Romans 8:12-17 (NRSV)
Read Romans 8:12-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh- Verse 13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Verse 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Verse 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" Verse 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Verse 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Devotion
Jumping into the middle of a film is disorienting. We often end up asking, "So what exactly is going on here?" At a midpoint of Romans it is said, "we are debtors." Paul includes himself and all who have been made new in the Spirit of Christ. It is no stretch of the imagination to say that we are part of this debt.
Contrary to popular myth, sin is still part of being human. We struggle between knowing new life in Christ and living it. Paul calls it "flesh." In Christ, the baptized are not held captive to death, but are included in his rising. What is more, we are given his Spirit and claimed as children of God. The Holy Spirit nurtures, prods and calls forth the new relationship. Our debt is not money or penance, but to embrace forgiveness and spill out Spirit-given hope.
Prayer
Lord God, thank you that we may call you Abba, Father, Daddy. We count on your Holy Spirit to guide the way. Hearken our hearts to receive, and "be" your presence today. Amen.