Transformed by the Spirit

PAUL’S words about the Law being unable to produce righteousness because of the weakness of the flesh (Romans 8:3) should not be interpreted as if he thought little of the Law. On the contrary, he took seriously the high calling and expectations that God revealed through Moses. In fact, walking “according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4) involves the fulfillment of these expectations. That’s why Paul urged believers to:

• Turn from evil to good (Romans 12:2, 9).
• Seek love (1 Corinthians 13).
• Not misuse liberty (Galatians 5:13-16).
• Choose to do good toward all people (Galatians 6:10).
• Live with a new, godly lifestyle (Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:1-3).
• Learn how to serve others in humility, with love (Philippians 2:1-7).
• Undo patterns of sin within ourselves (Colossians 3:5-11).
• Develop godly contentment with what we have (1 Timothy 6:6-11).

This is life in the Spirit—a lifelong adventure of reclaiming what God intended for us from the beginning (Ephesians 5:8-10).

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.