8:13)

 

──「體貼肉體的，就是死；體貼聖靈的，乃是生命、平安。」(羅8:6)

 

 

（三）「祂必興旺，我必衰微」乃新造生命長進的明証

──要防備「...那時你們不能...如今還是不能。」的成長停滯                      (林前3:1-2)

 

──「你們仍是屬肉體的，因為在你們中間有嫉妒、紛爭，這豈不是屬乎肉體、照著世人的樣子行嗎？」                                                                                       (林前3:3)

A Transforming Life（II）

─ From Carnal (Fleshly) to Spiritual

Memory Verse:

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5-8)

 

Scriptures : Romans 7:18a; 8:6-8,13; Gal 4:29; 5 :17, 21, 24; 6 :7-8 ; 1 Cor 3 :1-3

 

I.     Without knowing the sinfulness of the flesh, it is hard to be free from the bondage of the flesh

-      “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18a)

-      “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8)

-      “But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.” (Gal 4:29)

-      “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another … of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal 5:17, 21)

-      “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal 6:7-8)

 

II.        From objectively accepting the truth of being crucified with Christ to subjectively experiencing freedom in the Holy Spirit

-      “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Gal 5:24)

-      “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.” (Romans 8:13)

-      “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

 

III.      “He must increase, but I must decrease” – a proof of the growth of the new life

-      To prevent growth stop “… you were not able to … and even now you are still not able.”  (Corinthians 3:1-2)

-      “For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3)