READ: Rom. 8:5–8: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace …
Paul continues to build on the distinction between two kinds of people: those who walk according to the flesh and those who walk according to the Spirit. The first group thinks, speaks, and acts out of a sinful nature that dominates everything. They are not focused on God and His honor. They are rather focused on themselves.
The other group, who live according to the Spirit, want to submit to God’s Word and follow the Spirit in thought, word, and deed. Their goal is to please God and glorify Him.
There is a great, irreconcilable contrast in thinking, speaking, and acting. It is the contrast between death and life. The mind controlled by sin leads to death—first already the spiritual death on earth, and then, if there is no repentance, eternal death. But those who believe and allow themselves to be led by the Spirit may receive life: fellowship with God, which leads to eternal life, eternal fellowship in glory.
The decision between eternal death and eternal life is already made here on earth. The Lord Jesus already said this in John 5:24ff: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”
Verse 6 says: the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. “Life” is the joyful and grateful fellowship with and for God. “Peace” is the assurance that your sins are forgiven and that nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ (see also vv.38,39).
How do you experience “life and peace” as a believer?
Sing: Hymn 37:2 (1984) / 48:2 (2014)