If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:12-13, So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For 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.
Our pastor has been teaching about “Grace driven effort,” and part of that is what Paul refers to here, putting to death the deeds of the body. Death is typically a violent act, one of struggle, something we don’t often witness our wish to think about. The very idea of a violent, rage filled attack intended to kill something isn’t a part of our culture, yet that is what Paul is recommending. And it’s not that we aren’t equipped to do this, for in Ephesians he tells us of our defensive protections and then names the only weapon we need, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. So unless we lay down our arms, we have the weapons that the Lord supplies: “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Are we using the weapons he gives us effectively?
Thank you for your Spirit by which we may put to death the deeds of the body that we may live! Give us the courage and discernment to use the weapons of our warfare effectively!
ESV Lectionary
Our pastor has been teaching about “Grace driven effort,” and part of that is what Paul refers to here, putting to death the deeds of the body. Death is typically a violent act, one of struggle, something we don’t often witness our wish to think about. The very idea of a violent, rage filled attack intended to kill something isn’t a part of our culture, yet that is what Paul is recommending. And it’s not that we aren’t equipped to do this, for in Ephesians he tells us of our defensive protections and then names the only weapon we need, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. So unless we lay down our arms, we have the weapons that the Lord supplies: “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Are we using the weapons he gives us effectively?
Thank you for your Spirit by which we may put to death the deeds of the body that we may live! Give us the courage and discernment to use the weapons of our warfare effectively!
ESV Lectionary
posted by BenLaws at 8:04 AM
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