Our Obligation
May 19th, 2009 I had another article ready to post today, but felt led to write what is to follow. Quite frankly, I bring up this unpopular concept that I feel to be truth with quite a bit of trepidation. Knowing that it cuts against what is often preached in our churches, it would be much easier and safer for me to leave this discussion under the table and only talk about things that the church as a whole would agree with, but the more time I spend in God’s Word the more I am convinced that the full truth is not always being told.
How we all love to hear or read the first verse of Romans 8 which makes us feel all cozy because it says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Most of us can recite that verse with a smile on our face. Our actions now no longer condemn us. You and I now have no responsibility. We accepted Christ and we are safe. Boy, what a great thought that is. But is that really what chapter 8 is telling us?
Yes, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Verse one is clear. What most tend to leave out is just “who” is “in Christ Jesus.” Verse 4 tells us exactly who the “who” are. The first paragraph ends by saying the “who” are those “who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.”
Also unfortunately, very few of our leaders want to talk about the “if’s” that follow later in the chapter. We need to understand that all too often our people friendly churches don’t want to scare us away by telling us that we still have responsibility. Today, however, please read slowly and contemplate carefully verses 12-13.
“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation - but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
In that quote I put three words in bold print, two “if’s” and a “you.” The “if’s” are pretty self explanatory. The “you” is the big stumbling point. The “you” is us. God does not tell us in that verse that the Spirit is going to stop us from sinning, as many teach. It tells us that we, the “you,” have an obligation to put to death the misdeeds (sins). It is ultimately our responsibility. No one else does it for us. The Holy Spirit will help us if we ask Him, but in the end it is up to us to stop doing the things God does not want us to do. We still have free will, and we must take control of that free will and put an end to gossiping, telling lies, greed, cheating on things, having a temper, adultery, envy, drunkenness, lust, pride, selfishness, hate, immorality, unforgiveness, stealing, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.
It is time to have an honest talk with ourselves.
“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation …”
PS - I honestly thought I had finished this article with the above quote. I thought that was a pretty good ending. I shut down my computer and walked away. But God was not through. I truly feel that God just told me to write two more short final paragraphs.
Romans 6:19 says, “Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity …, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.”
We smile when we hear the old saying that it is impossible to be “a little bit” pregnant. We know that either a woman is really pregnant, or she’s not. There is no middle ground. I wonder, could it also be impossible to be just “a little bit” Christian?
May 21st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
I have experienced this transformation personally. This is right on Bob.
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Bob, Great post!
I had come to this same conclusion by simply reading the Word.
What I’ve come to learn is that if we learn how to submit our wills
to God by humbling ourselves-then the Holy Spirit can do a supernatural
work within us which will lead to the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
If we force the fruits of the Holy Spirit-just because we’ve memorized them yet
practice them in the flesh - that doesn’t cut it. Do they stem from a relationship with
God @ our core? Are we submitting our wills to God so that He can work though us as a vessel? Or are we just going though the motions because it’s the right thing to do?
If we continue to obey the 1st Commandment-I think the rest will all follow suit. We’ll have a relationship w/our Creator, cherish His word-study & obey it.
If we resist Him-then He will resist us. Always pray for a humble & contrite spirit so God can do a great work in us & we can learn how to live “in Christ” on a daily basis. Some days I live more “in Christ” in others & more in some situations than others. Obviously still a work in progress but I realize the ultimate goal.
Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all
those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I
look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and
trembleth at my word.
The meek will he guide in judgment:
and the meek will he teach his way.
Psa 25:9
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls.
Mat 18:2-4 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set
him in the midst of them, {3} And said, Verily I say unto you,
Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall
not enter into the kingdom of heaven. {4} Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest
in the kingdom of heaven.
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall
delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psa 37:11
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
Prov 8:13
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honor is humility. Prov 15:33
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,
meekness, longsuffering;
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that
shall humble himself shall be exalted. Mat 23:12
May 24th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Dear Lisa, You hit the nail on the head when you said that if we obey the First Commandment everything else falls into place. In Christ Jesus, Bob
May 26th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Bob: I believe that there would be a greater understanding about our obligations if you would
define more clearly what one must do to change their behaviors to meet God’s Obligations.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Dear Joyce, In that article I listed a number of sins that Christians continue to commit that obviously should be done away with. I’m sure I missed some, but the main thing in my opinion is to follow what Jesus said was the main commandment, to love God with all of our heart and soul and to love our neighbor. Everything else seems to take care of itself when we do that because we do not want to do anything that will displease God or harm our fellow man. As I read it our obligation in the context of the verses in the article, plain and simple, is to do everything within our power to not sin. Of course we will slip, and at those times Jesus is faithful to forgive. But to knowingly sin and keep on sinning is another matter altogether.
In His Son shine, Bob