⁶ For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 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, ⁸ and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

In our justification, many things have changed; therefore, we consider them to be so. The one who has not been justified by grace through faith has his mind set on the flesh. But the justified person has his mind set on the Spirit. It is the difference between life and death. The one is hostile toward God; the other pleases God. The old way of life, for the Christian, is now detestable. There is no in-between. The apostle lays out the stark reality.

Why is this an important distinction to make? Does this not divide our common humanity into an “us” versus “them” mentality? Certainly since history began, wars and conflicts have been fueled with a compulsion to consider ourselves and our people as being different and better than other people, nations, tribes or races. Distinctions like this are based on pride and exceptionalism. Somehow I am better than others because I am the center of the universe. After all, when I look out, my vision of the world goes out from me, and all sensory experiences come back to me—that is, from my perspective. And I am locked into my perspective. This is the mind of the flesh, the centrality of me in the universe and the thinking that something in me merits goodness and justification.

However, justification with God is sourced in Him, because our self-centered perspective falls short of God’s glory—we are found to be sinners. So there is no pride in the biblical “us” versus “them.” The “us” are those who have set aside their arrogance and self-centeredness for the only acceptable motivation in life, namely, to “please God.” That is the mind set on the Spirit, and that is life. Anything else is death.

The implication of this for Christians is this: we need to consider it to be true, just as we did in our salvation. Our belief needs to continue on past the initial coming to faith. As Paul writes elsewhere, “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him…” (Col 2:6). While our salvation is a sure thing, our faith is not to be static. We begin our new, resurrected life through faith, but remember, “the righteous man shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17). Our salvation by faith is an introduction to a life of faith. Sanctification is continuing in faith that God justifies us. We need to continue to reckon it to be so!

Lord, I do believe and continue to believe that You have justified me; and even though I still fall, Your grace is sufficiently greater than all of my sin.