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. – Romans 8:7
In May, the California Senate passed legislation that would require half of all new vehicles manufactured or sold in California to have speed limiters installed by 2029. The percentage would increase to 100 percent by 2032. The speed limiter is a passive system that would give drivers both audible and visual signals when their speed is more than 10 mph above posted limits. The California Assembly has until August 31 to pass the bill, then it would require the governor’s signature to become state law. Many automakers already offer systems in their new cars that parents often install to restrict their teenagers’ speed. Regardless, it remains the human inclination to rebel and ignore the rules of the road. Perhaps the installed governors will control what their minds will not.
British theologian and academic Reverend Charles Cranfield explained, “Fallen man’s fierce hostility to God is the response of his egotism (which is the essence of his fallenness) to God’s claim to his allegiance. Determined to assert himself, to assert his independence, to be the centre of his own life, to be his own god, he cannot help but hate the real God whose very existence gives the lie to all his self-assertion. … That mind of our fallen nature (its assumptions, desires, outlook, etc.) which is enmity toward God is also unsubmissive to His law, and indeed by its very nature is incapable of submitting to it.” Even the best intentions of the carnal mind fall short of God’s righteousness. Paul states in Romans 8:8, “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.“
Christian author and theologian William MacDonald wrote, “There is nothing an unsaved person can do to please God — no good works, no religious observances, no sacrificial services, absolutely nothing. First he must take the guilty sinner’s place and receive Christ by a definite act of faith. Only then can He win God’s smile of approval.“ As you yield to Him, the Holy Spirit living within you becomes the governor of your life. He transforms you to become more Christ-like. Be willing to turn the controls over to Him. As you pray this for yourself, intercede also for believers in government to be willing to “take their foot off the gas” and be directed by the Lord.
Today’s Verse: Romans 8:7
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 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. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 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. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
