Spirit Nourished

Friday, June 8
Romans 8:12-13  
"So then, my brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to.  For if you live according to your human ways, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live."  (TEV)
     The NRSV speaks of debts in these two verses, and Peterson's The Message approaches the verses even differently:
"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 you can do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life."
     The 'debt' for our old life has been paid by Christ.  Now we need to bury the old habits and sinful practices, whether big or small.  Now we need to 'grow' in the Spirit, to develop a Spirit mindset, which is a "crucial step between living around the Spirit and living according to the Spirit." *  We cultivate a Spirit-filled life with nourishment of spiritual food.
     What is spiritual food?  The study of Scripture, fellowship and discussion with others, and constant watering with the cleansing of Spirit baptism.  Filled and fueled by the Holy Spirit, there could be no turning us back!
     I LOVE the next verse in The Message.  It is so appropriate for this, the last day of our 'old life', our school-district lives.  "God's Spirit beckons!  There are things to do and places to go!" (8:14)  I would add and 'ways to serve'!  It sounds a little like a Dr. Seuss Spirit (now THAT would be a scribble!) sending us out into the world, a la "The Places You'll Go!"   Our Spirit-God IS sending us!  Fortified and nourished.

* From World Vision Faith in Action  Bible Commentary.