Section 17
the things of the Spirit. In Romans 7 the mind goes out to act independently; in Romans 8 the mind returns to rely upon the spirit, no longer acting on its own.
The mind has the position of a wife. The wisest way for a wife to live is not to act inde pendently, but to come to her husband. If the wife has a difficulty, she should not deal with it on her own. She should refer it to her husband. Romans 7 and 8 show us that the same mind may have two different actions. In chapter seven the mind acts independently in a wrong, self- assuming position as the husband. In chapter eight the mind becomes the proper wife, main taining her rightful position and returning to rely upon her husband, the spirit.
We conclude with 8:6. "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace." From this verse we can see that even the mind can be life. The independent mind cannot keep the law of God, but the mind set upon the spirit is life and peace. Such a mind is full of enjoyment and rest. Peace is for rest and life is for enjoyment. When the mind is set on the spirit, there is no defeat, condemnation, or negative feelings—only life and peace, enjoy ment and rest. The very mind that, in itself, is