New Years resolutions often bring a desire and commitment to hit the gym, lose some holiday weight, and start some healthy habits.
Have you ever wondered why it is that the natural proclivity of our bodies is to turn to mush?
It may not be genetics as much as it is spirit. Scripture speaks about the flesh, as being a rotten spiritual force, dragging us to death, like some sort of enticing donut dinner. It seems that our physical bodies, born in sin, are predisposed to unhealth and death and behind this or embedded within the genetics of our being is another spiritual force guiding and directing our thoughts, habits, and actions.
This can manifest in any number of ways including hunger for junk, bad reactions, and corrupted/broken systems. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are all results of an enemy deep within. But are we doomed to fall to the relentless call of the deep fried cake of death? Or is there a way out?
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
Romans 8:9-11 NIV
Two things come to mind. First, there is another greater force deep at work within every believer. And second, you are not alone.
The Greater Force – The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit of the world, is mightier than your flesh, and can even overcome the dominion of the donut! But to engage this Spirit we have to set our minds in the Spirit. The daily, moment by moment spiritual disciplines, shift our attention to the one who brings light and life. Christ himself overcomes the forces of death in my mortal body.
Not Alone – The necessity of Christ’s community cannot be overstated. The call to gather is a dominant part of the battle. You have heard it said that showing up is 99% of the battle. This is absolutely true here. As iron sharpens iron, Spirit filled brothers and sisters pick one another up and encourage us to overcome obstacles we have perpetually failed to conquer. This team attitude can only be truly experienced in the flesh.
The qualitative difference between mountain biking a trail with friends – filled with the mud, mosquitos, chatter, and burn – dwarfs the cheep imitation of Peleton like relationships and experiences. You need them and they need you so be there!
