“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Romans 8:1-2

The devil has access to the Believer’s emotions.  Regrettably, many have mistaken participating in spiritual things as walking after the Spirit when in reality the devil himself is leading them around by their emotions.  The unbeliever can go to a rock concert and be brought to tears or worked up into a frenzy.  The lost can do many good things that soothe their conscience for a time.  So too can the religious attend seminars, “Christian” concerts, attend religious ceremonies and do many good works that are in fact as spiritual as those who don’t go under the banner of “Christianity”.

“²¹ Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the Will of My Father which is in Heaven.

²² Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast out devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23.

Friend, just because someone is doing many spiritual things…even if they are in fact Scriptural (praying, fasting, reading the Bible – all of which every Believer should be doing), does not mean they are necessarily walking after the Spirit of God.  Please allow me to explain; if the Believer has placed their faith in their part, their “activity” if you will, to obtain righteousness they have in reality attempted to pay for their righteousness through works…good works, Scriptural ordinances of every Believer – yet they were used as penance.  Consecration quickly turns to ambition and faith turns to greed.

Prophesying in the name of Jesus, casting out devils in the name of Jesus and doing many wonderful works in the name of Jesus are not requirements to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.   Faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, solely and exclusively, is the only requirement to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14

Faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, solely and exclusively, is also the only requirement for dominion over sin.  Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty of sin for the lost AND to break the power of sin for the Believer.  The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to free us from the law of sin and death when our faith is placed in our “consecration”…our good works, no matter how Scriptural. If our consecration is about “us”, it is ambition.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

Please do not walk away from this thinking I just said Believers do not have to read their Bible, pray, etc..  God forbid no!  If that is your understanding from this writing, then I have poorly said what I feel like the Lord has put on my heart.  Righteousness is not an activity but a Man, The Man – Jesus Christ.  In Him and only in Him are we free from the law of sin and death and able to walk after the Spirit.

Don’t mistake the doing of spiritual things as walking after the Spirit.  Even the lost can partake in spiritual activities.  However, only the Redeemed of the Lord can walk after the Spirit of the Lord.  Discern the fruit…not the spiritual activity, righteousness is not an activity.

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren