THE CHRISTIAN OBLIGATION

Romans 8:12-17

It is said that in life “There is no free lunch.” Everything has a price. And we have all used the phrase: “If salvation was a thing that money could buy the rich would live and the poor would die.” That is true, salvation is the most important thing that any human being could ever wish for, and we have to pay nothing to gain it. But to keep it there is a very important responsibility, or obligation upon us. Paul makes that very clear from the very first verse of this passage: “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.” Make no mistake about it as precious and necessary as salvation is, Jesus offers it freely, but to maintain it we have to earn it. We have to subject ourselves to a careful discipline, and that is what this sermon will try to explain.

WHAT IS THAT OBLIGATION.

The obligation is to live christian lives. I believe Jesus wants us to live for Him every minute, every hour of the day. No one says it easy. Even the great Paul who here admonishes us to put to death every inclination of our sinful nature to do things contrary to the will of God, admits that it is not easy. Our obligation as Christians is to do the will of God in all things and at all times. In making this statement you will very well ask what are the things of God? I believe we all know them.In Gallations 5: beginning at verse 19: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.” But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control, against such there is no law.” Matthew Henry puts it this way How can we know whether we are after the flesh or after the Spirit? He answers it by saying we need to search our minds, what is our interests. The things of the flesh are carnal pleasure, worldly profit and honour, the things of sense and time, are the things of the flesh. On the other handThe favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit.”

HOW CAN WE KNOW WHETHER WE ARE AFTER THE FLESH OR THE SPIRIT?

Matthew Henry suggests that by examining what is on our minds.