Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Believers are debtors, yet they owe nothing to the flesh or to the sinful nature, and they are under no obligation to live by it or under its rule. They are instead debtors to Christ for every ability, every grace, every good thought, and every proper action. They have nothing of themselves of which to boast, because everything they have was received.
Through the indwelling Spirit of God dwelling in them, whose power is to be revealed in their lives, they are to put to death the deeds of the body and sinful actions and to live by and follow the Spirit rather than the flesh. Living by the flesh brings death, but putting to death the deeds of the body through the Spirit brings life. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God, having received the spirit of adoption rather than bondage to fear so that they call on God as Father, with the Spirit witnessing with their spirits that they are God's children.
As children they are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, suffering with Him in order to be glorified together, since the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed in them. Therefore they are to live in lowliness and humility at the foot of the cross. They are to let all their words and acts win others to Christ, including those looked upon as hopeless, and not drive them farther from Him.
Believers are debtors, yet they owe nothing to the flesh or to the sinful nature, and they are under no obligation to live by it or under its rule. They are instead debtors to Christ for every ability, every grace, every good thought, and every proper action. They have nothing of themselves of which to boast, because everything they have was received.
Through the indwelling Spirit of God dwelling in them, whose power is to be revealed in their lives, they are to put to death the deeds of the body and sinful actions and to live by and follow the Spirit rather than the flesh. Living by the flesh brings death, but putting to death the deeds of the body through the Spirit brings life. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God, having received the spirit of adoption rather than bondage to fear so that they call on God as Father, with the Spirit witnessing with their spirits that they are God's children.
As children they are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, suffering with Him in order to be glorified together, since the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed in them. Therefore they are to live in lowliness and humility at the foot of the cross. They are to let all their words and acts win others to Christ, including those looked upon as hopeless, and not drive them farther from Him.