"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."        John 6:63

People are often offended by Christ. And one of the particular offenses is the teaching that the Spirit quickens or gives life and that the flesh counts for nothing. But the truth is that flesh cannot quicken and make a person alive. The flesh can neither profit nor count for a person. People do not like to accept or think about the zero value of the flesh. They do everything they can to keep its youth, attractiveness, and stamina. But before too long, the flesh proves unprofitable; it ages, deteriorates, and surrenders to the process of decay. When a person dies, his flesh is gone forever.

Such a thought—despite its truthfulness—offends people. They love the world and the flesh, its pleasures and feelings. But the truth of the matter is this—only the Spirit can quicken a man and make him alive, giving him abundant and eternal life. How? By receiving the Word of Christ. The words that Christ spoke were Spirit and life. When a person receives the words of Christ into their heart and life, they begin to live. What sounds better to you? Living according to the flesh, that ultimately deteriorates and dies—or living according to the Spirit that Christ has given the believer that ultimately leads to eternal life in Christ.

Study Questions:

• Are you offended by this particular truth in Scripture? If yes, why?
• When is it the easiest to live into your flesh and not the Spirit?
• Do you feel more alive now that you have the Spirit dwelling inside of you? If your answer is no, what are some ways you can change that?
• Today you are being quickened and made alive by the Spirit. Meditate on that truth, and come up with ways in which you can be reminded of this truth daily.