Romans 8:12-14

Passage

Consequently, therefore, brothers and sisters, we are obligated not to the flesh – to live according to the flesh.  For if you all live according to the flesh you are about to die.  But if by the Spirit you all put to death the acts of the flesh, you all will live.  For each of you who are led by the Spirit of God, you are sons of God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Those who have the Holy Spirit are under an obligation, but not under an obligation to live according to the flesh.  However, this is a battle that we need to be reminded of often – as did Paul’s readers.  It is easy to fall into the trap of living for the flesh and the things of the world.  But our obligation is to God, to live for the Spirit.

What does it mean to you to live according to the flesh?  What does this look like in your life?  What does it mean for you to live according to the Spirit?  What does that look like in your life?

Second Thought:

Paul’s thought in the middle of this section is understated and easy to miss – but incredibly important.  If we live according to the flesh we are about to die.  Think about it, it’s true.  If we live according to the flesh, when we die we really and truly die.  If we live according to the flesh, salvation into eternal life is not within us.  If salvation is not within us, then we are truly one step away from true death at every moment.

How can this thought be genuinely sad?  How can this line of thinking help us look upon eternal salvation with the gratitude it deserves?

Third Thought:

Paul then gives us a reminder of an incredible reality in which we find ourselves.  If we have the Spirit within us, we are sons of God.  We deserve death, but the reality is that God grants us grace and gives life instead.  He opens His hands wide and not only embraces us, but welcomes us fully into His family.

How does it make you feel to remember that you are a child of God when you have the Holy Spirit within you?  How blessed are we to receive such grace from God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 8:15-17