Well, I fully accept Genesis 1:16, and Joshua 10:12-15 as they are written.
I do not believe in an allegorical interpretation on the creation account in Genesis 1.
I hold to a literal creation account. God created everything in six literal 24 hour days.
I also believe the miracles happened as written in the story of Joshua, as well. The sun literally stood still for Joshua, etc.; So I fail to see how these portions of Scripture help you to explain Romans 8:13 from a Belief Alone Proponent type perspective.
A basic normal reading on Romans 8:13 is supported by the context and by other cross references.
In Romans 8:13, "Live after the flesh is in reference to sin" is supported by the context:
#1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2).
#2. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with
him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Romans 6:6).
#3. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof (Romans 6:12).
The word "flesh" has been used in reference to sin in Galatians 5:19.
"Now
the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness," (Galatians 5:19).
In Romans 8:13, "Live after the flesh (sin) brings spiritual death" is supported by the context:
#1. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (Romans 2:8-9).
#2. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law (Romans 2:12).
#3. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22).
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists certain sins and he says that they that do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. This is talking about entering God's Kingdom and in being rewarded. The word "
inherit" is used elsewhere in the Bible as a reference to the sheep (the saints) who helped the poor in this life and they were told that they were going to inherit God's kingdom by their actions.
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: " (Matthew 25:34).
In Romans 8:13, putting to death the sinful deeds of the body by the Spirit brings eternal life (spiritual life) is supported by the context:
#1. Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God (Romans 6:13). "...become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." (Romans 6:22).
#2. So now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness (Romans 6:19). So might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21).
1 John 3:7 says be not deceived, he that does righteousness is righteous.
Grace reigns through righteousness (or righteous living) (Romans 5:21).
Proof?
Titus 2:11-12 says God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world.
Ephesians 5:25-27 says that the reason Christ died for us was to sanctify us with the washing of the water of the Word (Scripture) so that Christ may present to Himself a church that is holy, and blameless.
For Jesus agreed with the lawyer on the truth that we have to love God and love our neighbor as a part of inheriting eternal life (See Luke 10:25-28). We are told to walk after the Spirit and we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). For they that are Christ's have crucified the affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24). Note: I believe the point of our discussion that this can refer to grievous sin. So we are not talking about faults of character or minor transgression that the Bible does not condemn.
The Bible teaches that not all sin is the same.
Grievous sin would be lying, stealing, theft, hating, murder, etc.; The words "grievous sin" is taken from Genesis 18:20.
Minor infractions or
faults of character is another name for a "
sin not unto death" (i.e. not unto death = not unto spiritual death or the second death) (Note: While the "sin not unto death" mentioned in 1 John 5:16 is in context to confessed sin in John's epistle (See: 1 John 1:9), it can be extended loosely to refer to the kind of sins that do not lead to spiritual death by it's very name).
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."
(Psalms 19:12).
Examples of Sins That Do Not Lead Unto Spiritual Death:
#1. 1 John 5:16-17 mentions the "sin not unto death."
In context to
1 John 5: This would be talking about confessed grievous sin that one is striving to overcome with the Lord's help (1 John 2:1) (1 John 1:9) (Romans 13:14). In
1 John 5, the brethren are praying for this believer to have victory (life) over their sin as this believer confesses their sin.
#2. Psalms 19:12 says, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." I believe these would be faults of character or minor errors that a person might make with people. Example: A person may not be a great listener, and they do not allow others to speak like they should. By not listening to others may come off a little like they do not care (even though they care in their own way or a different way). Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem. The Spirit warned Paul not to go. He was still determined to go because he loved His fellow Jews and wanted them to know the love of Jesus. The Spirit told the brethren that Paul will be imprisoned by his going to Jerusalem. The brethren warned Paul not to go. They were in tears and loved him and begged him not to go. But Paul did not listen. He would not hear them. He did not want to hear it. Fault of character. Hidden fault. Minor error of his character. It is not something that condemned him (See
Acts of the Apostles 21, and read this article
here by Ray Stedman; Note: There is even a better write up than this one by Bible commentator James Boice
here; Please keep in mind I do not share their views on Soteriology, though; I merely agree with their view on what happened with Paul in
Acts of the Apostles 21).
#3. The Command to Be Baptized.
Paul says Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel (
1 Corinthians 1:17). If it was essential to salvation, then why would Paul say something like this? In
1 Peter 3:21: Peter says baptism is not for the putting away of the filth of the flesh. If you were to turn to
2 Corinthians 7:1, you would see that it uses similar wording ("filthiness of the flesh") that is clearly in reference to sin. So Peter is saying that baptism is not for the putting away of "sin" [i.e. filth of the flesh]. In other words, baptism is not a command that if disobeyed, leads to spiritual death.
#4. Other Commands in the New Testament that do not seem like a major violation of loving God and loving your neighbor that have no death penalties attached to them. One example would be the command to Rejoice when men persecute you or falsely accuse you of evil in
Matthew 5:11-12.
Real world examples: Going 5 miles per hour over the speed limit in area that is not life threatening to others. Not taking out the trash yesterday when it was a little stinky. These minor transgressions would obviously not send a Christian to hell.
But we as Christians strive to obey and do good in all things in the Lord. We strive to keep His commandments. For it is written,
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.' (1 John 5:3).
Side Note:
Please understand that it is not possible for a person to obey God's commands without them first being saved by Jesus Christ and His grace (i.e. by seeking forgiveness of their sin with Him, and believing in His death, and resurrection on their behalf). For Christians are initially and ultimately saved by Jesus Christ.