Christian Obligations

INTRO

I. CHRISTIAN OBLIGATIONS

A. Meaning of "obligation."

1) To be under "obligation" or to be a "debtor" (KJV) here means that there is a moral compulsion or duty to do something based on the grace that we have received from God.

2) Paul knew well his obligations for his own ministry. Rom. 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:16

B. Our obligation is based on who we are in Christ.

1) These obligations in vv. 12-13 are based on 8:1-11. We are obligated to live our life before God in a certain way, not because we are trying to earn His grace, or pay Him back but because of our new status in Christ.

2) THEREFORE, Paul’s exhortation is basically the message: live according to who you are. If you are a Christian live like one.

This obligation involves two things:

II. OBLIGATION #1 – Negative

A. Conduct: Don’t live according to the flesh.

1) Christians are not to live according to what they were.

2) The inappropriateness of this behavior.

B. Consequence: eternal death.

III. OBLIGATION #2 – Positive

A. Conduct: By the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body.
John Owen – "Be killing sin or sin will be killing you."

What can we learn about sanctification?

1) Sanctification is the work of the Spirit. By the Spirit.
How does the Spirit help us kill our sin?

2) Sanctification is the work of the believer. You.
God’s sovereignty does not contradict man’s activity:
Col. 1:29
Phil. 2:12-13

This excludes a passive view of sanctification. The truth is different, because Christ is active in you, therefore you be active in Christ.

B. Consequence: eternal life.

CONCLUSION