9/28/09

Thinking Pro-Life

To live the kingdom life as a disciple of Jesus is to be pro-life. Now as soon as you hear those words, you probably think we are about to talk about one of the great social and political issues of our time (at least for Americans). Abortion is tragic and the cavalier attitude that many have about it is even more tragic, but that is not where we are going today.

Another issue is not often discussed, but killing your enemy is also tragic and a matter that Jesus addressed with some stunning words, but that is not our topic either.

When I say that those who live by the Spirit and not by the old nature must be pro-life, I am talking today about how our thinking must be life-affirming. In Romans 8 we read, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…” Romans 8:6 (NIV). The Spirit is clearly pro-life, but for some of us, too much of our thinking is life-denying.

· “I just don’t have what it takes.”
· “Relationships hurt too much.”
· “Just look at me. God could never use me.”
· “That happened? That’s a bummer.”
· “I am so stupid. I will just mess everything up.”
· “Something must be wrong with me. I just can’t have faith.”

Such words, when replayed over and over, suck the life out of us. We are using thought and energy to deny life.

But, thank God, a mind can be changed and life can be affirmed. “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…”

Focus Scripture

Romans 8:5-16
5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.    .
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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2009 at 4:24 AM

    Hi Tom & Sheila,
    Thank you for today's MCM. It really struck a chord with me, especially since I've been struggling with this issue for a few weeks now.
    Although I've said those statements that you list as examples several times in my walk with Jesus, I've been thinking and living out the last two far too often lately. In fact, I wrestled in prayer in my fight to listen to God's Spirit and not to my sinful, doubting nature for a couple of hours last night. It was extremely renewing. Now, I'm ready to take today and each new day one at a time with a new Spirit and focus. Thank you for helping me to do this through your thoughts and proven example.
    Warmest Regards,
    Tom

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  2. Tim SpencerSeptember 28, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    Great passage and great thoughts.
    One of the most persistent struggles over the years of kingdom living for me has been choosing victorious living over defeated living. I desire everyday to have faith in and act on what the Spirit wants me to do instead of my sinful nature. But my sinful nature is very skilled with lots of experience. It seeks out comfort, pleasure, and easy living.
    But as v13 above states, seeking out comfort, pleasure, and easy living will only lead to death. At 52 years old, I want to live life more than ever through the adventures God plans, to make every decision based on His words and principles, and to leave a legacy that glorifies my Father and Jesus as Lord.
    Basically, I commit to being Pro-Life!
    By the way, the blog is a great idea...

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  3. Hitesh GarachSeptember 28, 2009 at 9:55 AM

    Wow! That is so true. You did a great job of putting it in the right perspective. I found this very helpful in keeping my focus spiritually aligned. Thanks!!

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2009 at 10:03 AM

    Tom,

    Thank you so much for those words of affirmation and for the scripture as well. I got baptized into Christ, in the Nashville church incidentally, over 11 years ago. Back then, my biggest demon was controlling my tongue and anger. However, underneath that all, I have since learned is a person who needs to love herself the way that Christ loves her.

    I still struggle with that concept because of a lot of things that I am currently working on through discipling and counseling. I say all of that to say that God is amazing and He daily helps me to appreciate myself. He daily helps me to understand that I am HIS creation. He daily helps me to see myself through the pure and loving words of His word. He helps me to be accountable to my sisters and brothers by sharing my struggles and being open.

    Thank you for reminding me that I don't have to be help captive by satan and his negativity because I am have God's holy spirit within me helping me to be a greater creation.

    Your Sister in Christ,
    Charice

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    this was said at exactly the right time and my heart is in the right place to see and hear what God has been trying to tell me...to not be consumed with my circumstances, but instead to be consumed with God. Circumstances may not always be pretty, but that is when God came do his best work....I need to stop grieving the Holy Spirit with the negative thoughts that came just overwhelm me. thank you! Michelle

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2009 at 2:20 AM

    Thank you for reminding me where the true energy source is. I have been struggling with feeling tired not just physically but emotionally too. I just realised that while I may need to be better organised what I need more is time with God to 're-fuel' each day.
    Thank you for your constant encouraging words and reminders that only the word of God can rejuvinate my soul.

    Your sister in Christ,
    Mwamba

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  7. Tom A. JonesSeptember 30, 2009 at 7:17 AM

    Thanks to all of you who have given this new format a great reception. It is great to have the additional comments posted for the encouragement of others. For future comments try to keep your thoughts to no more than 150 words. Gratefully, tom

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