Romans 8

Romans 8

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God, but they can be very active on behalf of God. They can always come up with a new approach in their work for God. When they, by their methods, manage to gather large crowds to their meetings where they participate in singing religious songs, most people believe that Jesus is using them, so then we should not judge them for being conformed to this world.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh . . . .” “For the desire of the flesh is death.” Being “in the flesh” means you desire the things of the flesh, and “the desire of the flesh is death;” it doesn’t matter how large the movements are which they start, testifying that we need Jesus and singing religious songs. It doesn’t help if they perform signs and powerful works, saying, “Lord, Lord,” if they are not doing His will. Matt. 7:20-23.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15. This is a clear light. We need it in times like this. It is common for people to say that “a time will come,” but it is difficult to realize and believe that the time has come. It is written about “the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,” and that God will send them strong delusion, so that they should believe the lie, “that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2.

If we are to understand the times in which we are living, and all the deception that is on the increase, it is necessary to believe the instruction which Jesus gives: “For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15. We must also believe the instruction that Paul gives: “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God”; likewise what John says: “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”