Ephesians Lesson 25 of 39 part 6

Romans 8:5

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but (the flip side is) they that are after the Spirit (they mind) the things of the Spirit." 

It might be interesting to know that among the great Philosophers Moses is said to be renowned among those who stand out because he was taught by the Egyptians and therefore knew of the laws of nature and the world order of things. His Law is that of the worlds balance of nature or all things natural and in harmonious rhythm. And is revealed in he account of the beginning and his narrative of creation in the use of numbered days. Then later in his account of the temple being a copy of the heavenly one not made by mans hands but is eternal in the heavens, which points us to the fact that this world is made as a copy of the invisible or spiritual. This is in agreement with what Paul is here speaking because those who mind the things of the flesh are those of the physical world only and will die in their sin under its curse. But those who choose the exchange of the worldly life for the spiritual life as taught by Jesus will live forever.

Then come on down to verse 9, speaking to us as believers.

Romans 8:9

"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."

A person that does not have the Spirit of Christ is not in the Body of Christ. This is required by God because when we have the Spirit of Christ we could be called "Adam" again in agreement with Genesis 2:7 and the hidden meaning within Genesis 3:15. And oh we could go all the way through this whole chapter, and see this constant reference to the Spirit. This chapter is in agreement with Jesus' teachings which we know ran against the beliefs of the worldly flesh ruled doctrines of the Religious leaders of Israel because they failed to carry on the belief pattern of Enoch, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for that of Moses as revealed in Psalm 78. In fact just glance at this chapter, and the word Spirit just jumps up at us off the page. For example in verse 15.

Romans 8:15-16

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" 

This is an obvious agreement with what we shared above because Adam knew his creator as Abba the Father of his being. When we have been restored to this same condition we to call God, the Father of Life and spirits our Abba. This is the same trusting faith which Abraham and Isaac exhibited and which pleases God. Then come all the way down to verse 23.

Romans 8:23a

"And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit,..."

Here we have the word “firstfruits of the Spirit” or which is the earnest of the deposit, the beginning point of our redemption of which we have shared elsewhere in our study. Oh goodness, and now come back over to the book of Ephesians chapter 1, and this is the One Spirit that Paul is dealing with now in Ephesians chapter 4. It is up to us to discern are we dealing with the true Holy Spirit, or are we dabbling in or with another spirit? The church under Religion is full of the other spirit because of its corruption which happened back some 5000 years ago with Israel first. The same corruption has been passed down through the ages by those of the worldly nature in the coping of Israel's pattern of Religion. Then shortly before Paul and Peter's death, when it just escalated to where it is to-day. It is so evident today that a lot of people are dabbling in the evil spirits, the spirit of blindness a familiar spirit. The spirit of anti-Christ is every where. Remember many of them claim to be the right one, but what did the Lord tell the people in His own day and time?

Matthew 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

The whole purpose of this is that we are to discern, are we on true solid ground, or are we being hood-winked into something which is totally false. Then in Ephesians chapter 1, verse 13 and 14 Paul states this.