“And
as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the
receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed
Him.” (Matt. 9:9).
“There
is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1).
Is
walking after the Spirit the same as obeying Jesus’ command to follow Him?
I
ask the title’s question in the effort to understand Romans 8. Heretofore I
have often compared verse 1 with verse 9 of that chapter. Both verses being in
the same context, scripture can more honestly interpret scripture without the
need for exegesis. Verse 9 defines “the Spirit”.
“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.”
(Rom. 8:9). His? His whose? The Spirit? Christ? Both Spirit and Christ? Is the Spirit
of Christ the Spirit of God the Father?
The
next verse is also helpful here.
“And
if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life
because of righteousness.” (Rom. 8:10).
Isn’t
the Spirit in the newborn Christian, according to the new covenant promise of
Ezekiel 36:26 and Colossians 1:27? Christ is in the new heart also, according
to Romans 8:10. It’s Christ who indwells the Christian until the redemption of
his body. In fact, Paul seems to indicate that the Spirit in us is the result
of Christ being in us. The Spirit can’t give life until the body is dead. In other
words, Paul couldn’t have the experience of walking after the Spirit with its
attendant subjection to the Law of God, until he died to the work of obeying
the Law absent the help of Jesus. As he said,
“O
wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I
thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve
the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. ” (Rom. 7:24,25).
With
a new mind, according to the Ezekiel 36:26 promise and according to the “spiritual
mindedness” of Romans 8:6, Paul could serve God through obedience to His Law of
righteousness. But, with “the flesh” (Rom. 8:1), i.e. to have the old mind and
to be “carnally minded” (vs. 6), all Paul could serve was the law of sin.
G5427
φρόνημα
phronēma
fron’-ay-mah
From
G5426; (mental) inclination or purpose: - (be, + be carnally, + be
spiritually) mind (-ed).
“For
they that are after the flesh do mindG5426 the things of the flesh;
but they that are after the Spirit [do mindG5426] the things of the
Spirit.” (Rom. 8:5).
G5426
φρονέω
phroneō
fron-eh’-o
From
G5424; to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment
or opinion; by implication to be
(mentally) disposed (more or less
earnestly in a certain direction); intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience): - set the
affection on, (be) care (-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let
this) mind (-ed, regard, savour, think.
“That
the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:4).
So
the message is that before anyone can be sanctified they need a new heart,
mind, and spirit—i.e. to be justified.
But,
what about “the Spirit”? Is “the Spirit of God”? Does that refer to a name of a
deity? Like “the Holy Ghost”? There appears to be a bit of prejudice in the
choice of that title, since “the Holy Ghost” only appears in the New Testament,
especially in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. But the Spirit shows up
in both Testaments. I understand that King James was a domineering, hard-liner,
Knoxist Evangelical who wanted to separate the old and new covenant provisions by
dividing the Old from the New Testaments by the entrance of a new divine manifestation
for the benefit of the new church. So, the king forced his translators into the
use of “Holy Ghost” in many New Testament instances when the word, pneuma, was the only word used by the apostolic
writers throughout the New Testament. And throughout the Bible, the words for
“spirit” were “SpiritG4151” pneuma
and “SpiritH7307” ruach
were exact counterparts for Koine Greek and Masoretic Hebrew, respectively.
So,
“SpiritG4151” was not new to the New Testament. And as far as a new divine manifestation or deity goes,
why in Romans 8:9 does Paul connect the Spirit to the Father and Son? And why make
it sound like both Father and Son are the Spirit? The Christian is in the
Spirit if the Spirit of God and Christ are (is?) in him.
“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.”
(Rom. 8:9).
And,
“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.” (Rom. 8:11).
It
was God who raised His precious Child from the dead.
“But
ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto
you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead;
whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:14,15, cf Acts 4:10; 13:30; Rom. 10:9; Col.
2:12; 1Pet. 1:21).
It
was the Father, not a third deity.
“Paul,
an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the
Father, who raised Him from the dead;)” (Gal. 1:1).
Because,
as we all know, “God [‘the Father’ (vs. 21,23)] is a Spirit” (John 4:24). And
Jesus was a Spirit also. “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a
living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.” (1Cor. 15:45). Being
a Spirit is why Jesus could suddenly appear like heavenly ministering spirits do
by the order of the Father.
“And
after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then
came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto
you.” (John 20:26, cf vs. 19).
Jesus
was present through His Father’s Spirit like Paul could be in the Corinthians’
business meeting (see 1 Corinthians 5:3,4), and at the speed of thought He
could be present in a glorified body.
So,
back to today’s study. Our opening scripture says that we walk after the
Spirit, and we also follow after Jesus. If this is speaking of the same act of
following, can there be a connection between Jesus and the Spirit? In light of
our first scriptural proof in this post from Romans 7 and 8, that the Spirit is
the Father and the Son, it could be very likely that to follow after the Spirit
means to follow after Christ who dwells in us by His quickening Spirit.
“There
is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walkG4043
not afterG2596 the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1).
In
Paul’s great, opening statement on his science of obedience, to “walkG4043…
afterG2596” means more than locomotion. It has a figurative
application: to “live”, to “deport oneself”. This has to do with seeking to imitate
the Spirit, in life and in actions.
G4043
περιπατέω
peripateō
per-ee-pat-eh’-o
From
G4012 and G3961; to tread all around, that is, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary): - go,
be occupied with, walk (about).
G2596
κατά
kata
kat-ah’
A
primary particle; (preposition) down
(in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive,
dative or accusative] with which it is joined): - about, according as (to),
after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as
(concerning, pertaining to, touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the
charge of, [charita-] bly, concerning, + covered, [dai-] ly, down, every, (+
far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from . . . to, godly, in (-asmuch,
divers, every, -to, respect of), . . . by, after the manner of, + by any means,
beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-) on (X part), out
(of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through
(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-) to (-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where
(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and
frequently denotes opposition, distribution or intensity.
“And
as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the
receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, FollowG190 Me. And he
arose, and followed Him.” (Matt. 9:9).
The
word, “Follow” in Matthew’s call doesn’t immediately seem to match with Romans
8:1 “walkG4043… afterG2596”. According to the Strong’s
number G2596 it means simply to walk on a road together with
somebody else: “to be in the same way with, that is, to accompany (specifically
as a disciple)”.
But,
Jesus did also apply the word figuratively.
“Then
said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and followG190 Me.” (Matt. 16:24).
G190
ἀκολουθέω
akoloutheō
ak-ol-oo-theh’-o
From
G1 (as a particle of union) and κέλευθος keleuthos (a road); properly to be in the
same way with, that is, to accompany
(specifically as a disciple): - follow, reach.
“For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life
for My sake shall find it.
For
what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
For
the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He
shall reward every man according to his works. ” (Matt. 16:25-27).
So,
the way Jesus used G190 was the same as Paul did—spiritually. Jesus said to follow
Him was to copy Him by denying self, and taking up the cross as He was
determined, at some future point, to do. It involved the disciple’s “works”
that would be rewarded at His second advent.
So,
we see how this worked out. They became like Jesus.
“But
God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God
hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty;…
But
of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1Cor. 1:27,30).
“Now
when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were
unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them,
that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13).
Jesus
had taught them to fear God, which would give them wisdom, a wisdom that was
even wiser than the leaders who were worldly wise.
“And
unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart
from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28).
“The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they
that do His commandments: His praise endureth for ever.” (Psa. 111:10).
“The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and
instruction….
For
that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They
would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof. ” (Prov. 1:7,29,30).
“Come,
ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” (Psa.
34:11).
“My
son, if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee;
So
that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to
understanding;
Yea,
if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding;
If
thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then
shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of
God.
For
the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Prov.
2:1-6).
“The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is
understanding.” (Prov. 9:10).
“The
fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
(Prov. 15:33).
“If
any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas. 1:5).
“I
have seen an end of all perfection: but Thy commandment is exceeding
broad.
O how love I Thy Law! it is my meditation all
the day.
Thou
through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are
ever with me.
I
have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my
meditation.
I
understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts.
I
have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy word.
I
have not departed from Thy judgments: for Thou hast taught me. ” (Psa
119:96-102).
Following
Jesus, the disciples’ language became pure and refined like His.
“And
after a while came unto him [Peter] they that stood by, and said to Peter,
Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth [betrays] thee. Then
began he to curse and to swear….” (Matt. 26:73,74).
“He
that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the King shall be his
friend.” (Prov. 22:11).
“That
our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as
corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” (Psa. 144:12).
To
follow was to follow Jesus’ lead.
“And
it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the first, that He went through the
corn fields; and His disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them
in their hands.” (Luke 6:1).
So,
they could follow Jesus’ pattern because they could see Him, they could watch
Him. And similarly, the requirement of the Spirit is to conform in the life,
the deportment. But, how can we follow or deport an invisible Spirit? How can
we copy someone who we have never seen, neither can ever see? By beholding we
become changed.
“But
we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the
Lord.” (2Cor. 3:18).
But,
who is the Spirit? None other than the Lord Jesus Christ, our best Friend. “Now
the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
(2Cor. 3:17).
In
the presence of Christ the disciples had perfect freedom to copy Him in every
way, or to fail but not lose His acceptance of them. That’s freedom. And that
is how little children learn so quickly to be like their parents in every
particular—the gate, the colloquialisms, the thoughts, mannerisms, etc. the
children know that their parents love them, and would never separate from them
because of failures to give immediately a perfected copy of their parents.
The
Spirit has no pattern to watch and hear, to touch and be touched, who we love
and by whom we can be loved. All change comes from love. “For whatsoever is
born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith.” (1Jn. 5:4).
It’s
through faith in His love that we change. It’s by beholding that we become
changed into His image. It’s the visible pattern that Jesus left in the written
word, and His Spirit communications, that teach us and perfect us, even as the
Father is perfect.
“That
which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our
eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of
life;
(For
the Life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto
you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto
us;)
That
which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son
Jesus Christ. ” (1Jn. 1:1-3).
“But
the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not
that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things,
and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.
And
now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have
confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
If
ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness
is born of Him.
Behold,
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.
Beloved,
now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He
is.
And every man that hath this hope in him
purifieth himself, even as He is pure. ” (1Jn. 2:27-3:3).
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