Things of the Spirit

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 

Romans 8:5

Even as I read the New Testament, particularly Roman 8, there is a resounding message: Things of the Spirit. Contrary to the "Word of Faith" or more commonly known as the Prosperity Gospel, the Bible constantly put our focus on the things of the Spirit.

As I read Romans 8, I simply cannot agree nor comprehend that the promise and reward of God is anything tangible like wealth and health. Instead, Romans 8 constantly speaks of the Spirit, which is life. Romans 8 also speaks of hope and promised glory as adopted sons. To make the contrast worse, Romans 8 mentioned that as heirs of God, we share in suffering with Christ, in order that we may also share in His glory.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 

Romans 8:11

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 

Romans 8:14-17

As you may already see, the promised reward of God is never earthly wealth nor material prosperity. For if it were so, Paul, as a spiritual giant and faithful servant, he would have been a powerful rich man. But instead he kept talking about his suffering and ultimately was imprisoned to suffer with Christ. But Paul counts his suffering of poverty and humiliation as nothing in comparison to the promised glory.

As an apostle whose mind is set on things of the Spirit, Paul constantly overlook his physical and material needs and finds hope in a far greater reward to his physical need. Paul must have understood that his concerns should never be of the material, but of the higher and greater treasure lies in wait for him in Heaven. That promised treasure has a far greater value than the earthly riches that he would have enjoyed. That's why his focus is on the things of the Spirit.

A truly transformed and Spirit-filled believer does not possess a mind or constant concern for their status, wealth or physical well-being. A true believer counts them as nothing, just as Paul counted his high place as a Pharisee and religion of flesh as nothing (Phil 3:8). A true believer leaves their physical and earthly concerns to the Lord, knowing that He will sustain them, and focuses on their pursuit of the things of the Spirit. So then, there must be a problem somewhere when believers are putting their focus on the blessings of God than the suffering for His ministry.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:6-8

Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 

Romans 8:9

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 

Romans 8:13

Romans 8 warns us that the mind sets on flesh reaps death. Romans 8 mentioned more than 3 times, that the things of the flesh reaps death. So then, why when we are set free to life through Christ, do we still keep our minds with concerns of the things of flesh. Why do we  keep our overly concerns for our wealth, lives and health, knowing that such thought does not reap life but death?

Brothers and sisters, the ultimate prize is here: an eternal life spent with Christ, in whom you shall find every satisfaction. It was in Him that Paul finds his reassurance and perseverance. It was in Him that Paul would throw everything out of the window in order to gain Him. It is in Him alone where we find the treasure where nothing can destroy.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 

Romans 8:1-2

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 

Romans 8:18-21

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8:38-39

If the ultimate promised reward of God is not Christ Himself, Paul would have labored in vain. It was in the assurance of that indestructible, inseparable love of God that empowered him to continue to suffer with Christ. The reward, is Christ Himself, who is far more desirable, beautiful and satisfying than anything on this Earth for us. Therefore, for every blessings that we enjoy from God, we enjoy gladly, but we count them as loss, in comparison to the wonderful reward of Christ. Let us respond as Paul did:

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 

Philippians 3:8