ROMANS 8:12-17 OBLIGATIONS I must stop here to consider and review what has happened since God was willing to take up a dealing of grace with me. I have been crucified with Christ, so in Him I have died to Adam, the human head through who sin has passed on to all men resulting in death for all men. But through the sacrificial death of Christ that chain has been broken and I am alive to God in the risen Christ. When that new life began, the Holy Spirit entered to dwell in this body of mine and use these body parts as instruments of righteousness. The power of the Spirit of life has made me free from the law of sin and death. Sin has no dominion over even this body that awaits the redemption of it when the Lord comes at the Rapture of the Church.
So even though my body is still dead to God, the indwelling Spirit is the controlling factor in my life - even when it comes to the use of the body. That makes me obligated as a debtor, not to the flesh to be living, but living to God. The demands of the body are the same, but by the power of the Spirit of God, these must be reckoned dead.
As a believer I must refuse the desires of the flesh to follow the old man's ways and submit gladly to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I know that nothing of the self-life is good. The sin that self tends to follow is a terrible thing. I, by the power of the Spirit, put that in the place of death and commit to the guidance of the Spirit. This does not mean I am like a robot without the ability to make moral choices. I am accountable to God and must assume the responsibility to be led by the Spirit as a mature son. This leading is a way of living constantly and consistently - not just to do some particular work. To be one of the sons of God has a family responsibility with it that includes a reputation to uphold.
In the past people lived in fear as they sought in vain to fulfill the demands of the law. That fear held them in bondage. This is not what Christians are under. We are not in a state of fear trying to uphold a perfect standard. Though we have been born again into the family of God, we have been placed there, not as incapable babies with no ability to fulfill God's will, but as adult sons. As such we have an awareness of who we are and who God is as our Father. The Holy Spirit communicates to us in our spirit, not the intellect, that we have been born into God's family. There is something fundamental in our spirit that gives us the consciousness of spiritual light, joy and privilege to respond to God Himself. There is ans inherent knowledge that we belong to Him. That knowledge is supported by the Word of God.
We know family members because of an inward work of the Holy Spirit. This is similar to a natural family of parents and children. There is a bond of nature that remains there and it cannot easily be explained. In the family of God, we find ourselves heirs of God with many others, and there is a link of love there with them when we meet. All believers have received the "divine nature" and we have a relationship with all of the children of God. Because we are children, we are heirs of God - and joint heirs with Christ!! This another great evidence of the amazing grace of God. We share God's blessings with the Eternal Son of God!!
During the brief time we have on earth, we may be called upon to suffer with Christ. Godly living and suffering go together. To avoid that suffering may sometimes be the choices of some, but there is something basic in believers that will enable them to endure the suffering and enjoy the glory with Christ. These two things go together because the first one, enduring suffering, makes us fit to reign with our glorified Lord who endured suffering and is now glorified.
There are obligations we owe to this new life. When we became God's children the old nature lost rights To claim my attention that I might yield to temptation, And make me a slave again to sin's subjugation.
By the Spirit of God, we must put to an end, The deeds of sin on which the flesh depends. That same Holy Spirit is the One who leads Us into paths of righteousness when to Him we give heed.
No longer cringing slaves fearing what is ahead,
This body of sin is to be reckoned dead To sin and by the Spirit alive in Christ, And as sons of God eternally blest.
Now by the Spirit we live and can call God, "Father." We have been blessed in Christ and to Him we give honor As Savior and Lord, and through Him we've been made heirs, For we through the Spirit, the glory of Christ shares.
This is not a reason for pride, but for humility. There is nothing in us by nature that one could ever see That would recommend us to be one of the heirs of grace, It is God's grace alone that gave us this privileged place.
This does not mean everything in life will always be smooth. There is much we have gained and maybe some things to lose. Suffering may occur and there may be a high price to pay When we refuse to compromise or go in the world's own way.
"To them to whom much has been given, much is required." Not as a payment for blessing received, but by love inspired, To die to this world and live unto God each day, And by the Spirit, "Abba Father," we have a right to say.
"Heavenly Father, to be one of Thy redeemed and an adopted son is a great blessing I know I never deserved. But I know this is a fact and for this I give Thee my heart-felt thanks. Please help me to honor and represent Thee well today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."