By Joshua Liechty, a sophomore molecular biology/biochemistry major from Archbold, Ohio
Scripture: Romans 8:6-11 (NRSV)
Throughout this passage, the idea of the Spirit of God and the body of Jesus are intertwined but kept purposefully separate. We are all balancing spiritual and Earthly lives at the same time, and this passage is trying to remind us how important each one is, while warning of the dangers of fully living into Earthly lives without the Spirit. I love the final verse combining the two ways of life, saying that the Spirit within and around us feeds both our physical selves as well as our spiritual selves. The capacity we as humans have to love and care for one another in the Spirit of God gives life to our physical bodies. During this Lenten season and beyond, seek to be one with the Spirit of God in order for your actions to be life-giving to others.
Scripture: Romans 8:6-11 (NRSV)
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
10But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.