Romans 8:12-15

Text

Romans 8:12-15. So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: Romans 8:13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 8:12-15

338.

We are indeed debtors to the lost world, (cf. Romans 1:14-15) and also to the Holy Spirit. What is our debt and how shall we pay it?

339.

There is a call upon us by one who claims we owe him something. Who is it and what is it? We do not owe him a thingnot one minute or one ounce of energy or one cent of money. We often pay what we do not owe.

340.

To live after the flesh is to die. Explain this. Be specific.

341.

By the help of the Holy Spirit we can put to death the deeds of the body. Explain how this takes place.

342.

In what particular manner are we led by the Spirit of God?

343.

Our sonship is revealed in what action? cf. Romans 8:14.

344.

What spirit is discussed in Romans 8:15?

345.

Where and when do we cry, Father, father?

Paraphrase

Romans 8:12-15. Well then, brethren, having such assistances, we are not constrained by the corruptions of our nature to live according to the flesh: we may overcome our evil inclinations.

Romans 8:13 Wherefore, I say a second time, if ye live according to the lusts of the flesh, ye shall die eternally; but if, through the Spirit of God, (Romans 8:9) ye put to death the lusts of the body by continually restraining them, ye shall live eternally with God.

Romans 8:14 Because, in every nation, as many as are habitually guided by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God: they partake of his nature, and are heirs of immortality.

173.

What are two present results of having Christ in us (Romans 8:8-10)?

174.

What is a yet future result of having the Holy Spirit in us (Romans 8:11)?

Romans 8:15 That ye Romans are the sons of God, appears from your dispositions. For ye have not received the spirit of slaves again to serve God from fear; that disposition the law produces; but, through the discovery [revelation] of the mercy of God in the gospel, ye have received the spirit of children, by which in our prayers we call him Father, each in our own language.

Summary

We owe the flesh nothing, that we should live according to its evil inclinations, Besides, to live thus will end in death. But if by aid of the Holy Spirit we put an end to the deeds of the body, we shall live. As many, and no more, as are led by God's Spirit are his sons; and we have this Spirit, for we received it at our baptism; and in it we now cry to him, calling him Father.

Comment

2.

New Life in Christ. Romans 8:12-17

a. With the thought of our wonderful deliverance found in Christ comes the thought of the new life in Christ. What responsibilities do we have as we thus live? Our responsibilities are expressed here in the words of Paul: We are debtors. To what are we debtors? We owe nothing to the flesh; we have died out to its bondage. We are debtors to the spirit. We know if we live out the desires of the flesh we will reap the penalty or wages of sin, which is death. But contrariwise, if we, although in the flesh, do not yield to Satan's efforts but rather put to death, by the help of God's Spirit, the suggestions and actions of the flesh we can indeed livelive unto God. Thus our debt is paid to the spirit. Romans 8:12-14

b. The result of such a life lived after the desires of God through the Spirit is to make us know that we are sons of God. There is no thought here of the Holy Spirit imparting knowledge apart from the word to enable man to be led by the Spirit. God leads us through his Spirit by the Spirit's word in the sacred scriptures, and by his Spirit's leading in providence. Romans 8:14

c. The Spirit we received was not a spirit that would lead us into bondage, bringing fear of punishment upon our hearts, like the condition as found under the law, which did truly lead into bondage and fear. But the Holy Spirit is the sign of adoption. He is the seal (Ephesians 1:13), the earnest or down payment (2 Corinthians 1:22) of our inheritance. Thus while letting the Holy Spirit have his way and living a life directed by the Spirit we can truly call out to God as Father. Romans 8:15

175.

Why are we not debtors to the flesh to live after the flesh?

176.

Compare the results of living after the flesh and after the spirit?

177.

How are we led by the Holy Spirit?

178.

Explain Romans 8:15.