Romans 8:12-17 (CEB)
So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but it isn’t an obligation to ourselves to live our lives on the basis of selfishness. If you live on the basis of selfishness, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the actions of the body, you will live. All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as [God’s] children. With this Spirit, we cry, “[Parent].” The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with [Christ] so that we can also be glorified with [Christ].
Note: Gendered language for God replaced with bracketed words.
In Romans, Paul introduces himself to the thriving Christian community in Rome. The letter is Paul’s most thorough theological treatise, laying out his message comprehensively and systematically. He discusses the world’s need for redemption, God’s salvific act in Jesus Christ, and the new life Jesus makes available for believers. Scholars believe that Paul wrote Romans in 57 and 58 AD.
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he explores the relationship between individual actions and communal identity. Romans 8:12-17 invites us into a transformative understanding of our spiritual identity, emphasizing that our obligations are not to our selfish desires but to a life led by the Spirit.
As we delve into the passage, we are reminded that the Spirit liberates us from the shackles of fear and selfishness, which Paul metaphorically calls a "spirit of slavery." This liberation is not merely for personal gain; it is an invitation to participate in a larger, divine family - one where we are all God's children, regardless of our backgrounds or personal journeys.
The emphasis on collective identity is crucial. It challenges us to reflect on how our actions contribute to the well-being of the broader community. When Paul speaks of living by the Spirit to "put to death the actions of the body," he urges us to transcend our base instincts and engage in acts of love, justice, and compassion.
This liberation from our selfish nature frees us to confront systems of oppression that marginalize and alienate God’s children. Just as God freed us, we seek the freedom of all people - freedom from poverty, from abuse, and from exploitation.
In calling us God’s heirs, Paul queers the traditional understanding of inheritance. Traditionally, only sons received an inheritance, with the oldest getting a double share. Daughters could be granted possession of their father’s estate only in the absence of any sons. Paul, however, includes everyone - women and men - as God’s heirs, exhibiting the inclusive nature of Christianity by standing against patriarchal interpretations that marginalized women.
As God’s heirs and co-heirs with Christ, we are called to share in both the sufferings and the glory of Christ. This shared experience binds us together, teaching us resilience and empathy and inspiring us to act justly in a world that yearns for redemption and healing.
Let’s reflect on our roles within this divine family. Are our lives marked by the Spirit’s leading? Are we contributing to the liberation and flourishing of all God’s children? As we ponder these questions, may we find the courage to live out our identity as God’s beloved, working together for a world reflective of divine love and justice.
- Rev. Roy Atwood, Associate Minister of Online Community