Last night during our small group Bible Study, we were camped out in Romans 8:1-11.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

What an incredible passage! Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans is a clear presentation of the Gospel, and then how believers fall into God’s plan, and he elaborates specifically how to live according to that plan. Because of Christ’s sacrifice once and for all of us, all believers are no longer condemned to death; there is no eternal punishment for us even though we still sin. Of course Paul is quick to point out that though we may be freed from punishment, we should never think it’s a free ride to sin or “live according to the flesh”. Maturity in Christ means to live “in accordance with the Spirit” and to desire what the Spirit desires.

At the end of December, I along with close to four hundred people, honoured the life of a woman who was dearly loved by so many and was my mentor and friend. Her memorial, was not a sad event, but a wonderful celebration of a life well-lived! Barbara was a humble servant of the Lord, serving tirelessly in numerous ministries, not wanting special recognition, but modelling what it means to honestly desire only what the Spirit desires.

This past weekend, another celebration of life was held for a dear man, who Pastored the Cowboy Church in Cochrane, Alberta and was known in the ranching and farming community far and wide. Bryn was a Cowboy poet, with a rich sense of humour, and a genuine love for people and the cowboy culture. Over one thousand people attended his memorial held in a large horse arena near Sundre. Bryn was a unique character in many ways, but his devotion to the Lord was evident in everything he did.

Both Barbara and Bryn are now in the presence of the Lord and have received their immortal bodies. They heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23) Though their lives may have deserved a round of applause from all who knew them for the impact they had on so many, they did not live for that kind of earthly recognition. They lived for that Glorious Applause from Heaven.

And they likely got a standing ovation too!