Sept. 19

Daily Bread

Romans 8:13 - “For if we live after the flesh we are about to die but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you shall live.”

The Greek word ‘praxtis’ may be translated ‘function, activities, deeds’ implying sustained activity as in Romans 12:4, “and all these parts have different functions.” Now Paul uses this word to describe all the possible activities that can take place in the mortal body. He is dealing with every activity or function of the body whether it is sin, sickness, or disease. It must be remembered in understanding the message of this text that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, it belongs to the Lord, it is blameless, it is the place that God is to be glorified, and it is not the residing place of sin (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:13,18,19,20; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 2:26). Sin and the consequence of sin, which are sickness and disease, have no right to have any control over the mortal body (Romans 6:12). In fact, we are instructed to put all of these things to death by the Spirit. As much as Israel was commanded to put to death anyone who committed high treason against God, the new testament saint is instructed to put to death sin, sickness, and disease that would attempt to enter the body. We may view ourselves in some respects as both the temple and the temple guards. It was the responsibility of the temple guards to ensure that no one brought anything into the temple that would defile or profane the temple.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org