Romans 8:12-13 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 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.
Obligation means something we are compelled to do. The Holy Spirit speaks to us and compels us to become like Christ. When we live for ourselves, we are compelled to satisfy the distorted desires of the flesh and living in this world. Our attention is taken by thing things that satisfy self, pride, and lust. We do what we can to get ahead or survive by harming ourselves or others. The Holy Spirit gives us new desires. Our desires are transformed from taking to giving. We begin to love like Jesus. The way of the flesh leads to destruction, pain, and eventually death. The way of the Spirit brings new life and freedom. The key requirement is to “put to death” the old life through submission to the lifestyle of the cross. The self is put on the cross to die. This is a vivid way of talking about a person’s will and direction of life. Do we acknowledge God’s sovereignty in our lives or do we follow our own desires? We can follow God’s path by submitting, listening, and obeying as we live in faith and trust.
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