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Morning Thoughts |
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Romans 8:12-13, "Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors, not the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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." This morning, it behooves us once again to consider motive for action. Today, many different people do different things for very different reasons. Two men may do seemingly similar things, but the motivation for each may be polar opposites. For example, two different men may go to church (same action), but one may do it out of love and the other out of begrudging duty. Same action but drastically different motive. Two men may both successfully serve in some business endeavor, while one may have the good of the company at heart while the other is seeking fame, fortune, and glory. Again, the action itself is not the completeness of the matter, but a properly coupled motivation is needed to do the right things in the right way. Therefore, when evaluating Christian deportment in this world, we ought to have the right motivation (heart in the right place), else the work will come to nought as it is being done for show and not borne out of love and appreciation to our Heavenly Father. As we mentioned yesterday, Paul has been plowing the ground of a doctrinal masterpiece that he will climax at the end of this chapter. As the 8th chapter of Romans concludes, Paul reaches the zenith of his thought that we are wholly, completely, and inescapably secure in the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Eventually, Paul will (in the 12th chapter onward) give detailed descriptions of how Godly living should be effected in our lives. However, as is many times the case in Paul's epistles, he gives a prelude or precursor to the Christian's activity in the midst of a doctrinal discourse. Our verses above are an example of that, much like Ephesians 1:6 is a similar example of foreshadowing to detailed Christian living. Before going into the heart of Paul's thoughts from our verses, it also behooves us to consider Paul's pattern and example for us as New Testament ministers of the gospel. Paul always began epistles with doctrinal foundations before launching into the waters of practical living. The reason the structure of thought must be in such a way is for the same reason that a roof goes on the house after the foundation. The roof will not stand without the supports under it. Likewise, long-range, consistent Christian living will not be found without a proper, grounded foundation of what Christ has done for us in our lives. Therefore, our preaching should find a similar structure, for if we hope that our efforts bring effectiveness in the lives of the congregation, they must be told why they should do or not do what we are declaring should or should not be done. There is an often used expression today that is (in my view of the Bible) wholly inaccurate to be expressed from the pulpit or otherwise. It is said, "We are being rocked to sleep in the cradle of grace." At other times we may hear, "Grace will only fatten the hearers to a point of not being able to live as they should." Both expressions show a complete knowledge void of the concept of grace. What does doctrine do in our lives? What does grace bring? Knowing of the grace of God (through all the points that Paul has laid out in the preceding verses), we have all the motivation necessary that could effectively stir the heart of a little lamb or sheep into the work of love, thanksgiving, and appreciation to our Lord above. So, grace, doctrine, and the foundational points of the Bible do not fatten the hearers into complacency, but rather they offer the ONLY real purpose for doing what we should be doing. Consider two different sequences. Doctrine then duty vs. duty then doctrine. Looking at the latter, we see that an exhortational type of discourse will not easily open the way for doctrinal points to be made. The former yields easy passage like the flow of a river for doctrinal pillars to be established and proceed right into the structure of the building (our works and efforts in this world). Paul's lesson above is ours as well. What has been done for us? Do we see that? Have we often have to be reminded of these things lest we let them slip? The answer in my experience to all three questions is yes, yes, and yes. Finally, consider that failure to lay the foundation will not only lead to a shaky building, but consistently and willfully failing to address foundational points will eventually lead to a failure in ability to even talk about them much less teach them. Paul's verses above strike an immediate contrast of style to what the previous discussion has been. He has been talking of position, position, position. The immediate shift is marked by "Therefore, brethren." That therefore is perhaps one of the most marked in all the Bible as it is meant to show an immediate pause for reflection and contemplation. Therefore what? Therefore, think about all that has just been said. We have no condemnation right now (Verse 1). We have been positioned after the Spirit (Verse 2). Christ came in our stead to condemn our sin in the flesh (Verse 3). The result is that we have the righteousness of the law fulfilled in us (Verse 4). We have been delivered from a state of inability to please God, being at enmity with God, and in all points contrary to Him (Verses 5-8). His Spirit has been freely given to us (Verse 9). We are alive right now (inwardly) because of His Spirit (Verse 10). One day our bodies will be quickened as well as the culmination of all these things (Verse 11). Seeing all of that, therefore, we are debtors. We are not debtors to the flesh, as that brought nothing but separation from God (legally speaking). We are not debtors to the thing that continues to plague us and give us problems. We are debtors unto the very thing that has done all of these wonderful things just described. We are debtors to Him for all of His benefits to us. Now, as One that has done so much for others, He could justly say we owe Him anything that pleases Him. Seeing His work has set the mark and standard so very high, He is able to require anything that He desires. His desire is that we through that same Spirit so freely given us mortify (kill) the deeds of the flesh in our lives. By doing so, we experience the richness of that life that He freely bestowed upon us. The alternate receives the death and destruction that fleshly enterprise brings on the broad way leading to destruction. If we are in debt to Him, what does He require and why? Currently, I have a debt on my house that my wife and I work diligently every month to pay off. I understand why I am in debt, for I am a partaker of the very thing (house) that I am indebted with. It is easy for me to see the price, for I experience the house everyday. On the other hand, I could (although I am not) be indebted to things I cannot see - such as credit cards or other spent goods or assets. However, our debt to Him is something we can see and feel (by faith). Since we have been made partakers of Him, our debt is real and tangible. We owe Him our thanks, love, and most concerted of efforts in our walk, for He richly gave us all down to the very gift of His Darling Son who died for us and lives again for us. Heaven's riches and glory is freely ours as joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. Knowing all of this, what great thing is it to serve Him? How difficult is the path knowing that His was harder and impossible for us? Knowing that our impossible task was successfully undergone and completed by Him for us, what an easy yoke and light burden we have here! (Matthew 11:28-29) Why do we mortify the deeds of the flesh? We do so because we love Him and want to show our admiration for the One that delivered us from what we could not bear. Why do we follow after righteousness, godliness, patience, and love? We do so because we thank Him in our actions for His action and compassion to us. We are reaching a time of the year that is seasonally set aside for thanksgiving for all of our many and various benefits in our lives. While I dearly love this time of year, the interaction and fellowship that it brings, and the rich food that we are blessed to enjoy, this seasonal time of thanksgiving should not be our only time of thanksgiving. One of the best ways to thank Him is to show it daily in killing off fleshly desires and actions that are a stench in His very nostrils. The best way to successfully fulfill this obligation and service is to keep firmly fixed in view all that He has done for us, is now doing for us, and what He will do for us. Dear friends, quite unlike my house note analogy above, I could ignore my debt and for a time enjoy the comforts of the house only to be eventually evicted. God's love to us is greater than our debt of service, for my debt payment to Him is short time and again. I should never worry in distress and utter anguish about being spurned from Him (though I do from time to time), for His promise forever stands despite my unbelieving talk and walk. (II Timothy 2:13) Yet, how much does He deserve? Our debt to Him is deserving of our best and our everything. Our debt to Him is deserving of lifelong service and thanksgiving to Him. He is well pleased when we praise Him and offer up thanks unto Him. (Hebrews 13:16-17) While our efforts seem so pale at times, may we continually praise Him, thank Him, and remember, therefore, that debt that we should be consistently and faithfully paying. Remember dear ones what He has done, by so doing, mortification of the flesh's deeds becomes easy by comparison. Does grace douse our fire like a bucket of cold water? Nay, nay, a thousand times nay! Grace, doctrine, God's love, God's work, and God's salvation is the very fire of knowledge that stokes the fire of our life to pay Him, pay Him, pay Him. As I have heard all my life, "If grace won't stir you to it, I certainly can't do it." If a sermon on grace preached properly as the Bible teaches grace does not stir the blaze, browbeating certainly will not be effective or not for very long. Let us keep our wood dry, our lamps oiled, and our minds at the ready. In so doing, our service of death to the flesh will be a blaze that wafts right into the portals of heaven as a sweet smell of our remembrance and thanksgiving unto Him that has done what we so love to contemplate.  In Hope, Bro Philip |