Bible Verse: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:12-13)
Scripture Reading: Romans 7:1-8:39
At the mid-point of the week and the mid-point of the book of Romans, it’s important to take a look at where we have been and where we find ourselves in today’s text.
Leading up to the outcome of a transformed life, as discussed in Romans chapters 7-8, Paul has written to the believers in Rome about the power of God as demonstrated in the offer of salvation. He has written to remind them that everyone is in the same boat when it comes to the need for salvation. And he has reminded them that it is rooted in God’s love, not in ourselves, because we are powerless.
Having gotten the believers in Rome to this point in his theology, Paul begins to discuss what impact their salvation has on their lives.
In a poignant and honest rehearsal of his own struggles with living according to the flesh (Romans 7:14-21), Paul acknowledges the difficulties of a life that longs to follow God but struggles to overcome the urges and yearnings of the flesh.
Enter the Holy Spirit.
Paul explains that the life we are called to live, once the power of God has led to our salvation, is done so in the power and presence of the Spirit. It is the Spirit that frees us from the law of sin and death. That law—the law of sin and death—is based on our keeping it. But the law really only showed us how sinful we truly were and how absolutely powerless we were to do anything about it…even if we actually wanted to.
The Spirit, however, frees us and brings us life (Romans 8:1-4). That freedom and life come with an obligation:
Through the Spirit, we are to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live in righteousness (Romans 8:12-13).
As soon as we read words like those, I’m guessing that, like me, a few things come to your mind—places in our lives where the deeds of the body are not quite cold and lifeless.
Men, we have our struggles. Some are perhaps more common, and others may be more uniquely our own. Whatever they are, whether rooted in our head, our heart, or our hands, the Spirit can help us put them to death.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for Your life-giving presence in my life. Strengthen me to live through You every day. Amen.
Reflection: Identify one place in your life where you need the Spirit’s help to put misdeeds to death. Make a plan for how to do that.
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