Obedience Ministries: No More Excuses (Part 1)

Often times I’ve heard people say, “I’m only human” or “I’m not Jesus…nobody’s perfect” and “all I can do is try.” These statements have become excuses in the body of Christ to justify the unwillingness to be obedient. Yes we are not perfect, however, everyday we must strive to become more Christ like. In 1 Corinthians 15:3I Paul states; “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” What Paul is stating here is that everyday we should die in our flesh in order to live in the spirit. Our spirit man through Christ should increase daily until we are no longer living in the flesh, but in spirit. We must decrease in the flesh, in order to increase in the spirit. When you became saved, you were no longer of this world, only in it. Romans 12:2 states, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” As believers it becomes our responsibility to grow and develop more and more like Christ; to show ourselves approved in the sight of the Lord.

Carnal Flesh vs. Sprit Man; what’s the Difference?

What does it mean to “die daily” in the flesh as Paul stated? The word flesh best describes our human nature which consists of emotions, wants and desires. These three elements are always rooted in our own carnal will. Emotions drive us to act/move toward making choices to fulfill fleshly wants and desires; therefore making our flesh weak and susceptible to sin even death. James 1:15 states, “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” To live in the flesh is to live in a lifestyle of sin; self idolization is the root of the carnal flesh. Our spirit man was created from the breath of God as stated in Genesis 2:7, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (His Holy Spirit); and man became a living being.” We also know our spirits were formed before we were created in the flesh, making them perfect in the sight of the Lord.

Adam's disobedience separates, Jesus' obedience realigns
us with the Lord

Adam’s transgression caused sin and death upon mankind making our spirits susceptible to both. Jesus’ righteousness leads to the washing of all sins, realigning mankind with God. Romans 5:19, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous." Once we are born again, another form of the Holy Spirit (the comforter) enters into our being to help us obtain a lifestyle of spiritual living. There is a constant battle between our flesh and spirit, one we must overcome through our obedience. Walking in the spirit consists of living a lifestyle of complete obedience and the harvest of this type of obedience is Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Therefore the ultimate goal must be crucifixion of the flesh and resurrection in the spirit man as the Lord intended.

One difference between the carnal flesh and the spirit man is within the heart. The heart of a person whose lifestyle is rooted in the flesh is selfishness. Just as Lucifer became selfish in Heaven, wanting the other angles to follow him and him believing he was superior to the Lord. This is where the root of the spirit of selfishness was formed. The heart of a person walking in the spirit is rooted in love. Just as Jesus loved unconditionally and proved His love for God through His obedience, the heart of a person living a lifestyle of obedience is the same. The major difference between the two is asked in Romans 6:16 which states, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” Clearly the line is drawn, you cannot serve two masters. In serving Satan you will live a life rooted in sin and an eternal life of damnation. When you chose to live a life rooted in the spirit and completely obedient to the Lord, you will have everlasting life with the Father. In choosing the carnal flesh Satan is the master and you will go where he will go…into the lake of fire. In choosing to walk in the spirit the Lord Jesus Christ reigns as King and you shall go where He is…the kingdom of Heaven.

All biblical text acquired in the NKJV