Reading 11: Astounding claims

I’m typically astounded by the claims the Bible makes, especially claims it makes about Christians. And this passage is no exception. Consider 8:9 “But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you” (NRSV). What’s the nature of the whopper being told of us here? It’s not that we are no longer bodily creatures. When Paul says, “…you are not in the flesh,” he’s not suggesting that our “real” selves somehow exist apart from our bodily existence. Being Christian still means that we are “in the flesh” as bodily creatures. But as bodily creatures, Paul is claiming that the dominating influence in our lives is no longer “the flesh.” What’s he talking about? “The flesh,” simply put, is life trapped in sin.

Imagine a canary in a cage. Its movements are dominated by the contours of the bars that surround it: it is a slave to its cage. Life lived “in the flesh” is life lived in the cage of sin. But of course that cage could be opened. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (NRSV). Behold the whopper: the cage has been opened because Christians have been given a different dominating influence in our lives, a different spirit, the Spirit. What does this mean? We haven’t been given a new teaching, a new way to think about God. Those could be adapted to cage life if only to cope with it. No, we have been given God’s very own life, God’s very own Spirit and this Spirit does not get on well with cages (cf. Galatians: 5:1 and 2 Cor.: 3-17). Of course, we can fly back in. But what a silly canary that’s perched in a cage with an open door!

Lutherans tend to emphasize the grasp of sin, and there’s good reason for this. After all, if we fail to grapple with sin’s reality, we can easily fool ourselves. But, is there a risk in over-emphasizing sin’s grasp? If so, how might this passage from Romans offer fresh insight?

Simply ponder the fact that God’s Spirit is “in” you for a moment. Choose which word(s) below best describes how this claim strikes you. Discuss with others why you chose the words you did. If a word not in the list comes to mind, run with it.

Heavenly Father, you have given us the Spirit so that we can live anew. Stir up that Spirit within us so that we may have faith in your Son Jesus Christ to walk in Resurrection light. In His name we pray. Amen.

–The Rev. Jonathan Weant serves as pastor at Bethany, Boone, with his wife Pastor Laura Weant. They have two children, Bethany and Lukas.