Author : Elmer Moore (deceased)
reprinted by permission from Truth Magazine.
In Romans 8:9 the writer declares, “But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” There are at least three expressions in this passage that catch our attention, they are: “in the flesh,” “in the Spirit,” and “the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.”
The expression “in the flesh” must be understood in the light of the immediate context. To do so one must remember that a contrast is before the writers mind – a contrast between “walking after the flesh” and “walking after the Spirit.” The writer used the expressions “after the flesh” and “the mind of the flesh” to describe the one who is walking after the flesh. The expression “in the flesh” is just another term to describe this walk. In like manner the writer used the expressions “after the Spirit” and “the things of the Spirit” to describe the one who is walking after the Spirit. The expression “in the Spirit” is just another term to describe this walk. One must never lose sight of the contrast before the writers mind, (See Lesson Four of this series for a discussion of the contrast before Paul’s Mind).
I do not believe that there is any difference in the statement “Spirit of God” and the statement “Spirit of Christ.” The law of the Spirit described in Romans 8:2 is in fact the law of Christ. Jesus declared that the Spirit would guide the apostles into all the truth. That the Spirit would take “of mine,” and declare it unto them; and that “all things whatsoever the Father hath are mine” (John 16:14-16). The perfect unity that exists in the Godhead is seen in the revelation of divine truth. Thus the Spirit’s law is the law of God (Romans 8:7).
What then does the writer mean when he declares that “the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (verse 9)? He declares that the Spirit of God dwelt in them because they were “in the Spirit.” To be in the Spirit was the opposite of being in the flesh. Those who were said to be in the flesh were those who were walking after the flesh and minding the things of the flesh. Those who were “in the Spirit” were the opposite of those who were “in the flesh.” This is obvious from the contrast in verses 4-8. The writer pointed out that those who were walking after the flesh were insubordinate to the law of God (verse 7). Those who were walking after the Spirit were the opposite of those who were walking after the flesh; they were therefore subordinate to the law of God.
Note the following formulated argument: If one is in the Spirit, the Spirit of God dwells in him (verse 9). If one is elect to the law of God, he is in the Spirit. This is the obvious conclusion from the contrast presented by Paul. It follows that if one is subject to the law of God the Spirit of God dwells in him. This passage shows how the Spirit of God dwells in the Christian. When the Spirit’s law is in his heart directing his thinking and his life, producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24), then the Spirit of God dwells in him. Only in this sense does the Spirit of God dwell in the child of God. Every other passage that discusses the “indwelling of the Spirit” can be shown to harmonize with this truth.
Paul declares that “if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his” (verse 9b). As noted above, I see no difference between the “Spirit of Christ” and the “Spirit of God.” Hence, the term “Spirit of Christ” is named when the Spirit that revealed His law, the gospel of Christ, is intended. It is quite common for an author to be named when his writing is intended: Moses is named when the Law is intended (Acts 15:21); Isaiah is named when his writing is intended (Acts 8:28,30); Christ is named when the gospel is intended (Ephesians 4:20).
Inasmuch as the Spirit has a law, Romans 8:2, it is certainly in order to point out that the Spirit may be named when His law or message is intended. I believe this is true in many passages in the New Testament. We know that this is the case in John 3:5-8 where water is named and water baptism is meant and the Spirit is named when His law is intended. Compare also Acts 7:51-53. The Jews resisted the Holy Spirit by killing the Prophets that spoke as they were moved by the Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). They also resisted the Holy Spirit by receiving the law and not keeping it (Acts 7:52). The expression “Holy Spirit saith” in Hebrews 3:7 has reference to Psalms 95:7-¬11. Thus, the Holy Spirit is named when His inspired writing is intended. Just to mention a few. Thus, only the man who is willing to allow the Spirits law to control his life is one who can rightly be said to “be of His.”
