The entire chapter changes into two section. The first section is built over "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (v.10) The second half centres about v.32,"If God be for us, who can be against us?"
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." In order to live a life in the spirit we need step back from the clamour of life that demands our time most of which are distraction than helpful. "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." For one in the flesh his social capital is in his friends and it can unless one is wary can be exhausting. As in the case of the Prodigal son in the parable one builds up friends and keep them often drains his wallet. Come a change in fortune because of pandemic or depression one often realises many of them were fair-weather friends whose socialising was to feather their own nests and higher too. For one who died in the flesh in order to have Christ in him the second part of the Proverb quote is very apt. He is 'closer than a friend.' He died for us and "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."(v.34) We die in order to gain a friend whose fulness covers the earth as well as heaven." For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,/ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Who as a friend can match him who brings along God who shall love you as his very Son?
In vv.1-15 St Paul covered what shall be taken away when you are dead to sin. Carnally minded is enmity to God, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.' This has no place for us.
Overview of vv.16-39
The entire chapter changes into two section. The first section is built over "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (v.10) The second half centres about v.32,"If God be for us, who can be against us?"
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." In order to live a life in the spirit we need step back from the clamour of life that demands our time most of which are distraction than helpful. "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." For one in the flesh his social capital is in his friends and it can unless one is wary can be exhausting. As in the case of the Prodigal son in the parable one builds up friends and keep them often drains his wallet. Come a change in fortune because of pandemic or depression one often realises many of them were fair-weather friends whose socialising was to feather their own nests and higher too. For one who died in the flesh in order to have Christ in him the second part of the Proverb quote is very apt. He is 'closer than a friend.' He died for us and "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."(v.34) We die in order to gain a friend whose fulness covers the earth as well as heaven." For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,/ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Who as a friend can match him who brings along God who shall love you as his very Son?
In vv.1-15 St Paul covered what shall be taken away when you are dead to sin. Carnally minded is enmity to God, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh.' This has no place for us.
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