“In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.” —Michelangelo

Just as Michelangelo sculpted, so God is sculpting us. All the things in our life that don’t look like Christ, He is at work, chipping away. Yield to the chisel, beloved. It is worthy work.

This week, we’re moving further into Romans 8 and learning about life in the flesh v. life in the Spirit. My prayer for you is that you move slowly through this, and have a divine encounter with our Almighty God. Amen and Amen.

Romans 8:5-8

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

• I've been reading The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas, who is a pastor of a church in Brooklyn, NY. One of the formed practices to build a contemplative rhythm is the slow reading of Scripture. We're such a scrolling society, and our "consumption culture" has influenced how we engage (or don't) in holy Scripture. The author talks about how we tend to approach Scripture not as an object but as a subject.

It's more than ancient words on a page. Scripture is not to be approached as an object of our inquiry but as an animating force setting its gaze on us. It's learning to ask, "Lord, what does it say?" as we read and reread a short passage of Scripture. 

• As you read and reread these few verses from Romans 8:5-8, what does it say? Ask the Lord to show you a word or short phrase that He wants you to encounter with Him.

• Now, taking that short passage of Scripture and just chewing on it by reading and rereading it several times, ask, "Lord, what are you saying to me?"

• The third movement is prayer. "In meditation, we are aware of God's Word being spoken to our hearts...now we reciprocate that movement and offer words to God from our hearts." This approach to sacred reading emphasizes our response to God's gracious Words, and we ask ourselves, "What do I want to say to God?"

• I deeply identify with these few verses in Romans 8 as I practice the slow reading of Scripture and continue to contemplate the meaning. My memory goes back to when my mind and heart unceasingly sought what broken man sought. As it reads, "those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires." How true. I have walked that road and experienced how "the mind governed by the flesh is death" in my heart.

• I still return to those familiar, deathly inroads in seasons. I talked a couple of weeks ago about the wrestling of our walk and how we all encounter the willing Christ who wrestles with us as we progress in our faith. What a comfort to know He is not wrestling against us, but He wrestles with us even when we wander.

• I am grateful for the grace of Christ Jesus, who saw me in my death and chose me. I am thankful that I now have the mind of Christ. I am grateful these verses don't end here and leave me in this carnal flesh and exhaustive effort of trying to break free. Thank you, God, for a restorative and redemptive plan!

Romans 8:9-11

9 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. 10 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. 11 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.

• The beginning of verse 9 should pierce your heart: You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh.

• No matter your experience with verses 5-8 and how real they may feel even today in the wrestling, the Spirit of God rests at home in you. You, beloved, are no longer in the realm of the flesh but have been replanted in the heavenly Eden to bear much fruit for others (Psalm 1:3).

• Let's again practice the slow reading of Scripture, just as before. Go back to verses 9-11 and read them slowly a few times. Then, practice this rhythm:

  • Lord, what does it say?

  • Lord, what are you saying to me?

  • What do I want to say to God?

• I hope you spend a few minutes being still and practicing "chewing" and "meditating" on God's Word. It will bless your own heart, and in turn, bless those around you today as you bear fruit for Him.

"Unless we are immersing ourselves in Scripture for the purpose of being encountered by God (not merely observing the text), we will find our formations in Christ limited. God has spoken in Jesus and has spoken through his written Word. We are invited to slowly enter into that world."