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. (Romans
8:13)
We have a freedom that many do not have in our world
today. As children of God, we are no
longer obligated to our sin nature (Rom 8.13).
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, we must put to death the deeds of the
body. The presence of God’s Spirit gives
us the freedom to do just this. If we
will not put to death the deeds of the body, it may be a sign that we do not
have the Spirit present within. Such
rebellion ends in death. So, “do not
present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin” (Rom 6.13), “put
to death …fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,
which is idolatry” (Col 3.5), and crucify “the flesh with its passions and
desires” (Gal 5.24). Why? Because you have the freedom to do so.
