ROMANS 8:13

“for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Learning to live life to the fullest is something so many of us miss. We try to fill our life with stuff like careers, money, pleasures and the like. I have known so many people who were successful in the world’s eyes yet were miserable. You probably know someone like that. They work and work to find fulfillment in their lives only to come up empty in the end. It’s a sad story that is lived out far too often.

Paul is a master of contrasts in his letters. Today’s verse is no exception. He contrasts the futility of “living in accord with the flesh” with living “by the Spirit.” The first leads to death while the other to life. The Greek word Paul uses for “you will live” is the Future Indicative Middle of zaó which is a prominent verb used throughout the New Testament. It is used in some form over 120 times. This verb describes the life that is only truly available through God, specifically His Son Jesus.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon’s concluding statement on zaó says this, “Zaó saturates the New Testament with the theme that true life, in all its dimensions, flows from and points back to the living God revealed in Jesus Christ. The church’s proclamation, practice, and hope are therefore inseparable from the vibrant pulse of zaó. Our life should always point back to the Life-giver.

This life permeates every aspect of our life – even in our giving. Look at 1 Timothy 6:18-19. “18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” Only by giving can we truly gain this life. I am not referring solely to money, although that is part of it. When we stop focusing on ourselves, we can experience this life Paul is talking about.

In our verse today, zaó is in the Middle voice. Why is that important? Because the Middle voice implies that it is you doing the living. Technically, it is Christ in you. But He doesn’t make us into mind numbed robots. We have a choice to make each and every day whether or not we will live like Him. What is your choice today? Are you allowing Him to live through you? It is really the only sure way to live.

Father, today I choose to yield myself to You so that You can live through me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis).