No Obligation

New Living Translation:  Romans 8:12  Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have  no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.  

The Living Bible:  So, dear brothers, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do.

The Message Bible:  So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!  

New King James:  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

King James Version:  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Voice:  So, my brothers and sisters, you owe the flesh nothing! You do not need to live according to its ways, so abandon its oppressive regime.

The Amplified:  So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]—


One verse, many versions.  We've been doing a study of Romans in our Sunday Bible Study.  One of the best things to do, in my opinion, is to study the Bible with others.  I love the teaching, the interacting, getting different perspective, It's edifying and uplifting as well as educational.  You can learn how others put into practice the things they learn, maybe getting some helpful hints for your own walk with the Lord. Or maybe you can actually be the one to help someone else!  It unifies the body of Christ and we have a lot of laughs!

So anyway, the verse that caught my attention a couple of weeks ago was Romans 8:12.  I am under no obligation to do what my sinful nature wants!  Wow.  I know that seems so obvious, but sometimes seeing something in print mixed with the Holy Spirit's anointing...well it just comes to life in one's heart.  Often times, when studying our Bibles it's as if God is right there, looking over your shoulder as your read, and pointing to the verse He has in mind just for you, just for that moment in time.  God visit!!

Well, this is the verse I am trying to remember as I go through my days.  I am under no obligation to gossip, criticize, complain, overeat, be negative, prideful or any of the other things I struggle with. Some days I get it, some I don't....but thankfully the Holy Spirit continues His work in me,

One of the ways to cement things in your heart and mind is to study them.  Meditating on a verse, looking it up on other versions, and finding the original meaning in the Greek or Hebrew (depending on whether you are in the Old or New Testament) are great ways to do this.   For me, the modern language of the New Living Translation clarifies God's Word well for me.  But I love the pictures painted by the Message.

I love God's Word.  I love the way He illuminates it.  It is my desire to live it out.  Lord, let Your Word become alive in our hearts and lives today.  Thank You for it!

Want more God visits?  Open up your Bible, start reading and studying!