Studies in Romans 8:12-17

12- So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -

** After explaining verses 1-11, here is the application for the believer.

** "under obligation" - this is like a debt that we owe to God

13- for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

** Paul is talking about a lifestyle after the flesh - not a momentary act of sin. If we are living according to the Spirit, and we sin, we know that we are wrong. On the other hand, if one sins while living in the flesh, he will not notice his sin as evil.

** "deeds of the body" - Remember Rom. 7:5 - the sinful passions were at work in our bodies to bear fruit for death.

** "putting to death" - Using our minds, that are fortified with God's word, we are to separate (true meaning of death) ourselves from following the lusts of the flesh, and do the deeds of righteousness.

14- For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

** You can't be led by the Spirit unless the Spirit is in you.

15- For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba Father!"

16- The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

** The Holy Spirit will communicate to us that we are children of God. This to me means that the believer will always have the correct testimony on how to obtain eternal life - because the Spirit in them knows the gospel, and will internally inform the person the truth about Christ.

** This is one of my verses that I use to validate the theory that believers will always know the gospel when asked. We never have to judge the salvation of another person. Their own testimony reveals what or who is in them. 1 John 5:10 is the other verse. Also see John 15:26.

17 - and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

** Heirs signify an inheritance that awaits us in the future.

** Paul inserts a conditional phrase concerning suffering with Christ so that we may be glorified with Him. I'm not sure how to apply this phrase. Paul talks about suffering in v. 18-30.