Not Debtors to the Flesh Romans 8:12

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you”, and in chapter eight and verse twelve of Romans, Paul told his readers, “we are debtors, not to the flesh” where we read:

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

The verse begins, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, ...” Paul began with the word, “therefore” which means “so then and wherefore”, “brethren” or “fellow believers who are united in Christ to one another by the bond of affection”, “we are debtors” which refers to “Paul, his companions and his believing readers owe, are bound and have an obligation”. Paul began to share to what he, his companions and his believing readers were “bound and obligated”.

The verse goes on to say, “... not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.” Paul continued with the words, “not to the flesh” which means “not at all and never toward that which denotes mere human and earthly nature of man apart from divine influence and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God”, “to live” or “to breathe, be active, fresh, strong, efficient, powerful, efficacious and full of vigor” “after the flesh” which means “according to that which denotes mere human and earthly nature of man apart from divine influence and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God”. Paul told his “brothers in Christ” they were no longer “bound and obligated” to live according to their “fleshly desires”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how Jesus eliminated the “obligation” to fulfill the “desires of the flesh”. Because of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling “believers in Jesus”, those who put their “faith and trust” in Him no longer have to be overpowered by their “carnal nature”. Jesus came to free people from their “sin”, and when they submit their lives to His Lordship, they are given the power to be free from “missing the mark, erring and being mistaken”. Let all who read these words consider the freedom that is available to everyone who “receives” Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Paul tells his readers, “if you live after the flesh, you shall die”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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