LESSON VI.—THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
2. What is said of those who have not the spirit of Christ? Verse 9. 3. How was Christ raised from the dead? Verse 11. 4. Of what may we be assured if we have, dwelling in us, the spirit that raised up Christ? 5. Who are said to be spiritually minded? 6. Who are said to be in the flesh, or carnally minded? 7. What is the consequence of being carnally minded? Verse 6. 8. What is the reward of being spiritually minded? 9. Can those who are in the flesh please God? Verse 8. 11. Can God be pleased with those that are not subject to his law? 13. Is our obedience acceptable unless prompted by love? 14. Does the natural, or carnal, mind have this love? 16. Is God willing to give us his Spirit? Luke 11:13. 17. How is this gift to be obtained?—By seeking for it. 18. What is the best evidence that we have the love of God dwelling in our hearts? 1 John 5:3. 19. What precious gift has God promised to bestow upon us? Eze. 36:26. 20. What aid has he promised to lend us, in order that we may be able to keep his commandments? Eze. 36:27. 21. How is a Christian character to be built up? None are the sons of God, but those who are led by the Spirit of God. Rom. 8:14. Those who have not the spirit of Christ are none of his. Rom. 8:9. It was by the Spirit of God that Christ was raised from the dead, and if we have, dwelling in us, the Spirit that raised up Jesus, we have the assurance that we shall have immortality given us when Jesus comes to gather his people. Rom. 8:11. They that follow the leadings of God’s Spirit are said to be spiritually minded. When people follow their natural inclinations, and give unrestrained indulgence to their appetites and passions, they are said to be in the flesh, or to be carnally minded. To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Rom. 8:6. For if we live after the flesh, we shall die; but if we through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live. Verse 13. Those that are in the flesh cannot please God, verse 8; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, and can never be subject to his law. Verse 7. God cannot be pleased with any who are not subject to his law, and no one can render acceptable obedience to that law, unless love to God prompts his actions; for love is the fulfilling of the law. Rom. 13:10. The natural, or carnal, mind does not possess the love of God, and cannot render acceptable obedience to his law; but love is the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22, and God is very willing to give his Spirit to those who seek him. The best evidence we can have of the presence of God’s love in the heart, is that we keep his commandments. 1 John 5:3. In Eze. 36:26, 27, God has promised to give a new heart, and to lend the aid of his Spirit to enable us to keep his commandments acceptably. We see, then, that not only the walls of Jerusalem, but the Christian character, is built up, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” Zech. 4:6.