Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you… I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN BEING CHRIST'S. 1. There is a sense in which all men are His, by right of — (1) Creation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). (2) Preservation (Colossians 1:17). (3) Redemption (1 Corinthians 6:20). 2. But Christ's true followers belong to Him, as — (1) Subjects to a prince (Psalm 2:8; Matthew 22:11; Philippians 2:11). (2) Servants to a master (Romans 14:7-9; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15). (3) Friends (John 15:13-15). (4) BRETHREN and sisters (Hebrews 2:11, 12). (5) Children to a father (Hebrews 2:13). (6) A spouse to a husband (Romans 7:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-32; Revelation 19:7). (7) Branches to a tree (John 15:1). (8) Members to the head of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:22, 23). II. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST. Not, as some think, merely the mind of Christ, but the Spirit of God, is here intended (see context). 1. This is called the Spirit of Christ because — (1) He had it, and has it without measure (John 3:34; Revelation 3:1). (2) He has purchased it for His followers by His death. (3) He has received it for them (Psalm 68:18; Acts 2:33). (4) He has promised it to them. 2. As the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father, emphatically (Acts 1:4), so also of the Son (Luke 24:49; John 14:1; John 15; John 16.). He actually confers it (John 4:10; John 7:38; Acts 2:38, 39). III. HOW IT APPEARS THAT WE MUST HAVE THIS SPIRIT IN ORDER TO BE CHRIST'S. We cannot be Christ's unless we — 1. Know Him (John 10:14, 27), but we cannot know Him without the Spirit of Christ (Matthew 11:27; Galatians 1:16; John 16:14). 2. Love Him (1 Corinthians 16:22), but we cannot love Him without that Spirit, the fruit of which is love (Galatians 5:22; Romans 5:5). 3. Obey Him (2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 14:7; John 15:14; John 14:21; Hebrews 5:9), but we cannot obey Him without the inspiration and aid of His Spirit (John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 3:5). 4. Have an interest in Him, and are able to say, "My beloved is mine and I am His," but this interest in Him we cannot have without His Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). 5. Are united with Him, members with their head; but this we cannot have without His Spirit. 6. We have His mind in us; but this we cannot have without His Spirit; meekness, long-suffering, goodness, etc., being fruits of the Spirit. 7. Are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:21-24), and it is impossible we should be so without His Spirit (Titus 3:5). (Joseph Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. |
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