Devotion for 11 June 2011 Anno Domini (Saturday after Ascension Sunday)

Devotion for 11 June 2011 Anno Domini (Saturday after Ascension Sunday)

“12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:12-18)

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.” We owe nothing to the carnal and fleshly bank. Having been born of the spirit, we are no longer in bondage to the flesh. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) Through the benefits of Grace, we are made free in Christ. “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” and “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22 & Romans 7:14)

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” The flesh is never righteous. It is diseased with the disease of sin and death. The wages of sin is death, and our carnal natures always thirst after sin. Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, what hope do we have left us? We have all benefits of Grace in the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Having been born anew, we live in the Spirit and not after the flesh. The Spirit constantly reminds us to shun the filthy and vulgar, and turn to righteousness.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” What a privilege and benefit to be called the sons and daughters of God! We are led by the Spirit, but we must follow our Guide willingly for we cannot be led in any other wise. Being the spiritual offspring of the Promised Seed of Abraham, we are Israel in the best sense of the term. “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” (Romans 9:7-8) The Jew has no special privilege through the flesh for all alike must come to the Father through the Son.

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” This is a most comforting and compelling passage! The Christian religion is the only faith wherein those who are truly converted to Christ may refer to God as ‘Father.’ No others may do so including Muslims, Buddhist, Jews, etc. What a special privilege we share in Christ, and what a familial relationship! “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor 6:17-18). If we are sons and daughters of the Father, how is our status different from the Lord Jesus Christ who is also the Son of God? If we had only the abominable ESV Bible to understand, we would completely miss the mark: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV). This version (and the NIV and others) make no distinction in the special status of Christ as the ONLY BEGOOTEN SON. If He is simply another son of God, He is no different from the rest of us sinners; but the distinction the Received Text Bibles make, including the KJV, is crucial to understanding our relationship to Christ and to God. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Please note that the distinction is clear and unavoidable. Christ is truly the Begotten of the Father and, therefore, of the same substance. He is the only one of all the sons who issues from the Father. We, on the other hand, are sons and daughters through the adoption. We are not natural sons and daughters, but have been privileged to be chosen to become the family of God through Christ. Therefore have we the Spirit of adoption in crying (intense entreaty) ‘Abba, Father!’

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Again, deep calleth unto deep! The child of God will have no doubt of whose child he/she is. The Holy Spirit of God certifies our belonging in our own spirits. If such an exalted witness is not believed, what comfort or security may we enjoy?

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Christ is our Great Brother, our Savior, and our Lord. Being children of God in Christ, we are joint heirs with our High Brother and Lord in all things. He loved us so much to give His life for us. What better friend or brother may we claim? And we shall be glorified together with Him.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” What is a flash in the pan compared to a forest fire and, yet, this illustration falls far short of the eternal glory we shall see compared to the temporary sufferings of a generation. What a blessed people we are. We are banking our treasures against the Eternity to come!