Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

QT 19 Oct 11, Not slaves--now heirs


Rom 8:11-17 (NIV) 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. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

NOTE: Paul says that "if you live according to the sinful nature you will die." But Paul has already said that the gift of God is eternal life with an emphasis that the gift is different from the trespass.  The difference while immeasurable in the results has more to do with the foundations (wages versus gift).  The results of the trespass are earned while the results of the gift are by definition, given (where there is no boasting).  So what is the death then of verse 13? I think it is a death that occurs here on earth, primarily physical but also with spiritual effects.  Living for the sinful nature will not bring about our sanctification, and it will deprive us of rewards that we do earn by our Christian life (we can't earn salvation, but we can earn rewards).  It does not change our status as sons or as heirs.  Spiritually, our life will fail to show much power or effect in other's lives.  At the end of time, when we cast our crowns (our rewards) toward the savior in thankfulness for our salvation, we will be empty handed with no gift to offer.  Therefore it is of the utmost importance that we are led by the Spirit and not by the sinful nature.
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