In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he proclaims that “if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” What is Paul trying to remind us of and how can following that message lead us to have a closer relationship with One Another?
Paul contrasts the words “flesh” and “Spirit.” What he is really doing is asking us to have the proper mindset or focus. If we focus on the flesh or the body, then the result will be physical and spiritual death. However, if we focus on the Spirit, then the outcome is peace and spiritual life.
So what is important to us and what is our mindset? In our current environment, we are all dealing with many issues that can cause anxiety and tension. It’s easy to get caught up focusing on the “flesh” or on our material needs. But it is now, right now, when it is even more important than ever to focus on the Spirit and our faith.
What happens when we focus on the Spirit? We grow in faith and in love. We grow in our relationship with Christ. As we walk closer with Christ, our Love for our brothers and sisters grows and we live for one another. So to live for the Spirit, or in other words to grow in our faith, is to live like Christ taught us – for one another.
