For If Ye

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; (Deuteronomy 30:15)

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13)

"For if ye." Who are the "ye" spoken of in Romans 8:13?

This is an important question.

The writings of the Apostle Paul, as well as the other Apostles of Christ, contain lists of sins and warn us that if we continue in these sins we will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Because of today's gross overemphasis on grace, grace being defined only as unconditional forgiveness or an all-inclusive panacea, these lists are viewed as being directed at unconverted people. If we are saved by unconditional forgiveness, and God sees us only through Christ, then the Apostles could not be referring to us when they warn that those who continue in sin will die spiritually, will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

It is difficult to realize how well-intentioned believers who believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures could ever have arrived at such tortured reasoning.

We must establish, first of all, that the "ye," in Romans 8:13, is speaking to Christians and only to Christians. The greeting at the beginning of Romans tells us to whom the Book is addressed.

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)

Numerous statements in the first eight chapters of Romans indicate that Paul is writing to Christians, in particular, Jewish Christians.

The verse that precedes Romans 8:13, shows that Paul is speaking to the "brethren," not to people who are not Christians.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (Romans 8:12)

That the "ye" are Christians is established by the fact that they have the opportunity to attain to life by putting to death the deeds of their body. The unsaved have no such opportunity.

The "ye" are Christians. This is true of all the writings of the Apostles. The several warnings that those who continue in sin will not inherit the Kingdom of God are all addressed to Christians.