God For Us: Life In the Spirit

Living in the Spirit is an obligation.  12-13

12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—

13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

We are under obligation to the Spirit. 12-13

Since God has done all this in us by His Spirit then, we are under obligation literally it means we are a debtor.

First, freedom cost someone to obtain freedom.

Freedom is not free.  But to keep freedom that someone else has provided is not free either.  To keep freedom costs.  That’s what Paul is saying here.  You are free, but you are obligated or a debtor to the One who has provided freedom for you.

We must understand where our loyalties lie or Who we are under obligation to. We are not under obligation to the flesh, living according to the flesh.  In other words, we do not have to live according to the flesh.

You are not obligated to the flesh which leads to death.

You must put to death the deeds of the body, in order to live. 

Living in the Spirit has privileges. 14-17

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

You are led by the Spirit as sons of God. 14

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Isa. 30:21 “this is the way, walk in it.”; OT led by a pillar of cloud and fire even smallest child could see this; clear, conspicuous, and continuous same today people miss this because they do not look or do not follow

• through illumination 1 Corinthians 2:14-15
• through intervention
• through sanctification

You are loved by the Father as a son instead of a slave.

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16     The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

God’s love is demonstrated through adoption

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons. . .

spirit of adoption rather than a spirit of fear: adult sonship Biblical examples of adoption include Moses, Esther, Mephibosheth.  Under Roman law, legal and social relationships are severed with the biological family.  The child is permanently placed. Previous debts are eradicated. 

God’s love is demonstrated with access

15...as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

“Abba” tenderness, dependence, lack of fear; Jesus used this term in Mark 14:36; Abba Father let this cup pass; crying out “Abba Father” is parallel to “spirit of fear” that comes from being a slave.

God’s love is demonstrated with assurance. 16

16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

Assurance comes from the Spirit Himself.  The Spirit HImself

Assurance comes from the testimony of the Spirit Himself. testifies

Assurance comes from the content of the testimony of the Spirit Himself. We are the children of God                 

You are linked to the Son in inheritance, suffering and glory. 17

17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

These are all family terms.  The Spirit validates our family ties to the Father and the Son.

with an inheritance

17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ

with suffering

if indeed we suffer with Him

Suffering is the norm for believers in a fallen world (cf. Matt. 5:10–12; John 15:18–21; 16:1–2; 17:14; Acts 14:22; Rom. 5:3–4; 8:17; 2 Cor. 4:16–18; Phil. 1:29; 1 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:12; James 1:2–4; 1 Pet. 4:12–19). Jesus set the pattern (cf. Heb. 5:8). The rest of this chapter develops this theme.

with future glory

so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Jesus referred to His death and suffering as being glorified.  This idea connects perfectly suffering and glory in this passage. 

We not only have the privilege of sonship through the Spirit, but we also have the proof of Sonship through the Spirit.

Living in the Spirit is an obligation and a privilege. Our privilege and obligation is in the context of a family, God’s family. Because of our privilege, we do have an obligation. Because of our family privilege of sonship which includes adoption, access, and assurance; we are obligated to live by the Spirit to share in Christ’s inheritance, His suffering, and His future glory.

Previous Page