| Romans 8:12-13 "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation-but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." To have an obligation is when someone has to obey the other party because of his insolvency. Before we became believers, we didn't have any freedom, even though many of us thought it appeared that we could enjoy lot of freedom by doing whatever we wanted. In fact, those people didn't have the freedom not to sin. They just lived according to the lust of the flesh. They couldn't do right things and resist evil in their life. They were actually without freedom, like someone who was in debt and had to pay back. But it is no longer the same after we become believers, for the work of Christ has already put us in the position of conquerors, free of bondage of evil. However, it doesn't mean we will be sanctified naturally. Many Christians mistakenly think sanctification happens naturally, which results in two mistakes. First, they fail to realize that they have to be responsible for their spiritual growth, thinking "we don't have to do anything, since the Spirit will do it for us". Then they become very discouraged, thinking that God must have forsaken them, otherwise why hadn't they experience any victory? In verse 13 Paul says that believers now have the freedom to choose to live according to either the flesh or the Spirit. Paul specifically mentions that we can "put to death the misdeeds of the body by the Spirit". It confirms that we need to work actively with the Spirit. Whenever we trust in the Spirit and actively resist the enemies, the enemies will turn back. Do you still have fleshly lust or emotions in your life today? We cannot just let it grow freely. Instead, we need to put it to death by the Spirit. Every time you lost your temper, just take a moment and decide whether you should just lose temper like this, or put it to death in the name of the Lord, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Every time you start to complain, just take a moment to decide whether you should keep the spirit low or break it off in the name of the Lord. A believer should realize that you always have the options regardless of your circumstances and wealth. You can either rejoice in the Lord or stay in sorrow and weakness by yourself. Which option will you take? 
Pray with Pastor Tong Liu Lord, we especially pray for the brothers and sisters in the name of the Lord that you break off any bondage or hindrance in their life. May the Lord open their eyes so they can understand by the authority you give them, they can triumph over any fleshly lust or emotion so as to be conquerors and more than conquerors through you every day. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
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