"Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace."

Take this blessed promise with you. Don't let it slip. Minding the Spirit is life and peace.

First, minding the Spirit is keeping your eyes on Christ, even as Peter walked on water. Paul, in Rom 7:14-25, has his mind upon the flesh - his own! He cries out, "O wretched man that I am,” and he asks for deliverance. He finds it OUTSIDE OF HIMSELF by looking unto Jesus.

We need supernatural power to live the Christian life. We cannot function in human strength. Thus, as we look outside of ourselves, the Spirit works through faith in Christ. Romans 8:2 “because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Believing that He's reconciled us to God and paid for our sins, we are justified. Being fully righteous and totally accepted, we are quickened by the Spirit with amazing ability to obey God. Oh, how sweet it is. This is the joy of the Christian life, and we must keep our eyes upon Christ to experience it.

Secondly, life and peace are constant, if we look to Jesus.

We have hard things to endure and many distractions. We have disappointments and heart aches. We suffer tough losses. The power of the Spirit, however, is greater than all, as we receive Christ's comfort that all things work together for good [vs28], we are going to heaven [vs18-25], we are joint heirs with Christ [vs17], we have power to subdue the flesh [vs13], we have been predestined [vs29-30], and nothing can separate us from His love [vs31-39]. Receiving the truth inflames our souls with passion. We have a right to be enthusiastic. Peace comes, which surpasses understanding, and we have the joy and peace of believing [Rom 15:13]. How wonderful is God, as He transforms the mind from fear into contentment by the mighty power that raised Christ from the dead [Eph 1:19]. It's altogether miraculous and beyond our human strength.

Thirdly, life and peace is to be WALKED IN. We are not to let this go. We must not reject it. There's no other peace from God and no other way that He deals comfortably towards the soul. It's all about believing.

Therefore, abide in Christ and endure temptation. Repent quickly, and look to Christ again [Jonah 2:4]. Do not settle for cheap peace. Confess your sins and get joy [Ps 51:8]. Do not believe that He's forsaken you. If we have grieved Him, Christ's blood has still atoned and earned us the Spirit. Samson's hair grew back and so did his faith, so God returned.

Do not believe that you can walk as you wish. Eyes on Christ means bringing Him glory, because this is why the Spirit is given - to glorify the Son with obedience, which is living to make Christ known. Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.”

These good things of the gospel are our inheritance, but we must stop looking to ourselves for wisdom (how to live), righteousness, and strength. Which must look to the Father's will, which is glorifying Christ, the Son's merit, and the Spirit's ability, believing His promised help.