but if we are not in Christ, we are still in the flesh! The third contrast distinguishes between two sphere (w. 9-11). We are either in the Spirit or in the flesh. There can be no neutrality. Is rael came out of Egypt, but Egypt did not come out of Israel until they entered the promised land. The prob lem of salvation is not how to trans mute the flesh into something good, but how to live with this devilish thing every day without being over come by it. The presence of the Spir it in the life solves the problem. This new life has very definite ob ligations. Negatively, yielding to life in the flesh produces nothing but death. God doesn’t put any premium upon lives lived in sin and slovenli ness. Our responsibility is to “mor tify” or “put to death the deeds of the body.” Phillips puts it, “to cut the nerve of our actions.” A little girl stated it well when she said, “The Apostle Paul kept his body un der by keeping his soul on top.” May we take heed that we’re living life on the highest plane. This is the privilege and possibility of the heart which openly receives Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. It is true that the times are in God's hands. But remember, the tidings are in ours. My life shall touch a dozen lives Before this day is done, Leave countless marks for good or ill Ere sets the evening sun. This is the wish I always wish, The prayer I always pray, Lord, may my life bless other lives It touches by the way. —Duluth Tract Service He who would build high must dig deep. Bad conduct in a Christian is like rags on a king.
FROM SONSHIP TO GLORY A study o f Romans 8:13-17 by A rv id Carlson T he old adage , “the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” can cer tainly be applied to Christian expe rience. If our claims are not backed up by our conduct, the world will cease to respect our profession. Paul states, “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God” (Rom. 8:14). Those who in sist on being “led by the flesh” can not lay claim to any relationship to God. This portion very wonderfully shows us our position as sons which is obviously conditional. Too often have we been taken in by the idea of “accepting Christ” on the one hand, and being free to “act like the devil” on the other. Paul’s teaching doesn’t allow for such contradictions. “Be ing led by the Spirit” involves a re ception of the Spirit. This is abso lutely basic to faith! Jesus declared “That which is bom of the flesh is flesh; but that which is bom of the Spirit is spirit.” The grace of God does not flow in our veins by nature. Salvation may come like a dawn, or like a storm, but in either case, it should mark off a definite point of occurrence of which we may be abso lutely certain. Then we must accept the revela tion of the Spirit who never acts in dependently. He has a system, a standard, and a body of truth to fol low. He never violates the character or the teachings of Jesus Christ! The Holy Spirit acts in accordance with the written Word! It’s absurd to call ourselves the "children of
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