Category Archives: Holy Spirit

Bible, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Jesus, Resurrection, Romans, Scripture

RESURRECTED BODY     

ROMANS 8:11

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

One day this old mortal body of mine will give out. I’ve always told people that my heart only has so many good heartbeats, so I don’t want to waste any of them exercising. Lol. Seriously, I know my physical body is getting older. I simply can’t do what I used could do. I know my limitations physically. There is nothing I can do to stop the fact that I will die one day. That doesn’t bother me because I am ready to meet my Lord.

Why all the doom and gloom? Well, I don’t mean it to sound that way. Paul’s verse today speaks of the Spirit resurrecting Jesus from the dead. That’s great news, right? The even better news is that the same Spirit Who dwells within us will not only resurrect our mortal bodies one day, but He gives life to us right now. My body got a spiritual recharging when I received the Spirit of Christ through salvation.

APPLICATION

There are two very different schools of thought on this verse. Some say it refers to our resurrected bodies when Christ raptures the church. Our mortal bodies will be changed in an instant. Paul refers to this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. “16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” I’m ready for that, are you?

The other thought on this verse doesn’t ignore that, but they think this verse is mainly referring to the supernatural life-giving change that takes place in our mortal bodies now. Since God sees us not only as we are but also as we will be (glorified), we even now live in resurrected bodies. Sure, these mortal bodies are still subject to sin and death, but our spirit is unified with the Spirit of Christ who raised Jesus from the dead. That’s real power.

The Greek word for “mortal” is only used six times in the New Testament. The word is thnétos which means “liable to die.” This physical body will succumb to the grave at some point unless Jesus returns before then. Paul uses this word in 2 Corinthians 4:11 which gives us a view of this thought our resurrection exists also now. “For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.” We must allow the life of Jesus to be revealed now if we are followers of Jesus. Live a resurrected life today.

Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your resurrection in my life today.

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

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Bible, Christ, Dwelling, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Romans, Scripture

WHO GIVES YOU LIFE?

ROMANS 8:10

“If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.”

I have shared about my two stem cell transplants in the past. Do you understand what that entails? After my body was “prepared” to receive the stem cells through chemotherapy and other drugs, I was left in an immune-depressed state. I had to be isolated to reduce the risk of infection since I had nothing in my body to fight even a slight cold. My bone marrow was essentially killed off. But then…I received back into my body the life-giving stem cells that had been harvested from me. Those stem cells resurrected my physical body from the point of death.

Paul tells us in today’s verse that it is Christ in us Who gives us life through His Spirit. I was instantly reminded of my life verse found in Galatians 2:20. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” This mystical indwelling of the Spirit of Christ cannot be explained in human terms. It can only be experienced.

APPLICATION

I want to urge you to look up Albert Barnes’ commentary on this verse (https://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/8-10.htm). It is worth the read. Let me give you just a sample of what he writes. In speaking about the Spirit of Christ which indwells followers of Christ, he says, “This spiritual presence, which is the bond of union, is manifested immediately upon a man’s reception of Christ by faith. From that hour he is one with Christ, because the same Spirit lives in both.” I just love that.

We are told by Jesus in John 14:20, “‘On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you.’” One chapter later in John 15:4 we read this, “‘Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.’” Take a minute and read all of John 15 to get a good mental image of this indwelling Paul is talking about.

Just as I depended on those stem cells to “indwell” me to give me physical life, I depend on the Holy Spirit to indwell me to give me spiritual life. My physical body will die one day. My disease will probably return which will require another treatment. But my spiritual life is sealed with His Spirit, and He will indwell me until my last breath when I will then be with Him in glory. So, the question is “Who gives you life?

You are the life in me that drives me daily to do Your will, O Lord.

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

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Belong, Bible, Dwelling, Eternity, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Romans, Scripture

BELONGING

ROMANS 8:9

“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”

I belong to Jack and Mack (real names were James and Maxine) Willis from Pelham, GA. I have been able through a few genealogy sites to trace my Willis heritage back to Londonshire England and to the year 1555. I am from English, Scottish, Irish, Finish, French and Spanish bloodlines. Belonging to something means something. It is just natural for everybody to want to belong to someone else.

I just love how Paul says in today’s verse that if we do not have the Spirit, we do not belong to God. So, the opposite must be true. If we have the Spirit of God within us (which is only possible through faith in Christ Jesus), then we belong to the Father. Add that to the long line of my genealogy. I belong to God. And I will always belong to God. Nothing can separate me from His love.

APPLICATION

The Greek actually reads in that last phrase of the verse “he not is of Him.” We will see in the last verse of chapter 8 that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (verse 39). Listen friend, if you are in Christ, there is nothing on earth or in the heavenlies that can separate you from Him. Nothing!

Our world doesn’t believe in that kind of love. Why? Because our love is so fickle. We fall into and out of love so easily, it seems. Forty years and beyond marriages are relics of the past. When we hear of someone having a 50 year marriage celebration, we stand in awe. My wife and I have hit forty, and I am praying we can make it to fifty or more. But God’s love has no end is sight. His love will continue throughout eternity.

That’s true belonging. Jesus told us He was going to prepare us a place. Jesus isn’t building a shanty. He is building us an eternal home. This will be a “belonging” home, one built with an eternal love. How is that even possible? Because it is being built with eternal products made in heaven. Can you even imagine? So, rest easy dear one. If you are in Christ, if the Spirit of God dwells in you, you belong to Him.

Dear God, I cannot even begin to comprehend Your eternal love for me. I am so thankful for it.

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

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Bible, Flesh, Holy Spirit, Hostilities, Romans, Scripture

WHO ARE YOU AT WAR WITH?

ROMANS 8:7

“because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,”

Wars have been present almost since the creation of mankind. After the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, man began to lash out at each other. The first record of this is when Cain killed his brother Abel. It has continued through the generations. The chief war is the one with God, when man refuses to bow the knee to the Creator of the universe and fights against the One which he will never defeat.

Paul says very powerfully in today’s verse that when we set our minds on the flesh we are “hostile toward God.” The word used here for “hostile” is echthra. This word is only used six times in the New Testament and refers to hostility towards God and towards others. It can be translated as enmity or hatred. It’s not just a simple little hate. It’s a “personal hostility or deep-seated opposition.” (Topical Lexicon).

APPLICATION

If this is present in your life, whether it is directed toward God or others, you need to take a look at yourself. Is your mind set on the flesh or the Spirit? In James 4:4 we read, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” This is so illustrated in the story about a British porn star who claims to be a Christian but refuses to stop her career in the porn industry. You can reconcile those two. You can’t claim to love God and continue to do the very things His Word says to stop.

Echthra is listed in Galatians 5:20 as one of the works of the flesh. Here it is referring to the personal conflicts we have with one another. Now, listen to me. Sometimes you can’t avoid conflicts with others. I understand that. This word is talking about those persistent conflicts. We are called to be peacemakers whenever possible. Don’t blame your conflicts with others on your temperament. That won’t hold water.

The good news is Christ abolished this enmity. Look at Ephesians 2:15-16. “by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility.” If Christ has abolished it, has put it to death, why do we hang on to it. Give up the hate! Give up the hostility! Allow the Spirit of Christ to transform your mind and focus only on Him.

O Lord, it is only through You that I can truly lay down the enmity of my flesh toward others.

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

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Bible, Flesh, Holy Spirit, Living, Romans, Scripture

IN ACCORD WITH

ROMANS 8:5

“For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”

You may have heard the expression, “If you lie down with dogs, expect to get fleas.” Paul even hints at that in 1 Corinthians 15:33 when he writes, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” What you spend your time doing and thinking about is sure to affect how you live. You can choose to think about good things and hang out with good people, or you can choose the opposite which will surely bring your down. Your choice.

Paul speaks now in comparisons to further explain what he has just been talking about in 8:1-4. There are no hidden messages in today’s verse. It is self-explanatory. If you live according to the flesh, it is obvious your thoughts are on the flesh. If you live according to the Spirit, then you must be thinking spiritually. You are what you think. I heard a quote recently that said, “Thoughts Become Words, Words Become Actions, Actions Become Habits, Habits Become Character, Character Becomes Your Destiny.” I believe Paul would have agreed with that.

APPLICATION

There is probably no better explanation of this verse than Galatians 5:19-24 where Paul compares flesh and Spirit. “19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Anyone can read those verses and understand the difference between the two, right? Then why do so many Christians struggle with the flesh, me included? I may not be involved with a sexual sin, but I can sure let my anger loose. That’s not of the Spirit. Do you see anger listed as a fruit of the Spirit? Nope. But Carl, I can’t help getting angry. Untrue. If you are a follower of Christ, the Spirit in you can rid you of it.

I choose today to set my mind on things of the Spirit and not things of the flesh. I have to make that decision every day. If I don’t, that old angry man will rise up. Today name your sin of flesh and give it to the Lord. He will purify you and give you the strength to walk in the Spirit.

Father God, I will choose Spirit over flesh today. Help me guard my lips.

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

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Bible, Holy Spirit, Law, Righteous, Righteousness, Romans, Scripture

RIGHTEOUS ACTS

ROMANS 8:4

“so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Knowing the right thing to do and doing the right thing are two different things. For instance, I know what a NFL quarterback is supposed to do. I could even learn his playbook. But I will never be a NFL quarterback. I cannot perform the acts he is required to do (throwing a 50 yard pass, read defenses in seconds and adjust the play, etc.). The same holds true for us spiritually. Let Paul explain.

In verse 4 of Romans chapter 8, Paul uses a word that is translated above as “requirement.” I normally agree with the New American Standard, but here I prefer other translations which use “righteousness” or “righteous requirement.” The Greek word is dikaióma. Notice the little “-ma” on the end of that word. Zodhiates stresses that when that suffix is used on the end of word, it points out the result of an action, not just the action. So, read the verse that way, “so that the result of the righteous act of the Law might be fulfilled in us…”

APPLICATION

Dikaióma “is not precisely the word so often used in this Epistle to denote ‘the righteousness which justifies’ (Ro 1:17; 3:21; 4:5, 6; 5:17, 18, 21), but another form of the same word, intended to express the enactment of the law, meaning here, we believe, the practical obedience which the law calls for.” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary) That cannot be done by us. It is the Spirit of God in us.

Back to my analogy of the NFL quarterback. Pretend through some magical spell that the spirit of Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre entered my body. I would then possess the wisdom, knowledge, experience and physical ability to be that NFL quarterback. It would not be Carl. It would be Aaron or Brett. That would be awesome, but I couldn’t claim any of the credit for touchdowns or passes made.

There is nothing in you as a follower of Christ that you can boast in. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” You didn’t save yourself or maintain your spiritual walk by yourself. It is the work of the Spirit. Praise God that it is not up to us. Amen? Now, let the Spirit live through you today.

Father God, I submit myself to Your indwelling power today to use me how You see best.

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

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Bible, Freedom, Holy Spirit, Life, Romans, Scripture

THE SPIRIT OF LIFE

ROMANS 8:2

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

I bet if you have been driving a vehicle for any length of time, you have probably run out of gas at least once. It’s a problem that is easily solved – put gas in the tank, lol. Do you understand how that gas engine works? I am no mechanic, but I do know the carburetor controls the flow of gas which is ignited by small sparks which then produce small “explosions” that make the pistons move. Okay, that is far as I will go with that description. I don’t want to show my ignorance of the subject. Bottom line – gas in required to give the engine life.

The same is true for us as humans. We need our “tanks” filled with the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to get our “pistons” firing for Jesus. I love how one commentary I read describes this law of the Spirit of life. “A phrase defining more fully the mode in which the union with Christ becomes operative in the believer. It begins by imparting to him the Spirit of Christ; this Spirit creates within him a law; and the result of that law is life—that perfect spiritual vitality which includes within itself the pledge of immortality. (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) This law of life is only operational through the life-giving Spirit.

APPLICATION

This “law of the Spirit of life”is contrasted with “the law of sin and of death.” The Divine law, as some scholars have referred to it as, supersedes and fulfills the Mosaic law which condemns us because of sin. The Gospel of grace that is present in our lives as followers of Christ sets us free from any and all requirements set forth in the Mosaic law. Praise be to God.

When I became a Christian, my life changed drastically. Before Christ I was not known for my study habits in school. I made decent grades but not like I did after I got saved. My grades went up so much the first semester that my teachers thought I was cheating and vowed to catch me. After a semester of proving myself, they finally understood that I had changed. I was the same person on the outside, but inwardly I had a whole new nature.

As followers of Christ, we have to show that transformation. If it is real, we can’t help ourselves. The light of Christ that indwells us now has to be shone. “Hide it under a bushel, no!” The world needs to see the change in us. We cannot remain a part of all that we were doing before. The law of the Spirit of life in us has changed us at a spiritually molecular level. We are a new creation in Christ. Show the world!

Father God, shine through me and let the Spirit of life be seen.

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

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Bible, Confession, Dwelling, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Responsibilities, Scripture, Sin

BAD ROOMMATES

ROMANS 7:17

“But now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.”

From 1989 to May 1997, the sitcom “Family Matters” entertained audiences with the antics of one character on the show, Steve Urkel. When he would do something that caused chaos, he would stop and look around saying, “Did I do that?” His high-pitched nasally voice would bring a smile to most. Usually, in the end, Steve would take responsibility for his actions and try to make things right.

Paul is not speaking as Steve Urkel in today’s voice. He is not saying, “Did I do that?” In fact, he is drawing attention to the culprit behind all his failings. Matthew Poole describes this verse well. “It is not I as spiritual or renewed, it is not my whole self, but it is sin that dwelleth in me,that inhabits in me as a troublesome inmate, that I cannot get rid of, that will not out so long as the house stands; as the fretting leprosy in the walls of a house would not out till the house itself were demolished. It is such an inhabitant as is never from home; it is not in us as a stranger for a season, but it makes its constant abode with us.”

APPLICATION

We see Paul use a Greek word for “dwells” in today’s verse and in verses 18 and 20. The word is oikeó, and it means to occupy a house or reside. Paul is describing how sin can continue to cause issues for us as believers. It has taken up residence in us because of the fallen nature we inherited from Adam. Even though Paul is now a follower of Christ and the Spirit of Christ dwells in him, sin refuses to be evicted.

Compare it to a very bad roommate who refuses to leave. Although you live separately and try to avoid interaction, their presence in your dwelling will cause you issues. Dirty dishes in the sink, smelly rooms and loud music may be just a few of the issues you have to deal with. However, unlike that roommate, we have the power over sin to not just avoid it but to have victory over it.

Let’s continue that illustration a little. What are your options with a bad roommate? You can fight them or you can leave. Leaving may cost you something (lease obligations, furniture, etc) but the peace you get by making that choice is worth it. Listen, turning from sin may cost you something (money, friends) but the peace you get will be far worth it. Don’t let sin dwell among you. Cast it out and live for Him.

O Lord, I do not want sin sharing the same space as Your Spirit.

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

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Bible, Good, Holy, Holy Spirit, Righteous, Scripture

HOLY, RIGHTEOUS AND GOOD

ROMANS 7:12

“So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”

Few things in this world could be called holy, righteous and good. The Bible is all these things. It is the holy word of God Who is Himself holy. It is righteous as is God, and it is good as is God. But you will never see this unless you spend time in it. Only by immersing yourself in it will you discover all that it entails.

Paul, being a Jew, did not want to give the impression that the Law was bad. Just the opposite. The Law served God’s purpose of pointing men to the need for a Savior. Paul has been telling us in the past few verses that it pointed out their sins which should lead them to repentance. Initially, that was accomplished through the sacrificial system. But now, once those sins are revealed, they should run to the Savior, Jesus.

APPLICATION

It is holy. The Greek word is hagios, which means set apart or different than the world. There has never been another book like God’s Word. It is the best-selling book of all time, far surpassing any other. The words it holds, straight from the mouth of God to the writers through His Holy Spirit, are life-altering. They have the answer to any question you could ever have.

It is righteous. That word is dikaios, which means that which conforms to God’s own being. The words are just. They are right. What it says about sin is right. What is says about holy living is right. What is says about marriage between one man and one woman is right and just. Because it is righteous and just it can judge your heart and your motives.

And finally, it is good. That’s the Greek word agathos and “describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith.” (HELPS Word-studies) God is good, therefore His words are too. They are beneficial for us because they originate from God Himself.

Which book of the Bible is your favorite? How about memorizing some passages from it? Which is your least favorite? Mine used to be Leviticus. All those rules and descriptions bored me until…I realized practically every word of the book is God talking. If God is talking, it must be important. Right? That made me see it differently. Spend some time today in His Word. It is holy, righteous and good.

Father God, I praise You for giving us Your holy, righteous and good Word.

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

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Bible, Bound, Freedom, Holy Spirit, New, Renewed, Scripture

NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT

ROMANS 7:6

“But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”

When I met my wife of over 40 years, we were friends and coworkers. She was one of my many friends and coworkers. That was a quantitative relationship. But when we got married our relationship changed from just friends to family. That was a qualitative change. She wasn’t just one of my friends anymore. We were husband and wife and in a totally different kind of relationship.

Why in the world am I talking about that? Because Paul uses a word in today’s verse that needs further explanation. When he writes “newness of the Spirit,” he uses the Greek word kainotés which is only used here and back in Romans 6:4 (newness of life). The Topical Lexicon says “kainotēs conveys the idea of qualitative ‘newness,’ a state or mode of existence that stands in sharp contrast to what has gone before. It is never a mere novelty: in Scripture it points to the decisive, divinely wrought transition from the old age under sin to the new age inaugurated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” We have a totally changed relationship to God because of Jesus.

APPLICATION

Not to overuse a source, but I want to also give you another quote from the Topical Lexicon. It’s a pretty powerful statement about the use of kainotēs in the two verses we are looking at. “Romans 6:4 and Romans 7:6 serve as theological pillars, illustrating both the accomplished reality and ongoing outworking of that divine newness in personal sanctification, corporate worship, and eschatological hope.” (Topical Lexicon) If you aren’t shouting, you should be. It’s accomplished and ongoing! Glory to God.

Newness of life and newness in the Spirit. What else could you want. At salvation we are given that newness in life. The old self dies and the new self is resurrected to walk with Him through each day of your life. That walk is possible because we also have the newness of the Spirit. Jesus told us He would give us a Comforter, and He did. He lives in and through us and helps us take each step.

Now listen close. Lean in here. Walk in that qualitative newness. It’s not like anything you had before Jesus. Any religious high you may have experienced won’t measure up. Any vow or promise you made to God won’t hold up to it. We have the freedom in Christ to now walk in newness of life and in the Spirit. Think about that. No more trudging along just trying to make it. We can literally and spiritually hop, skip and jump through life because of this newness. Start walking that way.

O Lord, I am so thankful for the newness You have given me in Jesus.

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

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