So far we have seen that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live released from our performance and that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live released from our old mindset. Today, we see Paul conclude this section of his letter to the church at Rome by revealing the third way that the power of the Holy Spirit empowers us live a life that is released from the domination of selfishness and rebellion and is instead becoming like Christ in character and conduct, beginning in verse 12:
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- 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. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 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!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.In verse 12, Paul explains that in light of the fact that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live released from the requirements of the Law; in light of the fact that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live released from our old mind set, we are under obligation not to live according to the flesh. When Paul uses the word obligation here, he is referring to a moral obligation to do something. And here we see Paul reveal for us the reality that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live released from our old obligations.
In verses 12-13, we see Paul explain that the Holy Spirit obliges us to leave a lifestyle of selfishness and sin. We are no longer obligated to live a life according to our old nature that is dominated by the evil and destructive power of sin. Paul then reminds the members of the church at Rome that to live according to the obligations of our old nature results in eternal separation from God. However, if you are conducting your lives according to the Holy Spirit’s guiding and controlling influence and alignment by putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. The phrase “putting to death” involves ceasing activities that flow from our old nature’s selfishness and rebellion which results in evil and destruction.
Paul’s point here is that a life that is controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit will leave a lifestyle of selfishness and sin that is focused and looks forward to living in the relationship with God that you were created for in Heaven for all eternity. Paul then provides the reason why followers of Jesus can focus and look forward to living in the relationship with God that you were created for in Heaven for all eternity in verse 14: “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” You see, the Holy Spirit not only obliges us to leave a lifestyle of selfishness and sin; the Holy Spirit also obliges us to embrace our new lifestyle. A lifestyle that is led by the Spirit of God.
In verse 15 and 16, Paul provides the reason why we can embrace a lifestyle led by the Spirit of God. You see God did not give us a Spirit that enslaves us again to the fear of condemnation and separation as a result of selfishness and sin. Instead, God gave us the Holy Spirit that accepts us and shows that we are accepted by God as His children. The Holy Spirit is not a Spirit of fear, but of comfort; a Spirit that enables us to cry out to God in prayer in the most intimate language possible. Just like today, in Paul’s day an adopted son enjoyed the same privileges as natural-born sons.
Paul’s point here is that followers of Jesus have access to the same intimate relationship with God that Jesus has through the Holy Spirit. And we can have confidence in that reality because the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. As we cry out to God in our spirit the Holy Spirit speaks with our spirit to provide the evidence that we have the same access and intimacy with God that Jesus has. The Holy Spirit obligates us to embrace our new lifestyle as a child of God as He speaks with our Spirit as we cry out to God.
Paul then concludes by reminding the readers of this letter of the implications that their adoption had when it came to their relationship with God. In the Roman culture of Paul’s day, like it is in many cases today, adopted children often become co- heirs with the natural children of their parent’s estates. This morning, did you know that, as a follower of Jesus, you are a co-heir with Jesus Christ of the Kingdom of Heaven? We share now, and in all eternity, with Christ, all the blessings that come from living in relationship with God as part of His kingdom. And because of the reality, the Holy Spirit obligates us to embrace our new lifestyle as an heir to the kingdom of God.
Because our rescue releases us to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. And it is the Holy Spirit that empowers us to be released from the requirements of the Law. It is the Holy Spirit that empowers us to live released from our old mindset. And it is the Holy Spirit that empowers us to live released from our old obligations.
So, if you are a follower of Jesus, are you living a life that is released to live in the power of the Holy Spirit? Or are you still trying to live your spiritual life without using what God has provided to empower you to follow Jesus?
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