DEBTORS
Rom. 8:12-13 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Paul said we are debtors. Not that we could ever even think about paying back The Lord for all He has done, but he still said we are debtors. We can never go back to that other life in light of what God has done for us in Christ. We have been forgiven and been made sons of God. As a result, sometimes it feels like we have a big bullseye on us. I don’t want to sound paranoid or devil conscience but it seems like since we became Christians we are open season for all sorts of mischief. That’s what brings us to the next verse, because of the temptations that Christians face we are told to put to death the worldly lifestyle by the Holy Spirit. Now what could that mean? Albert Barnes spoke powerfully about these verses in his commentary on the Bible.
“Through the Spirit – By the aid of the Spirit; by cherishing and cultivating his influences. What is here required can be accomplished only by the aid of the Holy Spirit.
Do mortify – Do put to death; do destroy. Sin is mortified when its power is destroyed, and it ceases to be active.
The deeds of the body – The corrupt inclinations and passions; called deeds of the body, because they are supposed to have their origin in the fleshly appetites.
Ye shall live – You shall be happy and saved. Either your sins must die, or you must. If they are suffered to live, you will die. If they are put to death, you will be saved. No man can be saved in his sins. This closes the argument of the apostle for the superiority of the gospel to the Law in promoting the purity of man. By this train of reasoning, he has shown that the gospel has accomplished what the Law could not do – the sanctification of the soul, the destruction of the corrupt passions of our nature, and the recovery of man to God.”
Practically speaking, how would I do that? For me, it basically consists in two daily activities. First, it is consistent, systematic studying of the Word of God. God’s word is a weapon and is able to destroy the weapons that are aimed at us. Secondly, I pray in the Spirit. This puts me in touch with the supernatural realm of God. When we pray in the Spirit we are filled with God’s dynamic power which effects our tendencies to fall back into a worldly lifestyle. Paul talked about the Sword of the Spirit in Ephesians and used that as a term for God’s word. When we pray, we can pray in our heavenly language and also pray the scriptures. When you do that, you will be well on your way to a life free from the snares of the old way of life.
4 thoughts on “DEBTORS”
Thank you jesus! Thank you for the word of god! Thank you for truth that.sets us free,! Thank you for our intamcy with you jesus( prayer language)!have a blessed day!
Excellent Instructions, subjecting and ending that – that is not pleasing in His sight!!! Thank You Lord for Your Divine Guidance and way out of Sin. Amen.
Hallelujah, I can remember when i had been Baptized In 2004. I Went under the water and for some reason was doing the same thing. I ask the Lord why is this? No answer. Well as I started reading my Bible, I would stay in it maybe a whole week and fall out. Well this went on for a month or so. Was kind of upset, because I was suppose to change and here I am doing the same stuff. Well came across a scripture, plant your seeds in the soil, not rocky places or where weeds can smother them out. I said ha, that’s why. I need to constantly read daily and stay in my Bible. Well that’s me now. Thank you Lord. Haven’t fell out since and I will not.
Got to have the food and water to keep me strong and healthy, ha, I love you Jesus. At the same time ii didn’t know how to pray read scriptures or nothing, but thank you Holy Spirit for teaching me.
It’s amazing how Jesus takes over with the Holy Spirit. You don’t want to sin lie and do dirty deeds anymore you don’t want to hurt Him anymore. When I do make a mistake, i repent right there
and tell Him I’m sorry. I really really really have a Heart for Him. 🙂