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-50-
The God Who Is
The apostle continues his theme into the next chapter. In Romans chapter 8, note verse 1. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Reader, what is it for which you seek? Do you pursue the things of the flesh, or the things of the Spirit of God? If you gravitate, or "walk after" the things of the flesh, you are not "in Christ Jesus." You are yet under the just condemnation of the Lord.
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
Note here, that Christ came "in the likeness of sinful flesh." Although He was born of a woman, she was a virgin. He had no earthly father, and therefore he did not possess a sinful nature. In all creation, He alone was qualified to "condemn sin in the flesh," and this He did by yielding perfect obedience.
Note, also, that they only are "filled with the Spirit" of God who do not "walk after" the things of the flesh, but who pursue the things that pertain to the Spirit of God. They are interested in the things of God. Reader, in what are you interested? "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, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteous-ness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:1-14).
To be "filled with the Spirit" is to "walk in the Spirit." It is not a momentary experience, but it is a way of life characterized by pleasing God. It is a course embarked upon not only during fair weather, but it is a determined course that is maintained in spite of contrary winds or tides or currents.
There are evidences by which we can know that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit. God has not left us simply to believe them who tell us that they are filled with the Spirit.
"EVIDENCES OF BEING "FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT"
The Bible gives two Scripture passages that describe the "Spirit-filled" person. In Ephesians chapter 5, beginning at verse 19, we are told, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, (i.e. selfish ambitions) wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, (i.e. party spirit) and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (verses 19-21).
Although the Bible clearly says, "They that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God," yet such people continue to be retained on most church rolls, and in most church choirs, and even as pastors and deacons. When people who are disapproved of by God are allowed to remain in good standing in the Church, it is as though we were telling the world "Of such is the kingdom of God."
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."
People who are "after the flesh" will mind the things of the flesh, i.e. they will pay attention to carnal things. Therefore, they will do the "works of the flesh." In like manner, a person who is "after the Spirit" or "filled with the Spirit" will be interested in the things of the Spirit of God, and will bear the "fruit of the Spirit."
How absurd it is to think one is filled with the "Holy Spirit" when his life is filled with unholiness! "They who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." If we contend that we are "filled with the Spirit," then "let us walk in the Spirit."