¹² So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

1) What is meant by the word “flesh” in this passage?
“Flesh” in this passage refers to our sin nature, the old self, bent towards sin, and opposing God. When Christ died for our sins, he saved us from the penalty of sin (eternal separation from God in a literal place called hell), but also from the power of sin. We are new creations, and we now have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to stop sinning and to walk in holiness.

2) What is the evidence that we are children of God?
Verse 14 says that those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. Verse 15 says that we have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, and verse 16 tells us that the Spirit bears witness that we are children of God. The presence of God’s Holy Spirit living in us is evidence that we are God’s children. For some examples of what this looks like, check out Galatians 5:22-23.

3) What are the results of having the Spirit of God in us?
According to these verses, if we have the Spirit, we will have confidence in our status before God as sons and heirs. This confidence keeps us from the fear that makes us slaves to our flesh (meaning sin). The Spirit gives us the power to put to death the deeds of the body (that is, our sin)!

4) What does it mean that we must suffer with Christ in order to be glorified?
“Glorified” means to be free from the presence of sin when we are with Christ in heaven. At first, this might seem like a condition to our salvation—you must suffer in order to earn glorification. But this can’t be the correct interpretation, because that would mean that our salvation was based on something we do instead of completely by grace. Suffering is not a condition of our salvation, but our willingness to endure and persevere through it is evidence that we are truly saved. A true Christian can fix their eyes on Christ and the glory that is promised and endure whatever sufferings may come on this earth.

1) What is meant by the word “flesh” in this passage?
After surrendering our wills to Christ and giving Him lordship instead of Satan, we are no longer debtors to the flesh, meaning we owe the Enemy nothing. We do not need to follow our sinful desires, because we are led by the Spirit. It is His work in us that frees us from fear that keeps us enslaved to sin!

2) What is the evidence that we are children of God?
Although the presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is evidence of our salvation, we don’t need to waste time trying to “feel” His presence in us as proof that He is there. Everyone who calls on Jesus Christ for salvation has the Holy Spirit living in them. Guaranteed! Sometimes, we “feel” the Spirit as He comforts us, convicts us, or leads us. But many times, His work is more subtle, developing fruit in us over time. (Galatians 5:22-23)

3) What are the results of having the Spirit of God in us?
Are you living in the freedom that Christ offers, freedom from fear and slavery to sin? If you have trusted Christ for salvation, then you are adopted into God’s family and you are given the power of the Holy Spirit to help you choose what pleases God. Ask God to help you be completely convinced of your security in Him!

4) What does it mean that we must suffer with Christ in order to be glorified?
Are you facing any suffering because you identify with Christ? Perhaps a relationship is broken or strained, you are facing hostility from co-workers, or something even more drastic? Take heart! God has the power to change our present situations, but even if He doesn’t, “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Prodigal!