![]() We all entered this world living according to the flesh with our mind set on the things of the flesh. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature the old things passed away behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then note the stark contrast in the middle of verse 5, “But those who are according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Paul makes a clear distinction, using the word “but” to mark the stark contrast. This mindset is impossible for a true believer and the complete opposite of a Christian. Their mind is set on the things of the flesh. This describes every unconverted person in the world. Their whole life revolves around living for the things of the world. It is not just occasionally glancing at fleshly things, but living life with their mind set on the things of the flesh. It means to be absorbed with something, to focus sharply on something. The phrase “set their minds” ( phroneo) is one word in the Greek. The “flesh” refers to their carnal appetites, sinful desires, worldly pursuits, material pleasures, secular beliefs, self-interest, and self-promotion. They are governed by their flesh, rather than by the Spirit of God. ![]() This means that the realm in which they live is a carnal, fleshly realm. ![]() Those who are “according to the flesh” are those who are “in the flesh” in verse 8. Paul tells us, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh” (verse 5). In verses 7-9, there are two dispositions.Įveryone in the world has one of two mindsets. This text will show us very clearly that no one who has been justified by faith will continue to live as they once did. And third, those who claim to be Christians but live like non-Christians. This is important because a few years ago, there was much talk about the “carnal Christian.” It was said that there were actually three classes of people. There is clearly not a third or fourth class, but only two. There is a back and forth in these verses between the two classes. Paul lays out a clear contrast so that there is no confusion for his readers. Everyone who has escaped the condemnation of God has undergone a radical work of God in their person life. ![]() There is no one who is justified by faith whose life is not dramatically changed. Paul wants to be crystal clear that if you have been justified by faith, you will be sanctified. It is very obvious that there is a black and white distinction in this passage. There are those who have set their mind on the things of the flesh, and there are those who have set their mind on the things of the Spirit. There are those who are according to the flesh, and those who are according to the Spirit. According to this passage, there are those who have been justified, and those who are condemned. This passage draws a sharp line of distinction between these two classes of people. Romans 8:5-8 makes it very clear that there are only two kinds of people in the world. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:5-8). For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
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