A Broke Evangelist

November 19, 2024

Romans 8:12-13

Our Obligation to the Spirit  

"12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."

Driving to work was kind of interesting today. Normally, the chaotic movement of traffic merging from all directions is a constant strain on my faculties as I concentrate on where everyone is coming from. After nearly fifty years of driving experience, I’ve finally mastered the skills my driver’s education instructors tried to teach me at 15 years old—how to be a defensive driver while maintaining speed and distance. Experience, combined with a little bit of nerve when changing lanes to reach the right interchange exit, has made these maneuvers a piece of cake for me to accomplish with relative ease. 

But today was different. The traffic that normally fills the freeway lanes wasn’t there. Traffic was surprisingly light, making my commute to the office much easier. Everything flowed smoothly as I headed north to my usual exit, and when I made the turnoff, even the streets leading to the office were practically empty. I hit every green light and reached my parking spot in record time. In the back of my mind, I wondered if today was a state or federal holiday. I also thought about how pleasant my commute home would likely be. 

However, as I exited the parking lot around 5:30 p.m., I immediately encountered a group of kids riding their bikes (in the dark) on the wrong side of the road. As I began to pull out onto the street, two of them almost collided with the front of my truck. Fortunately, they—and their posse—managed to dodge my front end and veer into the parking lot to do who knows what. Whenever I see a group of kids like that, I always wonder what they’re up to. Thankfully, everyone lived to see another day, and I continued toward the freeway without further issues… until I turned left onto the street that leads to the on-ramp. 

After waiting three or four minutes to merge onto the freeway, I found it bumper to bumper for as far as I could see. Fortunately, I’ve developed an effective strategy for dealing with traffic jams. I slow down to a crawl—around 20 mph—and maintain that pace until the congestion clears. As I drive, I watch other drivers dart from one lane to another, trying to reach their destinations faster. Inevitably, they hit red lights ahead or brake for slower traffic, while I steadily crawl past them. This cycle repeats itself over and over: cars zoom past me, hit the brakes, and then I pass them again. 

It reminds me of how God calls me to be patient when I’m waiting for His answers to my prayers and questions. Sometimes, I want to act like those cars, constantly seeking a quicker path to my destination, only to find myself stalled by roadblocks. Meanwhile, those who trust in the Lord and His perfect timing can rest assured that they’ll reach the point in their journey He has planned for them. 

No matter how chaotic the traffic is, I always make it home at the same time—whether I rush and floor the gas pedal or put it on idle and cruise through the madness. The cruise is the better way to go. 

Let’s now cruise through Romans 8:9-11…

Romans 8:12 – Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.

When it comes to the flesh—by that, I mean the sinful, rebellious nature within us—it’s like that one friend who always shows up late, eats all your snacks, and never helps clean up. Let’s face it: it’s never done us any real good. No matter how much we cater to it, it only leads us down dead-end roads filled with regret and emptiness. So, why should we feel obligated to indulge it? Here’s a tip—we shouldn’t. 

The truth is, we owe the flesh absolutely nothing—not a shred of loyalty, nor an ounce of pampering, and definitely not the driver’s seat in our lives. If anything, the flesh has been a freeloading passenger, constantly steering us toward trouble. It promises joy but delivers heartache, promises freedom but leaves us chained. 

Our real debt is to the Lord—the One who’s been faithful, loving, and generous beyond measure. He’s the one who gave us life, rescued us from sin, and continues to pour out grace upon grace. Unlike the flesh, which is all about taking, the Lord is all about giving—abundant life, peace, purpose, and hope. 

So, let’s be clear: instead of being obligated to listen to the flesh or cater to its demands, we get to live in freedom instead, walking by the Spirit, and aligning our lives with the One who truly has our best interests at heart. When we remember who we owe and why, life becomes so much richer—and a whole lot less stressful! 

Romans 8:13 – For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Here, Paul doesn’t mince words—he’s like that friend who tells you the hard truth you really need to hear. He’s always reminding us: if you follow the flesh, it’s a one-way ticket to death. Not exactly the kind of slogan you’d put on a coffee mug, but it’s a life-saving reminder nonetheless. 

And let’s be real, we NEED that reminder. The flesh is sneaky. It’s like a door-to-door salesman promising that this shiny new gadget will change your life. Only instead of gadgets, the flesh whispers, “Go ahead, indulge a little—this will make you happy.” Or, “You deserve this! It’s just a small compromise.” The problem is that every time we give in, it’s like buying a cheap knockoff that falls apart the moment we use it. Instead of life, joy, or peace, the flesh gives us guilt, regret, and emptiness. 

Paul knows this, and that’s why he keeps saying for us not to fall for it. The flesh doesn’t have our best interests at heart. In fact, it doesn’t lead to life at all—it leads to spiritual decay, brokenness, and, ultimately, separation from God. But here’s the good news: there’s another way. 

God offers us a life far better than anything the flesh could sell us. When we walk by the Spirit, we’re not chasing fleeting pleasures or empty promises. Instead, we’re stepping into true freedom, peace, and joy—the kind that doesn’t fade when the moment passes. Living by the Spirit brings clarity where the flesh brings confusion, purpose where the flesh brings chaos, and life where the flesh brings death. 

So, Paul’s not just nagging us with these reminders; he’s steering us away from danger and pointing us toward life. It’s like he’s saying, “Why settle when you can have the real thing?” 

At the end of the day, it’s a choice. Do we believe the flesh and its lies, or do we trust God’s promises? One leads to dead ends; the other leads to life that’s abundant, full, and eternal. Seems like an easy decision, right? But we’re human, and we forget—so thankfully, Paul keeps reminding us. 

More to come…

A Broke Evangelist – November 19, 2024

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