We are under obligation. Not exactly something human beings want to hear. Since the dawn of time, God’s creatures have rebelled against duty, obedience, and the reality of being dependent upon the One True God, who alone is the Source of Life. Even among professing Christians, we attempt to say so much of life is a grey area so that we can avoid discussing the deeper questions of how to glorify and enjoy God.
But brethren, we are under obligation. Of all the phrases of Romans 8, this is the one we rarely, if ever, discuss. This chapter beautifully presents us with so much of the Holy Spirit’s work in and around and through and for and in us. This “obligation” must be seen in that context.
Let us consider what it entails, and what it does not. When the Holy Spirit leads Paul to write that we are under obligation, he is not writing to unbelievers, but to the brethren, to those who are in Christ. To those who have the Spirit of Christ and do indeed belong to Him. (see Romans 8 to refresh your memory). So this obligation is not to gain entrance into the Kingdom of God, or to find acceptance with God, or in any way in reference to salvation. Those who are securely in God’s family, in God’s Kingdom, and have assurance of eternal salvation, and in whom the Spirit is at work conforming us to the image of Christ–those are told that they are under obligation.
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 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. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 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!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 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. Romans 8:12-17
Free from/Free for
Some want this ‘being led by the Spirit’ to refer to the Spirit telling you every step of the way what to do, how to do it, and even imparting new and intimate and very personal revelation. Yikes, beloved–this is not what this chapter teaches. Backing up to the top of the chapter, and in connection with the rest of the New Testament, what do we see?
He has set us free from the tyranny of our flesh, from the law of sin and death, from all the consequences that are our just due (Jesus having paid that penalty on the cross), from striving in all the wrong ways to make something of ourselves, from striving towards a feeling of ‘being right with God,’ from being mastered by our fleshly desires, from running amok with our lack of wisdom, and having our heart and mind caved inward (an inwardness making us incapable of love).
Free, and under obligation, to follow the Spirit’s leading. Free to love! Free to live life in His power! In this chapter, what does the Spirit lead us to do? As John Owen puts it, to mortify our sin. If you haven’t read his classic work Mortification of Sin, put it on your summer list. It is one of the most encouraging books!
By the Spirit we put to death the deeds that were once ingrained, by our own choice of having made them into habits; the deeds that had become knee-jerk reactions because we so easily, and eventually thoughtlessly, continued in them. These are also the deeds that we once tried to use to define our ‘self’ rather than believing we were more than our decisions and desires. Some sins were (or are) worn as “who I am” when in reality, when we are steeped in these sins we do not yet know our true self.
Now that we have come to know God and to be known by Him (Galatians 4:8 ) we are obliged to trust that the Spirit will lead us in life-giving ways, into true nourishment and enjoyment. We are obligated to believe that His work in us has freed us to continually commune with God, calling out “Abba, Father” no matter the circumstances.
Consider
11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6
You are a whole person, alive from the dead! In considering these things, and presenting yourself (another exercise of worshipping God with heart, soul and might) you will experience the Spirit transforming you (Romans 12:2) into His image (Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Until Jesus takes us home, He will be leading His people in this way, little by little, day by day, moment by moment, walking (no more than 3 mph) in the narrow way with Him. The Spirit at first regenerates us (Titus 3:5-7; see also here) and continually, faithfully, conforms us to the image of Christ Who is the firstfruits, the beginning, the second Adam, and our Head.
Do not grieve the Spirit, we who live by the Spirit ought also walk by the Spirit; we are obliged to be the branches that continually receive from the Vine, having received the promised Spirit and the promised rivers of living water (Galatians 3; see also here; John 7).
Over the next couple weeks we will ponder a few passages that speak specifically about our Gospel Obedience, in the meantime ponder this phrase from Romans 8, write it on the tablet of your heart, confess the ways in which your flesh is repelled at the thought of obligations or duties, and perhaps revisit Psalm 119.
image by Aaron Burden on Unsplash