Under Gods Command
Life Through the Spirit
Romans 8:10-16 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. (11) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (12) Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. (13) 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, (14) because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (15) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (16) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
The Holy Spirit is God’s promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him. The Spirit is in us now by faith and by faith we are certain to live with Christ forever.
“Put to death the misdeeds of the body,” means to regard as dead the power of sin in your body (see 6:11;Galatians 5:24) When we regard sin’s appeal as dead and lifeless, we can ignore temptation when it comes.
Paul uses adoption or “sonship” to illustrate the believer’s new relationship with God. In roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained at the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father’s estate. Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, he or she gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family. One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Spirit (Galatians 4:5,6). We may not always feel as though we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us with God’s love (5:5).
We are no longer cringing and fearful slaves; instead, we are the Master’s children. What a privilege! Because we are Gods children, we share in great treasures as coheirs. God has already given us his best gifts: his Son, his Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and eternal life; and he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need.
Lets Bring it Home: What family do you belong to? Who’s your Father?
Under Gods command 