Romans 8: 12-17
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation–but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Ababa, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are God’s children, we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
A Thought
When we accept the redemption of our sins by the blood of Jesus the Christ, we are to lose our old sinful nature and receive the mind of the Spirit of Christ. We no longer accept the mind of the old sinful nature that cannot please God; we have Christ living in us. Our body is dead because of sin and we are now alive in Christ. We have an obligation to put to death the misdeeds of the body–we are to sin no more. We are to be led by the Spirit of God as the children of God. As his children we worship him as Father; we are his heirs; we are the co-heir with his Son Christ. If we are to share in the glory of Christ, we must also share in his sufferings.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for the forgiveness of our sins and your Spirit that now works within us to crucify our old sinful nature along with the misdeeds of the body. We desire to live by your Spirit and not to fulfill our old desires of the flesh. We desire to be transformed and to live as your children led by your Spirit. We ask that you strengthen us to share in Christ’s sufferings. We worship you as our “Ababa Father” in Jesus’ name, amen.
