life in the spirit
"If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the spirit you put to death the evil deeds of the body, you will live." —Romans 8:13
If we live according to the flesh, that is, according to our fallen human nature, we will die, that is, be damned in hell. It is therefore of supreme importance to be freed from the slavery of our fallen nature. We put to death the prideful, self-centered deeds of our fallen nature by the work of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we must be born again of water and Spirit (Jn 3:5), and we must live in the Spirit to live our Baptisms. "The flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; the two are directly opposed" (Gal 5:17). "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's lead" (Gal 5:24-25).
Our life in the Spirit is so precious. It is literally a matter of life and death, of salvation or damnation. Jesus prayed that we would be guarded from the evil one (Jn 17:15). We must be vigilant to guard our life in the Spirit from sin and occasions of sin, especially the raw sewage of much of our modern media.
Moreover, our life in the Spirit is so precious that we must make it a priority to nourish it through Mass, Confession, Bible study, Christian community life, and constant prayer.
Our baptized life in the Spirit is our lifeline to the Lord. Protect, nourish, and live fully life in the Spirit.
Prayer: Father, may I never quench (1 Thes 5:19) or grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30).
Promise: "Should not this daughter of Abraham here who has been in the bondage of Satan for eighteen years have been released from her shackles on the sabbath?" —Lk 13:16
Praise: Alberta prays regularly for those she has seen come alive in Christ through attending Life in the Spirit seminars.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our book, Living In Reality, or on audio AV 38-1, AV 38-3, AV 39-1, and AV 39-3.)
Rescript:
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, April 24, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 28, 2003